Onkaparinga: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop (Walking With Baby)

by - 12:58 PM

The husband and I spontaneously decided to go out for an easy walk to take bub along on. After a quick google of "pram friendly walks in Adelaide/South Australia", we headed off towards Onkaparinga. Well after some miscommunication, Google led us to "turn left" where there was actually no road to turn left on. Oops. With a baby complaining about being on the road for too long, a quick detour led us here. Spoiler: it is NOT pram friendly. But boy was it beautiful. 
Onkaparinga Chapel Hill Lookout Loop
Onkaparinga Chapel Hill Lookout Loop

How To Get There

To get there (intentionally), drive to Samuel's Gorge. Just before the entrance, you will see a signage for Onkaparinga River National Park. Technically, this is in fact the park we really meant to go to but we were meant to go on a different, easier, baby-friendly route. Obviously, a national park would be huge and this is the area we ended up on unintentionally. It ended up to be the most wonderful surprise. 
Onkaparinga River National Park

Beyond the sign, you'll see a picnic area and a toilet. And that's where we found some signage that pointed towards the Chapel Hill Lookout Loop. We wandered on without knowing what to expect. 

Onkaparinga River National Park Chapel Hill Lookout
Onkaparinga River National Park Chapel Hill Lookout Picnic Area
The Walk

We quickly realised that the route on this walk was downhill which is perfectly fine and easy except for the fact that my husband was carrying our almost 9kg bundle of joy along. So we had to quickly Google what loop we were actually on and how far do we have to go.
Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop
Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop

"1.6 km, 45 minute circuit, grade 3 moderate hike, undulating terrain," says WalkingSA. Well that's not too bad at all. So off we went.

Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop
Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop

The walk included downhill and uphill slopes which was perfectly fine and VERY easy if you are fit and used to walking. But because the husband had our heavy bub on a carrier, we opted to skip the detour to the actual 'lookout' point and just continued on the loop. We were already satisfied with the views we were getting on the walk. I mean, will you look at that?
Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop

The last stretch of the walk included an uphill walk along the park's boundary fence. All in all, this walk is certainly doable with a baby in tow. Because it's only a short loop, it's also a perfect duration providing baby visual stimulation and exposure to nature. And for the grownups, this walk provides one of the most beautiful views for such a short walk. Although... I don't think I would do this walk if I was the one who had baby on the carrier. Lol! I did offer to split the time but hubby did the whole route himself. It pays to have a fit husband. Haha, thanks hubby!


Onkaparinga River National Park: Chapel Hill Lookout Loop


What are your favourite walks to take baby along on?


Always,
Jeanne

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3 comments

  1. What beautiful photos! A wonderful place
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  2. Man, I really need to get my butt over to south Australia! It looks like such a beautiful place, you must have had a wonderful time.

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