Hike Adelaide's southern beaches and hills: discover the Willunga Basin Trail
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Important Information: Trail Status Updates
No current updates for this section
SECTION 9: Wickam Hill & Toops Hill Rds to Edwards & Hamilton URRs
11.6 km Hard Hike, Grade 4
FROM: junction of Wickham Hill Rd & Toops Hill Rd, McLaren Flat, SA 5171
TO: junction of Edwards & Hamilton URRs, McLaren Vale, SA 5171 (car parking is 400m away from the end of this Section at the southern end of Brightview Brae, McLaren Flat, SA 5171)
From the section end post head south along Wickham Hill Road. For the first ½ kilometre follow a path which keeps you mainly away from the road through native vegetation. Then there is a 2km stretch of road walking along Range Rd with vegetation on both sides and peeping views of the Basin to the west and Kuitpo to the east.
Turn left onto the quieter Badgers Rd which swings into the Kuitpo farming area and comes to Adams Gully Rd. Here turn right onto a public track through the Adams Gully Scrub, a forested area used by horse riders on the Kidman Trail. Adams Gully Rd continues for another kilometre to reach a junction with Range Rd and Thomas Hill Rd.
Go straight ahead on Thomas Hill Rd for some 750m before turning left to cross a stile into a paddock between two dams. This is an easement across private land, and we ask you to respect the privilege by staying within 3m of the fence. The stile at the end of the easement takes you into the Saverbier Reserve which is fenced on both sides to start with. Further down follow the signs and bush path to stay within the reserve and to minimise disturbance to the lovely native bush. Note that the old track wanders in and out of the unmade road reserve and we are only able to follow it in part.
At the next stile you cross into private land for 150m. Make sure you stay within 5 metres of the fence. There is a very steep slope here; the ‘Chain Walk’, a structure of 33 posts linked by chain, which can be used as a handrail on both descent and ascent. On reaching the bottom go through the gate and follow the path through another gate to the section end post. Here, Section 10 goes left to Willunga and Section 11 goes right to the Onkaparinga River National Park. Car parking 400m away at the end of Brightview Brae.
Notes
Car Parking
- some car parking space at the intersection of Wickham Hill Rd & Toops Hill Rd
- car parking for the end of section 9 is 400 metres to the north at the end of Brightview Brae
Dogs
- no dogs between Thomas Hill Rd and Brightview Brae: there is private property with stock grazing and a reserve with native flora and fauna.
Useful Resources
Local Weather
When planning a walk please check local weather conditions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience
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
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
Trail Sections
SECTION 10
Edwards & Hamilton URRs to Willunga
SECTION 11
Gate 20 Onkaparinga River National Park to Edwards & Hamilton URRs
SECTION 3
Sellicks Esplanade to Hart Rd Wetlands
