A Guide to Mount Lofty for Nature Buffs, Adrenaline Junkies, & Snap Happy Souls
- How to Get to Mount Lofty
- Where to Stay
- Mount Lofty House Estate Adelaide Hills
- Cleland Cottage - Cleland National Park
- Where to Eat
- The Summit Cafe and Restaurant
- Hardy's Verandah Restaurant Adelaide Hills
- Things to Do
- See the flora of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
- Embrace the wild side at Cleland Wildlife Park
- Reach for the sky and appreciate the scenery on the Mount Lofty Summit
- Meet cuddly koalas and cheeky kangaroos at the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit Hike
- Cycle through Steub Trail
- Take the easier route at the Crafers to Mount Lofty Summit Trail
- Score some souvenirs from the Mount Lofty Summit Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop
- Take a breather at Gatekeeper's Day Spa
Mount Lofty is where adventure goes sky-high, whether you’re chasing those golden horizon vistas or hoping to sneak up on an elusive bandicoot.
The stunning gardens and bushland here are also perfect for shaking off the blues. And who knows, just like us, you might run into a kangaroo or get serenaded by a rosella while zoning out!
Here’s a rundown of Mount Lofty that covers the essentials, from the wildest spots to explore to the comfiest digs for an overnight stay in the wilderness.
How to Get to Mount Lofty
By Bus: The closest bus stops to Mount Lofty are located on Piccadilly Rd and Summit Rd.
To reach the bus stop on Piccadilly Rd, take bus 864 toward Mount Barker. From there, switch to bus 865 or 866.
For the stop at Summit Rd, you can get there by taking bus 864F and bus 823 or by taking bus 850 and bus 823.
By Car: There’s a car park on the Mount Lofty Summit that charges $4. The nearest alternative is located at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, and it costs $2 per hour or a flat rate of $4.40 for the entire day.
By Taxi: The taxi fare depends on what time you’ll ride one.
| Tariff 1 – 6 am to 5:59 pm | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $3.70 | 1.87/km | Free | $39.30/hr |
| Tariff 2 – 6 pm to 5:59 am (including all day Saturday and Sunday) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $4.90 | 2.16/km | $1.80 | $39.30/hr |
Where to Stay
Mount Lofty House Estate Adelaide Hills
From rodfindlay
Address: 1 Mawson Dr, Crafers
Contact Details: (08) 8130 9222
Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 11 pm
Pricing: $$$
Historic, romantic, and stunning, the 1852-built Mount Lofty House is a premier and posh boutique hotel best described using the owners’ words—pure bliss, inside and out.
Their classic room is where most travelers crash before journeying toward the great outdoors lying ahead of the manor. It has all the essentials and the bonus of having high ceilings and elegant period furnishings that keep the stay classy.
If you have the savings for something fancier, give the Piccadilly Valley room a look. This one has artsy walls, a spacious layout, premium amenities, and a private balcony for those postcard-worthy views of the Piccadilly Valley.
Cleland Cottage – Cleland National Park
From ljo_sa_
Address: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Rd
Pricing: $$
Cleland Cottage is your wild retreat—literally. It may look like something out of a history book on the outside, but inside, it’s all about modern comfort with 2 queen beds and 3 bunk sets, perfect for a party of 10.
The cottage is stocked with all the cooking essentials—pots, pans, and utensils. What’s the catch? It’s a no-frills setup, and you’ll need to BYO pillows, blankets, sheets, and a tiny fan heater if staying during winter.
On the upside, it’s right in Cleland National Park, so you’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from Mount Lofty Summit. Plus, it’s a bargain compared to the first option.
Where to Eat
The Summit Cafe and Restaurant
From thesummitcaferestaurant
Address: 266 Mount Lofty Summit Rd
Contact Details: (08) 8339 2600
Pricing: $$
Boasting sweeping views of the Adelaide horizon and lush greenery, The Summit Restaurant and Cafe is a team favorite. Their modern take on Aussie fare is light yet upscale—the best reward for completing the hike.
Our go-to is their smashed avo with cherry tomatoes, sourdough, and truffled feta, the cafe’s hearty and delicious breakfast staple. The no-fuss Margherita and salami pizza are solid picks, too, especially if you’re rolling in with a group.
But if you want the best-seller, grab the beer-battered fish and chips with tartare sauce. Whether you choose wine, Vienna coffee, or hot chocolate, any of the cafe’s brews will pair perfectly.
Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant Adelaide Hills
From hardysverandah
Address: Mount Lofty House, 1 Mawson Dr
Contact Details: (08) 8130 9292
Pricing: $$$
Hardy’s Verandah treated us to soul-soothing panoramas of the Adelaide Hills, while its lux high tea and Degustation Dinner Experience elevated the food to an art form.
The high tea option dishes out refined finger pastries like lemonade scones and Oreo chocolate ganache. Loose-leaf teas are the standard brews for these bites, but a splash of Charles Heidsieck Champagne or The Estate Sparkling is available for an extra cost.
As for the degustation menu, it’s ever-evolving. In our August 2024 visit, the star dishes were marinated scallops and artisan sourdough to start, followed by roasted Murray cod or glazed short rib as mains—all complemented by Pinot Noir Chardonnay.
Things to Do
See the flora of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
From road_trips_ausie
Address: 16 Lampert Rd
Contact Details: (08) 8370 8370
A few blooming reasons keep us coming back to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. At the top of the list is the Heritage Rose Garden, which flaunts colorful and scent-sational roses that have been lovingly cultivated and crossbred for centuries.
