by Jim McLean

As a kid on Sunday School Picnics in the Belair National Park, I was dubbed “Mountain Goat” for the ease with which I scaled steep slopes to explore the holes in the rock which we called “caves”. It was then that I fell in love with the Adelaide Hills. It was the 1950s. On weekends and public holidays people dressed up and headed in droves by steam train, manually operated buses and bone shaking family cars to the picnic grounds of Belair, Loftia Park, Mount George and Morialta. You could find a nook in a gully with a shack and a waterhole and stay and swim over the weekend.

In my youth, through the Boys’ Brigade and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I was exposed to multiday group-walking. We started with two days on the Fleurieu Peninsula, progressed to three days in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, and finished with four days in the northern Flinders.

In adult years, friends and I got away when we could. We never tired of the “at peace with the world feeling” that comes with being in unspoilt outdoor environments and being fit and healthy. Central mountains of Tasmania, hinterland forests of southern NSW, logging country of Victoria and the emerging long distance trails at home enduced perfect senses of remoteness even when we knew civilisation was just on the other side of the range or the forest.

I did the Yurrebilla Trail in three one-day walks. I did the Lavender Federation Trail (Murray Bridge to Clare) from Murray Bridge to Springton in two three-day walks. In May 2012 I completed the Heysen Trail. It had taken 22 years, walks of one to six days, and eleven different companions in all.

It was 3.00am in July 2012 with the Heysen Trail fresh in my mind when an idea popped into my head. When that happens I can’t let it go. I jumped out of bed, went to the home office, spread the maps out, and started looking for a way around the suburbs and hills of Adelaide.

Australia is a big country. Just getting to its best walking environments can take significant energy, resources and time. Adelaide is globally unique. It is on a small piece of plain wedged between the coast to the west and the hills to the east. For a dry climate, significant waterways find their way from the hills to the sea to the north and the south. How many other places have this variety on environment so close to the CBD?

A loop trail taking in coast, hills and fresh waterways could be accessed from the backdoors of a large population of curious, outdoors thirsty, health conscious people. It couldn’t be too hard to make. In a couple of years, I could put a rough line-map out to the walking community to do with it as it wished, and I could wash my hands of the project.

It soon became evident it wasn’t that easy. I needed help. The Friends of the Heysen Trail and the Warren Bonython Heysen Trail Foundation were very welcoming, they understood everything about making and managing a signature trail and were very good at it, but they had their plates full. SA Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI) were making the Lavender Federation Trail. They built and are managing a trail from scratch so they knew what they were doing. They were extremely helpful, totally authoritative, but they had their hands with the Lavender Federation Trail. The Department for Environment and Water (manager of the Heysen Trail) and the SA Tourism Commission had other agendas. I tried smaller walking groups and trail makers, anyone I could find.

I toted my idea around hoping for a glimmer of break-through support. In the end it was John Eaton of Walking SA who listened and provided the encouragement I sought. Although no longer officially with Walking SA he was still heavily involved in walking initiatives and was strongly enthusiastic for the Adelaide100, as it came to be known. I was on a range of walking councils, boards, and committees. I joined the Board of Walking SA as well. The Adelaide100 became a Walking SA project in 2015. The first portion, 1.6km of unmade road reserve at Norton Summit known as Monument Road, was completed on the 19th June 2017.

It is nine years from the time the idea popped into my head. Walking SA has support for the Adelaide100 of the Minister for Environment and Water, David Spiers, his department The Department for Environment and Water, and the mayors of 13 LGAs. SA Health recognised the worth of the project and gave it significant support. An initial project launch at Pinky Flat on the Torrens River was attended by hundreds of people. A subsequent launch was part of Walking SA’s Hiking Expo at Belair which was attended by over 1,000 people.

