The Nurragi Rail Trail follows the corridor of the Sandergrove-Milang railway line which operated between 1884 and 1970. This line joined what is now the Steamranger Heritage line at Sandergrove, about ten kilometres south of Strathalbyn.
After closure of the railway, local groups lobbied to retain the corridor as a conservation reserve. With over 300 native plant species, up to 50 of which are rare or endangered, this important corridor provides a glimpse of pre-settlement vegetation.
Milang – start of the Nurragi Rail Trail
These days Milang is a quiet country town on the shores of Lake Alexandrina. However, between 1860 and 1880, it was a significant port on the Murray River system.
Stiles – Ten of them!
Shortly after beginning our ride, we encountered the main obstacle for bicycles on the Nurragi Rail Trail – the stiles.
Given that the sensitive Nurragi Conservation Reserve has to be protected from motorbikes, these stiles may be a necessary evil, but do come prepared for some heavy lifting.
Because of the stiles, the Nurragi Rail Trail is definitely not suitable for an eBike if you are on your own.
Nurragi Rail Trail
Along the Nurragi Rail Trail, you can expect to encounter a variety of surfaces, from packed earth to sand. Additionally, some parts of the trail could be muddy after rain.
Where the track narrowed through long grass, thorn bushes whipped our bare arms and legs.
In places, we had to duck to avoid low-hanging branches.
With all the stiles and at times some challenging terrain, it took us nearly two hours to complete the twelve kilometres of the Nurragi Rail Trail. Having said that, if you’re not phased by stiles, it’s a great ride.
On to Strathalbyn
Eventually, we spilled out onto Research Road
before finding another navigable Conservation Reserve between Glenfield Road and Dry Plains Road.
From there we followed the bitumen
to our coffee stop in Strathalbyn.
Appleseed Cafe in Strathalbyn
The Appleseed Cafe deserves a special mention for excellent, bicycle-friendly service. In their courtyard off a laneway out the back, there was room for both ourselves and our bikes. On top of this, the coffee and food was delicious.
Angas River Trail
After lunch, we resumed our ride back to Milang. For the first two kilometres, we followed the shared path beside the Angas River.
From there, the return journey along relatively quiet bitumen and dirt roads didn’t seem to take long compared to our outward journey. Soon we were passing the former railway station at Milang
and back at our start point on the shores of Lake Alexandrina.
All together we had ridden 47 kilometres and climbed 198 metres. However, most of the hard work was on the relatively flat Nurragi Rail Trail.
Map of the Nurragi Rail Trail and Ride to Strathalbyn
Further Information
You can find excellent brochures about the Nurragi Rail Trail at either end of the trail and at some of the other access points. Just lift up the horizontal top of the marker posts – the brochures are inside.
Walking SA, the National Trust and Rail Trails Australia all have good on-line information about the Nurragi Rail Trail.
If you enjoy this kind of adventure rail trail, why not have a go at the Copper Trail between Balaklava and Port Wakefield?
Top photo by Philippa Dominish
