Onkaparinga River National Park – Echidna and Waterfall Tracks – Sept 18, 2011

Walk Map

Description

The Echidna Trail is a beautiful walk that winds its way amongst some of the prettiest nature in the park. Trees include peppermint box, river red gums and pink gums on the higher slopes.  Other plant species found here include sheoak, golden wattle, a small stand of native pine and
various herbaceous ground covers.

Twenty-seven species of native orchids have also been recorded in the area. The spring wildflowers are beautiful.  Six heritage sites have been identified; including four huts/houses built in the late 1880’s – all of a similar construction.

The Waterfall Track is a short detour of the main track.  It does run after heavy rain, but is mostly either dry or dripping.

Details

Location:  Gate 7 Piggott Range Road, Onkaparinga Hills. (45 minutes from the CBD)
Tracks:    Echidna Trail and Waterfall Track
Grade:     Easy to Moderate
Time:      2 hours
Length:   5 km

Our Story

The Echidna Trail and Waterfall Track are my favourites in the whole park and I have come back to them several times.  Leaving from Gate 7, you walk straight ahead for a short ways before coming to a convergence of tracks.  From here you can access several other tracks in the park.  However, we took the left turn onto the Echidna Trail. 

You are immediately in a beautiful landscape of nature along a wider track.  This soon narrows and this time around we found the bushland had become quite dense.  After a rich winter of rain, the growth has been huge.  We had to watch out for the spikey Black Boy leaves as they were growing over the thin pathway and they do hurt!

The wonderful thing about this track is that you can be guaranteed to get up close and personal with many kangaroos.  And I mean quite literally up close.  Every time we have been there, they have taken us by surprise.  You are walking along the track and all of a sudden they are either on the track or right next to it.  At times we have walked passed them before we even realised!

This trip, Dave had stopped to take some macro flower shots not knowing that they were right there.  The sound of the shutter frightened them into moving and before we knew it, a dozen of them were staring at us.  I love this incredible shot of Mum and Joey staring out of her pouch.  We were only 10 metres away from them and were staring at each other for ages!  The variety of expressions on the joeys face as she observed us were such a wonder!

 

The ruins on the track always take me by surprise as well.  You are walking along in beautiful rugged nature, turn a corner, and there it is, an old stone house ruin.  It is fascinating to think of the life that people led living here in the late 1800’s.  Incredible, but it would have been tough.

The Waterfall Track is a short detour of the Echidna Trail and a must do.  I always have to climb the rock face and sit on the waterfall.  I have never seen it more than dripping away.  One day we will have to get here after a heavy rain and see what it’s like!  Today, we saw the most incredible skink ever.  He was huge!  Dave got lots of photos of him, but this one below of him climbing out of a crevice is my favourite.

This is a wonderful walk to do and is fine to take the kids.  You are able to take dogs, but they need to be on a lead or muzzled and well controlled due to the poison baits laid out for the foxes.  It isn’t recommended to do between November and March due to snakes and fire danger.  Winter is a great time for the waterfall.  And spring time is a chance to see the spectacular orchids and wildflowers!  And if you are lucky, the newly born kangaroo joeys! 

 

Onkaparinga River Recreation Park - Wetlands Walk - June 19, 2010

Walk Map

 

Description

An easy walk through the Wetlands along the bank of the Onkaparinga River, not far from the river's mouth.  Trails run alongside the river with a boardwalk enabling you to walk across the wetlands.  There is an abundance of life - birds, snakes, kangaroos, insects.  Informative signs give an insight into the complex life of the wetlands.  Revegetation is continuing and there is a diverse range of grasses.  Due to the snakes, it is a walk to either avoid or be very cautious on in summer.  Many people use this and other part of the recreation park for kayaking, walking, cycling, running, model planes, photography, and simply taking in nature.

Details

Location:  Gate 31 Rivers Road, Noarlunga Downs. (45 minutes from the CBD)
Tracks:    Wetlands Walk
Grade:     Easy
Time:      1.25 hours
Length:   5.5 km
Map:       http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/pdfs/BROCHURE_ONKAPARINGA.PDF
               http://www.communitywebs.org/OnkaparingaParks/pdf_files/OnkWalks.pdf

 

My Story

This is an easy, flat walk along the Onkaparinga River and Wetlands.  I first took the trail along the river which is surrounded by reeds of many colours and sizes.  Just as I left two kayakers rowed passed on their way upstream.  We have kayaked along this river a few months ago, but without a waterproof camera.  So, when we get organised on this, I can post about our kayak trips as welI!