The Adelaide100 is a long-distance loop trail of more than 100km in length. In addition, it roughly coincides with the boundary of the land title division, set by the South Australian colonists, of the Hundred of Adelaide. The Adelaide100 traverses the traditional plain of the Kaurna people from coast to foothills and extends over the range of the Peramangk people to its most eastern point Basket Range. The colonists chose the site, on the Torrens River, of the City of Adelaide around which the Adelaide100 loops. The current route traverses 13 LGAs, 9 big parks managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, and SA Water’s yet to be opened Happy Valley Reservoir.

The Adelaide100 is currently 40-50% marked on the ground. There is an Adelaide100 website. There are electronic route files. People are walking it. People are running it.

The first completed sections of the Adelaide100 was opened last October, with a 7km showcase walk on the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri. The trail section was officially opened by Stephen Wade MLC and Walktober Ambassadors Sandy Verschoor – Lord Mayor of Adelaide and Genevieve Theseira-Haese. It was a spectacular, sunny day with hundreds of walkers celebrating with a community walk along the River Torrens.

The Adelaide100 is designed around accommodation and food outlets being available along the way. It can be walked at a casual pace in six or seven days with nothing more than a day pack on the back. The yet to be signed portions, all in the hills, are currently being negotiated. Fine tuning of the route in these parts is continuing.

As well as the 9 big parks there are numerous smaller parks and reserves along the way. The Torrens Linear Park is traversed from the bottom of Black Hill to West Beach. Most of the Adelaide100 is shared-use. There are cycling alternatives for the walk-only bits. Signage is in place from the Black Hill Conservation Park exit, along the Torrens River to West Beach, along the coast to Kingston Park, and through the back streets to the entry at O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park. Signage is in place through the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, the Belair National Park, and the Mark Oliphant Conservation Park. Belair and Mark Oliphant is shared-use and there is a cycling alternative for Sturt Gorge.

Walking SA received great cooperation and even generous enthusiasm from suburban and city councils along the way. Rangers of the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA and officers of the Adelaide Hills Council are generously giving their time to the location and fixation of signage through the Adelaide Hills. The brand new Glenthorne National Park is currently being developed by the NPWSSA with walking corridors. The Happy Valley Reservoir will be opened to the public at the end of the year. We look forward to working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA and SA Water to complete the routes through Glenthorne and Happy Valley when the time is right.

The two most common questions are: When will it be finished? How long will it be? Walking SA was hoping that it will be finished by the end of the year. Let’s say not long after that. My estimation is that the Adelaide100 will be between 130km and 140km. We will see.

 

You can find out more about the Adelaide100 trail, and sign up for updates, at adelaide100.com.au.

The Adelaide100® is now fully marked in the City of Holdfast Bay.

This 11km portion of the Adelaide100® from the marina and lock at the Patawalonga heads south along the foreshore through Glenelg, Brighton and Seacliff, with coastal views extending far into the distance. The trail follows the new boardwalk through the dunes at Somerton Park, past the Tjilbruke monument to the country’s custodians at Kingston Park, and the historic house at Kingston Park. The marked section finishes in the Gully Road Reserve at Seacliff Park, with O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park only one kilometre away.

The City of Holdfast Bay Youth and Recreation Coordinator Melissa enthusiastically set the task in motion. The job was efficiently delivered by Work Group Leader Bill and his Maintenance Team. Jason of the Maintenance Team took a great sense of pride and enjoyment in the job done. Walking SA Project Manager Helen was delighted in the ambience of the locale and was delighted that 25% of the trail is now complete.

The Adelaide100® can be enjoyed as small chunks or as a multi-day loop walk with accommodation opportunities and food outlets along the way.

Look for the signed bollards between Anderson Avenue Glenelg North, and Arthur Street Seacliff Park.

Walking SA is currently engaged in negotiating with fourteen property stakeholders along the 100 plus km route of the new walking trail the Adelaide100. Local government of the north eastern suburbs immediately recognised the worth of the project. The Campbelltown City Council, the City of Tea Tree Gully and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield quickly committed support and resources to the portions of the trail traversing their regions.

