Hike Adelaide's southern beaches and hills: discover the Willunga Basin Trail

Summary of what we provide and why you should contact us

Welcome to Willunga Basin Trail

The Willunga Basin is bounded by the Southern Mt Lofty Ranges, the Gulf St Vincent and the hills of the Onkaparinga Gorge.

The Willunga Basin Trail is a 130 km walking trail, of 11 Sections of moderate to hard standard. It crosses the undulating farmland and vineyards of the McLaren Vale Wine Region, ascends and descends the Ranges four times and travels along the coast as it encircles the Basin. 

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The route gives great variety of scenery and visits many of the small settlements as well as the coastal suburbs. It crosses the Aldinga Conservation Park, the Onkaparinga River National Park and parts of the pine and native forests of Kuitpo. 

 

Trail Sections

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SECTION 1

Willunga to Louds Hill Rd

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SECTION 2

Louds Hill Rd to Sellicks Esplanade

SECTION 3

Sellicks Esplanade to Hart Rd Wetlands

SECTION 4

Hart Rd Wetlands to Gulf Pde, Maslin Beach

SECTION 5

Gulf Pde, Maslin Beach to McLaren Vale Visitor Centre

SECTION 6

McLaren Vale Visitor Centre to Gate 20 Onkaparinga River National Park

SECTION 7

Gate 20 Onkaparinga River National Park to Kangarilla

SECTION 8

Kangarilla to Wickham Hill & Toops Hill Roads

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SECTION 9

Wickham Hill & Toops Hill Roads to Edwards & Hamilton URRs

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SECTION 10

Edwards & Hamilton URRs to Willunga

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SECTION 11

Gate 20 Onkaparinga River National Park to Edwards & Hamilton URRs

SECTION 3

Sellicks Esplanade to Hart Rd Wetlands

Willunga Basin Trail map

Useful Resources

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Local Weather

When planning a walk please check local weather conditions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience

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Fire Danger Ratings

The Trail is closed when the Fire Danger rating is Extreme or Catastrophic. These are Total Fire Ban Days; most likely to occur between the first of November and April. The Trail is in District 2 Mt. Lofty Ranges

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Tides Information

When planning to walk along the beach (Section, 3,4 & 5) it is important to check predicted height and timing of the local tides to ensure access to the beach

Some Spectacular Scenery

Become A Volunteer

Volunteers have built the Trail by participating in regular work sessions to clear vegetation, plant trees, install signs, benching the track surface. Find out more about the building and the history of the trail

If the idea of getting out on the trail, with a lively bunch of friends to maintain the Trail and develop new loops and connections, appeals to you, then join WBT Inc

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Plan a Visit in Willunga Basin

The Willunga Basin is an easy 40-minute drive from Adelaide along the Southern Expressway. Hire cars are available in locations throughout Adelaide, including the Adelaide Airport (International, Domestic & Regional)Adelaide Airport.

Regular rail services from Adelaide to Seaford Railway station and the Trail is just 2.1 km  away in SECTION 5. Regular bus services between the southern Adelaide metropolitan area (Noarlunga and Seaford) and the local towns, or from Seaford Railway station Adelaide Metro.

 

Bob McLennan

Bob was an avid supporter of, and volunteer with, the Willunga Basin Trail Group. He dedicated much time to the development of the trail over the latter years of his life.

His involvement built on a career shaping and caring for South Australia's groundwater basins. We thank Bob's friends for their generous donations to the Bob McLennan Memorial Fund and are working with Brenda and family to install a seat in memory of Bob.

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The Willunga Basin Trail members acknowledge the Kaurna people as the First Peoples of the lands and waters in the area now known as the Willunga Basin. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the relationship that they have to Country.

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