Cycling Sturt River Linear Park
Adelaide has some great cycling paths, including the Park Lands Trail around the CBD and the River Torrens Linear Park Trail. But there’s one smaller route that’s often overlooked.
The 7km-long Sturt River Linear Park Trail runs from South Road, Darlington to Pine Avenue, Novar Gardens.
Although the trail’s relatively short, it would be easy to spend a whole day exploring the many nooks and crannies en route.
The top end
Starting from Main South Road, the trail initially winds through woodland towards Warriparinga, an expansive reserve and important meeting place for the Kaurna people.
This huge lawned area has a barbecue, picnic shelter and toilets, and a collection of sculptures depicting Australian animals.
On the opposite side of the trail, Warriparinga Wetlands is a bird-watchers delight.
After Sturt Road, the natural Sturt River (Warripari) watercourse becomes a concrete channel. For much of the ride, the narrow, gum tree-lined pathway passes between the river and houses, but there are also plenty of green spaces and parks.
About 600 metres north of Sturt Road, Maldon Avenue Reserve has an excellent playground and activity course, a barbecue and picnic shelter, and lots of shady trees.
Just beside the trail, artist James Stewart’s remarkable Plastron sculpture of a turtle is made of discarded tools and other metal objects.
The middle bit
As you cross Finniss Street, keep an eye out for Little Marion peering over the bridge. Sculpted from iron by artist Gerry McMahon, there are five Little Marions dotted about the Marion Historic Village.
About 100 metres beyond the bridge, Oliphant Avenue Reserve has one of the last stands of almond trees, dating back to a time when market gardens, vineyards and orchards dominated the area.
The next park is Kenton Avenue Reserve, just before the Seaford train line crossing. This pretty little park has plenty of lawn, a top-notch playground and a picnic shelter, all set beneath mighty eucalypts.
Immediately after the train line, turn right onto the Marino Rocks Greenway and detour through the three-park wonderland comprised of Oaklands Estate Reserve, Oaklands Wetland and Oaklands Recreation Plaza.
Facilities include whopping lawned areas, big shady trees, a playground, toilets, a bird-rich wetland, barbecues, secluded picnic shelters, walking trails, and a junior bike track and skate park. There’s also a patch of remnant vineyard from the 1800s, now tended by Patritti Wines.
It’s easy to spend a few hours here.
Nearly there
North of Oaklands Road, there are several more parks to enjoy. The first is Rosedale Avenue Reserve, with its open lawned area and picnic shelter, followed by the off-leash Everest Avenue Reserve.
But the winner along this stretch of river is Appleby Road Reserve, complete with exercise equipment, a great playground, a long strip of lawn and a picnic shelter and barbecue.
Further along, Willoughby Avenue Reserve has lots of lawn, a well-equipped playground with a kiddies’ climbing wall, picnic shelters and a barbecue. But the star of the show is the sprawling Moreton Bay fig tree, which holds the honour of being the largest tree in the City of Marion.
From here through to Maxwell Terrace and the Mike Turtur Bikeway, the trail mostly squeezes between the river and property fences.
From Maxwell Terrace you can cross the tram line and push onto Anzac Highway to link up with the Westside Bikeway, which heads towards the city. Or, you can turn left onto the Mike Turtur Bikeway and scoot down to Glenelg.
When the three new tram bridges over Morphett Road, Cross and Marion roads, and South Road are complete, the Mike Turtur Bikeway will once again link the CBD to the Bay.
Note: The entire route is a dedicated shared pathway, however the new Morphett Road tram overpass has created a short detour.
Cyclists will need to ride along Maxwell Terrace to cross the tram line at the Glengowrie tram stop, and then back up Dunbar Terrace to rejoin the bike trail.