If you need to stretch your legs on a drive up to the Flinders Ranges, or if you need a short ride for all the family, I would recommend the Rocky River Rail Trail.
Part of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail which will eventually extend 125 kilometres from Wilmington to Yacka, the Rocky River Rail Trail heads south from Wirrabara towards Stone Hut for a little over three kilometres.
I had cycled this trail several years before when we were staying at Ippinitchie Campground in the Wirrabara Forest. It had been a very hot day and my memories of the ride were hazy.
In August, on our way to ride the Melrose Wilmington Rail Trail, Rhonda, Kathie and I decided to have another look at the Rocky River Rail Trail.
Wirrabara Silo Art
We parked near the Wirrabara Institute. From there it was a short ride to the Wirrabara silos, painted in 2018 by artist Smug (Sam Bates).
After admiring the beautiful artwork, we continued to the start of the trail where the railway tracks cross Forest Road.
The Rocky River Trail is quite flat and the surrounding countryside was quite green after the winter rains.
Remains of the old bridge
After two kilometres, you come to a floodway sign
and the remains of a railway bridge which used to cross the Rocky River.
Judging by the buttresses, the bridge must have been an impressive structure when the railway was open.
The Rocky River was dry at the crossing, but there was evidence that a flood had passed through and washed away some of the cycling track.
The Rocky River Rail Trail continues for another kilometre south.
Rhonda took this photo of me at the southern end.
Cycling back to the start
We saw kangaroos in the adjacent field on our return journey.
For us, one of the highlights was the pine forest at the northern end of the rail trail.
There is something magical about the quiet thud of mountain bike tyres on pine needles.
Summary of our ride on the Rocky River Rail Trail
We had cycled eight kilometres and climbed only 40 metres. Although short, this was a great rail trail experience.
Map of our ride on the Rocky River Rail Trail
You can download a brochure about the trail from the Southern Flinders Ranges website.
Another wonderful rail trail, which is also part of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail is the Melrose Wilmington Rail Trail.
