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TRAIL STATUS

Section 5 : there are no or few signs at present between the northern end of Maslin Beach and the southern end of Moana Beach. Please follow path at the edge of the beach, the  rocks near the edge and the beach over this 1.2 km stretch which can be quite challenging.Do not go up onto the cliff which is a conservation area and culturally sensitive.Look out for the marked hooded plover sites. Please refer to Section 5 description. The total distance between Maslins Beach (Frank Hilton Reserve) and Moana at Pedlers Creek estuary is 3.6km
Section 7: there is no water in Peters Creek where the trail crosses.
Section 8: Detour in place between the start of the section in Kangarilla and part way through the forest. The route follows Glory Rd, Peters Creek Rd and enters the forest off Peters Creek Rd before crossing the forest to join Willunga Basin Trail on the northern edge of the forest. This is to avoid Bone Gully forest where Forestry operations are due to start at the end of March.
 
 

 part 

SECTION 6: McLaren Vale to Onkaparinga River National Park

12.2km Hard Hike, Grade 4 

SECTION 6 MAP

FROM: McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, 796 Main Rd McLaren Vale, SA 5171 

TO: Gate 20 Onkaparinga River National Park, Chapel Hill Road, Blewitt Springs, SA 5171 

From the eastern edge of the carpark at the Visitor Centre follow the Coast to Vines (Shiraz) shared use trail as far as Field St. Turn left and go up Field St. Do not walk through the cutting but go into the edge of Chalk Hill Winery where you walk between the trees and around a walkway before reaching the intersection of Field St and Chalk Hill Rd. 

On Chalk Hill Rd there are three signed crossings to give the safest route. Shortly after Twenty-Eight Rd you start on a path on the northern side of the road which takes you above a cutting where there is a nice seat. The path continues along the roadside, sometimes close to the road, sometimes further away to cross near Pizzateca and take you along on the south side and through some beautiful old gums.

At the end of Chalk Hill Rd, the Willunga Basin Trail connects with the Flat to the Vale shared use trail (opened 2022). You can reach Mclaren Flat by walking 1.5 km straight ahead along the Flat to the Vale Trail. To follow Willunga Basin Trail cross Chalk Hill Rd to the north side and turn left along Foggo Rd and continue to Pennys Road. Turn right onto Pennys Rd and follow until Settlement Rd where you turn left and follow the road to where the gravel road becomes a sandy track. Continue on this track until the intersection with Foggo Rd. Turn right onto Foggo Rd and follow the road until the intersection with Kays Rd.

Cross Kays Rd onto Amery Rd. Follow a track past driveways and then through big rocks. Ascend on the eastern edge of the deeply rutted track . After a climb to reach a flatter area, there is another steep climb before reaching Chapel Hill Rd. Cross Chapel Hill Rd and enter the Onkaparinga River National Park at Gate 22 by the slip-through next to the gate.

Follow Willunga Basin Trail signs to turn right and follow the boundary track inside the park to gate 21 where there is a picnic table. Continue following the Willunga Basin Trail signs along the boundary track to Gate 20. 

This point is the end of Section 6. Section 7 continues through the ORNP. Section 11 (the link across the Basin) starts at Gate 19 Hardys Scrub, ORNP across Chapel Hill Rd.

NOTES

Carparking:

  • large car park at McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre
  • limited car parking at gate 20, Onkaparinga River National Park, Chapel Hill Rd

Dogs:

  • no dogs allowed in Onkaparinga River National Park

LINKS

 Onkaparinga River National Park

 

Weather

When planning a walk please check local weather conditions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience CHECK LOCAL WEATHER 

Fire Danger Ratings

The Trail is closed when the Fire Danger rating is Extreme or Catastrophic. These are Total Fire Ban Days; most likely to occur between the first of November and April. The Trail is in District 2 Mt. Lofty Ranges FIRE DANGER RATINGS

Tides

When planning to walk along the beach (Section, 3,4 & 5) it is important to check predicted height and timing of the local tides to ensure access to the beach. CHECK TIDES