This is a 10.5km section to add to the 1.6km start at Norton Summit. As this story is posted the marking with 32 post and signs of the Campbelltown City Council portion has been completed. The portions in the City of Tea Tree Gully and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

As with Norton Summit it is a great walk on its own so be one of the first to have a go when it is finished. Start at the Black Hill Wildflower Garden in Addison Avenue. Traverse local parks and reserves, wind your way along Fifth Creek, follow the River Torrens Linear Park to Lochiel Park Golf Course and enjoy a baguette and coffee at Bunker Cafe.

We’ve started working through Stage 2 of bringing the Adelaide 100 trail to reality. Stage 2 is focussed on the advanced planning of some of the more complex trail connections, which will then be work-shopped with key stakeholders to seek necessary approvals, support and ongoing co-operation.

The Adelaide 100 trail is a concept for a 100km trail circumnavigating the Greater Adelaide region. The trailwill link up existing infrastructure, creating short distance links to create the full trail. Adelaide is renowned for its beautiful parks and reserves that encircle our city, enhance our suburbs, thread along our coast and feature throughout the hills. The trail will take in these beautiful areas.

Board members Rod Quintrell and Jim Mclean have been undertaking field surveys in suburban Lockleys, Basket Range and Stirling in the Adelaide Hills.
Whilst working on the planning, there’s plenty of the trail that can be walked. There is a new 1.6km section of trail in Norton Summit, heading north along Monument Road. The section is well signposted and varied in landscape and terrain, with a historic church ruin to visit along the way. The trail is undulating and presents no significant challenges to anyone of moderate fitness. The section showcases the Adelaide Hills well, and is a nice sampler of the Adelaide 100.

We have been pleased to have consistently constructive and well received feedback from stakeholders, with trail approvals achieved with the City of Campbelltown and Flinders University.

We are awaiting finalisation around trail marker positioning after a positive meeting with the team from the City of West Torrens. Other stakeholder consultations continue.

Maps of the concept trail and details of sections that are accessible now can be found on our website.

We’ve installed our first post on the Adelaide100 trail.

The Adelaide 100 will link up existing infrastructure, creating short distance links to create a 100km trail. Adelaide is renowned for its beautiful parks and reserves that encircle our city, enhance our suburbs, thread along our coast and feature throughout the hills. The trail will take in these beautiful areas.

The first post was installed in the Adelaide Hills, directing walkers along a short section of a road reserve along Monument Road between Norton Summit and Debneys Road.

The trail proposal involves key stakeholders like the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), Foresty SA and numerous local councils.

Read more about the project at walkingsa.org.au/news/category/adelaide100

The Adelaide 100 will link up existing infrastructure, creating short distance links to create a 100km trail. Adelaide is renowned for its beautiful parks and reserves that encircle our city, enhance our suburbs, thread along our coast and feature throughout the hills. The trail will take in these beautiful areas.

As at June 2017, Walking SA has met with key staff in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) in order to take the Adelaide100 walking trail concept to a reality, which includes engaging with key stakeholders such as land managers and nine local councils.

For the most part the trail will link up existing trails to form a circuit. A short connecting section near Norton Summit was marked in early June 2017. Some sections still require negotiation with land owners and managers, or aren’t practical to walk along. Some of the route can be walked, albeit without the trail being marked as such, and without detailed local maps. Please respect land owners and keep to existing trails, paths and roads. The following sections can be easily walked along existing trails:

• River Torrens Linear Trail, West Beach to Adelaide CBD to Athelstone
• Coast Park Path, from West Beach to Glenelg
• Sea to Summit Trail, which is not a marked trail, but connects existing trails and suburban roads

Follow project updates at walkingsa.org.au/news/category/adelaide100.

Maps of the Proposed Route

As the project progresses towards implementation, further detailed maps, brochures and apps may be developed, and the trail marked.

