The Shiraz Rail Trail extends eight kilometres south of McLaren Vale through the McLaren Vale wine region to the charming town of Willunga. Saturday morning is a good time to do this ride as the Willunga Farmers Market is open from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Members of the Uncool Cycling Club were staying in McLaren Vale at the McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park.
Although the Shiraz Rail Trail starts officially at the Almond Train, it was more convenient for us to head out from our accommodation.
McLaren Vale to Willunga on the Shiraz Trail
The first thing we noticed about the Shiraz Trail was the excellent condition of the bitumen track. Was I imagining it, or had the trail been gravel last time I rode it?
Despite a slight incline, it wasn’t long before we covered the eight kilometres of the Shiraz Trail and arrived at the old Willunga Railway Station.
Willunga Farmers Market
As we rode from the old railway station to the main town area of Willunga, the streets were packed with cars. There seemed to be a lot happening at the Willunga Farmers Market. Nevertheless, we first made our way up the High Street to have coffee at Terre Cafe. Our non-cycling partners met us there.
Once refreshed, we rolled down High Street to have a look around the market.
We took our time to explore, each following our own interests.
Forty-five minutes later, we met again, ready to continue our ride.
Wirra Wirra Vineyards
On the way back we turned off the Shiraz Trail at Binney Road to enjoy some backroad riding on our way to Wirra Wirra Wines.
The old log fence makes a very eye-catching entrance to the cellar door.
Before long we were seated at a long table on the verandah enjoying our lunch.
Back to McLaren Vale
On our way back, we returned to the Shiraz Rail Trail and stopped for coffee or icecream at Oxenberry Farm Wines.
Even with our detours, we had only covered 22 kilometres and climbed 166 metres. It had been a relaxed and easy ride, just perfect for the warm days of early autumn.
Here is a short 30-second video of the Shiraz Rail Trail:
To read about one of our other recent rail trail rides, see the Coast to Vines Rail Trail. If you are interested in a longer ride starting in McLaren Vale, see our Onkaparinga River and Moana Beach ride.
If you’re interested in a guided tour including this and other South Australian rail trails, check out Tour de Vines South Australian Vineyards Tour.
Further to the east, read about what happened when Kathie and I tried to ride the Lavender Trail from Murray Bridge.
I must admit I have mixed feelings about these rail trails. For us cyclists they are great, but overall it would be better to have a functioning railway system and fewer private motor vehicles.
I take your point Don but in Australia with our widely dispersed population, it makes sense to at least use these long closed rail corridors for recreation and tourism 😎
Beautiful!
In many ways like the Western Cape in South Africa – only that our Blue Gums.Eucalyptus tree are seen as invading vegetations are are being systematically chopped out! They have been part of the cultural landscape for over a hundred years. although they take water and nothing grows under them, the wood is useful and they are often the only sahdes trees around for man and beast.
Thanks Dawid. That’s interesting about gum trees in the Western Cape!
Hi Helen,
I cycled the Shiraz Trail – followed by part of the Vines to Coast and then the Patrick Jonkers to Darlington last month. The first two were very enjoyable but I should have completed the ride to Marino Rocks rather than using the Veloway (Hot day, windy, too many hills!!).
Before that though I descended the Old Willunga Hill – what a buzz on a Greenspeed trike!
Hi Tony. I agree with you about the Veloway – definitely best tackled in cooler weather 🙂
Interesting and informative comments. A great write up Helen.I too am sorry to lose our trains but at least the old narrow gauge rails have now become beautiful trails for recreation cyclists and walkers to enjoy the scenery. peace and tranquility, Wild life and Fauna. For those of us that used rail in the 50s and 60s and have enjoyed the steam trains run by volunteers there is always history shared along the way .
Thanks Kathie. I agree that rail trails are a great way to preserve some of our railway heritage.