South Australia's Mawson Trail

Starting just north of Adelaide and travelling to the Outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, the Mawson Trail is the ideal option for mountain bikers wanting to travel through South Australia's regional and remote rural areas.

Close to nine hundred kilometres long, the trail includes little-used country roads, State forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks and unmade or unused road reserves. The trail avoids traffic and bitumen roads and leads cyclists into the remote areas of the ranges.

The trail takes riders through the Adelaide Hills, traversing forests, farmland and historic towns such as Lobethal and Birdwood. It passes the world famous Barossa wine region to the mid-north towns of Kapunda and Burra and from here, winds pass the towns of Hallett and Spalding through the Bundaleer Forest and into the Flinders Ranges.

The Mawson Trail is designed for mountain bike or sturdy touring bike use - it is not suitable for road bikes. There are several steep uphill sections, and prolonged or heavy rain on unmade tracks will make cycling very slow or impossible. However, spectacular views, abundant wildlife, unique flora and extensive vistas always reward the hard physical work.

The trail is open all year round, however the months of January to March can be fiercely hot and are best avoided.

In order to safely plan and undertake a ride on the Mawson Trail it is essential to have the official Mawson Trail maps. The maps are 1:750000 scale and have been specially designed to compliment the recent signage redevelopments.

There are 3 sections comprising of a total of nine maps covering the route from Adelaide to Blinman:
Adelaide to Burra
Burra to Quorn
Quorn to Blinman

To purchase trail maps contact Bicycle SA on +61 8 8232 2644.  

Markers
The trail is marked with a distinctive logo attached to a square one-metre high, permapine post. These trail markers are placed at intersections, turn-offs and at one-kilometre intervals along the length of the trail.

Your bicycle
The Mawson Trail is designed for mountain bike or sturdy touring bike use - it is not suitable for road bikes. Steep sections and areas of rough terrain mean that there will be a lot of walking unless you have very low gears.

Bicycle preparation
Cyclists must have adequate spare tyres and provisions, and be prepared to ride off the bitumen and over rough and difficult terrain. It is highly recommended that you travel in a group of three or more, in case of accident or mechanical breakdown. Correct and thorough bicycle preparation cannot be overemphasised, especially for those carrying panniers. Cyclists unfamiliar with any aspect of their bicycle's mechanical function should seek expert advice prior to departure.

Spares and tools
Be prepared for minor repairs by taking the following spares and equipment:

Spares

• Tubes - at least two
• Chain oil or lubricant
• Deraillieur cable
• Brake cable
• Nuts and bolts for pannier racks
• Spare spokes

Tools

• Good quality puncture repair kit and tyre levers
• Pump with correct valve fitting
• A multi-tool or the following tools
• Appropriate Allen keys
• Phillips head and flat head screw driver
• Small combination blade
• Small shifting spanner
• Small pair of pliers and narrow file
• Spoke key
• A chain whip and cassette remover.
• The kit of tools can be shared, but a pump and
  puncture repair kit should be carried by each person.
  

Water
All cyclists should have provision for at enough water for the trip on their bicycles for use while riding, with more inside panniers for camping. All biddon cages should be checked for cracks and distortions, and mountings should be tight. Water requirements will vary according to the season but should never be underestimated. Water in creeks, waterholes and on the ground should never be drunk. Excessive heat will cause riders to consume a lot of water. In these conditions, a support vehicle should be considered.

Useful Links
South Australian Trails