Adelaide Hills Rail Trail
| Location | Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Start Point | 782 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Oakbank SA |
| End Point | Birdwood (via Mount Torrens) |
| Distance | 22 km one way |
| Time | 2–3 hours cycling, 4+ hours walking |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Activity | Cycling / Walking / Horse Riding |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Surface | Sealed bitumen |
A Journey Through the Adelaide Hills by Pedal Power
The Amy Gillett Bikeway is one of South Australia’s premier cycling trails — a 22-kilometre ribbon of sealed bitumen that winds through some of the Adelaide Hills’ most beautiful countryside, connecting the townships of Oakbank, Woodside, Charleston, Mount Torrens, and Birdwood along the route of a former railway line. Safe, scenic, and almost entirely separated from road traffic, it is a trail that transforms a simple bike ride into a genuine journey through the landscape, culture, and agricultural heart of the Hills.
The bikeway is named in honour of Amy Gillett, a gifted member of the Australian women’s cycling team who was tragically killed in 2005 while training in Germany. Her legacy lives on in this pathway, which promotes the joy and safety of cycling while connecting communities that once relied on the railway for their prosperity. Since its first stage opened in 2010, the bikeway has become one of the most loved recreational trails in the state.
The Ride
Oakbank to Woodside
Starting from the dedicated parking area on Gillman Road at the Oakbank end, the trail follows the course of the old Mount Pleasant railway line through gently rolling pastoral land. Because trains struggle with gradients steeper than 5 percent, the former railway route is remarkably flat — a blessing for families with young cyclists and a pleasant surprise for anyone expecting Adelaide Hills terrain to mean constant climbing. The first section passes through open farmland where vineyards and orchards alternate with green paddocks, and the distant ridgeline of the Mount Lofty Ranges frames the view to the south.
Woodside, approximately 8 kilometres from Oakbank, provides the first township stop and is worth a pause. The town has earned a reputation as a foodie destination, with excellent cafes including the popular Lobethal Bakery outpost, Avalon, and the Woodside Providore offering everything from artisan pastries to local cheese platters. Toilet and picnic facilities are available in town.
Woodside to Mount Torrens
Beyond Woodside, the trail continues its gentle climb through Charleston — a quiet township with heritage charm — before reaching Mount Torrens at the 16-kilometre mark. This middle section passes through some of the bikeway’s most picturesque countryside, with mature eucalyptus-lined corridors giving way to pastoral views across rolling green hills. The gradient remains gentle throughout, climbing imperceptibly over the 14-kilometre stretch from Oakbank to a high point before a pleasant two-kilometre roll into Mount Torrens. Parking is available near the oval in Mount Torrens for those who prefer to ride this section as an out-and-back.
Mount Torrens to Birdwood
The newest section of the bikeway — Stage 4, completed with $5.7 million in joint federal, state, and council funding — extends the trail a further 6 kilometres from Mount Torrens to Birdwood. This final leg brings riders to the home of the National Motor Museum, one of the Adelaide Hills’ most popular attractions. The museum’s collection of vintage and classic vehicles makes a fitting counterpoint to the trail’s railway heritage, and its cafe and grounds provide a satisfying endpoint for the ride.
More Than a Bike Ride
The Amy Gillett Bikeway has become more than a recreational trail — it is a thread that stitches together the communities of the Adelaide Hills. Local residents use it daily for exercise and commuting between townships, while visitors discover it as a gateway to the region’s cool-climate wineries, artisan food producers, and heritage streetscapes. The trail is open to walkers and horse riders as well as cyclists, and its sealed surface and gentle gradients make it accessible to riders of virtually all ages and abilities.
For those without their own bikes, Bike About in Woodside offers standard and electric bike hire, with standard bikes at $35 per day and electric bikes at $65 — a worthwhile investment for those wanting to cover the full distance without the training kilometres to match. Electric bikes in particular have opened the trail to a broader audience, making the gentle hills effortless and extending the range of even casual riders.
Planning Your Ride
Dedicated parking is available at the Oakbank end on Gillman Road, near the oval in Mount Torrens, and at Birdwood. Toilet and picnic facilities are located in Woodside, Charleston, Mount Torrens, and Birdwood. The trail is fully sealed and suitable for road bikes, hybrid bikes, and mountain bikes alike. While the route is largely flat by Hills standards, the 14-kilometre climb from Oakbank is imperceptible on a bike but more noticeable on foot — walkers should allow a full day for the complete distance.
The bikeway connects to the broader Adelaide Hills trail network and sits within the route of the famous Santos Tour Down Under, adding a layer of cycling heritage to the experience. Autumn is a particularly beautiful time to ride, when the deciduous trees that line the townships turn gold and crimson against the evergreen backdrop of the native bush.
The Amy Gillett Bikeway honours its namesake in the best possible way — by getting people onto bikes, into the landscape, and connected to their community. Whether you ride the full 22 kilometres from Oakbank to Birdwood or simply pedal a short section between township cafes, this trail delivers an experience that is quintessentially Adelaide Hills: beautiful, relaxed, and full of pleasant surprises.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Adelaide Hills Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.