A Ridge-Top Loop to Stunning Views of Adelaide’s Deepest River Gorge
| Activity | Walking (Intermediate – Grade 3) |
| Distance | 4.0 kilometres (loop) |
| Duration | Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Region | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Start Point | Main Car Park, Piggott Range Rd, Blewitt Springs SA 5171 |
| End Point | Same (loop) |
| Park Entry | Free |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
Overview
Just 35 kilometres south of Adelaide’s CBD, the Onkaparinga River has carved the longest river gorge in metropolitan Adelaide. The Sundews Ridge Hike follows the rim of this gorge on a 4-kilometre loop trail, climbing to the Sundews Lookout where the full scale of the landscape reveals itself — rocky outcrops tumbling down to the river far below, the narrow valley winding between steep, bush-clad walls, and permanent rock pools glinting in the filtered sunlight.
Onkaparinga River National Park protects one of the most ecologically important river corridors in the Adelaide region. The park shelters remnant vegetation communities that have largely disappeared from the surrounding agricultural and residential land, and its gorge provides critical habitat for native fish, aquatic invertebrates, and a surprising diversity of terrestrial wildlife. The Sundews Ridge Hike is the park’s signature walk — a moderate loop that captures the best of the gorge scenery while passing through some of its most interesting vegetation.
The Walk
From the Car Park to the Ridge
The trail begins at the main car park on Piggott Range Road and heads into the bush through a mix of eucalyptus woodland and native scrub. The initial section climbs gradually along the ridge, passing through vegetation that includes the trail’s namesake: sundews, small carnivorous plants that trap insects on their sticky, glistening leaves. These fascinating plants thrive in the nutrient-poor soils of the ridge top, and spotting them along the trail is one of its quieter pleasures.
Heritage-listed huts and house ruins from the 1880s are visible along the trail, remnants of early European settlement in the area. These stone structures, now partly reclaimed by the bush, add a layer of human history to a landscape that is otherwise dominated by nature.
Sundews Lookout
The trail’s highlight is the Sundews Lookout, perched on the edge of the gorge with unobstructed views down to the river below. The Onkaparinga River winds through a narrow valley of steep, rocky walls covered in native vegetation, and the lookout captures this scene perfectly. On still days, the only sounds are birdsong and the faint murmur of water moving over stone far below. In the right light, the permanent rock pools in the gorge floor catch the sun and glow turquoise against the dark rock.
Wildlife
The park is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife. Koalas inhabit the eucalyptus canopy, western grey kangaroos graze in the clearings, and echidnas trundle through the understorey. Brushtail and ringtail possums are active at dawn and dusk. The birdlife is rich, with Adelaide Rosellas, kookaburras, honeyeaters, and raptors all commonly seen. The river itself supports native fish species and provides important breeding habitat for hundreds of native aquatic species.
Planning Your Visit
Onkaparinga River National Park is located off Piggott Range Road in Blewitt Springs, approximately 35 kilometres south of Adelaide. The park is free to enter. The main car park has toilet facilities and picnic areas. The trail is well-marked and suitable for walkers with moderate fitness. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as sections of the trail are rocky and uneven. The park is open year-round and is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger. The best time to walk is autumn through spring, when temperatures are mild and the bush is at its most lively.
The Sundews Ridge Hike delivers one of the best gorge walks in metropolitan Adelaide. It takes you along the rim of a deep, ancient valley, past carnivorous plants and colonial ruins, to a lookout that reveals the wild heart of a river that most Adelaideans know only as a name on a map.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Adelaide Hills Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.