Morialta Conservation Park is such a beautiful location to really feel like you have escaped to another place... Morialta Falls are my most frequented hiking trails in Adelaide, because they are so close to the city, there are pleanty of options and diversity in the trails, it is a good trail to test your skills, and improve your times each visit.
Morialta Falls are part of the Morialta Conservation Park, and they are located just over 12kms from the city (see below for directions), just east of Newton and Magill. There are 2 car parking options, within the park, there is the free parking not too far into the main entry, or you can pay and go through the boom gate, to the main car park, closer to the facilities and the start of the trails. The walk from the free park adds about 1 - 2 kms to your hike, which I figure, you are already there, may as well make the most of it - this trail is wheelchair friendly in most parts, there is 1 steepish hill, but the rest is smooth sailing.
There are accessible car parks in the main park, where you must display a valid parking permit, and there are accessible toilets available in the toilet block also. Note the drinking fountain at the side of the toilet block, drink up now, and you might want to revisit it at the end...
Morialta Falls holds several options to choose for your hike, varying with difficulty, and they all start from the same place. The first hike is the Plateau Hike, which leaves from the main car park, and is a great option for those with accessibility issues, as the path is reasonably flat, and there are rest stops if required. The Plateau Hike is a linear trail, and is also great for the kids, because you can climb the stairs, to the Giants Cave, which looks pretty cool. The trail then heads through the valley, along the side, and across the bridges, over the creek, where if you look up, you have a good chance of seeing a Koala or two along the way.
As you wind your way through the valley, you will begin to hear the sound of the waterfall, or feel the cold air coming from the area, until you reach the First Falls. Many beautiful photos could be taken here, and the amount of water coming over the cliff increases substantially after heavy rains, which is a great time to visit the park.
The Second and Third Falls both commence at the same pace, and depending which direction you want to go, will determine the challenge you start with. I usually head left, in a clockwise direction, because I like the challenge. The first hill is really steep, and I give it a 4 out of 5 for burn factor, and may require several rests along the way, but once you reach the top, you are rewarded with an amazing view of the city, framed by the landscape, and you can see all the way out to Glenelg on the coast. The Devils Nose Lookout is a good spot to see exactly how high you have just climbed, as you can see the Plateau hike below, and you can see the rest of the trail you are on, across the gorge. If THAT HILL is not your cup of tea, there is a track that heads left, off of the main trail, which doesn't add much to your hike, but it is a more gradual climb. This portion of the trails were added in 2012/2013, and provides a welcome alternative to the enduring hill climb. Once at the top, at the Devils Nose Lookout, there is a rewarding down hill, and there isn't any more hills nearly as steep as that first one. The other option is to head in an anti-clockwise direction from the start, which I have not yet done, but I have heard it is not quite as treacherous as going clockwise.
As you go along the trail, you can admire the changing landscape, as you change altitude, and the direction the hill faces. Notice the amazing Australian Native Flora along the way, and hopefully there will be something in flower at the time you do this hike, to add to the beauty of the Australian landscape. The flower pics I took in May 2014. Always keep an eye out for Koalas, as they have a decent population in this park, and there are always alot of birds around, like Pink Gallahs, and Rosellas. I haven't seen a Kangaroo here yet, but its not to say they arent there...
The trail splits along the way, where you have to make a choice - to commit to tackling Third Falls, or settle for Second Falls...
Third Falls is a beautiful little waterfall, and one of my favourites, as it is tucked in the valley, right out of the way, which adds to the tranquillity of the place. You might even get to see the Rock Climbing groups, scaling the face of the cliffs, across the other side of the creek. You have to cross the creek a couple of times, to get to Third Falls, which may become inaccessible after heavy rains. Be Safe!
Second Falls trail you can choose to go across the top of the waterfall, or follow the path to the bottom of the fall to admire it from there. There are some good spots to snap a few nice pictures to take home of Second Falls, when you take the trail to the bottom.
As you head on, and depending on which path you took, the trails all meet up again, for the descent. Be careful, as you can slip on these paths, just take it easy. The path splits yet again, and you can take the steep descent, to the car park, which isn't too bad, or you can take the stairs for the not-so-steep descent. Now, remember the drinking fountain - you may need it here....
Overall, Morialta Falls are a great place up start for beginners or an enduring challenge for experienced hikers. I like that there is a decent path for those with accessibility issues, wheelchairs, and strollers. The ease of access from the city also ticks my boxes! This trail is part of the Yurrebilla trail network, and you can head to Norton Summit from here, near Third Falls.
From the city, head East on North Tce, onto Payneham Rd. Veer right onto Montacute Rd. Turn Right at the round about, onto Stradbroke Road. Follow the road right at the junction, then left at the next junction. As you drive along this road, there is a car park with picnic facilities on the left, which you could also follow to the main set of trails. Turn left into Morialta Conservation Park and choose which car park you want.
Next I'll go over a slightly less known hike, but an absolute beauty! With a hill, I have heard people call 'The Cheese Grater' - Black Hill Conservation Park, Quarry Hike.
