Craving a short, sharp adventure, Josh powered up Millapa/Mount Greenly with a coastal storm closing in, turning a quick climb into a full-throttle dash to the summit (and beyond).

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Barngarla and Nauo people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Quick Overview

Millapa/Mount Greenly is a striking granite dome rising abruptly from the Eyre Peninsula’s west coast. Framed by the still salt waters of Puwanna/Lake Greenly and the surge of the Southern Ocean, the 4.5km return climb is an hour’s drive northwest of Port Lincoln, making for an easy half-day escape.

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Mount Greenly Hike Facts

Distance: 4.5km return
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Elevation gain: 250m
Nearest town: Coffin Bay

About Mount Greenly

On South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, the word ‘Greenly’ is more regularly associated with the beach and rock pools than its mountain peak. Visitors typically come here for the surf, salt, and solitude, but the summit hike adds a punchy little adventure.

Part of a landscape forged from ancient granite and metamorphic rocks, its rounded peaks deliver 360° views over rolling farmland, wind-carved coast, and the Great Australian Bight stretching beyond the horizon. Standing at 305m, Millapa/Mount Greenly is hardly alpine – but its standalone bluff still dominates the flattened landscape.

Mallee scrub and wildlife cling to the slopes, spring wildflowers flare into colour, and its isolation makes even a brief trip feel like a world away. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the return hike, plus extra time to paddle in the rock pools or spend a star-filled night at one of the bush campgrounds.

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History of Mount Greenly

Long before European settlement brought pastoral grazing and agriculture to the surrounding plains, Mount Greenly – known to its custodians as Millapa – formed an integral part of the traditional lands of the Barngarla and Nauo peoples, who maintain deep spiritual and cultural connections to the area.

The mountain, nearby beach, and offshore island are named after Elizabeth Greenly, the wife of Sir Isaac Coffin (1759–1839), an admiral who played a key role in outfitting Matthew Flinders’ Investigator. Following his marriage, Coffin briefly adopted the surname Coffin-Greenly – a forward-thinking move for the early 19th century.

Today, public access to Millapa/Mount Greenly is thanks to the Agar and Myers families, who have owned the land here since the 1980s.

How to Get to Mount Greenly

Millapa/Mount Greenly sits west of the tiny South Australian community of Coulta, well beyond the reach of public transport.

By Car

From Port Lincoln, drive northwest along Flinders Highway for around 70km. Before Coulta, turn west onto Coles Point Road and follow the signs to Greenly Beach. Take a right onto Greenly Beach Road, before turning right again toward a small car park beneath the southern flank of the mountain.

 

Where to Camp near Mount Greenly

You’ll find four no-frills bush campgrounds lined up along the coastline nearby, containing 20 sites in total. All can be booked online via Lower Eyre Council, putting you close to the surf, rock pools, and the trailhead. Set up at Greenly Beach South Campground for the best coastal views.

 

Skill Level

Beginner-Intermediate

The hike is steep and rocky in sections, with no formal trail – just a few animal tracks and a clear line along the ridge. As such, the terrain isn’t wheelchair-accessible, but no technical skills or specialised gear are required for the climb, making it suitable for walkers with sure-footing and a basic level of fitness.

The area is remote, with patchy mobile reception except up on the ridge. There’s no drinking water along the route, so be sure to carry enough for the return. Rocks can be slippery after rain, and the exposed summit offers little shade, so sun protection and sturdy footwear are essential.

 

Essential Gear for Mount Greenly

What it’s Like to Hike Mount Greenly

A Mallee Scrub Start

Distance: 600m
Duration: 15 minutes

Surprisingly, the car park was close to full, even with the local footy grand final pulling most of the district into Port Lincoln. A bloke at the gate nodded me through, warning I’d pass several sprawled families on the way up. I was less concerned with the company than with the murky haze thickening over the coast.

From the scrubby base, the route pulled straight into mallee country – crooked trunks, peeling bark, and a peppering of granite underfoot. I quickly discovered no marked trail exists, just a meandering animal track and the natural curve of the rise pointing me north.

 

 

The route climbed easily enough, then stiffened sharply, mallee thinning to stunted blue bush, gusts whipping across the open slopes. A jumble of lichen-streaked boulders served as an early windbreak, with views fanning to the northern promontory of the distant Coffin Bay National Park.

The Granite Scramble

Distance: 300m
Duration: 5 minutes

The next 300 metres morphed into a brief, jagged scramble, hands gripping rough granite as my feet shuffled for purchase. The route dipped to the mountain’s leeside, away from the lash of coastal wind, revealing views of Puwanna/Lake Greenly, its pale waters swamping the patchwork of canola and wheat.

I wove through the promised loose procession of families, the youngest huffing, puffing, and eager for the car, shouting that the summit was still a long way off.

Ascending the Plateau

Distance: 1100m
Duration: 20 minutes

The rain-sprinkled westerly slapped my face as I stepped through a rocky channel onto the broad granite plateau. Thankfully, the heaviest clouds hadn’t moved from the horizon. Nevertheless, I pressed on a little faster.

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As the incline eased, the terrain threw up a new challenge: scattered rocks, ankle-twisters hidden among the flashes of brightly coloured bush pea and native hibiscus. I picked my way carefully as the path began to narrow. At the halfway point, the ridge pinched tight and the vista opened wide, surf-thrashed coast on one side, the salt lake glinting on the other.

Reaching the summit cairn as the spits hardened into drizzle, I was ready for the end, until a faint line through the scrub ahead lured me on.

Pride Rock

Distance: 250m
Duration: 5 minutes

Darting through the scrub, I rounded the cliff to find a giant granite boulder lifted straight from The Lion King, jutting out over the mountain’s northern tip. From this Pride Rock vantage point, the view stretched to Point Drummond’s dazzling white sand beach, hazed and shimmering through the wispy fog.

 

 

With neither a heaven-sent sunbeam nor Rafiki to anoint me future king, and the shadow lands creeping in from the coast, I spun around and made a brisk 40-minute return to the car.

Tips For Hiking Mount Greenly

  • There are no toilets, water, or shelters along the route or in the car park. Carry enough supplies and essentials with you
  • Coastal conditions can shift rapidly. Be prepared for wind, rain, and cooler temperatures – even on seemingly sunny days
  • Although there’s no formal signage, the ridgeline provides a relatively straight path to follow. Keep an eye on landmarks and pace yourself on the steeper slopes near the southern end
  • Mobile reception is limited, except at the summit, where bars are available for uploading the view
  • Summer months bring increased activity from the resident brown snakes. Tread carefully

FAQs Mount Greenly

How long does it take to climb Mt Greenly?

It depends on your fitness level, but as it’s not a long or paritcularly difficult summit, it should take between 45 minutes and an hour to reach the summit. Expect a slightly quicker walk back down.

Can you swim at Greenly Beach?

Yes you can swim at Greenly Beach off the sand or at the rock pools. It’s a popular spot for swimming and surfing.

Keep Exploring the Eyre Peninsula

This piece was brought to you by a real living human who felt the wind in their hair and described their adventure in their own words. This is because we rate authenticity and the sharing of great experiences in the natural world – it’s all part of our ethos here at We Are Explorers. You can read more about it in our Editorial Standards.