A Remote Walk Through Vast Mallee Wilderness to a Sand Dune Panorama
| Activity | Walking (Difficult) |
| Distance | 5.0 kilometres (circuit) |
| Duration | Approximately 2 to 3 hours |
| Region | Murraylands |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and houseboat options — See accommodation options |
| Start Point | Snoswells Entrance, Snoswells Road, Ngarkat Conservation Park |
| End Point | Snoswells Entrance (circuit) |
| Access | 4WD only within the park |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
Overview
If you want to understand the scale of the Australian mallee, there is no better vantage point than Tyms Lookout. Perched atop a sand dune in the heart of Ngarkat Conservation Park, this lookout reveals a landscape that stretches to the horizon in every direction — 270,000 hectares of vegetated sand dunes, mallee woodland, and heath that constitute one of the largest intact areas of native vegetation in South Australia’s agricultural zone.
The 5-kilometre circuit that leads to the lookout is a moderately challenging walk through this vast, quiet wilderness. The trail passes through dense mallee scrub, crosses sandy terrain, and climbs gradually to the elevated dune where the lookout sits. In one direction, the bush extends as far as you can see. In the other, it meets the sharp edge of cleared farmland — a stark reminder of how much native vegetation has been lost and how important this park is in preserving what remains.
The Walk
The trail begins at the Snoswells Entrance, where a small car park marks the starting point. From here, the path heads into the mallee, following sandy tracks through dense, multi-stemmed eucalyptus woodland. The mallee is a distinctive Australian vegetation type — the trees grow from underground lignotubers, sending up multiple trunks that create a low, tangled canopy. Walking through it feels intimate and enclosed, the scrub pressing in from both sides, the path winding between trunks and through sandy clearings.
Tyms Lookout appears about one quarter of the way through the circuit, and the view from the top is the highlight of the walk. The elevated sand dune gives a rare perspective over the flat mallee landscape, and on a clear day the sense of vastness is extraordinary. The circuit continues through varied vegetation communities, including areas of heath where spring brings spectacular wildflower displays, with over 50 species of native orchid recorded in the park.
Wildlife
Ngarkat is a haven for wildlife that has disappeared from much of the surrounding agricultural country. Over 120 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it one of the best birdwatching destinations in the Murraylands. Western grey kangaroos and emus are commonly seen along the trail, and patient walkers may spot the rare and elusive malleefowl — a ground-dwelling bird that builds enormous incubation mounds of sand and leaf litter, which it tends for months to maintain the precise temperature needed for its eggs to hatch.
The park also supports populations of reptiles and smaller mammals that depend on the intact mallee habitat. Stumpy-tailed lizards, bearded dragons, and various species of skink bask on sunny patches of sand along the trail.
European History
The remoteness of Ngarkat today belies the fact that early European settlers attempted to farm this country. Ruins of pioneering settlements are visible at Box Flat, a reminder of the harsh conditions that defeated attempts at agriculture on the sandy mallee soils. The failure of these early farms was ultimately the park’s salvation — the land was never cleared, and the vegetation that survives today is among the most ecologically intact in the state.
Planning Your Visit
Ngarkat Conservation Park is located 34 kilometres south of Pinnaroo in the Murraylands region. All tracks within the park are 4WD only, and visitors should be self-sufficient with fuel, water, and supplies. The park has basic camping areas but no other facilities. The best time to visit is between August and November, when the wildflowers and orchids are at their peak. The park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger. Carry plenty of water, wear sun protection, and download a trail map before you visit, as mobile phone coverage is limited throughout the park.
The Tyms Lookout Hike is a walk into one of South Australia’s great wild spaces. It takes you through country that has survived largely unchanged since before European settlement, to a viewpoint that reveals the extraordinary scale of the mallee — a landscape of subtle beauty, remarkable biodiversity, and profound silence.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Murray River & Riverland Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.