There are a lot of really interesting places for photography with the reeds, river, trails and also old posts which were used for something in the past and make for interesting photos! 

The kangaroos, once again, didn't disappoint!  Of course, being only an hour from sunset when I began my walk, it was prime time for kangaroo spotting.  Only having my little camera and without much light, I didn't get any good photos, but it was fascinating watching them.  The first two I saw, seemed to be hopping along with us parallel to the track.  Amazing!  And they blended so incredibly well, that even though they were on open land, there were times when I completely lost sight of them until they moved again.  Towards the end of the walk, after Max and I passed over the wetlands boardwalk, there was all of a sudden a movement just 10 metres away from us as two kangaroos hopped off.  I counted 11 kangaroos in that group and they just stayed there watching us, watching them!!

It's been a while since I had done this walk, and I wasn't sure I could remember all the off shoot trails.  So, initially I stuck to the main track, but it didn't take long to remember it all again.  As I mapped the track on Map My Hike though, I saw more tracks in a different area of the park, so next time, it will be something new!

The park has benches along the way to sit and take in the views as well as a picnic area in a quiet, isolated part of the park.  I think we will definitely have to take advantage of that one day!

An easy and interesting walk, with lots to learn and see.  The flat paths make it suitable for all walkers.  With it's dog friendly policy and only 10 minutes away from home, it will be a regular walk from now on!

Slideshow of Photos - A Winters Day at Dusk.

 

Slideshow of Photos from Jan 12, 2008 - A Sunny Day

Hallet Cove Conservation Park - June 20, 2010

Hike Map

Description
A high fitness hike, if you want it to be, with hundreds of steps going up and down the sides of the amphitheatre!  Or perhaps just a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk - but there are still a few stairs along the way.  Hallet Cove Conservation Park provides walks for all fitness levels amongst scenery from bushland to open coastal views.  Fascinating signs along the way depict millions of years of history embedded in the soil and rocks, most notably, how things changed and shifted throughout the iceage.  A thoroughly stimulating hike!

From Australian Explorer website

"Hallett Cove is one of Australia's most outstanding geological and archaeological sites, recording evidence of an Australian ice age some 280 million years ago and providing a treasure chest of more than 1,700 Aboriginal artefacts. Magnificently developed glacial pavements along the northern cliff tops are recognised as the best record of Permian glaciation in Australia and have international significance. The park also conserves native flora and fauna and has a beach for swimming and fishing.
Hallett Cove Conservation Park is just 22 kilometres south of the Adelaide city centre."

Details
Starting Point:  The end of Cove Rd., Hallet Cove
Tracks:  Trails are not named with the exception of the coastal trail which is the boardwalk.
Grade:  Medium
Time:   1.25 Hours
Length: 6 km
Map:     http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/pdfs/BROCHURE_HALLETT_COVE.PDF

Our Story
With Hallet Cove only being a 10 minute drive from our home, this is a walk we have done many times now and I know the layout and the tracks well.  But even still, we managed to discover a new little offshoot track to explore which took us into different vegetation again!

I've started taking photos of the information signs around the parks.  Those at Hallet Cove are fascinating with facts on the iceage as well as about the flora and fauna.  They are all in the slideshow at the bottom if you wish to read them.  There are also quite a few sites with information on this historically significant piece of land.  One is from the Marion City Council - http://www.marion.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=200 - it also includes a YouTube video from a TV feature done on the park.

We started this walk in the northern end of the park, then on to the boardwalk that is the Coastal Trail, finishing with going down the amphitheatre steps, up to Sugarloaf, down to Hallet Cove beach and then back through and up the amphitheatre steps before heading back to the car.

One of the coastal views from the boardwalk

 

 Dave at the bottom of some steps

We found a new program which we downloaded onto Dave's phone.  Nokia Sports Tracker.  It uses the GPS on his phone to map the route that we take.  Fantastic piece of technology!  It was exciting to see how fast we were walked, the distance, and also the altitudes, the highest point and the lowest point.  And while it was great to see the route we took, it wasn't completely accurate as Dave's phone is only accurate to 3 metres.  So, the path we took looked rather drunken, and not along the straight lines and curves of the trails.  It took some time to fix it up - more time than it would have to map it in the first place!  So, next time, we will try to find a program for the TomTom which should be more accurate.

We didn't see a lot of bird life today and it was all a bit gloomy for photos, so I've included a slideshow to a handful of other photos from walks at Hallet Cove when the weather was better!  One interesting spot was seeing, what we assumed was probably a fox, who had dug a ditch under the fence line so he could get through.  Nothing stops them!

