Two legs or four - two wheels or four (think strollers, not cars!) - it’s your choice as you discover and explore the network of trails throughout McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast.
The Onkaparinga River National Recreation Park has 17 inspiring walks with varying degrees of difficulty ranging from a short 30 minutes to 4 hours. From lookout walks to ridgetop, scrubland and wetlands walks, all are well marked and provide information about the area as you go. Think Australian bushland, spectacular burnt orange cliffs, meandering river and you may even be rewarded by spotting a few native animals.
Other popular trails in the region include:
Exploring the hills and valley
- Flat to Vale Trail - A 2.5 km, safe, sealed, off-road link for you to to walk or ride your bike through the gum-tree-lined vineyards between the historic towns of McLaren Flat and McLaren Vale. It connects to the Coast to Vines Trail, including the Shiraz Trail in McLaren Vale, providing off-road pedestrian and cycle access from McLaren Flat to Willunga, Darlington and Hallett Cove, as well as public transport hubs along those routes.
- Willunga to Aldinga - The share-use path runs from Aldinga Road and Mainwaring street intersection in Willunga, through to the Main South Road/Port Road intersection in Aldinga. Enjoy this scenic trail for a cycle, run, or casual stroll. (image credit - Pip Kruger Flerieu Living Magazine)
- Heysen Trail is one of Australia’s great walking trails, covering over 1200km from the Flinders Ranges to the Fleurieu Peninsula. A section of the trail passes through beautiful Kuitpo Forest Reserve, which is easily accessible and will give you the feeling of stepping into another world. Make sure you visit the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre (open 10am-12noon Friday to Sunday) for local expert advice to make the most of your experience whilst you are exploring the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast.
- Kidman Trail is a popular hiking, biking, and horse riding trail which starts in Willunga and meanders it way through the hills to the Barossa Valley. Whilst enjoying the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast region, you can start in Willunga and follow the trail markers connecting with Kuitpo Forest Reserve. A perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up the scenery.
- The Tom Roberts Horse Trail is a network of 80km of trails which wind their way through the hills and valleys of the region, ideal to travel by horseback or mountain bike. Riders can enter via two ‘step-overs’, or horse stiles, on Piggott Range Road.
- The Sturt River Linear Park Trail is a brand new walking trail that's filled with beautiful scenery and history. Enjoy exploring the heritage of Coromandel Valley along this trail that winds from Frank Smith Park on Magarey Road to Horner's Bridge, about 3km downstream. Take in the beauty of the Sturt River entailing easy access for walking, cycling and for prams.
- The Coast to Vines Trail is a winner with cyclists of all ages enjoying the spectacular coastal cliff top scenery, before heading inland to the rolling vines. If shorter rides are more your style, enjoy the Shiraz Trail from McLaren Vale to Willunga, with great cafes, restaurants, cellar doors and breweries encouraging a detour along the way. For more riding trails, see our cycling trails page.
- McLaren Vale Cellar Door Tree Trail is an exciting addition to trails in the region. 54 trees at local wineries and breweries have been measured for their benefits to the environment and tree tags as well as fun trail to follow. Download the map to discover more.
- Willunga Basin Trail - is a newly established 130 km walking trail that winds its way around and across the Willunga Basin, taking walkers through a diverse landscape of bushland, forests, vineyards, almond groves, parks and beaches. The Trail, of easy to moderately difficult standard, can be walked over 5 days or in 11 half-day walks. It links with other trails such as the Heysen and Coast to Vines trails and with walks in parks such as the Aldinga Scrub and the Onkaparinga River National Park. It passes through the historic settlements of McLaren Vale, Willunga, Kangarilla and the coastal suburbs of Sellicks, Aldinga, Port Willunga, Maslin Beach, Seaford and Moana.
(image credit Willunga Basin Trail)
Exploring the sea
- For something completely different, hire a kayak (or bring your own) and hit the water on the Onkaparinga Paddle Trail. This is a unique way to see the Onkaparinga River between Port Noarlunga and Old Noarlunga. The water trail provides views of the abundant birdlife, with opportunities for photography, exploring backwaters, and even fishing. There are great launching facilities at Port Noarlunga and Perry’s bend, about half way between Port Noarlunga and Old Noarlunga.
- If you are a diving enthusiast, the Port Noarlunga Aquatic Trail offers a great reef diving experience for beginner and experienced divers. The trail consists of 12 sites across the reef, introducing you to a diverse range of marine species which call the reef home. If you are lucky, you may even see a leafy sea dragon.
- For all things water, take a short 1.2km walk along the coast as part of the Kauwi Interpretive Walking Trail, adjacent the Kauwi Interpretive Centre and SA Water Adelaide Desalination Plant. In the local Kaurna Aboriginal language, Kauwi means water and the trail incorporates various lookouts with interpretive signage detailing plant life and the importance of water and the coastal landscape to the Aboriginal people.
