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First Falls Walk, Morialta Conservation Park

First Falls Walk is one of the best short walks in Morialta Conservation Park, just north-east of Adelaide. This scenic gorge walk follows Fourth Creek through red cliffs, gum trees and shaded bushland before reaching the park’s best-known waterfall.

The shorter walk from the Morialta Falls trailhead car park is around 1.7 km return. It takes about 45 minutes, which makes it a great option for families, visitors to Adelaide and walkers wanting a quick nature escape.

Starting the First Falls Walk

The walk starts from the Morialta Falls trailhead car park. From here, the track follows a well-formed path into Morialta Gorge.

At first, the trail feels gentle and open. However, as you move deeper into the gorge, the cliffs rise around you and the scenery becomes more dramatic. Along the way, you’ll pass creek crossings, rocky slopes and pockets of native vegetation.

You can also start from the Stradbroke Road entrance for a longer walk. This option follows Fourth Creek into the main walking area and adds more time to the route.

Walking through Morialta Gorge

The track to First Falls is easy to follow and suits most walkers. It climbs gradually, but the incline is not too difficult.

As you walk, look for koalas in the gum trees and listen for kookaburras and other birdlife. In spring, wildflowers add extra colour to the surrounding bushland. After rain, the creek also becomes more active, which makes the gorge feel especially fresh.

Some sections may be uneven or damp, so sturdy shoes are still a good idea. Also, keep an eye on children near creek edges and rocky areas.

First Falls

The highlight of the walk is First Falls, where water drops into the rocky gorge below. The waterfall looks its best in winter and spring, or after good rain.

In summer, the flow may slow down. Even so, the cliffs, boardwalk and gorge setting still make the walk worthwhile. The final section near the falls offers a great place to pause, take photos and enjoy the cooler air in the gorge.

Facilities and safety

Morialta Conservation Park has parking, toilets, picnic areas and the popular Mukanthi Playspace. Because of this, it is an easy place to spend a few hours before or after your walk.

Dogs are allowed on lead only in the designated recreation zone between Stradbroke Road car park and the First Falls car park area. They are not allowed in the rest of the park.

Before visiting, check current park conditions. The park may close on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also close during Extreme Fire Danger.

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