Best Waterfalls Near Adelaide You Can Get To In Less Than 2 Hours
Feeling the call of the wild? Well, you better prepare to be swept off your feet, as we’ll take you on a journey through Adelaide’s wondrous waterfalls!
From First Falls’ gentle trickles to Ingalalla Falls’ rock pools, the natural beauties in this guide promise a cool and calm escape from everyday life.
There’s no need to be stressed out over the deets too. We have directions, tips, highlights, and all the details you need to make a splash!
Waterfall Gully
– From zacknowbody
Address: Cleland National Park, Cleland, SA 5152
Contact Details: (08) 8339 2444
Operating Hours: Daily – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 18 mins
Flexing 7 waterfalls, Waterfall Gully is a stunner and a crowd-pleaser. The continuous stream of hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts frequenting this location is undeniable proof of its allure.
To witness the falls’ majesty, lace up your hiking boots and tackle the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Hike. It’s a solid 2.5-hour trek over 4.5 kilometers, but don’t worry, there are cafes at both ends and a well-marked path to guide you.
The ascent can be tough, sure. But when you finally lay eyes on those crystal-clear waters embraced by greenery and wildlife, it’s like hitting the jackpot.
| Tips: To see the falls in their full glory, go here after a day of heavy rainfall. Visiting on a weekend isn’t a good idea if you aren’t a fan of crowds. |
First Falls
– From everlook_photography
Address: Morialta Conservation Park, Woodforde, SA 5072
Contact Details: (08) 8336 0901
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 21 mins
Most consider First Falls as the primary attraction of Morialta Conservation Park, and it’s easy to see why. This one is a plunge waterfall where the water flows gracefully, cascading almost vertically.
Our team often takes the First Falls and Giant’s Cave route, a 3.9-kilometer out-and-back journey with a modest elevation gain of 97 meters.
It’s a walk in the park, quite literally, with the added perk of bumping into a few kangaroos and koalas along the way.
But hey, fair warning: weekends can get pretty crowded, and when it’s wet, things can get slippery. Still, it’s a chill stroll, perfect for newbies and kids dipping their toes into the waterfall-watching game without suffering from steep steps.
| Tip: Check the weather forecast and prepare for sudden changes. |
Second Falls
– From fariz_zubaidi
Address: Morialta Conservation Park, Woodforde, SA 5072
Contact Details: (08) 8336 0901
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 21 mins
Second Falls, smack dab in the heart of Morialta Conservation Park, is another jaw-dropper you can’t skip when in Woodforde.
Now, to get here, you must hit up the Second Falls Hike from the end of Morialta Falls Road. It’s a 2.8-kilometer loop that lets you strut your stuff right above the narrow cascade, giving you a bird’s-eye view and stellar angles for some snaps.
For an even better vantage point, consider tackling the Yurrebilla Trail, a grade 4, 9-kilometer hike. The breathtaking view from above the waterfall is worth the challenge.
| Tip: If you’re an early riser, seize the day and hit the trails before the crowds. |
Third Falls
– From lisa_ess
Address: Morialta Conservation Park, Woodforde, SA 5072
Contact Details: (08) 8336 0901
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 21 mins
Third Falls might be the park’s smallest waterfall, but it’s still an essential stop. It features a creek softly trickling along the rocks into a crystalline pool, complemented by a convenient viewing platform.
For an enjoyable outing, we recommend the well-marked Third Falls Hike. This moderate 6-kilometer loop provides a decent sweat session with an elevation gain of 283 meters.
Whether you choose to go clockwise or counterclockwise, you’re in for a rewarding experience, as the walk also has peak panoramas of the mountainside and cityscape. In addition, echidnas, koalas, lorikeets, and kangaroos roam the area.
| Tip: Pro or not, avoid hiking here on a rainy day; the narrow path can get extremely slippery. |
Upper and Lower Waterfall Lookouts
– From nartiness
Address: Workanda Track, Belair, SA 5052
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 28 mins
Belair’s enchanting cascade, renowned for high-volume emerald waters, truly shines when seen through the park’s upper and lower waterfall lookouts.
