South Australia · Attraction
Mount Lofty Summit
Adelaide's highest panoramic lookout
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Standing at 710 metres above sea level, Mount Lofty Summit is the highest point in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges and the most visited natural attraction in South Australia. On clear days the panorama stretches from the Adelaide CBD and Gulf St Vincent across to Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula, making it a must for first-time visitors and seasoned locals alike.
More than 350,000 people visit the summit each year, drawn by views that are spectacular at sunrise, sunset, and on crisp winter mornings when mist settles over the city below. The summit precinct includes a visitor information outlet and gift shop, a licensed restaurant and cafe, and accessible facilities including disabled parking and toilets. Public transport reaches the summit via Adelaide Metro services.
For walkers, the summit is the starting point for several well-known trails. The Waterfall Gully circuit descends steeply through fern gullies to a popular waterfall, while the Heysen Trail passes through here on its 1,200-kilometre journey to the Flinders Ranges. The summit is also accessible from Cleland Wildlife Park along a bushland path, making it easy to combine both attractions in a single day.
Scenic views
