In this post, I explored the east and middle section of Deep Creek National Park, specifically the Deep Creek Circuit Hike and Boat Harbor Hike. I also camped for a night at Yapari Ngawanthi (Cliffs Campground) in between the two hikes.
Deep Creek National Park is the largest area of forest on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide. It is a home for an abundance of native wildlife, such as the echidnas, birds, and kangaroos. You could even spot migrating whales from June to October.
Moreover, the extensive trail networks in Deep Creek National Park make it a hiker’s paradise. With up to 15 unique hiking trails and 5 campgrounds around the park, one can go for a short walk, a day hike, or a multi-day camping trip. You can check out my Aaron Creek Hike in the west section of Deep Creek National Park.
Vehicle entry fee and campgrounds fee applied, and you can book and pay on South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Deep Creek Circuit Hike
You can start your Deep Creek Circuit Hike from either Trig Campground and picnic area from the west, or Tapanappa Lookout from the east. It can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise.
12pm: For my hike, I started from Tapanappa since I’d be camping at the nearby campground.
(+7)12.07pm: By doing Deep Creek Circuit Hike in a clockwise direction, it starts by going down toward the ocean.
(+10)12.17pm: Near the coast, you’ll see the trail that continues over the hill.
(+1)12.18pm: Steps lead the way down to a small rocky cove.
(+3)12.21pm: At the small cove at the bottom.
(+4)12.25pm: From the small cove, the trail goes up again over the next hill.
(+8)12.33pm: Once again, at the top of the next hill, you can see more of the trail over another hill.
Deep Creek Cove
(+2)12.35pm: This time, it goes down to Deep Creek Cove, where the Deep Creek flows out into the sea.
(+8)12.43pm: Down the trail onto Deep Creek Cove.
(+2)12.45pm: At the Deep Creek Cove, you have to cross the Deep Creek over to the other side. In wet weather or season the creek may be flooded. In that case, do not try to cross the flooded creek as you risk getting washed out into the rough ocean.
I found a skeleton of an Ornate Cowfish, a special fish with a rigid body encased in a hard shell.
(+3)12.48pm: After crossing Deep Creek, you may need to walk inland a bit to find the trail marker.
(+1)12.49pm: You’ll pass by a deep pool of the creek.
(+1)12.50pm: Continue the trail uphill (not as steep as the previous two).
(+16)1.06pm: After some inclination, the trail becomes undulated as it goes over the ridges of several gentle hills.
(+16)1.22pm
(+5)1.27pm: Looking at the coastal bush while snacking.
Trig Campground
(+18)1.45pm: Passing through Trig Campground. I refilled some water from the rain water tank (I filtered it with HydroBlu lightweight waterfilter).
Kangaroo mama with its joey in her pouch.
(+11)1.56pm: From Trig Campground, you have to walk on the road for a little bit.
(+5)2.01pm: Then, you’ll see the trailhead with the markers at the side of the road.
Deep Creek Waterfall Hike
(+4)2.05pm: From here, you share the same trail for Deep Creek Waterfall Hike.
(+19)2.24pm
(+2)2.26pm: View from the trail.
(+4)2.30pm: The trail starts to descend towards the waterfall.
(+6)2.36pm: Some stairs.
(+4)2.40pm: Walk over the rocks over Deep Creek.
Deep Creek Waterfall
(+3)2.43pm: Arrived at Deep Creek Waterfall.
(+5)2.48pm: Continue the hike towards Tapanappa.
(+7)2.55pm
(+9)3.04pm
(+20)3.24pm
(+28)3.52pm: Finally, I arrived at Tapanappa car park.
Yapari Ngawanthi / Cliffs Campground
4.13pm: Since Cliffs Campground is a hiker-only / walk-in campground, it is not accessible by car. So, I parked my car at the nearest parking space at the Pages Lookout.
Then, it’s around 10 minutes of walking back to the main road where the entrance / trailhead of the campgrounds are.
(+9)4.22pm: Back at the junction on the main road, you’ll find the trailhead to Cliffs Campground (no need to enter through Tapanappa Campground).
(+3)4.25pm
(+3)4.28pm
(+10)4.38pm: Arrived at Cliffs Campground.
Unlike the drive-in campground, Cliffs Campground features a serene vibe with undisturbed campsites. I was the only camper that night, while the other campgrounds were quite full.
There is a viewing platform at the end of the campground.
Got my tent set up at one of the campsite platforms (booking required).
The view from the tent (featuring: Cappi the capybara).
While having dinner, a magpie came to visit, trying to get a share of my food. Of course, I didn’t feed any wildlife, including this magpie.
The next morning, a group of kangaroos showed up, and I got to quietly watch them from my tent.
In the morning, on my walk back to my car parked at The Pages Lookout, I stumbled upon this bobtail lizard by the road.
Boat Harbor Circuit Hike
(+10.57am: Starting Boat Harbor Circuit Hike from the Pages Lookout. This is a good spot to try spotting migrating whales from June to October.
(+1)10.58am: The trail is undulating, with no major inclination until just before the beach.
(+9)11.07am
Along the way, I met several bobtail lizards on the trail.
(+51)11.58am: Beautiful ocean and coastal land come into view.
(+4)12.02pm: The downhill side trip to Boat Harbor Beach.
(+5)12.07pm: A bench just before the climb down the beach, overlooking the ocean. You might be able to spot dolphins swimming close to the beach.
(+9)12.16pm: A bit of scrambling down the trail to the beach, before crossing Boat Harbor Creek.
(+2)12.18pm: The rocky Boat Harbor Beach.
(+12)12.30pm: Back up the hill and return to the trail, you can choose to complete the loop via the Boat Harbor Rd. However, that’s mostly the boring, rough and wide 4WD road. So, I decided to head back using the forest trail where I came from.
(+65)1.35pm: At last, back to the car park at Pages Lookout.
P.S. South Australia’s road signs got no chill 😆
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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