The fresh sea air, the magnificent coastal views, the wonderful steps and the outstanding scientific and historical features make the Hallet Cove Conservation Park a truly invigorating walk!

 

Fox dig

Sugarloaf

 

Slideshow of more photos

 

Slideshow of photos from a previous walk

Onkaparinga River NP Gorge Access Trail - May 22, 2010

Map Hike

Details

Location:  Gate 7, Piggott Range Rd, Onkaparinga Hills
Tracks:  Nature Hike, Part of the Sundews Trail to the Lookout.
Grade:  Hard
Time:   1 hour
Length: 2.5 km
Map:     http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/pdfs/BROCHURE_ONKAPARINGA.PDF 
             http://www.communitywebs.org/OnkaparingaParks/pdf_files/OnkWalks.pdf

Description
The Gorge Access Trail - Leaving from Gate 7 - a steep climb down to the Onkaparinga River.  Beautiful birds, wild mushrooms, ground ferns.  The dew stays around the ground cover throughout the day.  The end of the trail at the river is a popular place for picnics.  On the other side you can see the rockclimbers scaling the cliff face.  It is a tranquil, peaceful beautiful part of the world.

Our Story

I was surprised when I mapped this hike, to find that it was only 2.5 km!  It felt longer than that!  Possibly because of the tracks terrain.  It was steep and it was rocky.  Not steep like the small section that we climbed up and down at Shepherds Hill Rec Park where I had to use my hands as well (!), but it was a constant downward walk over some rocky terrain.

 

Coming back up surprised me as well.  I thought it was going to be really tough - a real fitness test.  But after the initial 200 metres it was fine.  A steady climb but not over exhausting.  I'd like to say it was a testimony to my fitness!  But my fitness is really only just starting to return again after a break from doing regular exercise!  No, this was just a good climb.  Constant but steady.

The bushland on this hike constantly changed as we went through the different stages.  It was incredible.  As we got lower it became lusher and moister.   It was amazing how in the middle of the day, the dew was still on the ground cover.  Little droplets of water on leaves and mushrooms and flowers.  Just gorgeous.

At the bottom of the track is a perfect little setting.  It is rocks right to the edge of the river with bushland on either side.  We set up our picnic and soaked in the surroundings.  It was disappointing to see an extremely large and bright blue graffiti scribble on the rockface on the other side.  You could actually see it through the trees from about 2/3 of the way down the track.  I thought it might have been something to do with the rockclimbers, but no.  We soon found out why the graffiti was there.

We were followed down the track by a teenage couple - in thongs would you believe!!!  It was really interesting to here the guy's story of how they used to jump from the sheer rock face on the other side into the river. It seems to be an extremely popular spot for the teens to come. At the moment, the river is quite shallow though and it's not possible to do it.  But he was saying how the river used to be deeper and in one particular spot there is quite a deep pool.  They had to be careful to make sure they landed in exactly the right spot.  Far too dangerous.

On our side of the river, there was a swinging rope to hang on to, and while the teenagers couldn't jump in the water because it was too shallow, they proceeded to swing out and back on it.  I was just hoping they didn't lose their grip.  Fortunately all was good and a little while later they headed back up the track in their thongs!

After lunch, Dave spent time taking some macro shots and I wandered over to the edge of the rocks.  I found tracks going in both directions along the river.  I've done the Sundews Trail further down the river.  But on that day we came across an unpassable rock and had to turn back.  Now I know the trail continues beyond that rock and I'm looking forward to going back there and seeing how far we can get!

Whilst we were there we noticed people walking along the trails high up the cliffs on the other side of the river.  They were rock climbers about to start their climb up.  It was incredible watching them working the ropes, getting everything just right and then scaling straight up the rock face.  As we climbed back  up the trail, we were able to keep watching them as well as seeing another pair further along.  It would be quite an adrenalin rush!  But I think I was stick to trail hunting!

So, the Gorge Access Trail.  Another of my favourites, providing more opportunity for trail hunting, a good hill climb, a great place to picnic and fabulous nature and views for photography.

