What awaits you at the best forests near Adelaide, plus tips and how to get there
Almost everyone I know who’s felt burnt out from work, heartbroken, or simply in need of a family outing, resort to a trip in nature. They say that hiking, a long walk among the trees, or a picnic at the park can do wonders for you.
And although all I did was look out the window of our house and wave back at the swaying bamboo trees, I believe them. Nature does have a healing power that’s sometimes hard to put into words.
The best forests and trails near Adelaide share in that power. With ethereally green landscapes, rich wildlife, abundant flora, and sun-dappled paths, you’re going to want to come back for more—or perhaps never leave.
Why visit forests near Adelaide?
There are three main reasons why you should visit forests near Adelaide. First is the unique landscapes—I don’t want to spoil anything, but you’ll pass by crystal-clear waterfalls and rivers, see native flora, and end up at scenic lookouts.
Second, the wildlife that treats the forests as their home. This is your chance, along with your kids, to personally meet the koalas, kangaroos, colorful birds, and other creatures you’ve only seen in books or watched on Discovery Channel.
Last but not least are the outdoor activities that can lift your mood, relieve stress, and recharge your mind. Adelaide’s trails invite you to hike, bike, picnic, or take a peaceful walk along the trees and sunlit paths.
Top forests and trails near Adelaide
Morialta Conservation Park
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Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/morialta-conservation-park
Address: Morialta Falls Rd, Woodforde
Contact details: +61 8 8336 0901
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 6:30 AM – 7 PM
Distance from Adelaide: 12.35 km
You can relax or break a sweat at Morialta Conservation Park—both are great options! Let’s start with the relaxing side: enjoy a family picnic lunch while listening to the sound of frogs, and let the kids hunt for tadpoles in the creeks and rock pools.
When you’re ready to pick up the pace, Morialta’s rock-climbing zones and trails will definitely get your heart pumping. Just so you know, the rock climbing areas are really meant for experienced climbers, but if you’re into hiking, check out a few great trail options below:
| Suggested trail | Difficulty | Length | Highlights |
| First Falls Walk | Easy to moderate | 3.6 km | 30-meter waterfall, koalas along the way, Giant’s Cave, grass trees, manna gums |
| Second Falls Gorge Hike | Moderate | 5.3 km | 15-meter waterfall, panoramic views of Morialta Gorge and Adelaide Plains, honeyeaters, thornbills |
| Third Falls Hike | Moderate to hard | 7.3 km | 6-meter waterfall, scenic lookouts, coastline views, diverse terrain |
As you can see from the trail highlights, the park is teeming with stunning waterfalls and views that’ll make you feel miles away from the city. And while koalas are a favorite, you’ll also spot kookaburras in the large gum trees and kangaroos grazing on the grassy slopes.
To make visits easier for everyone, Morialta has detailed social scripts prepared to help ease anxiety and stress for people on the autism spectrum when visiting a new place. There are mobile scooters and wheelchairs available for hire, too, if needed.
Cleland Conservation Park
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Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cleland-national-park
Address: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafers
Contact details: +61 8 8339 2444
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Distance from Adelaide: 10.91 km
Up on the higher slopes of Cleland Conservation Park, you’ll walk through forests of stringybark trees with lots of small trees and shrubs underneath. Meanwhile, down in the lower woodlands on the park’s northern side are stands of blue and manna gums.
Cleland also conserves important areas of native flora, but that’s not all—there are walking and cycling trails for you to hike or ride your mountain bike on, some of which are the following:
| Suggested trail | Difficulty | Length | Highlights |
| Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty | Moderate to hard | 7.8 km | Mount Lofty Summit panoramic views, waterfalls, native bushland, Summit Cafe |
| Chambers Gully to Mount Lofty Loop | Hard | 15 km | Bushland, koalas, kangaroos, a variety of bird species, Mount Lofty Summit panoramic views, historical sites (e.g. old stone huts) |
Finishing these trails and reaching Mount Lofty Summit means you’ll be among the 350,000 people who visit the peak each year. It’s a worthwhile journey, as those ‘panoramic views’ stretch from Adelaide’s city skyline all the way to the coast.
In the end, it’s your choice whether to spend your whole time admiring the flora or taking on these challenging trails. Either way, while you’re there, make sure to swing by Cleland Wildlife Park to meet the animals up close—especially the koalas.
Belair National Park
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Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/belair-national-park
Address: Upper Sturt Rd, Belair
Contact details: +61 8 8278 5477
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM – 5 PM
Distance from Adelaide: 11.08 km
You can find refuge in Belair National Park just like the native plants and animals here do. Its peaceful woodlands, lakes, and wild, undisturbed areas of the Adelaide Hills have one message: “Slow down and breathe.”
The historic sites are something to look forward to as well. First is the Old Government House, a significant heritage building, and the other is State Flora, the oldest plant nursery in South Australia that’s still going strong today.
Don’t forget the picnic areas where you can cook up a barbecue for the family, and tennis courts available for hire starting at $32.50 per day. As for the trails, you’ll be happy to know that they’re suitable for all levels:
| Suggested trail | Difficulty | Length | Highlights |
| Wood Duck Walk | Easy | 1 km | Playford Lake, koalas, dog-friendly, picnic facilities |
| Lorikeet Loop Walk | Easy | 3 km | Adventure playground, kangaroos, echidnas, grey box trees, Old Government House |
| Belair Waterfall Hike Circuit | Moderate | 6.5 km | Lower and upper waterfalls, echo tunnel, rocky landscapes |
For accessibility, you can book one of Belair’s easy-to-use, all-terrain assisted wheelchairs called MT Push for free. Just keep in mind that a companion is required to operate the push handle and control the steering and brakes.
