Stage two of Southern Flinders Precinct takes shape
Stage two of the mountain biking trail development at Willowie in Mount Remarkable National Park is set to get underway with Trailscapes, an Adelaide based trail construction company, announced as the successful contractor.
The new development is part of the Federal Government and State Government’s $10 million Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges project, and will create an additional 18 kilometres of dedicated singletrack trails at the forest.
This network of trails has been developed in consultation with Bike Melrose and once completed will form a network of more than 20km of dedicated mountain biking trails in the reserve.
The trails are designed for beginner and intermediate cyclists but will feature progressive trail elements with optional challenges for more seasoned riders.
Visitors can access the reserve using the Melrose to Wilmington rail trail or via the soon to be upgraded car park and facilities, which will include public toilets and picnic areas.
The new trails will help to ensure that the region becomes a world-class adventure tourism precinct.
The rugged landscapes of the Southern Flinders Ranges are within easy reach of Adelaide and feature ranges, peaks, gorges and forests, including high-quality native vegetation and reservoirs, which stretch from Beetaloo to Wilmington.
The Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges project is a key part of the Parks 2025 strategy to reinvigorate regional communities and cement South Australia’s place as a world-class eco-tourism destination.
This next step of the precinct, the development of these additional 18km of trails at Willowie Forest will enable the expansion of these soft adventure, mountain bike trails.
It is just one of the Parks 2025 projects across South Australia to revitalise national parks to boost visitor numbers and improve conservation.
Currently the historical forest access tracks offer cyclists the chance to ride trails of varying distance from the smaller Echidna loop to the longer Monitor Loop that follows along the foothills of the Mount Remarkable Range.
The investment is part of a jointly funded Australian Government and South Australian Government initiative which will invest $10 million into the Southern Flinders Precinct, including Mount Remarkable National Park, areas of the Wirrabara Range and Telowie Gorge and Spaniard’s Gully Conservation Parks.
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, Regional Development Australia Yorke & Mid North, Northern Areas Council, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Port Pirie Regional Council and the Nukunu Traditional Owners were foundation partners to secure the collaborative funding for the project.
