Alligator Gorge, South Australia: Location, hike length & entry fees

The best time to visit Alligator Gorge in South Australia’s Mount Remarkable National Park is in the spring. There are two good options for walks that show off the gorge’s highlights.

Alligator Gorge in South Australia offers rugged scenery and a couple of photogenic attractions. The Narrows is a particularly narrow gorge that requires squeezing through, while the terraces are a series of platforms that, after rain, water bounces off.

There are, of course, no alligators in Alligator Gorge. The creature doesn’t live in Australia.

Where is Alligator Gorge, South Australia?

Alligator Gorge is in Mount Remarkable National Park, in the middle of a rough triangle between the towns of Mambray Creek, Wilmington and Melrose. For most visitors, access will be via Mambray Creek on the drive north from Adelaide to Port Augusta. The gorge is 297km north of Adelaide and 55km south-east of Port Augusta.

How long is the Alligator Gorge hike?

The main hike at Alligator Gorge is the 8.9km Alligator Gorge Ring Route Hike. This is, mercifully, a circuit and despite undulating terrain is rated as a moderate Grade 3 hike. You should budget about four hours for this walk.

If you’d prefer a shorter walk, then the Gorge Circuit Hike from the Alligator Gorge car park is 3.3km long, and lasts about two hours. This packs in the highlights, including the Narrows and the Terraces.

Further details about both walks can be found on the Walking SA website.

When is the best time to visit Alligator Gorge?

The best time to visit Alligator Gorge is in the spring months, when temperatures are a little cooler, and the landscape brims with colourful wildflowers.

The nearest accommodation is Alligator Lodge, which is within the national park.

Is there an entry fee for Mount Remarkable National Park?

If you wish to visit Alligator Gorge, you’ll have to pay the entry fee for Mount Remarkable National Park. At time of writing, this was $12.50 per vehicle.

Visit the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia website for further information.