Mt Lofty

The highest point in the aptly named Mt Lofty Ranges, Mt Lofty is a luxurious place to get sweeping views of Adelaide and out onto the Indian Ocean.

The views aren’t all there is to Mt Lofty. A comprehensive visitors centre, shop, and fully licensed café are situated on the mountain’s summit, giving visitors information on the area, a place to shop for souvenirs and a beautiful place to eat lunch.

Mt Lofty isn’t just about views – even if you can see all the way out to Kangaroo Island on a clear day. Though only a short drive from the CBD, the area around Mt Lofty is covered by bushland. Mt Lofty is surrounded by the Cleland Conservation Park on one side, and hosts its own botanic garden in which visitors can see a host of native Australian plants and the wide variety of birdlife that is drawn to them.

Getting off the summit, hiking and mountain biking are popular ways to take advantage of the mountain’s relative wilderness. The 8km Waterfall Gully loop is one of the most popular walks – though with a fair amount of ups and downs it’s not for the faint-hearted. A loop of the 1,200km Heysen Track takes hikers from the base of the mountain to the summit over a much more manageable 8km. Downhill biking is a much less strenuous way to enjoy the mountain and cycle all the way back into the city centre.

Practical Info

Mt Lofty is located south east of Adelaide. About a 20 minute drive, head out of the city and head to the M1. The A1, A3 and A17 all converge on the M1, which you’ll follow until turning right at Mount Lofty Summit Road. Coach tours also take visitors to the top. The Summit Café and Visitors Centre are open 9-5 on weekdays and a little earlier on weekends. The restaurant opens 6pm til late.