Walking & Cycling

The Barossa climate and terrain support a broad range of cycling options, for road and mountain bike enthusiasts as well as those who want to tour the Barossa at a slower pace. There are several parks nestled in the rolling hills of the Barossa. These secluded pockets of bushland provide a wonderful diversity of nature experiences, ranging from birdwatching to rewarding bushwalking trails.

The information below offers a snapshot of the walking/cycling trails available.

Altona Landcare Reserve and Walking Trail

Northeast of Lyndoch, this is a former sand-mining area that has been rehabilitated. The Orlando viewpoint looks over Rowland Flat and the North Para River below. Walks range from 3.16 to 5.74km – suitable for those of medium fitness who enjoy native birds, flora and fauna. See the area as it would have been before white settlement. Brochures available on site.

Barossa Bushgardens Regional Native Flora Centre

Barossa Bushgardens in Nuriootpa is the place to see locally indigenous plants on show. A highlight is seven low water-use urban display designed gardens, including a CFS fire-wise garden, Eremophila Garden and Sensory Garden. Plants are labelled for easy identification, and self-guided tour flyers are available at the entrance. Open daily, entry by gold coin donation. Coulthard Reserve, Penrice Road, Nuriootpa (800m east of the Murray Street traffic lights).

Barossa Goldfields Walking Trail

The Barossa Goldfields attracted some five thousand frenetic fortune-hunters when gold fever flared here briefly in the late 1800s. The remnants of their labours can be seen within the Para Wirra Recreation Park – follow the interpretive signs along two interesting walking trail loops of 1.2km and 5km.

Hale Conservation Park

A haven for rare native wildlife, Hale Conservation Park is ideally suited to those seeking a sense of tranquillity and isolation. A four-hour hiking trail explores the park’s rocky ridges and leafy woodlands. For a few weeks each winter, stunning blooms of red flame heath carpet the landscape − a captivating sight for photographers and nature lovers. There are no facilities on site.

The Heysen Trail

The Heysen Trail is Australia’s longest dedicated walking trail, extending 1,200km from the rugged coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the dramatic Flinders Ranges. It also weaves its way through the Barossa where a few hours is all you need to enjoy highlights such as the dense pine trees of Mount Crawford Forest and the stringybark-clad ridges of Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park. For more information visit www.heysentrail.asn.au.

Jack Bobridge Track

The work on this cycling/walking link between Gawler and Tanunda is underway and the track is expected to be officially opened early in 2013.

Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park

Nestled in the Barossa Ranges between Tanunda and Angaston, this park offers excellent opportunities for bushwalkers with two walking trails - the 2.4km Stringybark Loop providing a taste of the park’s natural landscapes, while the Main Fire Track provides access to the Pewsey Vale Forest and Heysen Trail.

The Kidman Trail

The Kidman Trail is a multi-use horse riding, cycling and walking trail that traverses 269 kilometres of roadsides, forest tracks, private land and unmade road reserves with trail markers indicating route. The Kidman Trail provides a scenic trail that highlights the natural beauty, cultural history and major points of interest along the Mount Lofty Ranges. For more information visit www.kidmantrail.org.au.

Lavender Federation Trail

The more enthused walker should discover the Lavender Federation Trail, from the banks of the Murray River at Murray Bridge to the wine-growing area of Springton in the Barossa. The Lavender Federation Trail is a linear walking trail of 105km through diverse countryside, taking in everything from gorges to grapevines. For more information visit lavenderfederationtrail.org.au.

The Mawson Trail

The Mawson Trail is South Australia’s pinnacle cross-country mountain bike trail. The trail winds through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa with spectacular views, and continues along through the Flinders Ranges. Approximately 900km long, the trail finishes at Blinman in the Flinders Ranges. For more information visit www.southaustraliantrails.com.

Mount Crawford Forest

If you’re feeling energetic and love exploring the nature of the Barossa, then pack a picnic basket and discover the wildlife and unforgettable scenery to be found along the tracks and trails of Mount Crawford Forest, near Williamstown, or Para Wirra Recreation Park. Ideal for hiking and mountain bike riding.

Nurioopta to Angaston Path

This is a high quality 7km rail trail, which follows the old rail easement and has a smooth bitumen surface. It features high embankments and deep shady cuttings at the Angaston end, has been enhanced with high quality metal sculptures, and seating is provided at regular intervals.

Para Wirra Recreation Park

Para Wirra features a stunning bush landscape covered with leafy eucalypt trees featuring Pink Gums, Blue Gums and glorious golden wattles in spring. The park’s fantastic network of scenic drives and bushwalking trails offer good opportunities to spot kangaroos and some of the park’s 120 bird species. To learn more about the historic gold rush that occurred here in the mid-1800s, follow the 1.4km Victoria Hill Walk. Para Wirra offers excellent recreational facilities including a bush oval, picnic and barbecue facilities. For more information call the Para Wirra Park Office on (08) 8280 7048.

Sandy Creek Conservation Park

The Honeyeater and Wren walking trails in Sandy Creek Conservation Park offer patient birdwatchers an opportunity to spot some of the 130 bird species that migrate through the Barossa and Adelaide Hills. Spring is the best time of year to see small birds feeding upon the nectar of wildflowers.

Warren Conservation Park

Warren Conservation Park features some of the best views of the Barossa Valley. Challenging walking trails reward your efforts with uninterrupted views of secluded gullies, bushland and the spectacular reservoir of Warren Gorge. Remember to bring your binoculars for a closer look at the park’s rich diversity of bird life. There are no facilities in this park.