South Australia
January 2019
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Well if you stumble across a hike close to home called Hiker’s Hill that you’ve never heard anyone else talk about before, it’s a no-brainer as to where you’re going to head for your next hike.
My walk this morning in Morialta Conservation Park was a gem. So quiet – I could hear the leaves dropping from the trees onto the plants below. Every now and then I heard a rustle in the bushes beside the trail, hoping it was something exciting like an echidna, lizard or snake, but it wasn’t to be.
The kookaburras were in fine form – laughing at me from up high in the gum trees. I also saw a Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, which made my day.
It was overcast when I headed out, and a little bit cool. By the time I got to the trail-head there was nothing but blue sky with minimal cloud cover.
I had driven myself to Montacute Road and parked on a dirt clearing off to the side. I headed up Chapman’s Track, which was a rocky fire-track. I took plenty of rest stops in the shade, as the sun was starting to get some bite to it.


Ignoring the Rocky Hill track (this is part of the Yurrebilla Trail and takes you to the Deep View Lookout), I turned right onto Moores Track instead, which is also part of the Yurrebilla Trail.
Moores Track levelled out for a bit before turning downhill. Eventually I came to Fox Hill Track on my right. This track is downhill and a little bit steep/rocky in parts. Not too far along I came across Fox Hill Dam. It was lovely to come across some water in the dry hills, even though it was well below capacity. I ventured in through the open gate and got a closer look.


From the dam it was a downhill walk all the way back down to Montacute Road and my waiting car.

So to re-cap. If you’re an Adelaide hiker doing this trail, it’s a loop trail starting and finishing on Montacute Road, Montacute. There are several small clearings off to the left of Montacute Road for you to park your car on and at least one on your right, very close to the entrance. You can see the gate and see some of the Morialta Conservation Park sign on your right from the road. Once you’re through the gate, take Chapman’s Track on your left. When you come to the Moore’s Track/Rocky Hill Track intersection turn right. When you come to the intersection where you can see a gate and the back of another Morialta Conservation Park sign take a sharp right turn onto Fox Hill Track. Continue on past Fox Hill Dam and you’ll eventually come back to your start point at Montacute Road.
It short and sweet – straight up a hill, a bit of respite for a km or so, then slowly winding your way back down the hill again.
This hike is all wide fire-track. It’s quite rocky and steep in places. About a third of it is on Chapman’s Track, a third of it is Moore’s Track and a third is Fox Hill Track.



The stand-outs for me would be the view through to Black Hill Conservation Park and Fox Hill Dam. I particularly liked being able to see all the way over to the steep Black Hill Summit trail winding it’s way up the hill, which I completed a month or so ago.
This trail is easy to navigate and well signed. There are hardly any people around and it’s very quiet and peaceful.
Doing this trail meant I got to tick another section of the Yurrebilla Trail off as well, which made me particularly happy.
You can read about my other Yurrebilla Trail hikes here and here. And my Black Hill Summit Hikes here and here.
Sarina
I love that you got to see a Kangaroo! We don’t have anything like that here in the US.
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You have equally amazing wildlife over there that I would love to see 😀
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I have only seen and heard the kookaburra on Youtube. They may be commonplace to you, but I would love to hear and see one while hiking. Another loss of being on the wrong side of the world. Thanks for the great photos – it allows your readers to see where you are and what Australia looks.
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I love hearing the kookaburras…always brings a smile to my face. I see all the photos posted from the U.S and am in awe of the beauty over there. I’ve only seen Yosemite in real life, which I know is just the tip of the iceberg…your national parks & wildlife are amazing.
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It must be nice to see wildlife on a trail. Your hikes are soothing and must be great to relax. There’s so much peace to be found in nature. Thanks for taking me on those virtual hikes. We haven’t hiked in ages. 😦
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Yes nature can clear the mind, can’t it. Im glad you enjoyed the photos. Thank you for reading.
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Sarina,
Hey. I nominated your site, which I truly admire, for a Liebster Award in today’s JOY Journal post. The nomination and participation info are at https://noraedinger.com/2019/01/07/liebsterpalooza/.
These can be a bit time consuming, but are fun. (It took me three weeks to get on my post given the holidays.) Blessings!
Nora
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Thanks so much Nora! I look forward to sharing the news in my next post x
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Very nice. I continue to enjoy your writing and pictures.
Congrats on the nomination too!
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Thanks very much!
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