Mambray Creek, SA: Best Mount Remarkable National Park walks

The Mambray Creek section of Mount Remarkable National Park in South Australia has several good walks. These range from the interpretive Wirra Water Loop to the 18km Hidden Gorge Hike.

Mount Remarkable National Park in South Australia is a short detour off the Augusta Highway from Adelaide to Port Augusta or Adelaide to Coober Pedy. The turn-off for the most accessible section is at Mambray Creek, 47km north of Port Pirie.

Not all of Mount Remarkable National Park is accessible from Mambray Creek, however. Some of the more impressive sections are around Alligator Gorge in the north, which is part of the South Flinders Ranges. However, Alligator Gorge is significantly harder to get to, and there are still several good walking trails in the Mambray Creek section.

Mount Remarkable National Park walks: Wirra Water Loop

The easiest of these Mount Remarkable National Park walks is the Wirra Water Loop. This is a 1.6km return walk, which has interpretive signs explaining the importance of water in the area. It follows rocky river beds and should take about 30 minutes.

The Mambray Creek Walk is a little longer, linking the Day Visitor Area to the Mambray Creek Campground. There are plenty of river red gums and native pine trees along the 3km trail, which should take one hour return.

Mambray Creek walks: Baroota Hike and Daveys Gully Hike

For something a little more taxing, the Mambray Creek Walk can be extended to become the 6km Baroota Hike. This takes about two hours, and takes in the Baroota Ruins and Old Baroota Cemetery.

In the other direction, the 2.4km Daveys Gully Hike is the one to choose for the views. One way, you can see the Alligator Basin, but look west and you can see across the Spencer Gulf to Whyalla.

Hidden Gorge Hike from Mambray Creek

For a true test, however, the best Mount Remarkable National Park walk from Mambray Creek, SA, is the Hidden Gorge Hike. This is 18km long, and should take about seven hours. It can be tough going along the rocky, rubbly gorge floors, but there are some fabulous views from the top of Battery Ridge.

For more information, visit the South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

More South Australia travel

Stay at the famous Adelaide Oval cricket ground in the Adelaide Oval Hotel.

Stay by the beach at the Moonta Bay caravan park on the Copper Coast.

Hire a houseboat and cruise along the Murray River in Mannum.

Go on a 4WD tour from Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges.

Why Port Hughes on the Yorke Peninsula has one of the best beaches in South Australia.