Starting just north of Adelaide and travelling to the Outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, the Mawson Trail is the ideal option for mountain bikers wanting to travel through the picturesque scenery of South Australia’s remote rural areas.
Close to nine hundred kilometres long, the trail includes little-used country roads, State forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks and unmade or unused road reserves. It avoids traffic and bitumen roads and leads cyclists into the remote areas of the Ranges.
The trail takes riders through the Adelaide Hills, traversing forests, farmland and historic towns such as Lobethal and Birdwood. It passes the world-famous Barossa wine region to the mid-north towns of Kapunda and Burra and, from here, winds pass the towns of Hallett and Spalding through the Bundaleer Forest and into the Flinders Ranges.
The Mawson Trail is designed for mountain bike or sturdy touring bike use – it is not suitable for road bikes. There are several steep uphill sections and heavy rain on unmade tracks can make cycling very slow or impossible. However, spectacular views, abundant wildlife, unique flora and extensive vistas always reward the hard physical work.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through time and nature along the legendary Mawson Trail. Picture winding through hidden country roads, state forest trails, and rustic farm tracks.
It all began in 1990 when a group of daring cyclists braved the trail from Blinman in the mesmerising Flinders Ranges back to the vibrant city of Adelaide.
Named after the illustrious Australian polar explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson, the trail is your gateway to South Australia's most breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
