Tanunda to Kapunda on the Mawson Trail

Guest writer Kerri Newell and her husband Roger ride the Mawson Trail between Tanunda and Kapunda for the first time:

My sister lives in Kapunda, a historic mining town situated near the Barossa Valley. I knew The Mawson Trail passed through the town, but to my surprise, when I looked more closely at the map, I discovered it goes along the road she lives on!

In October 2018, my husband Roger and I decided to take the opportunity to house sit and do some cycling while was she was holidaying overseas.  OK let’s go!

Tanunda to Nuriootpa

To start our Mawson Trail ride between Tanunda and Kapunda, we drove to the Tanunda Tourist Information Centre. There was plenty of parking behind. It was a cool morning but no rain was forecast so off we set through the town’s backstreets.

We joined the bike path, a flat bitumen track that runs parallel to the Barossa Valley Way, and rode all the way through to Nuriootpa.

Leaving Nuriootpa behind

We crossed the Sturt Highway and found the familiar Mawson Trail arrow leading us onto a dirt track. Ah no traffic, that’s more like it!

We hadn’t ventured far when we came across RCB Motorcycles, a spare parts supplier, displaying all manner of memorabilia in the front garden. We definitely had to stop at the rusty old ute which had an equally old caravan behind it. There was even the obligatory old pushbike!

Soon after, we arrived at a No Through Road. We knew we were well and truly back on the Mawson Trail!

As we cycled, the road began to deteriorate and before long we were on a dry weather only track. Vehicles had clearly ignored the sign. Now there were deep ruts to negotiate and even some kangaroos hopping across in front of us to add to the experience!

We continued to bump along a corrugated track with vineyards either side, huge wind turbines slowly turning, and then broad bean crops as far as the eye could see.

The Kidman Trail, a well sign-posted horse, walk and ride trail joined our track for a bit.

Continuing on our Tanunda to Kapunda Mawson Trail ride, we started to gradually climb. The views across the farms became increasingly spectacular.

Looking ahead was a steep descent and we also felt a most welcome tailwind! The track was gravelly so we knew care would be needed as we went down.

Cattle alert!

As I started to descend there was a herd of cattle in the paddock adjacent to me and they started to run down the hill. There’s always a first time for everything…  Without intending to, I was having a race with a stampede of cattle! I was increasing speed and they were too!

As I neared the bottom of the hill I could see a T junction. I was hoping there wasn’t an open gate or those cattle would be right in front of me. Cautiously, I came to a halt. All of a sudden the cattle had nowhere to go and went skidding into the fence along the bottom of the hill, crashing into each other as they couldn’t stop in time!

Roger had been watching the whole funny scene unfold from behind. Of course he was wishing he’d been quick enough to video it, or at least to take a photo. Thankfully the cattle then charged off to the right, still contained in the paddock. We were now turning left. Phew!!

Arriving in Kapunda

Soon we could see Kapunda in the distance. We passed St John’s Cemetery on the right and then for a short distance all three trails (the Mawson, Kidman and Heysen) merged.

We crossed a steep ford over the Light River with the track turning sharply at the top. Next we were at the town lookout.

It was then an easy ride through the backstreets of the beautiful historic mining town.

Summary of Mawson Trail between Tanunda and Kapunda

We had not seen anyone else cycling since we left the highway and only an occasional local in a car. We had cycled 34 kilometres and climbed 240 metres.

After a late lunch we then drove to Tanunda to collect our other car, the disadvantage of going one way and not having a support driver!

This had been an enjoyable, relaxed segment of the Mawson Trail. Little did I know the next 45 kilometres was going to be far more challenging!

The next day, Kerri and Roger rode from Kapunda to Riverton on the Mawson Trail.

To read about other rides on the Mawson Trail, see my ride with Rhonda and Brian between Brachina Gorge Road and Wilpena or between Blinman and Brachina Gorge Road.