Bunyeroo and Wilcolo Creeks Hike

Bunyeroo and Wilcolo Creeks Hike is a marked 9.2 km loop from Bunyeroo car park, following the creeks through the ABC Range before climbing a short spur to a hilltop lookout. It links narrow creek gorges with open, rolling hills and returns to the start beside Bunyeroo Creek. Allow about five hours: the grades are mostly moderate, but loose footing and creek crossings make this more than a valley stroll.

A 150 m walk from the car park reaches the first checkpoint beside the creek. The route follows Wilcolo Creek through open cypress-pine woodland, then a narrow gorge cut into the ABC Range. Large quartzite blocks and ripple-marked stone sit in the creek bed, with river red gums beside the water. The track climbs and falls over rolling siltstone country where the vegetation opens to wider valley views. Expect loose, uneven ground and rock-slab creek crossings rather than a smooth formed path. The largest cypress pines stand out as older trees above the denser younger growth.

At the saddle, take the 200 m spur to the 490 m lookout. Trees frame the view toward St Mary Peak and Wilpena Pound. Keep one of those trees in the foreground for a phone photo that gives the wide valley a sense of scale. Ripple marks in the creek rock record an older marine setting, while ABC Range quartzite formed from ancient river-delta sands. Silver wattle flowers in winter and spring, adding a seasonal detail to the open hills.

Start at Bunyeroo car park on Bunyeroo Gorge Road, about 18 km north of Wilpena. Follow the marked walk south for about 150 m to the first checkpoint, then stay on the signed circuit. The park requires a vehicle entry permit and does not allow dogs. Food and potable water at the trailhead were not found in the available route information, so bring what you need for the outing. Creek flows can make it difficult to find dry footing after wet weather; where the marked track meets Bunyeroo Gorge Road, keep clear of vehicle traffic.