Hike Adelaide's southern beaches and hills: discover the Willunga Basin Trail
Summary of what we provide and why you should contact us
Walk the Trail
The Willunga Basin Trail can be walked as a complete trail over 5/6 days or as day walks or shorter walks.
There are 11 sections, the shortest being 8.4 km and the longest 16.2 km. The sections are numbered and described as a linear path, travelling clockwise around the Basin, but can be accessed in any order and from either direction. There is a map, a GPX file and a description under each Section. Each Section has some carparking at each end. Note that toilets are marked by small red dots on the maps.
The Willunga Basin Trail conforms with Australian Standard AS2156, Class 3 and Class 4
Class 3 – tracks allow moderate hikes where there is a defined track on natural substrate of between 300 mm and 450 mm width
Class 4 – tracks allow hard hiking and the walking surface may be rough and steep but stable to walk on.
The essential companion when reviewing or walking the Willunga Basin Trail
Good for route guidance, or a reminiscence later.
Pocket-sized, with maps and written description for each section.
Contact Michael Whitaker for details by submitting the form below
Walkers Safety
The Willunga Basin Trail is open to the public so please enjoy but be prepared:
- navigate the route online or from a printed map and follow the signs
- come equipped with water, personal medical supplies, good footwear and protection against sun, rain and cold
- when walking on farmland please keep your distance from animals and operating machinery
- use stiles over fences, leave gates as you find them
- there are some areas in which you may not have mobile phone coverage.
When to walk
The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, balmy springs and autumns, but sometimes rather hot summers.
The Trail is open all year with the following proviso – during the Fire Ban Season (usually November to April), the Trail is closed on Total Fire Ban days, ie days with a Fire Danger rating of Extreme or Catastrophic.
Fire Danger ratings, indicate how dangerous a bushfire could be. They are shown daily on the websites of both the Country Fire Service and the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Fire Danger ratings are given for different Fire Ban Districts. The Trail lies mostly within the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District 2.
Beach walking and tides
The Trail is on the beach in the following areas and walkers. are reminded to check tides when planning to walk on the beach:
SECTION 3 Sellicks Beach from wooden steps adjacent to Seascape View for 1.5km north to access path adjacent to Warramunga Rd
SECTION 4 Maslin Beach from concrete stairway below the unclad beach carpark at Tuit Rd for 1km north to the Maslin Creek estuary at Gulf Parade
SECTION 5 Maslin Beach from Frank Hilton Reserve north for 3.6km to the Pedler Creek estuary at Moana Beach
Walking with dogs
SECTION 1 no restrictions
SECTION 2
- no dogs between Mt Terrible Rd and Culley Rd (Private property)
- no dogs on Plains URR between Plains Rd and Main South Rd
SECTION 3
- beach 1.5km, dog on lead area. See Council Beach Regulations below
- no dogs in Aldinga Conservation Park
- no dogs in Hart Rd Wetlands
SECTION 4
- beach 1km, dog on lead area. See Council Beach Regulations below
SECTION 5
- beach 2.7 km between Ochre Point and Moana, dog on lead area. See Council Beach Regulations below
- dogs on leads on Coast to Vines shared use trail
Council Beach Regulations: dog on lead areas – on leads 10am – 8pm during daylight savings.
Hooded Plover protection: Dogs on lead within 100m of a Hooded Plover sign and no dogs within 100m of a fenced/bunted Hooded Plover nest
SECTION 6
- no dogs in Onkaparinga River National Park
SECTION 7
- no dogs in Onkaparinga River National Park
- no dogs between Onkaparinga River National Park and Brooks Rd, Kangarilla
SECTION 8
- dogs on leads between Old Coach Rd, Kangarilla and Forestry SA land (stock)
- dogs on leads through native forest areas in Forestry SA land
SECTION 9
- no dogs from Thomas Hill Rd to Edwards URR
SECTION 10
- no dogs from Pennys Hill Rd to Rifle Range Rd
- dogs on leads for 400m between Brightview Brae and Section post 9/10/11
- dogs on leads from Rifle Range Rd to Jackson Hill Rd
SECTION 11
- no dogs in Onkaparinga River National Park including Hardy’s Scrub
- no dogs in Manning Flora and Fauna Reserve. Spur loop
- no dogs in Gemtree Wetlands and Eco Trail
- no dogs on Sandalwood Lookout, a spur track on private property.
- dogs on leads on Cooper Lane
- dogs on leads for 400m between Brightview Brae and Section post 9/10/11 (stock)
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
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
