Adelaide Hills to Blinman
| Location | Adelaide Hills to Flinders Ranges |
| Start Point | Gorge Road, Adelaide Hills |
| End Point | Blinman, Flinders Ranges |
| Distance | 900 km |
| Time | Approx. 14 days (cycling) / 3.5 weeks (walking) |
| Difficulty | Varied — suited to mountain bikes |
| Activity | Cycling, Walking |
| Region | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Clare Valley, Flinders Ranges & Outback |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — see Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Flinders Ranges accommodation |
| Key Feature | Australia’s great long-distance off-road cycling trail |
900 Kilometres from the Hills to the Outback
The Mawson Trail is one of the world’s great long-distance cycling trails — close to 900 kilometres of off-road riding from the Adelaide Hills to the outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges. Named after Douglas Mawson, the geologist, Antarctic explorer, and Adelaide University professor who carried out groundbreaking geological studies in the Flinders Ranges, this trail leads mountain bikers through the full spectrum of South Australian landscapes — from the cool forests of the Adelaide Hills through the vineyards of the Barossa and Clare Valleys, across the pastoral mid-north, and into the ancient, red-earth magnificence of the Flinders Ranges.
The trail was developed by a group of passionate cyclists in the early 1990s. In 1990, members of the SA Touring Cyclists’ Association rode from Blinman to Adelaide to test a route for an off-road cycling trail. Volunteers then spent years marking and establishing the trail, using state forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks, unmade road reserves, and roads with minimal traffic. The result is a trail that avoids bitumen and traffic wherever possible, leading riders into the remote areas of the ranges along routes that feel genuinely wild.
The Route
The trail is typically ridden from south to north — Adelaide Hills to Blinman — and is divided into three main sections, each with its own character and challenges. A small number of riders tackle it north to south, which requires different logistics but offers a unique experience finishing in the hills rather than the outback. The trail is waymarked with green and white markers throughout, though a good set of maps remains essential.
Section One: Adelaide to Burra (approx. 280 km)
The trail begins in the Adelaide Hills, traversing forests, farmland, and historic towns such as Lobethal and Birdwood before passing through the world-famous Barossa wine region. Riders climb through cool-climate forests where the smell of eucalyptus and pine fills the air, then descend into the broader pastoral country of the mid-north. This section offers spectacular views from the ranges, encounters with historic mining towns, and the famous vineyards of the Barossa and Clare Valleys. The trail passes through Tanunda and Nuriootpa in the heart of the Barossa before pushing north through the rolling hills of the Clare Valley, where Riesling vines stretch along every ridge. A rest day in Clare to sample the wines is considered essential rather than optional by most riders.
Section Two: Burra to Quorn (approx. 330 km)
Starting from the State Heritage-listed town of Burra — once one of the world’s richest copper mines — this section leads through the Bundaleer and Wirrabara Forests to Melrose, the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges, and on to Quorn, home of the Pichi Richi Railway. The landscape transitions dramatically from the settled mid-north to the increasingly rugged terrain of the southern Flinders. Riders pass through broad pastoral stations, cross rocky creek beds, and begin to encounter the unmistakable red-ochre colours of the Flinders geology. The town of Wilmington makes an excellent overnight stop, and the descent into Quorn along Pichi Richi Pass is one of the scenic highlights of this section.
Section Three: Quorn to Blinman (approx. 290 km)
The most scenic — and most demanding — section takes riders past ruined homesteads and abandoned towns, Yourambulla Caves containing ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, and into Flinders Ranges National Park with its jewel in the crown: Wilpena Pound. The iconic natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound is one of the great sights of outback Australia, and the Mawson Trail skirts its edges before pushing further north through the Elder Range to the remote township of Blinman. The riding in this final section is genuinely challenging — rocky trails, loose surfaces, steep pinches, and long stretches between towns demand riders who are well-prepared. The trail ends at the Blinman Pub, where the last trail marker on the verandah signals the completion of an epic journey.
