The Dutchman’s Stern Hike: Here’s Everything You Need To Know To Tackle It!

I’ve done the Dutchman’s Stern hike twice – first in 2010, and then again in 2017. The views are SO impressive – they must be for me to go through the same long hike twice!

The endless panorama of rolling mountains, rocks and totally deadly-looking roads is mindblowing. Plus, it’s not every day you see a couple of Wedge-tailed Eagles somersaulting through the air at eye level.

The hike to the summit alone is a 4.2 km climb, but it’s not as hard as you may think. And if I say it’s not hard, you can depend upon it – I’ve got a well-documented aversion to excessive energy expenditure!

You’ll be rewarded big time when you hit the summit with those sweeping views of the Spencer Gulf, surrounding ranges, and the endless stretch of the Willochra Plain.

It’s one of several walks in this former pastoral lease and also intersected by the Heysen trail.

Plus, it’s an awesome way to experience this part of the Flinders Ranges! Here’s my experience and some tips to help you tackle it.

Dutchman’s Stern Hike: Overview

This 10.5 km loop is a solid 5-hour adventure, but don’t let that scare you – it’s totally doable even if you’re not an experienced hiker.

It starts from the Dutchman’s Stern car park, just 10 km northeast of Quorn.

The path is pretty easy for most of the way, any rocky bits are more than manageable, and the climb to the summit is fairly easy if you take it slow.

The view is jaw-dropping – it’s almost a complete 360º.

On a clear day, you’ll see Port Augusta, Quorn, Wilpena Pound, the top of Spencer Gulf, Devil’s Peak, Mt Brown, the Richman Valley, plus the Elder Ranges and Yappala Ranges!

Details of the trail

The medium-grade hike to the 820m high Dutchman’s Stern summit isn’t so much difficult as lengthy.

On our first ascent (October 2010), we meandered the ever-upwardly zig-zagging trail through low grassland, purple with introduced weed Salvation Jane and dotted with the endemic Quorn Wattle.

For our second ascent (June 2017), we followed the same route. It was too early for wildflowers, but we got lots of grass trees instead and saw heaps of kangaroos!

The trail then passes through Sugar Gum woodland, before reaching an area that’s filled with wildflowers in spring. Finally, it rises through the more sparsely vegetated rocky outcrops towards the summit.

There’s a section where you have to walk a dodgy narrow track along a steep hillside. It was a bit scary for me but still doable if you don’t think about it too much!

Nature and wildlife

As you head up, you’ll wander through some gorgeous stretches of sugar gums and drooping sheoaks.

But the hike is best done in spring – the wildflowers put quite a show!

Birdlife is just as impressive. We’re talking over 51 species, including chestnut-rumped heathwrens, peregrine falcons, and wedge-tailed eagles.

As for wildlife, you’ll see kangaroos, euros, and yellow-footed rock wallabies if you’re lucky! There are snakes too, so be careful.

Alternative trails

Not quite ready to commit to the full circuit? No worries.

There’s a shorter 4.2 km one-way hike up to the summit viewpoint that’ll still give you those killer views. It’s about 2 hours each way, so you can still get the experience without the full 5-hour commitment.

For a different perspective, the Dutchman’s Valley Hike is another epic hike. It’s a 10 km return, and you’ll be treated to views over Spencer Gulf and all the way towards Lake Torrens.

How to get to the trail?

To do the Dutchmans Stern Hike, you’ll have to go to the Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park.

The walking trails commence at the Dutchman car park, just 10 km northeast of the town of Quorn, which is a 3.5-hour drive from Adelaide.

If you’re flying, the closest airport is Port Augusta Airport, about an hour’s drive from the hike. You can book a flight to Port Augusta from major cities like Adelaide, and then rent a car from the airport to reach Dutchman’s Stern.

For car rentals, you can compare deals from Rental Cars and Discover Cars to find the best option. This gives you the freedom to explore Quorn and the surrounding areas at your own pace.

Top Tips

This hike gets scorching hot in summer. If you’re visiting during that season, start early and bring LOTS of water – more than you think you’ll need (at least 3 litres per person).

The rocky sections near the top can be a bit sketchy, especially if you’re coming back down when your legs are tired. Those loose stones can sneak up on you. Take your time, especially after a bit of rain when they’re extra slippery.

This part of South Australia can get bushfires, especially in the summer. The park will close on days of catastrophic fire danger, but even on milder days, you don’t want to be caught out in high fire danger.

Check the National Parks’ website before going for any alerts.

Did you know?

Before it became a conservation park, the Dutchman’s Stern was part of a pastoral lease that started in the 1880s.

The land was grazed for over 100 years before being handed over to the state for conservation in 1985. If you look closely, you’ll still spot remnants of this past—old fence posts, tracks, and even some of the stone ruins that are slowly being reclaimed by the bush.

But the rock formations around here are ancient, around 800 million years old!

FAQs

The bottom line

Dutchmans Stern hiking trail is an absolute must-do if you’re keen on exploring the rugged landscape of the Southern Flinders Ranges.

With walking trails that wind through sugar gums, wildflowers, and those jaw-dropping summit views, you’ll be blown away by what this place has to offer.

Just pack plenty of water, watch your step on those rocky sections, and soak up the spectacular views from the top before heading back down!