Hallett Cove Boardwalk — Attraction in Adelaide

This boardwalk is an amazing use for the area constructed . Giving those surrounding areas somewhere to go to walk and enjoy

As South Australia develops expanding its population and particularly in this area real-estate and reserve recreation area is at a premium.

This area has smaller blocks of land and the houses are closer together so this Boardwalk gives residents and explorers somewhere to go to exercise or to just simply enjoy

My only concern and this is because I have my own pine decking myself , this even though it is termite treatment pine , isn't sealed from the elements and if you have been out there and I have. Looking at it there has been some effort in places to use a sealer but only on like 1 side of the timber and in quite a lot of places there has been no attempt to seal this pine from the wind and salt water etc ..and in some places they have constructed with pine that has been joined I believe under extreme pressure.. with spans for treds etc that are used for steps that the fasteners have clearly showing signs of splitting or cracking where those screws a join the treds to beams .

Just a concern about the product used and the construction. Without any or very little protection from the environment these timber will need constant maintenance and will need sealing properly.

The steps in places are very steep and not recommended for those with mobility issues , in some places not even a hand rail for assistance. There are some areas that are flatter decking that once would think a wheelchair or electric gopher could be utilised but the pathway leading to this is non-existent or full of rocks or not even a path , so this could be very difficult for those unable to walk or have mobility issues .

There is a toilet in a position that would be difficult for those in a wheelchair for example to use , even though it seems to provide disability access the pathway is all gravel and washed out , so not sealed and what path is provided has very steep stairs that seem to be constructed with pinning a piece of wood to make-shift stairs .

So most of the boardwalk has paid no attention to those with mobility issues and would not recommend wheelchairs or mobility scooters...and would further recommend if you are thinking about the bridges they are very steep and would need some fitness level to cross.

It's also clear that this Boardwalk is new and in some parts not finished . I am sure their intention is to maintain and finish the amazing work they have started and look forward to seeing what the end result will be .

I know all this sounds negative and it's not my intention. In fact I would like to say I very much enjoyed my walk along the boardwalk and look forward to yet another visit .

I think the boardwalk is an amazing idea and gives people from this area a nice place to go...

We walk here often—it’s easily one of Adelaide’s most stunning coastal walks. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s Adelaide’s best walk (yes, much better than Mount Lofty in my opinion). The dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and changing light make every walk a bit different.

I recommend starting your journey at either The Nest Café or Marino Rocks Café—both offer a great pre-walk coffee and a good vibe to kick things off. From there, follow the well-maintained boardwalk as it winds along the coast. At a moderate pace, it’ll take you about an hour to reach Hallett Cove’s Boatshed Café.

The scenery along the way is spectacular: rugged cliffs, crashing waves, sea birds, and on a clear day, sweeping views of the Gulf. It’s great for photographers, nature lovers, or anyone just needing a bit of headspace.

Once you reach the Boatshed Café, grab a coffee or a smoothie, then take some time to explore the area behind the café. You’ll find some of the region’s most fascinating geological features—ancient glacial pavements, clay formations, and layered rock that tell a story millions of years old.

Perfect for a weekend stroll, a catch-up walk with friends, or even a peaceful solo outing. Just bring water, decent shoes, and maybe a windbreaker if...

Hallett Cove is an exceptional geological site, as it exhibits numerous feature and ages in one spot. The oldest rocks from the Neoproterozoic show a transition from Snowball Earth to a Super Greenhouse (represented by a thin cap carbonate layer) and then into the Ediacaran Period of earliest animal fossils. All these formations were majorly deformed into large folds in the Cambrian Period. The folds were eroded at the level of most of the boardwalk during the great Carboniferous/Permian Ice Age. Several surfaces show the shiny smooth glacial pavements. Overlying this with a large time hiatus is the Pliocene Hallett Cove Sandstone, which often contains shelly fossils. It represents the last warm period before our current Ice Age. The colourful clays that form the Amphitheatre and the Sugarloaf were laid down during Pleistocene glacial stages when sea level drops exposed the continental shelves and fine sediment blew onto the land. Make sure you read...