Morialta Conservation Park
| Location | Morialta Conservation Park, Adelaide |
| Start/End Point | Morialta Conservation Park trailhead |
| Distance | 5.3 km loop |
| Time | 2.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Key Feature | Escarpment rim walk, First and Second Falls lookouts, gorge views |
Skirting the Rim of Adelaide’s Ancient Gorge
While the Morialta Falls Valley Walk takes visitors to the base of the first waterfall, the Second Falls Gorge Hike offers the view from above — a 5.3-kilometre loop that skirts the rim of the escarpment above Morialta Gorge, delivering outstanding views from both the First Falls and Second Falls lookouts. This is Morialta at a different elevation and a different intensity — a trail where the gorge drops away below your feet and the quartzite cliffs glow warm in the afternoon light.
For over 100 years, the gorges, waterfalls, and woodlands of Morialta have provided Adelaide with a recreational escape just ten kilometres from the city centre. The three waterfalls along Fourth Creek are linked by an extensive network of walking trails, and the Second Falls Gorge Hike provides the most dramatic perspective on the gorge system — looking down from the escarpment rim rather than up from the valley floor.
The Walk
The loop trail can be walked in either direction, though an anti-clockwise direction offers easier gradients on the climbing sections. The trail follows the escarpment rim, passing through woodland of grey box, SA blue gum, and native olive before reaching the lookout points that provide the walk’s signature views. From the First Falls lookout, the waterfall cascades over the quartzite cliff below — a thirty-metre drop that is spectacular after rain. The Second Falls lookout offers a different perspective on the gorge, with views along the creek line and across to the rock climbing areas on the opposite cliff.
Rock pools and creeks along the trail provide habitat for small reptiles, frogs, and birds. Honeyeaters and thornbills are commonly seen among the woodland canopy, and the distinctive calls of kookaburras echo through the gorge. The views from the rock climbing zone provide additional opportunities to admire the gorge and the Adelaide Plains beyond — a panorama that stretches from the city to the coast.
Planning Your Walk
The trail begins at the Morialta Conservation Park trailhead, ten kilometres from the Adelaide CBD. Entry is free. The intermediate rating reflects some climbing and uneven terrain along the escarpment rim. The falls are at their best during spring and winter when water flow is strongest. Combine with the Valley Walk for a comprehensive Morialta experience. Arrive early on weekends for the best parking.
The Second Falls Gorge Hike is Morialta from above — a rim walk that reveals the scale and drama of a gorge system carved through 800-million-year-old quartzite, just ten kilometres from the Adelaide CBD. Two lookouts, two waterfalls, and 360-degree views from the escarpment make this the trail for those who want to see Morialta at its most expansive.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Adelaide Hills Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.