Justin’s got a short and punchy sunrise mission for those who dare. Dance with the devil as you scramble to the summit of this stunning rocky outcrop.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Nukunu 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.

 

At first light, the Devil’s face rises from the earth, a jagged silhouette gazing skyward above the outback town of Quorn, South Australia. Few make the climb in darkness, but those who do are rewarded with one of the most striking sunrises in the Flinders Ranges.

 

How’s this for a 5-9 adventure?!

Quick Overview

Ngowinyie/Devil’s Peak is a moderately difficult 2.6km return trail, located in the Flinders Ranges, 30 minutes from the regional city of Port Augusta in South Australia. This trail takes around 2-3 hours to complete.

Devil’s Peak Facts

Distance: 2.6km return
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 245m
Nearest town: Quorn

Jump to Section

Devil’s Peak History

Devil’s Peak, also known as Ngowinyie, lies on the traditional lands of the Nukunu people. It is composed of 700-million-year-old Pound Quartzite, with rich geological evidence of faulting and fossil impressions from the Precambrian, Ediacaran, and Cambrian periods on full display.

While initially noted by crew during Captain Matthew Flinders’ circumnavigation of Australia (1801–1803), it didn’t receive its current post-colonisation name until the early days of pastoral settlement in the 1850s. 

It appeared to the residents of Quorn as though the Devil was lying on its back, looking towards the heavens. Its chin, nose, and eyebrow were clearly identifiable, but severe storms in the 1800s washed away large portions of the peak. The remnants of these huge boulders are scattered down the eastern side of the peak and are known as Eurydice Rock, or the Devil’s Toenail.

 

The trailhead

How to Get to Devil’s Peak?

Starting in the South Australian town of Quorn, find your way to the corner of two streets called West Terrace and South Terrace, then continue south down Richman Valley Road for 2.7km until you reach a dirt road turn-off called ‘Devil’s Peak Road’. Follow this track for 6km and you’ll arrive at a closed gate to private property.

Devil’s Peak is located on private property, which the owners kindly allow visitors to explore; however, it’s important to stick to the roads only. Ensure you close the gate behind you.

Finally, you’ll reach a car park with a sign pointing towards the Devil’s Peak Walking Trail.

Read more: 10 Tips on How To Leave No Trace in Our Wild Places

 

The climb is on private property, respect it to keep access open!

Where To Stay Near Devil’s Peak

As Devil’s Peak is a short 2-3 hour return hike on private property, so camping isn’t permitted here. The closest accommodation is in the nearby town of Quorn at the caravan park, or on the Heysen Trail at Waukarie Creek/Mt Brown North Campsite if you happen to be on foot!

Skill Level

Although short, Devil’s Peak packs a punch, it starts as a gentle intermediate climb and becomes increasingly strenuous towards the summit. 

There are sections towards the end which can require technical rock scrambling, and unfortunately it’s not wheelchair friendly. 

Phone reception is patchy and the rocks can be slippery. Take caution!

Read more: What to Pack in Your Hiking First Aid Kit

 

Some spicy scrambles

Essential Gear for Devil’s Peak

  • Hat
  • Sunglasses/ sunscreen
  • Water
  • Charged Head torch (if ascending for first light)
  • Appropriate footwear for rugged terrain
  • Warm or windproof layer for the top
  • First aid kit
  • PLB

What It’s Like To Hike Ngowinyie / Devil’s Peak

Under the cover of darkness my car’s wheels rolled to a halt – I was at the end of the dirt road at the base of Devil’s Peak. The decrescendo of crunching gravel beneath me faded away into stillness. There were no other cars here, and my heart pounded with anticipation. It was just me, my head torch, and an unforeseen urge to race to the top of Ngowinyie/Devil’s Peak before sunrise (and get back in time for work).

As I stared up at the peak my headtorch illuminated the foreboding ascent, with sparse trees and shrubs casting mysterious shadows over the eerily flat beginning of the climb. The walk would be suspiciously leisurely for the first 400 metres, however I realised very quickly that this wouldn’t continue.

The gentle gravel became noticeably coarser and more slippery as I cautiously stepped from rock to rock. At times I even needed to grasp peripheral boulders or tree branches to prevent myself from becoming another hiking news story. I was due to gain just over 200m of elevation over the next 800!

Breathless, I stopped to rehydrate, but it came at a cost. At this point, I noticed the first glow of the new dawn over the horizon. Time was running out, fast, yet my pace had slowed and the ascent before me seemed unrelenting. I couldn’t accept having left Port Pirie at 4am and driven for 90 minutes, only to miss the sunrise on Devil’s Peak. 

It was time to dig deep.

 

Thankfully this was taken on the way down

 

Caution was replaced by sheer tenacity as I picked up the pace, leaping from rock to rock, intermittently scanning my surroundings with my head torch, waiting for the reflective red arrows to wink back and confirm that I was on track. The air was still, but all I could hear was my rapid breathing and my heart beating in my head.

Suddenly I was met with an impressive blank rock face with no obvious route forward. Climbing directly up simply couldn’t be the way, but as I stood there deliberating how much risk I was willing to take, time kept ticking away. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a discreet, but resolute reflective red arrow, beckoning me left of the large boulder. It was the first real turn from what was otherwise onwards and upwards, but after a few metres on my hands and feet, carefully selecting my foot holds, I’d made it past. There couldn’t be long to go now.

Following the remaining arrows, I jogged through the clearings and powered past the visitor’s log book – with a sharp left directing me through a narrow gully.

 

No time, gotta summit!

 

With the summit in sight, there were two options before me, both marked with white spray paint. I could try to pull myself up vertically several meters between two large stacked boulders, where other climbers had previously attempted, or veer left, and take a moderate scramble. I chose the easier option and before long, I’d finally made it to the peak. 

It was just me, the entire Flinders Ranges, and the birth of a new day. 

 

Yes.

 

For a moment, the world seemed so still. As I stood on the summit a gentle breeze whistled past me and I looked in awe at the panoramic views of Quorn, Pichi Richi Pass, Port Augusta, Upper Spencer Gulf, and the surrounding Flinders Ranges. Beneath me lay layers upon layers of sedimentary rock, folded rock, and fossil impressions, all outlining this region’s deep geological past. Rocks that had experienced sunrises like these for millions of years. 

As the sun rose above the horizon the sky exploded with molten reds and golds, bringing out the majestic orange glow of the 700 million year old pound quartzite, contrasted with the radiant greens of young flora. The Devil’s Peak had taken my breath away in two ways.

After taking it in, I began the descent. Now that I could actually see the terrain, the way down felt significantly easier and I was able to appreciate rock formations I hadn’t noticed on the ascent. Two near falls later, I was at the bottom. It was 7am and time to head back to Port Pirie for my shift at work. How’s that for a 5-9 before a 9-5?

 

A summit selfie for the ages!

Tips For Hiking Devil’s Peak

  • It’s not recommended to hike this trail during the day in summer. There are very few places to shelter from the heat, which can be intense!
  • Appropriate footwear is strongly recommended – good grip and a solid toe will help
  • The wind can be surprisingly strong on the summit, so a light layer helps to stay warm while soaking in the views.
  • The trail is on private property, so staying on the trail and taking out rubbish with you is essential. Go to the toilet before you arrive!
  • After rain, the quartzite can become very slippery, maybe reconsider the climb if it’s wet.

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.