Gosse: Access information and walks in the surrounding area

A dated closure notice applies to the campground; the walks described each have their own names, distances, or starting points. Keeping these topics separate lets you check road access independently and choose a walk based on its duration, distance, or nature theme.

Western River Campground and beach

On September 8, 2026, Western River Road was closed to everyone except residents because of significant washouts and road damage. As a result, Western River Campground was inaccessible at that time. If you plan to visit the campground, check the current access status of Western River Road before setting out.

A nearby beach at Western River Campground is suitable for swimming and snorkeling. If you plan water activities there, check the current access status before setting out. The walks, by contrast, are described with specific information about duration, distance, or starting point; visiting the beach and choosing a walk therefore involve different planning decisions.

Walks in the wider surrounding area

The Waterfall Creek Hike takes two hours and is five kilometers long. It starts at a parking area in Western River Wilderness Protection Area on Colmans Road. The combination of a named starting point, duration, and distance helps distinguish this trail from the other named routes and assess it using specific details.

The Platypus Waterholes walk in Flinders Chase National Park also takes two hours; it is 4.5 kilometers long. It allows visitors to explore the island’s platypus habitat. In a direct comparison, the Waterfall Creek Hike and the Platypus Waterholes walk have the same stated duration; the Waterfall Creek Hike is 500 meters longer. The Platypus Waterholes walk has the additional, distinct focus of the platypus habitat.

Another trail in Flinders Chase National Park runs past Black Swamp and the Rocky River. The 4.5-kilometer walking trail was rebuilt after the bushfire of January 3, 2020. Its distance is the same as that of the Platypus Waterholes walk, but the two trails have different locations and nature-related features: here, Black Swamp and the Rocky River, as well as the rebuilding story, are key; there, it is the platypus habitat.

To choose, you can first consider whether a stated duration, a specific starting point, or a nature theme matters most to you. The two walks described as taking two hours can be compared directly by time and distance; the trail past Black Swamp and the Rocky River, which is the same distance as the Platypus Waterholes walk, offers a different location and its own rebuilding story.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Flinders Chase, Parndana, Seal Bay, Vivonne Bay, D'Estrees Bay, Muston, Brown Beach, Baudin Beach

Go to the main travel overview: Kangaroo Island Council.