Hike Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty summit
Adelaide, Australia • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Nov
17°C – 29°C, warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation, high crowds, peak season
17°C – 29°C, warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Steep, uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible; walking required.
Steep, uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible; walking required.
Value for money
High
Free hike with rewarding views; great value for couples.
Free hike with rewarding views; great value for couples.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Stunning Scenery
Couples loved the waterfalls and panoramic views, perfect for a romantic hike.
Well Maintained
Travelers found the trail well-maintained, making for a pleasant couple's experience.
Romantic Adventure
Couples enjoyed the rewarding challenge and stunning views from the summit together.
Exhausting Hike
The steep inclines made it a tough hike for some, especially in the heat.
Limited Parking
Couples found parking a hassle, especially during peak times and weekends.
Challenging Terrain
The hike's difficulty was a concern, especially for those with fitness limitations.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
BOOK
KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
open - open
Tuesday
open - open
Wednesday
open - open
Thursday
open - open
Friday
open - open
Saturday
open - open
Sunday
open - open
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Experience a virtual hike from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
15-27°C
Hot temperatures with very low chance of rain.
Hot temperatures with very low chance of rain.
Open
No significant restrictions; all trails open.
No significant restrictions; all trails open.
Recommended
December offers hot and dry conditions, suitable for experienced hikers. The trails are busy due to the holiday season, and prices for tours and accommodations are higher.
December offers hot and dry conditions, suitable for experienced hikers. The trails are busy due to the holiday season, and prices for tours and accommodations are higher.
January
HIGH
17-29°C
Warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation.
Warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation.
Open
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
Recommended
January offers warm to hot weather with minimal rainfall, making it a popular time for hikers. Expect higher crowd levels and potentially increased prices for nearby accommodations and services.
January offers warm to hot weather with minimal rainfall, making it a popular time for hikers. Expect higher crowd levels and potentially increased prices for nearby accommodations and services.
February
MEDIUM
17-29°C
Warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation.
Warm to hot temperatures with low chance of precipitation.
Open
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
Recommended
February continues to offer warm weather with minimal rainfall. While crowd levels decrease slightly as summer holidays end, it's still a popular time for hiking. Prices may remain elevated due to peak season.
February continues to offer warm weather with minimal rainfall. While crowd levels decrease slightly as summer holidays end, it's still a popular time for hiking. Prices may remain elevated due to peak season.
March
MEDIUM
15-26°C
Mild temperatures with slightly increased chance of precipitation.
Mild temperatures with slightly increased chance of precipitation.
Open
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
No significant restrictions; trail open to the public.
Recommended
March offers mild temperatures and a slightly higher chance of rain. The trail remains popular, but crowd levels are more manageable. Prices for accommodations and services may begin to decrease as peak season ends.
March offers mild temperatures and a slightly higher chance of rain. The trail remains popular, but crowd levels are more manageable. Prices for accommodations and services may begin to decrease as peak season ends.
How to get there
Car
Recommended
Driving is direct via Waterfall Gully Road to the carpark, but parking is limited, especially on weekends.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and rideshares provide direct drop-off at the Waterfall Gully trailhead.
Walking
Recommended
The main activity is walking the 7.8 km return trail from Waterfall Gully carpark to Mount Lofty Summit.
Bike
Experienced cyclists can bike to Waterfall Gully via city streets and Waterfall Gully Road.
Bus
Adelaide Metro Bus Route 142 stops near the start of Waterfall Gully Road. From there, it's a 2.5 km walk to the trailhead.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required