We travelled to Mount Remarkable National Park Alligator Gorge, part of the Southern Flinders Ranges within South Australia with our 9-year-old Kidsetter. As we were staying in Port Pirie the national park was only a 45-minute drive north.
Mount Remarkable National Park is defined by rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges, steep vegetated valleys, and exposed red quartzite cliffs with parts of the landscape dating back to 800 millions years ago.
The climate is unique – it is a cross-over between arid (dry with very little water) and temperate zones (moderate temperature with good levels of rain) giving rise to diverse and abundant plant and animal life.
The view from the 960m high Mount Remarkable Summit is breathtaking. The national park is located between Spencer Gulf and the southern reaches of the Flinders Ranges and this lookout summit presides over the Willochra Plain and the Spencer Gulf.
The three main watercourses: Alligator; Mambray; and Spring Creek are lined with ancient River Red Gums, teeming with life.
The Park is home to the Endangered Yellow–footed Rock-wallaby, Lace Monitors, echidnas, Scorpions, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Emus, Western Grey Kangaroos, Bush Stone-curlew.
The Flinders Ranges Scorpion only occurs in the Flinders Ranges and is one of the largest in Australia with some growing over 10cm long and I’m relived to say are nocturnal !
Of course, it would be Australia without snakes and spiders. Kreffts Tiger Snake, Flinders Banded Huntsman, Black Wish-Bone and Orbweaver Spiders are the local inhabitants. Fellow hikers spotted a Kreffts Tiger Snake within the narrows. Luckily although we had to pass through the same section moments later it had disappeared. Phew ! I did manage to get bitten by Black Wish-Bone spider – they are not poisonous. Be sure to use lots of insect repellent for the spiders.
We ventured along the full length of Alligator Gorge circuit hike including the Narrows and the Terraces. The return hike is 2 hours long (3.3km) perfect duration for young Kidsetters. The Australian Walking Track Grading System have ranked this hike as a Grade 3. Suitable for most ages and fitness levels.
The Narrows is a gorge a couple of metres wide which stretches for several hundred metres and our Kidsetter enjoyed spotting fossilized patterns in rock.
The Terraces are a series of platforms which the creek flows down.
We always love being in nature with our Kidsetter and discover all kinds of conversations evolve.
Immerse yourself in the dramatic beauty of Mount Remarkable National Park with your Kidsetters. Let its high ochre ridges, deep gorges and watercourses lined with river red gums run rampant in their imaginations !