Terrain and Trail Surface
The Mawson Trail uses a diverse mix of surfaces: fire trails through state forests, unmade road reserves, rocky four-wheel-drive tracks, farm access tracks, and occasional sealed roads. The further north you travel, the rougher and more remote the trail becomes. The southern sections are relatively gentle by comparison, with good forest tracks and graded dirt roads. By the time riders reach the Flinders Ranges, they are navigating loose shale, creek crossings, and exposed ridgelines that demand real mountain-biking skill and solid fitness.
A hardtail mountain bike with low gearing is the standard recommendation. Full-suspension bikes are comfortable on the rougher northern sections but add weight for bikepacking. Loaded touring bikes are used by some riders, particularly those who prefer the walking sections. Road bikes or hybrid bikes are not suitable for significant portions of the trail.
Planning Your Ride
Best Time to Ride
The best months are March to May and September to November. Summer temperatures in the Flinders Ranges can be dangerously hot — 45°C days are not uncommon in December and January, and remote sections offer no shelter. Winter (June to August) is manageable but cold nights in the ranges and occasional wet weather can make riding harder. Spring and autumn offer reliable mild conditions, wildflowers in the ranges, and the best chance of water in creeks along the route.
Water and Resupply
Water is the single most critical planning consideration on the Mawson Trail. In the southern sections, towns are reasonably frequent and water is easy to find. North of Burra, distances between reliable water sources can be substantial, particularly in dry years. Riders should carry a minimum of 4 litres at all times in the northern sections and never underestimate how much they will need. Tank water at stations and reserves may be available but should not be relied upon without prior research. The Bicycle SA trail notes include water source information for each section.
Resupply towns along the route include Birdwood, Tanunda, Clare, Burra, Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, and Hawker. Blinman has a pub and limited supplies. Between these towns, riders need to be self-sufficient. Many riders use a support vehicle for part or all of the trip, which simplifies logistics considerably, though it is entirely possible to complete the trail unsupported with careful planning.
Maps and Navigation
Nine individual trail maps covering the full route are available from Bicycle SA. These are essential — the trail traverses private property and remote areas where GPS coverage can be patchy and mobile phone reception is limited or absent for long stretches. Riders should download offline maps before departing and carry the paper maps as backup. The trail markers (green and white) are generally reliable but can be damaged or obscured in the more remote sections.
Safety and Group Riding
It is strongly recommended to ride in groups of three or more, particularly in the northern sections. In the event of an accident or mechanical failure in a remote area, having other riders present can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious emergency. Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) — they are lightweight and can save lives. Let someone know your itinerary before you depart and check in regularly where phone coverage allows. First aid knowledge and a comprehensive first aid kit are advisable.
Douglas Mawson and the Flinders Ranges
The trail is named after Sir Douglas Mawson (1882–1958), one of Australia’s greatest scientists and explorers. While Mawson is best known for his Antarctic expeditions — including the famous 1911–1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition — his geological work in the Flinders Ranges was equally significant. Mawson undertook extensive geological surveys of the ranges in the early twentieth century and made important discoveries about the Ediacaran fossil record, including some of the world’s oldest known multicellular organisms. His connection to the Flinders Ranges makes him a fitting namesake for a trail that traverses the same ancient landscapes he studied.
The Mawson Trail is 900 kilometres of riding through the landscapes that define South Australia — from the cool, green hills behind Adelaide to the ancient red ranges of the outback. It is a trail that demands fitness, preparation, and self-reliance, and rewards them with an experience that no other cycling trail in Australia can match. The last trail marker at the Blinman Pub is not just an endpoint — it is an achievement.
Explore More Trails
The Heysen Trail — South Australia’s 1,200 km walking trail shares many crossings with the Mawson Trail through the Adelaide Hills and Flinders Ranges.
The Kidman Trail — Another great long-distance cycling route through the Mid North, from Kapunda to the Flinders Ranges.
Crafers Bikeway — A scenic cycling path in the Adelaide Hills near the Mawson Trail’s starting point.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Clare Valley and Flinders Ranges & Outback region pages for accommodation options near this trail.