Ngarkat Conservation Park
| Location | Ngarkat Conservation Park, Murraylands |
| Start Point | Pine Hut Soak Track, Pinnaroo |
| End Point | Nanams Well Track, Pinnaroo |
| Distance | 8.1 km one way |
| Time | 2.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Murraylands |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and houseboat options — See accommodation options |
| Key Feature | Stringybark mallee and native pines, remote bush trek |
A Peaceful Trek Through Stringybark Mallee
The Pine Hut Soak to Scorpion Springs Hike is a demanding 8.1-kilometre one-way trek through the stringybark mallee and native pine forests of Ngarkat Conservation Park. This is extended bushwalking in remote country — a peaceful but challenging journey through one of the least-visited sections of a park that covers 270,000 hectares of wilderness in the Murraylands.
The stringybark mallee through which this trail passes is one of the distinctive vegetation communities of Ngarkat — these tall, single-trunked eucalypts create a more open woodland than the typical multi-stemmed mallee, allowing light to reach the forest floor and supporting a diverse understorey of native grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers. Native pines — South Australian cypress pine — add their distinctive dark columnar forms to the woodland, creating groves that feel ancient and still.
The Walk
The trail traverses the sand dune landscape from Pine Hut Soak to Scorpion Springs, passing through varied mallee and native pine communities. The difficult rating reflects the remote, extended nature of the walk rather than extreme terrain — the challenge lies in the distance, the navigation required, and the self-sufficiency demanded in a section of the park where other walkers are rarely encountered.
Wildlife encounters along the route include western grey kangaroos, emus, and the park’s rich birdlife — over 120 species have been recorded in Ngarkat. The rare malleefowl, one of Australia’s most threatened birds, finds refuge in the undisturbed habitat of the park. Walking quietly through the stringybark mallee, the silence is broken only by birdsong and the rustle of animals in the understorey.
Planning Your Walk
This is a cool-weather-only walk. Be well prepared with ample water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes. The 8.1-kilometre one-way distance requires transport arrangements at both ends or a return walk. Navigation skills are essential in this remote section of the park. Combine with the Pine Hut Soak to Fishponds Hike for a comprehensive exploration of this area.
The Pine Hut Soak to Scorpion Springs Hike is quiet bushwalking at its most authentic — a peaceful trek through stringybark mallee and native pines in a vast conservation park where the only company is the wildlife and the only sound is the bush itself. It demands preparation and self-reliance, and rewards them with solitude and the rare privilege of walking through genuinely wild country.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.