Wild South Coast Way Adventure

We depart from Adelaide at 8am and head south towards Cape Jervis.

We call in to the cute little town of Yankalilla for morning tea and coffee. Then journey to the official starting point of the Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis.

We expect to be walking for most of the afternoon with a picnic lunch en-route. The trail meanders through properties and spectacular Deep Creek Conservation Park. Following undulating trails along coastline and cliff tops.

We spot spaceship accommodation before popping out onto Blowhole Beach. Cross a tidal creek and start our biggest climb of the day up to Cobbler Hill. Our awaiting bus will deliver us to our oceanside accommodation for the next 4 nights.

Meals Included: Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 14km

Today we head back to Cobbler Hill then hike to Tapanappa via the Deep Creek waterfall.

We will definitely need our hill legs today as we venture deep into valleys and over creeks. Passing seasonal waterfalls and Eagle Waterhole we head uphill where the landscape opens revealing the skies above. This area undergoes regular controlled burns to reduce fire risk and can be in a constant state of regrowth and regeneration.

Hills dominate this section of Deep Creek Conservation Park with steep declines and inclines plus rocky terrain to overcome the challenging contours.

We break at Trig for a picnic lunch knowing we have completed the hardest part of our days walk.

Then we continue downhill, rock hop to cross a creek, before reaching Deep Creek Waterfall. Our final push uphill is gradual and with a few switchbacks, we will find our bus waiting for us at Tapanappa.

Relax and enjoy the ocean views from your accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 14km

After a good rest and big breakfast, today we conquer another challenging section of the Heysen Trail.

Along inland coastal scrub, the trail descends. Rising again we hug the hillside covered in bracken undergrowth and grass trees. A steep decline takes us to Boat Harbour Beach where rock hopping and creek crossings see us leave Deep Creek Conservation Park and onto rolling clifftops.

We then make our way down onto a soft sandy beach. Making this section of our journey a tough one and giving our legs a different kind of work out. There is only one way off this beach – a steep up. Defining our calf muscles we leave the coast behind us.

Rolling hills and farmland greet us for the final part of our days trek.  We hit our finish point and quiet country roads at Balquidder.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 16km

Today we leave from Balquidder.

After the challenges and climbs of yesterday, our trek today is a little more leisurely but no less stunning. We have our best chance to spot dolphins, whales and a variety of bird life.

Weaving our way through a creek lined valley to the coastline once more. We have two sections of beach walking today with clifftops between them. We experience some remote and wild sections of the Wild South Coast Way today.

Rolling hills and creek crossings await before we cover Parsons and Waitpinga beaches. Both beaches are popular surf spots.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 16km

We head out early today to complete our Wild South Coast Way adventure on a high. Enjoying the most spectacular and dramatic section of clifftop walking.

You may see echidnas today, plus dolphins and seals playing in the waves. If the tides are with us the fish traps used by First Nations People may also be visible.

The trail gently undulates today with only a few short steep sections. It winds us along dramatic cliffs and beach towards our finish line at picturesque Petrel Cove and The Bluff. This stand out land formation steeped in cultural and maritime history is where we celebrate over lunch at Whalers Restaurant.

Heading back to Adelaide we pass through McLaren Vale for an afternoon wine tasting at Wirra Wirra cellar door.

Arriving back to the city around 5:30pm.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks
Walking Distance: 15km

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as MODERATE-CHALLENGING
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information

Cape Jervis to Cobbler Hill

Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 550m
Elevation Loss: 325m

Cobbler Hill to Tapanappa

Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 525m
Elevation Loss: 575m

Tapanappa to Balquidder

Distance: 16km
Elevation Gain: 425m
Elevation Loss: 400m

Balquidder to Waitpinga

Distance: 16km
Elevation Gain: 300m
Elevation Loss: 525m

Waitpinga to Petrel Cove

Distance: 15km
Elevation Gain: 425m
Elevation Loss: 425m

10 REASONS TO WALK WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Heysen Trail (Wild South Coast Way). This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You will walk every step of the Heysen Trail (Wild South Coast Way) from the trail head at Cape Jervis to Petrel Cove, as well as visit McLaren Vale. We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our guides are also nature facilitators with skills to immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we safely guide you and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature whilst walking the trail (included activities such as an introduction to Shinrin-yoku ‘Forest Bathing’ ) <learn more about Forest Bathing here> ….. we’re pioneers of hiking with deep nature immersion

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so pre-tour training walks, training programs, and group chats online are provided leading up to your walking tour (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to practice on terrain that you are likely to encounter, meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the trail, travel, and the destination, and gauge your level of fitness. Many people underestimate the difficulty of walking this trail and end up under-prepared and unfulfilled ….. so we invest in your preparation

Meaningful Moments
we will bring your Fleurieu Peninsula experience alive ….. a guide book, phone App, and interstate companies can’t do this as well as a local South Australian tour operator like us

Flexibility (2 guides)
our departures have 2 experienced guides. Having 2 guides means we can better cater for group dynamics and individual needs. Factors such as walking pace, injuries and incidents can mean changes to the itinerary become necessary, and if there was only 1 guide then these changes will impact on your expectations and your level of enjoyment ….. avoiding this is why we always have 2 guides

Safety
our wilderness trained guides from Adelaide carry comprehensive group first-aid kits, satellite communication devices, and safety equipment. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services. There isn’t mobile phone coverage along sections of this trail ….. so for your safety, we always have multiple communication devices

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable walking conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Small Groups
a maximum of 10 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment, and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Travel Assistance
our in-house travel specialists can assist you with travel insurance. If you’re arriving from interstate or from international destinations we can also package any accommodation, flights, and add-ons in addition to this tour. Package your Wild South Coast Way walk with us and save stress, time and money

There are stairs, uneven surfaces and moving luggage to and from accommodation, plus walking bush trails on this trip. Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking