Itineraries

Guide updated 13 Sep 2026 · verify NPWS SA the morning you go

These plans are built for real Adelaide drives and Southern Flinders overnights — three gates, fire season and energy included — not fantasy “do everything” checklists. Pick the plan that matches your group, then open it for a full timeline, packing notes and what to skip. Print from any plan page, or grab the free planner PDF / HTML anytime.

Every itinerary defers to NPWS SA for track status and alerts. Hard walks only appear where the plan names them — and only when official status is open.

Still choosing a gate? Start with Plan your visit for fees, fire season and vans, then park areas for Mambray vs gorge vs Melrose, then come back here for timed skeletons.

Full day on the ground (4–5+ hrs walking + town buffer)

Summit day from Melrose

Best for: Fit walkers overnighting in Melrose or arriving very early

One hard walk: Mount Remarkable Summit Hike from the War Memorial Monument trailhead. Start in the cool, carry enough water, and leave time for the drive — not Hidden Gorge as well.

Open plan →

Half to full day at the west-side hub

Mambray Creek family day

Best for: Families, first visit, picnic + short loops

Highway 1 to Mambray Creek: Wirra Water Loop, optional Daveys Gully, picnic/BBQ, campground look-see if you booked. No gorge road, no summit.

Open plan →

Half day to 4 hours at the northern node

Alligator Gorge & The Narrows

Best for: Walkers who want the quartzite slot without a 7-hour loop

Wilmington approach, no vans on the steep gorge road, The Narrows as the primary walk, optional extend to the 8.5 km Alligator Gorge hike if open and you started early.

Open plan →

2 days one way (26 km)

Black Range Trek outline (fire-season restricted)

Best for: Experienced overnight walkers outside fire-danger season

Mambray Creek to Melrose via Black Range and the summit. Backpack sites close in fire-danger season (usually 1 Nov–30 Apr) and cannot be booked online. Phone the Yorke and Mid North Office. Not a first-visit plan.

Open plan →

2 days (drive Friday/Sunday)

Adelaide weekend — two nodes, one hard walk

Best for: Adelaide visitors who will overnight once

Night in Melrose or Mambray Creek. Day 1: one main walk (summit or Narrows). Day 2: the other entrance or a short Mambray loop — not both hard walks.

Open plan →