Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Heysen Trail Loop

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

This loop walk on the Heysen Trail, takes you to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. Enjoy the Rhododendron gully in full bloom in autumn.

The botanical adventure on the Heysen Trail begins at Mount Lofty Summit. The loop walk on the Heysen trail takes you to leafy Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, which offers breathtaking scenery and a colorful display on early days of November, with masses of Rhododendron in bloom.
Heysen trail is an iconic long distance trail in South Australia,  from Cape Jarvis to Parachilna. The 1200 km trail show case a diverse scenery from coastal walks on Fleurieu Peninsula, to Adelaide hills and Mount lofty Ranges, through farmland in Burra to ancient rocks in Flinders Ranges. Information regarding walking The Heysen Trail can be found at The Friends of Heysen Trail website http://www.heysentrail.asn.au/
From Mount Lofty summit, after admiring panoramic views over Piccadilly Valley and Adelaide City, take the track towards Waterfall Gully. Turn left onto Heysen Trail walking towards Mount Lofty Botanic Garden Upper car park.
Enjoy the tranquility of the Botanic garden as you meander through the numerous trails. A vibrant display at this time of the year is the Rhododendron gully, an impressive collection of Rhododendron of all colors, purple, pink yellow, blue white orange.

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Rhododendron Gully
Rhododendron Gully

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Rhododendron Gully Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Heysen Trail Loop

Stopping frequently for photos, listening to the frog chorus, you end up to

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardenthe lake where you can watch the ducks and swans swimming about.From the lake, exit via lower car park, and return to Mount Lofty via Sprigg Road. The last section of the walk is challenging as you climb St. Michael Hill.

A nice coffee at Mount Lofty Summit restaurant ends up a very pleasant day.