List of Bushwalks in The Barossa Council

Environment

Starting from the car park on Allendale Road, Barossa Goldfields, this circuit track gives you a tour of the northwestern parts of Para Wirra Conservation Park via the Victoria Hill Circuit Track, visiting Bowden Cottage along the way. This trail takes walkers through the remains of the once-thriving mining town of Victoria Hill, which was bustling in the late 1860s. The trail features interpretive signs that tell the story of the Barossa Goldfields, as well as old mine shafts and workings. Bowden Cottage is a must-visit, with its mining equipment display, the Barossa Goldfields Historical Society museum, and picnic shelters and toilets. Walking this well-maintained path in the counterclockwise direction is recommended. Dogs are allowed on lead. Walkers need to be careful and stick to the trail, as there are dangerous and deep mine shafts in the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Victoria Hill Circuit

1.4 km circuit

20 min to 40 min

Victoria Hill Circuit

Heritage

Environment

Starting from the Gate 1 car park on Tanunda Creek Road, Flaxman Valley, this walk takes you on a circuit around Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park via the Stringybark Walk. The Stringybark Walk is a short family-friendly loop in the eastern section of Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park, passing through the flat regenerating areas of the park, as well as some dense stringybark forest and open grassland. There's an abundance of wildlife in this area, including plenty of kangaroos and birds, as well as many interesting rock formations and massive trees. In spring, a wide variety of wildflowers can be seen in bloom, including native fuchsias, silver banksias and orchids. This loop consists of flat, well-maintained and well-signposted walking trails, with bridges for wet conditions and some uneven surfaces, suitable for most fitness levels, and can be done in either direction. Dogs are not permitted in this park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Stringybark Walk

2.7 km circuit

45 min to 1 h

Starting from the car park on Allendale Road, Barossa Goldfields, this circuit track gives you a tour of the northwestern corner of Para Wirra Conservation Park, visiting South Para River and Bowdens Cottage along the way. The Phoenix Circuit Hike offers an exciting glimpse into the area's mining history. The trail passes by historic Bowdens Cottage and old mine shafts, with interpretive signs dotted throughout to provide details about the region's rich past. The hike is also a haven for birdwatchers, with a variety of bird species present including emus, white-winged choughs, wattlebirds, scarlet robins, and blue wrens. Though hilly and steep in parts, the path is well-maintained and rewards hikers with great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a break at Bowden Cottage, which houses a collection of mining equipment and the Barossa Goldfields Historical Society museum, along with a picnic area, shelter, and toilets. Dogs are allowed on lead. Visitors are reminded to stick to the trail due to the presence of dangerous and deep mine shafts in the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Phoenix Circuit Hike

3.7 km circuit

1 h to 1 h 45 min

Heritage

Environment

Starting from the Barossa Goldfields car park on Allendale Road, Barossa Goldfields, this walk takes you on a circuit around the Barossa Goldfields section of Para Wirra Conservation Park via the Phoenix Circuit Hike. This moderately challenging loop explores the former mine workings of the Barossa Goldfields at the northern end of Para Wirra Conservation Park, where gold was first discovered in 1868. The walk initially heads past Bowden's Cottage, which was restored from a historic stone ruin. It houses a small museum that tells the gold-mining story of the area. From there, the track continues through grassy hills of blue gum woodland past the Battery site, which was used to extract gold from the quartz but operated only once in 1898, then passes the Tramway Tunnel, which was used to cart gold-bearing quartz from the Menzies Mine to the stamp battery. Further ahead, the track passes the Menzies Mine and the ruins of the Steam Winding House, then crosses a creek and passes the Belle of the Barossa Mine, an unsuccessful quartz reef mine from 1895, before returning to the car park. Interpretive signs along the track provide information about the area's mine shafts, mine workings and former township. Walkers should stay on the track as there are dangerous mine shafts in the area. This loop consists of wide and narrow, gently undulating fire trails and walking tracks, with uneven natural surfaces and compacted natural surfaces, suitable for moderate fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Phoenix Circuit Hike

