Rail Trails News

Cycling the Riesling Trail (SA)

Posted: 15/02/2001

By Trish and John Greenwood-Smith. Reproduced courtesy of Friends of the Warburton Trail.

Having already cycled several of Victoria's Rail Trails, in early October we set off to explore the Riesling Trail in South Australia's Clare Valley. Along the way we spent a delightful day riding in the Barossa, but the numerous large trucks reminded us of the relative safety of railtrails!

The Barossa and Clare Valleys, well known for wine production, provide a wide range of accommodation for tourists. We chose a cabin at the Clare Caravan Park. The Manageress was delighted, but a little bemused, that anyone would travel from Melbourne to ride their trail.

Cycling the trail. Alexander McCooke

We were lucky to have a perfect day with clear blue skies and a temperature rising to the high 20's. The trail runs for 27 km between Clare and Auburn. We started at Clare in the old rail yards, where parking is available. There are also several well-signposted access points from the Main North Road and these could be used by cyclists to divert from the trail and explore the old country towns and vineyards close by. The first part of the trail is a gentle uphill gradient through the outskirts of Clare, revealing backyard views of many lovely old stone cottages. Then we were really out in the country, riding through cuttings shaded by gums or pines. The flowers, respectable native plants and noxious weeds, made colourful splashes of yellow, orange, purple and white. A most surprising garden escapee was Italian lavender. Birds were everywhere. We saw unfamiliar parrots as well as the usual magpies, thrushes and fantails.

At Sevenhill there is a road leading to the Sevenhill Cellars, Monastery and Church. This is not signposted. We paid a visit on the return trip. From Sevenhill it was mainly downhill, through Penwortham then out into open country, with wonderful views from the old railway embankments across vineyards clothed in fresh Spring green and paddocks invaded by the bright purple Paterson's urse ( known there as Salvation Jane). At Watervale and then Leasingham the trail veers slightly off the original rail alignment. There are remnants of old bridges there, which could not be restored. However, in several other spots, bridges over roads have been successfully replaced for cyclists. The trail is well constructed all the way, with a firm surface of fine gravel. There were some areas of minor erosion requiring care.

Light weight steel bridge constructed on the original rail bridge abutments. Mark Plummer

Other hazards encountered were a few swooping magpies, a dusty brown chook which we startled as we rode through what had previously been her farmyard and the delicious Devonshire Tea we devoured at The Dennis Tea Rooms in Auburn, named after the Australian poet C.J.Dennis who was born in the town. This last was a hazard because we had made Auburn in 2 hours, but then we had to ride home again! The return trip is mainly uphill or flat - allow 3 hours; a flat tyre slowed us even more. If you like to do your hard riding first, do the trip in reverse. However, beware of bad signage in Auburn. Warned by others via the Internet, we realised that the trail does not yet start at the designated parking area at Mount Horrocks Wines in the old Railway Station. Go back to the main road and you will find the "start" of the trail on the left as you head towards Clare. This was a great ride, well worth the trip. We recommend it to all railtrailers.

Mount Horrocks Wines occupies the old railway station at Auburn. Alexander McCooke

Further information:

• Department for Recreation and Sport