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
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Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/sturt-gorge-recreation-park
Address: Flagstaff Hill
Contact details: +61 8 8130 9050
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 24 hours
Distance from Adelaide: 15.41 km
Fun fact: Sturt Gorge Recreation Park gets its name from the Sturt River, which flows through the gorge. The river itself was named by British military officer Captain Collet Barker, who honored his fellow officer and explorer, Charles Sturt.
So, don’t be surprised if you end up crossing rivers and feeling like a true explorer yourself. Just like the early adventurers, you’ll need to be self-sufficient—there are no facilities in the park, which makes bringing your own water, food, and supplies necessary.
Not to scare you, but it’s also smart to let someone responsible know your intended movements and when you expect to be back. Meanwhile, here are some of the trails you can check out for your bike ride:
| Suggested trail | Difficulty | Length | Highlights |
| Lomandra Trail | Moderate | 4 km | Sheoak and grey box woodlands, views over the Adelaide Plains |
| Wattle Trail | Moderate to hard | 4 km | Open meadows, flood control dam views |
| River Trail | Hard | 8 km | Waterfalls, creeks, rocky landscapes |
Additionally, get ready to tackle some steep slopes and scrubby terrain along the way. And don’t miss the ‘Sturt Tillite’ rock formation, which was believed to have been formed from glacial material dropped by ice that covered South Australia 800 million years ago.
Wildlife to spot in Adelaide’s forests
We’ve touched on some of the wildlife in each park earlier, but here’s a more detailed list of what previous visitors have seen from their hikes and birdwatching sessions. Keep an eye out—you might just run into many of these yourself!
| Forest | Wildlife |
| Morialta Conservation Park | Koalas, kangaroos, blue wrens, southern boobook, frogmouth owls, black-faced cuckoo-shrikes, endangered chestnut-rumped heath wren, southern brown bandicoot |
| Cleland Conservation Park | Blue wrens, grey fantails, white-throated treecreepers, echidna, endangered southern brown bandicoot, koalas, kangaroos |
| Belair National Park | Echidnas, ringtail and brushtail possums, koalas, kangaroos, rainbow lorikeets, scarlet robins, non-venomous carpet python, frogs, laughing kookaburras |
| Sturt Gorge Recreation Park | Red-rumped parrot, maned duck, white-faced heron, yellow-tailed black cockatoo, rock pigeon, crescent honeyeater, red wattlebird |
Now, I know it’s exciting to see these majestic animals up close, but getting too near can stress them out or even put you at risk. Bring binoculars, instead, to enjoy the view without disturbing their space.
Moreover, as tempting as it is to share a snack, human food can actually harm them—let them find their own natural food sources, just as nature intended. And to have a better chance of finding them in their natural behavior, move slowly while keeping your voice down.
Tips for exploring Adelaide’s forests
Bring water (and other supplies): Before you head out, make sure you’re packed with the basics. Carry enough water to stay hydrated, a small trash bag to take your garbage home, and a map of the park you’re visiting (you’ll find them below).
Wear sturdy shoes: Trails can get rocky, uneven, and slippery, especially after rain. A good pair of sturdy, comfortable shoes will help you move confidently across all kinds of terrain—and keep you blister-free at the end of the day!
Check weather conditions: The weather in the Adelaide Hills can change quickly, so it’s a good idea to check the forecast before you go. Also, dressing in layers and being ready for rain or sunshine means you’ll be able to enjoy your hike without any surprises.
Stick to marked trails: Forging your own path might sound appealing, but sticking to marked trails is important for your safety and for protecting the local ecosystems. Plus, the official trails often lead you to the best lookouts, waterfalls, and wildlife spots anyway!
Seasonal highlights
| Season | Forest | Highlight |
| Winter | Morialta Conservation Park | Strongest waterfalls |
| Cleland Conservation Park | Guaranteed flowing waterfalls | |
| Belair National Park | Cascading waterfalls and fungi sightings | |
| Spring | Morialta Conservation Park, Belair National Park | Brightest orchids and wildflowers |
| Cleland Conservation Park | Flourishing moss and fern-filled valleys | |
| Autumn (and a few weeks after soaking rain) | Sturt Gorge Recreation Park | Ephemeral wildflowers, vibrant foliage, and sounds of frogs in flowing creeks |
How to get to these forests
If you’re in your own vehicle, the table below sums up a couple of driving directions and parking tips for each park. Alternatively, you can take public transport from Adelaide’s city center by planning your trip through Adelaide Metro’s bus and train services.
| Forest | Driving directions/parking tips |
| Morialta Conservation Park Map | There’s a car park at the start of the walking trails. But, you can also park at the Morialta Road Entrance, Woodforde, then walk 800 meters along the creek to the Morialta Falls car park. |
| Cleland Conservation Park Map | Major access points are via Mount Lofty Summit Road and Waterfall Gully Road. Other access points include those off Greenhill and Old Mt. Barker. |
| Belair National Park Map | Upon entering via Upper Sturt Road, parking areas are available near popular spots like Playford Lake, the adventure playground, and picnic areas. A $10.90 entry fee applies. |
| Sturt Gorge Recreation Park Map | There are no official parking lots within Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Visitors usually park on nearby residential streets such as Broadmeadow Drive and Craigburn Road. |