Slideshow of more photos from this hike

 

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Onkaparinga River National Park Nature Hike - May 16, 2010

Details
Location:  Gate 7, Piggott Range Rd, Onkaparinga Hills
Tracks:  Nature Hike, Part of the Sundews Trail to the Lookout.
Grade:  Medium
Time:   1 hour
Length: 3.5 km
Map:     http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/pdfs/BROCHURE_ONKAPARINGA.PDF
             http://www.communitywebs.org/OnkaparingaParks/pdf_files/OnkWalks.pdf


Description
Leaving from Gate 6 or 7 on Piggott Range Rd, the Nature Hike provides spectacular scenery. The bird life is prolific and the kangaroos are plentiful. You will always see at least two or three if you are on the look out. If you are lucky there are also echidnas and lizards to be seen as well. Parts of the trail are quite rugged and hilly, so good walking shoes are essential. The trail overlooks the Gorge and is set amongst Peppermint Gum and Sheok.


Our Story
I love this walk!  In fact all of the walks in this area leaving both from Gate 6 and 7 are my favourites.  I guess it helps that they are only a 5 minute drive from our home.  Another reason is the amount of choices.  You can choose one trail or three, they all link together.  You can choose easy or challenging.  You can go for an hour or three or all day.  Take your pick!

The Nature Hike takes you through a variety of bushland.  We started from Gate 6, so once we got off the starting main track, we were going through flat trails surrounded by smaller trees and shrubs.  The track then enters a really narrow avenue surrounded closely on all sides by prickly shrubs.  The trees hang over each other creating a canopy over the trail.

After emerging from this, the terrain opened up into a grassy area and to our left, our first lot of kangaroos.

 As we began the rounded to the other side of the loop, we saw the next track we want to do - the Gorge Access Track!  It is not listed as one of the regular walks, but the trail is marked on the map as well as labelled within the park.

We took the narrow, almost hidden Nature Trail and were treated to a completely different terrain.  This section is rocky, hilly and the trees and large and thick!  The birdlife, once again, is incredible.  We saw the first of the bird houses that have been placed high in the trees and were lucky to get some good shots of the most gorgeous birds.

Eventually, the trail led us to some old ruins.  Initially we thought they may have been an old home, but as we got closer we realised it was more recent. The foundations are concrete and we saw what looked an old electricity cable in the trees.  It would be interesting to do some research and find out what it was used for.

From here, we turned left and began to head to the Sundews Lookout.  However, we were completely sidetracked and delayed by even more kangaroos.  There were about a dozen.  Amazing and beautiful creatures!

The lookout is phenomenal!  The views amazing.  And the monument really interesting and informative about a bit of the history of the ownership of the area.  It is a lovely place to sit and soak in the energy and views of the Onkaparinga River National Park.

Slideshow with more photos
 

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park - June 12, 2010

Hike Map 

Details

Location:  Ayliffes Road, St. Marys, Adelaide.
Tracks:  Viaduct Creek Walking Track, Viaduct Track, Ridge Track.
Grade:  Hard
Time:   1 hour 15 minutes
Length: 4 km
Map:     Shepherds Hill Recreation Park Park Management Plan - Page 9.

 

Our Story 

Back to Shepherds Hill Rec Park the next day - with Dave this time.  We took a different route from yesterday, starting along the Viaduct Creek Walking Track and heading towards the Archery Club.  Max just loves this place!  So different from where we usually go with him and so many different smells!

We got to the Archery Club just in time for Dave to be able to walk through and see all the targets etc.  The members were just setting up the targets and putting out the red flags.

When got to the border of Watiparinga Reserve, instead of going up the hill towards Ridge Track, we continued along Viaduct Track into the reserve.  In my typical fashion, I saw an interesting track and looked up and saw the caves in the rock face. I had heard about these caves but hadn't looked up where they were.  I just had to do it!  It was a tough little climb up to them and they turned out to be just little indents in the rock, not actual caves!  But the climb was great and was one of the things that turned what was an easy walk yesterday into a hard walk today!

I saw a track going further up, probably towards the railway line, but it looked like it might start to rain so we decided to head back down and stay with what we knew.  We will do it next time!

It was slow going coming down.  Dave is much more sure-footed than I am so he went first.  I had to make sure I had a good grip with each footing before moving on.  Max would have run down the whole hillside if he could have!!  The photo doesn't give the perspective of how steep and slippery it was, but you can see the Viaduct Track down below.

From there, we climbed up the little track I took yesterday at the border of the reserve and the park, back to Ridge Track, and then continued to follow it around along the top of the Ridge.  The views were phenomenal.  Even better than yesterday!  The amount of Adelaide you can see is expansive - a real panorama.  Further along, you can look back and get a great view of the rec park and reserve.  Fabulous!  The photo just doesn't really do it justice.

