Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, short hike with great views over Adelaide

 

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park is a regular place for my friends to take a short walk, early in the morning  and you don’t need to travel far. Shepherds Hill Recreation Park is only 9 km from the Adelaide City.

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park was named after William John Shepherds, who owned a section of local land between 1853 and 1864.

The park has an archery field and a pony club facility. When red flags are displayed at the archery boundary it means that archery activity is in progress and you need to avoid area.

Walk description:

The walk is mainly on the Ridge Track which offers great views over Adelaide. It is an undulating track and you need to cross the creek a few times. The water is low and there are a few stepping stones. On the walk you can admire native bushes and trees grey box woodland, wattles.  You can admire rosellas, kookaburras and spot a koalas or two. On the walk we noted remnants of the original Adelaide to Melbourne railway line.

Remnants of the original Adelaide to Melbourne railway line
Remnants of the original Adelaide to Melbourne railway

 

Caution is required to be taken when approaching the railway tracks. We walked a short distance along the railway track and soon after we left the track a train was passing by.

Shepherds Hill Recreation Park Caution approaching the railway track
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park Caution approaching the railway track
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park

 

Distance= 6.5 km

Time= 1hour and 40 minutes

Total ascent= 165 m

Hazards: Railway tracks

Difficulty : easy

How to get there:

By car: Park the car in the car park off Ayliffes Road, St. Mary which is the main entrance in the park

By train: From Adelaide city to Eden Hill Station from where the access to park is via Ellis Avenue, Eden Hills

By Bus: Stop 25 Ayliffes Road St. Mary