Mawson Trail

A long, mostly unsealed mountain bike route from the edge of Adelaide to the heart of the Flinders.

Time to Ride: Most riders plan around 10-14 days for the full length, with shorter sections possible between towns.

Best Time to Go: Shoulder-season riding is most comfortable - aim for Apr-Oct for cooler days and more reliable conditions.

Getting there: The southern trailhead is on Gorge Road at the upstream end of Torrens Linear Park in the Adelaide Hills, with a direct shared path connection towards the coast at West Beach. The route finishes in Blinman in the Flinders Ranges.

Costs: Costs depend on how you ride it - camping and self-catering keep expenses down, while pub meals and rooms in larger towns add up. Budget extra for food and water on remote stretches.

Difficulty: Moderate overall, with long distances, rough surfaces and remoteness being the main challenges rather than technical singletrack.

The Mawson Trail runs from the outskirts of Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, and north into the ranges and big skies of South Australia, finishing at Blinman in the Flinders Ranges. It is mostly away from bitumen roads, using state forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks, unmade or unused roads, and very low-traffic roads.

It was developed by volunteers in the early 1990s after riders from the SA Touring Cyclists’ Association (now Bicycle SA) tested a mostly off-road line between Blinman and Adelaide. The trail was later named after geologist and Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson, who carried out geological studies in the Flinders Ranges.

Highlights come from how quickly the scenery changes: cool forested ridgelines near the city, food and wine country around Tanunda and Nuriootpa, then historic towns like Burra and Quorn before the final push through classic Flinders landscapes near Wilpena and Rawnsley Park Station. Signage is provided for both directions, and the route is generally described south-to-north.

• Stage 1: Torrens Linear Park (Gorge Road) to Lobethal (approx. 90 km) - A quick escape from the city fringe into the Adelaide Hills, with plenty of climbing on a mix of tracks and quiet roads.
• Stage 2: Lobethal to Tanunda via Birdwood and Rowland Flat (approx. 90 km) - Rolling country riding into the Barossa Valley; detour time in Birdwood if you want the National Motor Museum.
• Stage 3: Tanunda to Clare via Nuriootpa, Kapunda, Riverton and Auburn (approx. 200 km) - A longer, town-rich stretch where resupply is straightforward; surfaces vary between unsealed roads, tracks and low-traffic connectors.
• Stage 4: Clare to Burra (approx. 80 km) - Gradually drier landscapes and bigger horizons as you move north, with Burra offering full services compared with smaller stops.
• Stage 5: Burra to Spalding via Hallett (approx. 150 km) - More remote-feeling riding on unmade roads and tracks; plan your water and shop stops around the small-town facilities.
• Stage 6: Spalding to Melrose via Laura (approx. 150 km) - Transition into the southern Flinders, with Melrose a popular break point thanks to its bike-focused services.
• Stage 7: Melrose to Quorn via Wilmington (approx. 160 km) - Ranges riding on fire trails and backroads, stepping deeper into outback terrain and classic South Australian riding.
• Stage 8: Quorn to Wilpena via Cradock, Hawker and Rawnsley Park Station (approx. 200 km) - The big Flinders leg: longer gaps, rougher surfaces and a stronger need for food and water planning.
• Stage 9: Wilpena to Blinman (approx. 80 km) - A fitting finale through the core of the Flinders Ranges, ending in the small village of Blinman with its pub and mine tours.

The most comfortable window is Apr-Oct, when cooler temperatures suit long days on unsealed roads and exposed tracks. Outside this period, heat can become a serious factor, especially in the north.

Even in the cooler season, expect fast-changing conditions on fire trails and unmade roads after weather events, and allow flexibility for slower progress on rough surfaces and through remote stretches.

Most riders start near Adelaide, using the signed trailhead on Gorge Road at the upstream end of Torrens Linear Park. Because the trail links into dedicated pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure, you can approach the start by bike from other parts of the city and even from the coast at West Beach.

The route is generally described south-to-north, finishing in Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, but it can be ridden either direction and signage is provided both ways. For logistics at the northern end, plan ahead for onward transport from Blinman as services can be limited in remote areas.

No permit is mentioned for riding the Mawson Trail. The route is suitable for mountain bikes and uses a mix of state forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks, unmade or unused roads, and very low-traffic roads.

Because the ride is signed in both directions, navigation is simpler than on fully DIY backcountry routes, but it is still worth carrying offline mapping for towns and resupply. Bike hire, e-bikes and luggage transfer options vary by town and are easiest to arrange around larger centres like Adelaide and bigger regional hubs on-route.

Accommodation is naturally spaced around the towns the trail passes through, from larger centres such as Tanunda, Clare, Burra and Quorn (with multiple pubs, cafes and shops) to small settlements like Cradock and Blinman. In the Flinders, places such as Rawnsley Park Station and Wilpena are established bases with caravan and camping options.

In busier periods, it is sensible to book ahead for key stops with fewer beds, especially in the northern sections where alternatives can be far apart. Many riders mix pub rooms, basic motels and caravan-park camping depending on distance and weather.