This final section of the trail follows Aroona Valley to the watershed dividing it from the Parachilna Creek catchment to the north. It then follows the valley between ABC Range and Heysen Range, past abandoned mines to the final stile at the Parachilna Trailhead. This walk is a pleasant amble, perfect for reflecting on the years and kilometres taken to get here, and the friendships made along the way.
Archives
Parachilna Gorge Trailhead
Leigh Creek Rd (Old Wonoka)
A classic Flinders Ranges creek walk, the whole day is spent in Wonoka Creek which has been the site of a couple of major floods in recent years.
Curnows Hut
This is diverse walk through native scrub, Bundaleer pine forest and farmland. The ridgetops and testing climbs reward walkers with spectacular panoramic views.
Note that the re-route of the trail established in April 2021 to follow the Bundaleer Greenway has been removed. The original trail from Curnows Hut to New Campbell Hill has been reinstated.
Dutchmans Stern
This is a deceptively tough walk with a bit of everything – undulating fire tracks with spectacular views, a rocky gorge and a gibber strewn floodplain.
Raeville
This walk follows dirt roads into the small town of Georgetown and beyond past Hiskeys Hut. The trail then follows undulating fencelines through Sams Hills.
The Bluff Lookout
This provides a very diverse range of scenery. After re-joining the Trail, walkers again follow the ridgeline along fire access tracks through the dense natural scrub of the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park and enjoy views over Port Germein and across the gulf to Whyalla and Port Bonython. After turning off and descending steeply from the ridgeline the Trail follows Sheepyard Track ascending to Rocky Ridge then turning north through old harvested pine forest allowing expansive views to the Gulf, following a steep climb to Sugargum Lookout.
The trail continues following the Wirrabara Greenway through a private property to end at a new location – the junction of White Park & Yellow Cutting Roads.
Bowman Park
Following the closure of the trail along the Crystal Brook, north of Bowman Park, this section now commences with a road walk continuing along Bowman Park Road past Bowman Park, turning north east along Huddleston Road. The Trail then turns north up Head Road, continuing until Pipeline Road, which it then follows until reaching Head Road and following that to the Wilkins Highway and Hughes Gap. After Hughes Gap the Trail meets the southern most hills of the Flinders Ranges and the Trail gradually climbs to the top of the range to reveal views over Port Pirie and Spencer Gulf.
Locks Ruin
An easy walk, predominantly along roads and road reserves, this section takes us through the town of Crystal Brook, then follows the Crystal Brook itself to historic Bowman Park.
Mt Zion
For most of this section the trail follows gravel roads and a rollercoaster firetrack through natural bushland towards the TV tower at The Bluff where walkers are rewarded with spectacular views of the gulf and beyond.