Overall Circuit Map

GPS Map

GPS files and maps will be improved as the project progresses from a concept to reality.

Walking SA has recently met with key staff in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) regarding taking the Adelaide100 walking trail concept to a reality.

The staff were most supportive of this initiative and provided specific advice in translating the vision into a reality. This will involve some formal submissions and engagement with the Department and other state agencies as well as local government. Their support will most useful in us taking this to the next level.

Walking SA continues to develop the unique Adelaide100 walking trail. We are currently finalising a budget to implement Stage 1 of our plan, and putting that together in a business plan, to seek funding support for the trail.

The major advantage this trail has in its implementation is that it uses existing trails to form the whole of the Adelaide100. As such infrastructure needs are minimised, as the various trail elements and their ongoing maintenance that make the Adelaide100 are already supported, so that what we are left to provide is signage on the trails together with interpretative signs at various locations.

Our vision goes beyond this thought to include a dedicated web site, an Adelaide100 trail app with many benefits and other features. We are planning a forum for all key stakeholders shortly at which we will present the next stage of the plan.

In April, the Adelaide100 was enthusiastically tested by Board members Alan Bundy, Ian Budenberg and me, and Rosie Budenberg. The Adelaide100 is a local long distance loop walk of over 100 kilometres. The Adelaide100 takes in the metropolitan sea front, the Adelaide Hills, and the River Torrens Linear Park. The best parts of nine parks feature. Extensive panoramic views and intimate remote bush settings are special.

We enjoyed the coast, watercourses and Hills over 9 days and 8 nights. At the end of the day there was a warm bed in a holiday park at Belair, a bed and breakfast at Stirling, or a hotel at Newton. On the menu was a bacon and egg breakfast from Jaspers at platform level in the Adelaide Railway Station, a pasty from the award winning Orange Spot Bakery at Glenelg, or a three course feast in the medieval decored Camelot Castle at Basket Range.

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Walking SA continues to work on developing the Adelaide100 initiated by Board member Jim Mclean.

Having conducted a wide range of initial consultation, a small group walking the trail to learn first hand and as we continue to refine the concept we are now into a business planning mode to determine how we can garner further support to make this project happen. As we have used the principle of using existing well maintained trails for the Adelaide100 we believe that the additional cost of creating the trail will be relatively modest, and in particular when compared to what it would be if we were creating it from scratch.

We are grateful for the ongoing support we are receiving across the Board for this project through our member clubs and organisations, local government, state government and a wide range of community groups that we are engaging with. In particular we acknowledge the financial contribution made by the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Skyline Walkers which will greatly assist us getting work done on the ground.

Walking SA has a vision for the establishment of Adelaide100 initiated by passionate Board Member Jim McLean. Adelaide is renowned for its beautiful parks and reserves that encircle our city, enhance our suburbs, thread along our coast and feature throughout the hills. Our landscape, and nature reserves coupled with a favourable climate and fantastic food and wine make Adelaide one of the most liveable places in the world. There is no other city in the world with a signposted loop trail that traverses city, coast, bush and suburbs, incorporates shorter or longer walks, provides accommodation, food, historical and cultural information and links up and promotes other trails. The Adelaide100 will link up existing infrastructure, creating short distance links and trail loops to create a 100km network.

Walking SA has been working closely with Board member Jim Mclean in further developing his vision for the Adelaide100 walking trail. This is progressing and we have recently held meetings with Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) staff to assist us in addressing specific trail details to enable the trail to utilise the maximum number of existing well maintained trails. We have also been meeting with SA Tourism Commission who are providing invaluable advice in moving this project forward.

More recently Jim and a small group walked the whole trail including addition options to “test it out”. It is fair to say that it fulfilled our vision of being a unique and enjoyable walking trail that we believe can have great appeal to south Australians as well as interstate and international tourists. Walking SA is greatly appreciative of the financial support from The Friends of the Heysen Trail and Skyline Walkers, highly valued member clubs of Walking SA.