Route: Wild South Coast Way

The 74km Wild South Coast Way follows the spectacular southern section of the Heysen Trail, linking the Heysen Trail trailhead at Cape Jervis with the Heysen Trail trailhead at Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor. 

The route traverses Ramindjeri Ruwi (Country), with connections to Kaurna Country at Cape Jervis. Ramindjeri are one of the eighteen Laklinyeri (tribes) of the Ngarrindjeri Nation, whose Country extends across the lower Murray, Coorong and western Fleurieu Peninsula. The trail retraces the final footsteps of the ancestral creator Ngurunderi, whose journey shaped the landscapes, spiritual identities and cultural traditions of the Ngarrindjeri people.

Following the opening section of the 1,200 km Heysen Trail, the route passes through Deep Creek National Park, Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park and Newland Head Conservation Park. Rather than turning inland at Kings Beach, the Wild South Coast Way continues towards The Bluff, before following the Encounter Bay Esplanade shared path to the Kent Reserve trailhead.

Although the elevation profile appears relatively modest, this is a deceptively demanding route. Steep, technical singletrack climbs and descents are interspersed with soft sand, rocky headlands, exposed coastal trails, dirt roads and around 4 km of bitumen approaching Victor Harbor. The constantly changing terrain makes it difficult to maintain a consistent pace.

The reward is one of Australia's finest coastal trail experiences, with dramatic cliff-top vistas, secluded beaches, fern-filled gullies, seasonal waterfalls and almost continuous views across the Southern Ocean towards Kangaroo Island. Native wildlife is abundant, while rapidly changing coastal weather can add another layer of challenge.

Despite spending much of the route beside the ocean, water planning is essential. Public water sources are limited, and carrying a water purification method (such as a filter or purification tablets) significantly increases refill opportunities by allowing the use of natural water sources. There is no publicly accessible drinking water between Balquhidder Campground and the Victor Harbor trailhead, making this final section particularly important to plan for.

First showcased during the supported Bay2Bluff event in 2021, the Wild South Coast Way has since emerged as one of Australia's premier coastal FKT routes, combining rugged terrain, spectacular scenery and genuine self-sufficiency into a memorable point-to-point challenge.