Canunda National Park
| Location | Canunda National Park, near Southend |
| Start/End Point | 142 Cape Buffon Drive, Southend SA |
| Distance | 2.47 km circuit |
| Time | Approximately 34 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Limestone Coast |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Park Size | 40 km of coastline |
Where Wind and Waves Sculpt the Stone
On the wild southern coastline of South Australia, where the Southern Ocean crashes against ancient limestone with relentless power, the Cape Buffon Walk reveals a landscape that is both brutal and beautiful. This short loop trail in Canunda National Park circles the cape itself, passing sea stacks, cliff faces, reef platforms, and sheltered beaches where the forces of erosion have created a natural sculpture garden of extraordinary drama. In under 35 minutes of walking, the trail showcases geological processes that have been shaping this coast for millions of years.
Canunda National Park stretches for 40 kilometres along the Limestone Coast between Millicent and Carpenter Rocks, and Cape Buffon is its northern jewel. The park features a spectacular coastline where the northern section is characterised by towering limestone cliffs, dramatic sea stacks, and offshore reefs, while the southern section gives way to mobile sand dunes and long stretches of surf beach. The Cape Buffon Walk concentrates the best of the northern section’s dramatic scenery into a single, accessible circuit.
The Walk
The Wild Coast
Starting from the small parking area near Rainbow Rocks, the trail loops around the headland, alternating between exposed clifftop walking and more sheltered sections through coastal vegetation. The ocean-facing sections deliver the walk’s most dramatic views — towering limestone cliffs, their faces sculpted into overhangs and arches by millennia of wave action, and isolated sea stacks that stand offshore like the broken columns of a ruined temple. The rock reveals layers of compressed shell and sediment that tell the story of an ancient seabed lifted above the waves.
On the calmer, bay-side of the cape, the landscape shifts to sheltered beaches and gentler rock platforms where the full force of the Southern Ocean is broken by the headland itself. These contrasting environments — wild and exposed on one side, calm and sheltered on the other — create habitats for different communities of plants and animals, adding ecological interest to the geological spectacle.
The Trig Point
The circuit includes a climb to a trig point that provides panoramic views along the coast in both directions. From here, the scale of Canunda’s coastline becomes apparent — kilometres of limestone cliffs and sandy beaches stretching to the horizon, backed by the low, dense scrub that characterises this wind-shaped landscape. On clear days, the view is genuinely breathtaking, and the combination of ocean, cliff, and sky creates photographs that capture the wild essence of Australia’s southern coast.
Cultural and Natural Heritage
Evidence of the Boandik Peoples, who regularly camped along this coast, can be seen throughout the park. The coastal resources — shellfish, fish, and the plants of the dune systems — sustained Aboriginal communities here for thousands of years, and their connection to this landscape adds a profound cultural dimension to the walking experience. The vegetation along the trail demonstrates the remarkable adaptations of coastal plants to wind, salt, and shallow soils, with some species growing to only a fraction of the height they would achieve in more sheltered conditions.
Planning Your Walk
Canunda National Park is located 18 kilometres northwest of Millicent, approximately 428 kilometres southeast of Adelaide. Two-wheel-drive access is possible to the Cape Buffon area in the northern section of the park. The trail is well-marked and suitable for families, though walkers should stay on the designated path — the limestone cliffs may be undercut and could collapse near the edges. For those wanting more, the Cape Buffon Walk connects to the Seaview Hike, which continues along the coast to Boozy Gully car park through sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and rock pools.
The Cape Buffon Walk is one of those rare trails where geological time becomes visible. Every cliff face, sea stack, and rock platform tells a story of ancient seas and relentless erosion, while the coast itself continues to change with every storm. In just half an hour of walking, Canunda National Park delivers a masterclass in the raw power and patient artistry of the Southern Ocean.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Limestone Coast Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.