Coming in second is Fern Gully, home to the largest and most diverse fern collection in Australia. And we can’t forget the South American Gully, featuring ancient plants from South America, India, New Zealand, Africa, and beyond.
There’s also the Woodland Garden, offering a calming escape with its Northern Hemisphere trees, tranquil streams, and gentle waterfalls. Lastly, we must mention the Dwarf Conifer Lawn, where the miniature conifers always make us feel like giants.
Embrace the wild side at Cleland Wildlife Park
From clelandwildlifepark
Address: Cleland National Park, 365 Mount Lofty Summit Rd
Contact Details: (08) 8339 2444
A stop at Cleland Wildlife Park is non-negotiable when visiting Mount Lofty. Why? Well, this zoo features natural-habitat enclosures, interactive animal experiences, and evening strolls that truly capture the essence of the Australian wild.
We opted for the self-guided route on our latest trip and were lucky enough to spot a menagerie of wildlife, including snakes, dingoes, koalas, wallabies, bettongs, and potoroos. Colorful water birds and forest birds stole the show, though!
The icing on the cake is that we got to interact with the wildlife for a wallet-friendly fee. Unsurprisingly, snapping selfies with koalas is our favorite, closely followed by holding reptiles and tossing breakfast to the birds.
Reach for the sky and appreciate the scenery on the Mount Lofty Summit
From juz4fun
Once you reach the Mount Lofty Summit, you’ll be standing at a lofty 710 m (2,400 ft) above sea level. This elevation gifts you views of the plains, deep valleys, Gulf St Vincent, and on a crystal-clear day, even Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula.
Plus, the Mount Lofty Summit Visitor Center awaits at the top. This spot is ideal for adventurers looking to learn the area’s history, flora, and fauna without relying on Google.
Families and groups can also pack a picnic and unwind in the designated picnic areas, complete with benches, shade, and tables for a zen-inducing meal with nature as the backdrop.
Meet cuddly koalas and cheeky kangaroos at the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit Hike
From bikebug2019
Starting Point: Waterfall Gully Carpark
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 mi)
Difficulty: Grade 4 (hard)
Elevation Gain: 477 m
Trail Type: Out and back
The Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit Hike is a crowd favorite for several reasons. First off, it features a well-paved trail with plenty of signage, making those steep sections feel a little less daunting and helping you avoid unplanned detours.
Not to mention, the hike leads through beautiful scenery, from dense forests and cascading waterfalls to tranquil creeks and hilly terrains. The ultimate rewards, however, are the koalas, kangaroos, superb fairy-wrens, and hedgehogs you might encounter.
Just keep in mind that this hike isn’t a cakewalk; the incline and distance mean you’ll likely spend about 3 hours and 3 minutes on the trail. Oh, and don’t forget that dogs aren’t allowed and weekends can see quite the crowd.
Cycle through Steub Trail
From pete.the.r4bbit
Starting Point: Cleland Wildlife Park’s Southern Carpark
Distance: 7 km (4.3 mi)
Difficulty: Grade 3 (moderate)
Elevation Gain: 208 m
Trail Type: Out and back
Thanks to its low-gradient pathways, the Steub Trail is a favorite for folks with limited mobility, those pushing prams, and cyclists looking for a smooth ride.
The trail is also a breath of fresh air compared to the busier previous entry, all while featuring bandicoots, echidnas, kangaroos, and yellow-black-tailed cockatoos. Wildflowers adorn the track, too, which is why we prefer cycling here come springtime.
On top of that, the Steub Trail meanders through dense woodlands, so shade is ample. However, it does get a bit misty during the cooler months—perfect for those seeking an atmospheric getaway but can be tricky for cyclists with visual impairments.
Take the easier route at the Crafers to Mount Lofty Summit Trail
From trail_bliss
Starting Point: Main St, Crafers
Distance: 4.9 km (3 mi)
Difficulty: Grade 3 (moderate)
Elevation Gain: 140 m
Trail Type: One-way
If you’re not keen on enduring leg soreness, the Crafers to Mount Lofty Summit Trail is the track to tackle. Yes, it still has steep zones, but at just 140 meters of elevation gain, this one is an easier choice than the other two.
Additionally, it winds through the thick eucalyptus forest in Cleland National Park, meaning you can hike without the fear of looking like a grilled lobster.
Yet, this trail’s shining feature is it’s the least packed of all the trails mentioned on this list, making it just right for relishing the golden hours and enjoying some personal time.
Score some souvenirs from the Mount Lofty Summit Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop
adamj.cook
Picking up fridge magnets as souvenirs is a cliche as old as time, but we won’t judge you if you snag a few from the Mount Lofty Summit Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop. After all, the shop has locally produced goodies that are high-quality and easy on the wallet.
What does it sell? You’ll find postcards showcasing iconic Australian landmarks, travel brochures, stuffed animals, clothing, hats, and a whole lot more.
Take a breather at Gatekeeper’s Day Spa
Address: Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, 1 Mawson Dr
Contact Details: (08) 8130 9229
Gatekeeper’s Day Spa may cost a pretty penny, but it’s the ideal way to cap off (or start) your Mount Lofty experience. The serene Adelaide Hills landscape alone is a slice of paradise.
But let’s be real, it’s their treatments that really pull customers, with options like gentle beauty treatments, relaxing rituals, and rejuvenating experiences, all available for lone wolves and couples.
Most go for their Signature Indulgence Experience—150 minutes of pure pampering. It starts with an invigorating body exfoliation, flows into a nourishing full-body oil massage, and finishes with a decadent hand and foot treatment.
