A Guide to the Best Walks Near Port Pirie

Port Pirie doesn’t usually get talked about as a walking destination, but it probably should. With the Southern Flinders Ranges rising just inland and the Upper Spencer Gulf sitting right at its edge, the town ends up in a surprisingly useful position for anyone who likes to explore on foot. Here’s a practical glance at where walking in Port Pirie really shines, in town, along the coast and up into the nearby ranges.

Why Port Pirie works as a base for walking

On one side of Port Pirie, Mount Remarkable National Park delivers proper hikes. Steep climbs, rocky gullies and long views define the scenery. On the other, the coastline is exposed, with long stretches shaped more by space and weather than infrastructure. Here, foreshore sections and quiet bays suit slower walks and wanders with flexible distances. In town, walking looks different again. Mural trails and heritage routes offer low-effort ways to get a feel for the place.

The appeal in Port Pirie is range; easy walks in town, open coastlines, and more demanding routes in the hills. A place where you can choose between coastal air, everyday wandering, or heading straight into the hills for something more demanding.

These walks map out what a few days in Port Pirie could look like, moving between everyday paths and more expansive landscapes. Let’s go!

In Port Pirie Itself

1. Port Pirie Mural Trail

Distance: 1.5 to 2 km, depending on route.

Turning a walk through the CBD into something a little more curious and open-ended isn’t hard in Port Pirie. Launched in 2017, the Mural Trail threads together large-scale murals and installations that reflect local stories and industry, scattered across shopfronts, laneways and public buildings.

The easiest place to start is the Visitor Information Centre on Mary Elie Street, where a map helps you piece the route together in sections or wander it as one longer loop. The trail evolves, with newer works sitting alongside earlier pieces, including a standout mural added in 2023 on the side of the WWII Belmont Hangar at the Port Pirie Aerodrome.

2. Port Pirie Heritage Trail

Distance: about 2 km.

This one is a more structured walk, designed to give context and share some local history. Starting near the town centre, the heritage trail links historic buildings, civic spaces and older residential streets. So expect generous footpaths and an adventure through the town.

As you wander, you’ll get to know the architecture and the sense of how Port Pirie grew. You’ll pass churches, former banks, public buildings and houses that hint at the town’s past as a busy port. Most people stop often to read plaques or take photos.

Here’s the map of the trail!

Coastal and Waterside Walks

4. Solomontown Foreshore Walk (flexible sections)

This is not a single long coastal trail, and it’s best understood that way from the outset. Instead, it’s a series of accessible foreshore sections that can be walked independently. You choose a starting point, walk as far as feels right, then turn back.

The experience is defined by wide skies, salt air and long views across the gulf. Some sections feel raw and quiet, others sit closer to built-up areas. It’s more about atmosphere than distance, and it suits people who like to walk without committing to a set route.

Practical notes: conditions vary by section. Some areas are paved, others informal. Check access points locally and adjust distance to weather and tide conditions.
Approx. distance: anything from 500 m to 3 km, depending on section

5. Telowie Beach and Conservation Area

Distance: whatever you make it.

Just a 15-minute drive from Port Pirie, Telowie Beach is a stand out beach in the area with a long sandy stretch and plenty of space. This one works more as a place to wander and explore rather than one you follow from start to finish; ideal if you’re visiting with kids or heading out on a dog walk.

At the mouth of Telowie Gorge, the beach itself is super wide, with plenty of space to walk along the sand. Just inland, within Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, short paths and informal trails branch off near the beach, linking small loops and creek-side sections rather than forming one continuous route. It’s well suited to slow exploration; a mix of beach walking and short inland detours, and spending time moving through the landscape without committing to a long, linear trail.

Hills, Gorges and National Parks

6. Telowie Gorge Walk

Distance: 3 km one way.

When it’s time to head into the hills, Mount Remarkable National Park awaits. This particular walk begins at the Telowie Gorge trailhead near the end of Holman Road, on the edge of the national park, before continuing into Telowie Gorge Conservation Park. It’s a family-friendly option in terms of distance, but the terrain keeps it interesting as sections of sand and light rock scrambling come your way.

Once inside the gorge rocky walls rise on either side and scattered trees offer occasional shade. The temperature often feels noticeably cooler than the open coast nearby. There’s no fixed turnaround point, so most people follow the natural line of the gorge, moving as far as feels comfortable before heading back the same way.

Wildlife is commonly spotted along the route, including wallabies, native birds and lizards, with feral goats also living in the area. Sturdy shoes are essential, especially after wet weather, and remember that mobile reception is limited.

7. Mambray Creek to Alligator Gorge

Distance: 14 km one way.

The walk from Mambray Creek to Alligator Gorge is one of the more committing options in Mount Remarkable National Park and works best for walkers who are happy to plan ahead. Rather than a neat loop, this is a point-to-point route, which means organising a car shuffle or transport at one end is essential.

Having said that, it’s totally worth it! Starting from the Mambray Creek area, the route moves through open woodland before gradually tightening into more rugged terrain. As you approach Alligator Gorge, the scenery becomes more dramatic, with steeper rock faces and narrower passages.

The walk feels quite remote and it does require some time. You’ll need some awareness of the conditions and enough daylight to move comfortably between trailheads. Many walkers therefore choose to leave one car at Alligator Gorge and start from Mambray Creek, allowing the walk to unfold naturally without the need to turn back.

Remember, this is not a casual out-and-back walk. Carry sufficient water, wear sturdy footwear and check conditions before setting out. Mobile reception is limited throughout the park.

8. Mount Remarkable Summit Walk

Distance: about 14 km return.

Approaching Mount Remarkable from the eastern side at Melrose gives the walk a different feel from the Mambray Creek routes. From town, the trail picks up sections of the Heysen Trail, easing you into the climb rather than throwing you straight into steep terrain. The route gains height gradually as it contours around the mountain, with wide views opening up as you leave the streets behind.

From the Monument trailhead, the track continues across open slopes and scree, where the remains of a small plane that crashed here in 1980 can still be seen. A second option, the Mount Remarkable Southern Summit Trail, branches off about one kilometre from the Monument and offers a more direct line to the summit. Together, the two routes allow the walk to be completed as a loop, heading up one trail and returning via the other, for a total distance of around 13.8 kilometres return.

Practical notes: this is a long, exposed walk with limited shade. Carry enough water, allow a full day, and plan for cooler months.

Where to stay in Port Pirie

BreakFree Port Pirie is positioned close to the waterfront and within walking distance of the town centre, making it a practical base if you’re planning to explore Port Pirie on foot. From here, it’s easy to step straight into town walks like the mural and heritage trails, or head towards the foreshore for a coastal stroll.

The on-site restaurant and bar are useful after a long day walking, especially if you’d rather stay in for dinner. Recent additions include new villa-style accommodation, which offers more space and a quieter setting, well suited to longer stays or travellers who want room to unwind between walks.

With parking on site and many of Port Pirie’s central walking routes nearby, BreakFree Port Pirie works well as a starting point for both town walks and short drives to longer hikes in the surrounding region.

Book your stay at BreakFree here.