Hallett Cove

Hallett Cove

Hallett Cove is a popular summer walk over the coastal cliffs surrounding Golf St Vincent.

Hallett Cove has a unique geology, dating back 600 millions of years ago. The cliffs at Hallett Cove have evidence of three ice ages, Precambrian age, Permian age and Pliocene period when Australia separated from Antarctica.

Hallett Cove is named after John Hallett, who discovered the area after searching for cattle in 1837.

Hallett Cove was declared a Geological Monument due to its significance and became a protected area in 1976.

Description of the walk

The walk starts at the car park next to Marino Rocks Cafe, corner Marine Parade and Jervois Terrace.

Most of the walk is on the boardwalks over the rugged cliffs tops with steep sections, five of them that will keep your heart rate high. The boardwalk which zigzags along the coast has from time to time exits to the rocky beach. The vegetation is mainly coastal heath, low shrubs and grasslands. 

Hallett Cove
Boardwalk on Marion Coastal Trail

The trail leads to the Hallett Cove Conservation Park.

Hallett Cove
Marion Coastal Trail

On the way there are interpretative signs to explain the unique geological features of the Hallett Cove Conservation Park. Continue on the boardwalk which crosses the bridge over Waterfall Creek. Further down pay attention to the Erratic Rocks which are two quartzite boulders carried by the ice sheet which covered Gondwana. Soon you will reach the Black Cliffs lookout. The well preserved scratches, carved over the dark cliffs by the moving ice sheet are another evidence of Precambrian age. From here continue the path to visit the Sugarloaf and the Amphitheatre. It is better to take the second path on the left to go to the Sugarloaf and the Amphitheatre. If you take the first left path after visiting the geological features, you will walk again on it on return.

You can start the walk at Hallett Cove from the Hallett Cove Surf Lifesaving Club.

Optional you can have a drink at the Boatshed Cafe.

Hallett Cove
Views over the ocean

On return to Marino, there are fantastic views towards Glenelg and over the blue sea with numerous boats on a beautiful summer day.

The walk is 9 km return and takes about 2.5 hours.