One of the best ways to access this attraction is by taking on the Waterfall Hike, a 6.5-kilometer circuit winding through the Belair bushland. This moderate hike typically takes around 3 hours to complete.
You can expect dedicated walking paths, with only a few short sections shared with cyclists along Queen Jubilee Drive. Visitors may also run into koalas, echidnas, and even the endangered southern brown bandicoot, so prepare your cameras.
| Tip: Swing by during winter to see the waterfall at its peak. Spring is also a great season to head here, especially if you love wildflowers. |
Ingalalla Falls
– From milnejoode
Address: Hay Flat Rd, Hay Flat SA, 5204
Contact Details: (08) 8558 0200
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 1 hr and 23 mins
Ingalalla Falls flaunts a series of small cascades softly running down on boulders.
This spot has rock pools and pristine waters perfect for family outings. Plus, there are tables scattered along the shaded path, so don’t forget your picnic bites and blends.
You also won’t need to trek for miles to enjoy this beauty; a short 500-meter stroll from the picnic area leads you to the falls.
| Tip: You can bring your pups here, but they must be on a leash. |
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park Waterfall
– From dbarrierephotography
Address: Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, Flagstaff Hill, SA 5159
Contact Details: (08) 8130 9050
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 22 mins
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park’s 800 million-year-old rock formations house a hidden gem: a mini waterfall that emerges after a good downpour.
The most popular route to reach this spot is the River, Wattle, and Lomandra Track, spanning 6.4 kilometers with an elevation gain of 227 meters.
This trail starts with a downhill descent before transitioning into intermediate technical terrain, treating hikers to a diverse landscape. You’ll spend most of the hike alongside the river, crossing it multiple times and tackling steep slopes.
| Tip: Given the slippery setting, choose shoes with deep lugs and a sticky rubber outsole for optimal traction on wet rocks and muddy terrain. |
Mannum Waterfalls
– From everlook_photography
Address: Mannum SA 5238, Australia
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 1 hr and 10 mins
If you want to see striking granite outcrops, make your way to Mannum Waterfalls. These falls reveal their beauty during winter, spring, and after rainfall, offering a haven for a plethora of birdlife and wildlife.
On top of that, accessing this natural wonder is straightforward via the Mannum Waterfalls Walk, a relaxed 3-kilometer hike beginning at Cascade Road.
The trail is graded as easy with minimal elevation changes, but you must still keep your wits about you as there are slippery surfaces.
| Tip: Apply sunscreen generously before your visit and bring extra for reapplication, as the area offers minimal shade. |
Hindmarsh Falls
– From _gemmaforsythe
Address: 73 Hindmarsh Falls Rd, Hindmarsh Valley, SA 5211
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 1 hour and 5 mins
Nestled amid lush greenery, the clear Hindmarsh Falls showcases numerous pools, creating a tranquil getaway for bushwalkers and naturalists.
The Hindmarsh Falls Walk is your gateway to exploring the falls and its idyllic locale. Simply start by turning onto Hindmarsh Tiers Road from the Myponga turnoff, then follow it until you reach Hindmarsh Falls Road.
From there, a short stroll takes you to a serene grassy picnic area, complete with wooden tables where you can kick back and relish the postcard-perfect sights of the meandering river.
| Tip: Remember to use restroom facilities before arriving, as Hindmarsh Falls has no nearby toilets. |
Deep Creek Waterfall
Address: Deep Creek National Park, Deep Creek, SA 5204
Contact Details: (08) 8598 0263
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance From the Adelaide CBD: 1 hr and 33 mins
Just a stone’s throw away from Deep Creek Reserve, we found the quiet Deep Creek Waterfall, fed by a tributary. It reveals its magic after abundant showers but can shrink to a trickle during drier spells, so our team timed the visit well to avoid disappointment.
As for directions, we reached it by taking the Deep Creek Waterfall via the Trig Campground route, spanning 4.2 kilometers. The elevation gain is around 183 meters, so we geared up for an uphill grind, which was hard but definitely worth every step.
In terms of the starting point, the Trig Picnic Area and Campground is the right pick. From there, we reached our end goal after hiking and walking for around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
| Tip: For a chance to observe native wildlife like skinks, head to the base of the waterfall where they often gather. |
