Photo: Adelaide Hills Council

Exciting news is emerging from the Adelaide Hills as Stage 4 of the Amy Gillett Bikeway extension powers ahead, bringing the region one step closer to completing one of South Australia’s most scenic and significant cycling and walking corridors.

Adelaide Hills Council has confirmed that over 5 km of the new 5.2 km shared path between Mount Torrens and Birdwood has now been sealed, with final works, including line marking and signage, soon to be completed. According to Council updates, the final sections of the path will be linked once construction wraps up on three new bridges spanning Angas Creek, Williams Creek, and the existing bridge at Burford’s Hill. Sealing works have also been completed on Oval Road, improving access to Mount Torrens’ key amenities including public toilets and parking.

The project is on track for a public opening in late September or early October 2025, once the bridge works are finalised.

A Trail with History and Vision

The Amy Gillett Bikeway is named in memory of Amy Gillett, a talented Australian pro cyclist who tragically lost her life in a road accident while training in Germany. The bikeway honours her legacy by promoting safe cycling and providing a scenic, family-friendly route through the heart of the Adelaide Hills.

Following the alignment of the former Mount Pleasant railway line, the bikeway has become a beloved regional asset since the first stages were opened. It attracts locals and visitors alike, offering a peaceful way to experience the landscape on two wheels or on foot.

Once Stage 4 is complete, the total length of the sealed path will stretch even further into the region, creating new opportunities for cycling tourism and regional connection between towns.

Community Investment and Collaboration

The Stage 4 extension is a $5.7 million project, jointly funded by Adelaide Hills Council ($500,000), the Federal Government ($2.6 million), and the South Australian State Government ($2.6 million). Works began at the southern end in Mount Torrens earlier this year, with early milestones, including the sealing of an initial 500 metres of path, delivered to satisfy federal funding agreements.

Contractors have been working from a temporary site office on Council-owned land near Burford’s Hill, an area that has also undergone regeneration after the Cudlee Creek bushfires. The same land is earmarked as a future trailhead and natural rest area for path users.

What’s Next: Stage 5 in Planning

While Stage 4 nears completion, attention is already turning to Stage 5, the final extension of the bikeway, from Birdwood to Mount Pleasant. This 8.4 km stretch will span two council areas: Adelaide Hills Council is responsible for the section to Randell Road (4.7 km), while the Barossa Council will manage the final 3.7 km to Mount Pleasant.

Barossa Council has already earmarked $100,000 in its 2025/2026 draft budget to begin works on its section, proposing a rubble surface to allow walking and gravel riding, with future plans to seek funding for sealing. Bike SA has formally supported the proposal, recognising the potential of the bikeway to serve as a signature piece of cycling infrastructure for the region.

A Trail to Watch

The Amy Gillett Bikeway continues to grow as both a memorial and a model of sustainable, regional transport and tourism. With each completed stage, it brings together communities, boosts local economies, and gives cyclists and walkers safe, picturesque passage through some of South Australia’s finest landscapes.

Stage 4’s nearing completion marks a major milestone, and if Stage 5 receives the green light, a full connection from Oakbank to Mount Pleasant could soon become a reality.