4 km circuit

1 h to 1 h 30 min

Environment

Hale Conservation Park Circuit

Hale Conservation Park Circuit

4 km circuit

1 h 15 min to 2 h

Starting from the car park on Warren Road, Williamstown, this walk takes you on a circuit within Hale Conservation Park via the Hale Hike Trail. This circuit walk explores the rocky lookouts, waterfall and old mine diggings within the park. There are wonderful views of Adelaide farms, bushland and pine trees along the way, and if you're lucky, you may spot an echidna. The lookout provides a great place to catch your breath and contemplate your surroundings, with panoramic views towards the South Para Reservoir and Mount Lofty. The track is well defined and marked with yellow markers. Some parts of the trail are quite narrow, with fairly steep inclines and moderately challenging rocky sections. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from Gate 13 at the intersection of Goldfields Road and Plum Road, Barossa, this walk takes you on a circuit within Para Wirra Conservation Park via the Bowden and Quarry tracks. As you walk along this track, you can read the information boards and learn more about the mine workings that were present in this area. There are still some mine shafts and tunnels to be observed as you explore this hike. There are toilets and a picnic area located at the Bowden Cottage. This hike has a few river crossings that may be slippery, and the use of hiking poles may help. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Lady Pearce Circuit

4.3 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min

1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min

Run

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Environment

Sandy Creek Boundary Walk

Sandy Creek Boundary Walk

7 km circuit

1 h 45 min to 3 h

Starting from the car park on Pimpala Road, Cockatoo Valley, this circuit walk takes you around the perimeter of Sandy Creek Conservation Park via the Honeyeater Link and Boundary tracks. This walk starts along the Honeyeater Link Track and then follows a wide fire trail around the park's perimeter. The sandy land is home to the rarest plants of the valley. The terrain undulates gently, and the trails are flat and well maintained, making this an easy walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from Watts Gully Road, Mount Crawford, this walk takes you on a circuit within Warren Conservation Park via the Warren Tower and Tower Hill tracks. The walk starts along a short boardwalk. The trail undulates uphill, going past Aldgate sandstone and magnificent large granite and moss rocks. Once on top, you’ll be awarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The Warren Tower Circuit has a moderate gradient and is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Warren Tower Circuit

8.7 km circuit

2 h 45 min to 4 h

Environment

Starting from the Gate 1 car park on Tanunda Creek Road, Flaxman Valley, this walk takes you through Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park to the Gate 2 trailhead on Rifle Range Road and back via the Wallowa Hike. The Wallowa Hike passes through a variety of landscapes within Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park, including creeks, rocky outcrops, low forest, scrub and open grassland, offering a comprehensive look at the park's main features. There's an abundance of wildlife in this area, including kangaroos and native birds, as well as many interesting rock formations, such as Horse Head Rock and Capped Rock. Near the pine forest, a short signposted side trip leads to a scenic lookout on top of a large granite outcrop. In spring, a wide variety of wildflowers can be seen in bloom, including native fuchsias, silver banksias and orchids. This hike consists of well-signposted, gently undulating fire tracks and walking trails, with bridges for wet conditions and some uneven surfaces. Suitable for people with average fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Wallowa Hike

9.8 km return

2 h 30 min to 4 h

Environment

Mount Crawford Forest Reserve Circuit

Mount Crawford Forest Reserve Circuit

11.7 km circuit

3 h to 5 h

1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min

Starting near Chalk's Campground on Forest Road, Cromer, this walk takes you on a circuit within Mount Crawford Forest Reserve. This circuit walk takes you through the native and plantation forests around Mount Crawford. Keep a lookout for kangaroos, emus and colorful fungi along the way, and enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds singing. During spring months, there's an abundance of wildflowers along the trail. The terrain undulates gently, and the route consists of wide fire tracks and walking trails. There is clear signage throughout, and there's a boardwalk section along the creek toward the end. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment