Adelaide Coast Line
| Location | Metropolitan Adelaide coastline |
| Start Point | North Haven |
| End Point | Sellicks Beach |
| Distance | 70 km |
| Time | Full day or multiple sessions |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Activity | Walking / Cycling |
| Surface | Mostly sealed shared-use path |
Seventy Kilometres of Coastal Freedom
Adelaide is one of the few Australian cities where you can walk or cycle along the coast for an entire day without doubling back. The Coast Park Path is an ambitious 70-kilometre shared-use trail that traces the metropolitan Adelaide coastline from North Haven in the north to Sellicks Beach in the south, linking six council areas, dozens of beaches, and a coastline that shifts from busy esplanades to wild clifftop paths as it winds its way southward.
This trail has been progressively developed since 1992, a collaboration between the South Australian Government and six local councils that has gradually transformed the Adelaide coastline into one of the longest continuous coastal recreation paths in Australia. The vision is a continuous two-way pathway for walkers and cyclists along the entire coastal foreshore — and while some gaps remain, most of the coast is now connected by sealed path, boardwalk, or foreshore promenade.
The Route
North Haven to Henley Beach
The northern sections follow the coast through Semaphore, Largs Bay, and West Lakes, passing historic jetties, Norfolk Island pine-lined esplanades, and vibrant beach communities. The path weaves between suburban coastal reserves and sandy foreshores, with views across Gulf St Vincent to the distant hills of the Yorke Peninsula on clear days. This section connects to the broader Adelaide cycling network, including links to the Port River trails.
Henley Beach to Glenelg
The 7.5-kilometre stretch between Henley Square and Glenelg’s Moseley Square is arguably the path’s most popular section. Flat, easy, and bursting with life, this segment passes through the heart of Adelaide’s beach culture — surf lifesaving clubs, beachfront cafes, and the junction where the River Torrens Linear Trail meets the coast at Henley Beach South, an intersection popular with pelicans. Glenelg itself is the historic seaside suburb where South Australia was proclaimed in 1836, and its vibrant foreshore precinct offers every kind of refreshment a walker or cyclist could want.
Glenelg to Brighton and Beyond
South of Glenelg, the path continues through Brighton, Seacliff, and toward the dramatic cliffs of Hallett Cove, where the coastline takes on a wilder character. The Hallett Cove section offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery on the entire route, with ancient geological formations — glacial pavements from the Permian ice age, 280 million years ago — visible in the cliff faces and rock platforms. Further south, sections between Moana and Port Willunga may be rougher, but the scenery compensates with dramatic cliff-top views and secluded beach coves.
Connecting Trails
The Coast Park Path intersects with several major Adelaide trails, creating opportunities for loop rides and extended journeys. The Mike Turtur Bikeway connects Glenelg to the Adelaide CBD over 9 kilometres. The River Torrens Linear Trail links to the coast at Henley Beach South. At the southern end, connections to the Coast to Vines Rail Trail open up routes into McLaren Vale wine country and beyond. These connections make the Coast Park the backbone of Adelaide’s recreational cycling and walking network.
Planning Your Journey
The Coast Park Path is accessible year-round and free to use. The path is shared by walkers, cyclists, and joggers, so courtesy and awareness of other users is important. Most sections are sealed and suitable for road bikes, hybrid bikes, and wheelchairs. Toilet facilities are available at regular intervals along the major beach precincts. The entire 70 kilometres can be tackled in a single day by fit cyclists, but most people choose to explore favourite sections at leisure, returning again and again to discover new stretches of the coast.
The Coast Park Path is more than a trail — it is Adelaide’s relationship with its coastline made tangible. From the historic jetties of the north to the wild cliffs of the south, this 70-kilometre ribbon of path connects communities, landscapes, and 280 million years of geological history into a single, extraordinary journey along one of Australia’s most beautiful metropolitan coastlines.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Clare Valley Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.