Starting from the car park on Binneys Track, Penneshaw, this walk explores Baudin Conservation Park via the Ironstone Hill Hike. Located on the eastern end of Kangaroo Island, within Baudin Conservation Park, the Ironstone Hill Hike follows a section of the historic bullock track to Cape Willoughby, originally used by the pioneering Bates family. Interpretive signs along the track explore the life of Harry Bates and his early farming endeavours, revealing some of the area's farming heritage. The track climbs through sheoak woodlands to Ironstone Hill, where the ruins of the Bates' cottage, a stone threshing floor and old farm machinery remain. From the Bates' cottage, there are stunning views across Backstairs Passage to the Fleurieu Peninsula. You can spot dolphins and southern right whales in the waters below from several vantage points along the track. Tammar wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles and rare glossy black cockatoos may also be seen in the 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.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the Iron Stone Hill Hike Carpark on Binneys Track (80 metres north of the intersection with Dolphin Way), pass between the rocks serving as a bollard and head along the narrow dirt track towards the slanted signpost. Pass by the said signpost and keep left at the 3-way intersection shortly after to continue along Ironstone Hill Hike.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Ironstone Hill Hike & West Boundary Track) continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike (a footpath).
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Ironstone Hill Hike & West Boundary Track) continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike.
After another 125 m continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike.
After another 20 m turn right, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike.
After another 380 m continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike.
After another 1.3 km turn right.
Continue another 30 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Ironstone Hill Hike
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
4.1 km
Time
1 h to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Bushwalk
1 h to 1 h 30 min
30 min to 45 min
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Find the car park at the start.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Ironstone Hill Hike & West Boundary Track) continue straight, to head along Ironstone Hill Hike (a footpath).
Continue another 30 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2 km to get back to the start.