 

Then we did a bit of "off the main trail" walking!  My favourite part.  We found a little track before Ridge Track began heading back down (just before you arrive at Walkers Creek Track).  "Lets try it" and off we went to see where it headed.  Knowing the layout of the place better, we knew roughly where we were going!  It came out right at the intersection of Viaduct and Ridge.  It was a great detour!  In looking at the satellite photo, you can see a lot of little tracks branching off and heading down the hillside back to Viaduct Track.  Some are steeper than others, so some interesting walks will be upcoming!

From there it was a quick walk back to the car park.  Dave loved this place just as much as I did, so it will now become a regular spot for us to go - particularly because we can take Max.  If you live in Adelaide, go find it.  It is great for all levels of walkers and if you don't get in the bush much, I think you will do so more once you have experienced the Shepherds Hill Recreation Park!

 

Shepherds Hills Recreation Park – June 11, 2010

Link to this Trail in Map My Hike

Details

Location:  Ayliffes Road, St. Marys, Adelaide.
Tracks:  Viaduct Creek Walking Track, Viaduct Track, Ridge Track.
Grade:  Easy
Time:   45 Minutes
Length: 3.5 km
Map:     Shepherds Hill Recreation Park Park Management Plan - Page 9.

Description

This is bushland plonked in the middle of suburbia!  As well as the sound of birds, in the background there is always the sound of traffic.  A sound I would prefer not to have (!), however to have this park available in the suburbs is a real treat.  It is used by walkers, dogs on leads, push bikes and horse riders. 

Our Story

This is a dream come true for trail hunters!  There are so many little tracks coming off the main tracks, the temptations are really strong.  I think it will take me many many trips to explore the whole park.  I am really looking forward to going back.  And next time, Dave will come with me!

 
So many wonderful choices!

One of the most exciting things was being able to take Max.  I have only been able to take Max bushwalking on one other track (Wetlands Walk - Onkaparinga Conservation Park), so to discover that dogs are allowed was great.  He had a ball!  

Bushwalking Max!

 

I began on the Viaduct Track taking the larger path straight ahead, rather than the more tempting narrow path to the right and up the hill.  I wanted to get the layout of the place first!  The track wound it’s way past the Pony Club and then onto the Archery Club.  This looked like a great club, one that Dave would love to try out I’m sure!  There were open targets as well as targets tucked away in the hillside.  Signposting was very clear, so there is no way you would have any problems with stray arrows.

 

You then had a choice between continuing to follow Viaduct Track or taking the Ridge Track.  The Viaduct stays relatively easy, while the Ridge takes you on a little climb.  I took the Ridge and saw a few off the beaten tracks that will involve some heavier climbing.  Can’t wait till next time!  After the little climb, you can continue to the right along Ridge Track, which also leads to Walkers Creek Track or you can turn left and finally take a tiny little track through the trees to meet up with the Viaduct once again.  At the top of Ridge Track the views are tremendous!!

The view across the suburbs to the beach

 
Back on Viaduct Track

You then come to the corner of the recreation park.  Turn left for Viaduct or turn right and head into the Waitparinga Reserve which is Heritage Agreement reserve and part of the National Trust of South Australia.  I turned left and started the trek back to the car park. 

This is when Max got to have some real fun!  All of a sudden four unleashed labradors came bounding along the track towards us.  Max was great.  He dropped to his stomach and stayed that way until they had their first sniff.  He was just fine with them, so I let him off the lead and they had a great time playing together while their owner and I chatted away.  What a treat for Max!  He would not have come off the lead otherwise, so he got real lucky.

 
Max and Friends

At this point, there was an intersection – go left and back over the track to continue on the path you originally came along or take the little track to the right which becomes the Viaduct Creek Walking Track.  You guessed it – I chose the right!

This leads back to the Archery Club.  You can take the bridge over the creek back to the original path or walk through the Archery Club to continue the same path.  You can do this only if the red flag is NOT up.  The flying red flag indicates that the arrows are also flying!  The little bridge running over the creek at this intersection was just gorgeous!  A lovely spot. 

Archery Club

Along the way there have been placed wooden seats to have a rest or to simply soak in the surroundings.  While there is apparently not a great deal of animal life, the birdlife was prolific. Dave is going to have a ball taking photos of them as well as taking macro photos of the multitude of little flowers and other plant life.  And if you are lucky you might even catch the boys on the bikes doing their incredible and daring tricks along the bike tracks. 

There is much more to explore in this park – caves, railways, an old train tunnel and railway relics - and I will post about it next time!  Till then…

 

Slideshow of other photos from this walk.

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