The Coast to Vines Rail Trail consists of three sections that are quite different in terms of scenery and topography:

• Marino Rocks to Old Reynella is 9.4 km long and climbs steadily from the coast, heading inland along steep gullies but still within suburbia
• Old Reynella to McLaren Vale is 20 km long and travels south along the old rail reserve before it crosses beneath South Rd into open farmland
• McLaren Vale to Willunga is 8 km long and displays the best of the Southern Vales Wine region, including the townships of McLaren Vale and Willunga

McLaren Vale and Willunga combine the tourism features you would expect from a famous wine region with an unrushed and welcoming rural setting. Both offer extensive dining and accommodation. Visit at the McLaren Vale Information Centre – on the trail as you approach McLaren Vale – for all the touring information you will need.

Marino to Old Reynella (9.4 km)

• From Marino Rocks Station the trail runs south beside the operational railway to Hallett Cove and then follows the alignment of the Old Willunga Rail Line. Frequent stops will be needed to take in the ocean views
• At Hallett Cove Railway Station, follow the signage through the station (walk your bike) to the ramp at the southern end of the station. This leads you to the overpass above the railway line. On the eastern side of the rail line the path gradually swings to the east; follow it uphill to Zwerner Drive opposite Hallett Cove Mall shopping centre
• The trail follows a deep gully and waterfall creek. Glade Crescent Reserve has a playground and toilets.
• Cross Lonsdale Rd at the lights, then follow the old railway line alignment through the scenic Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve. Just beyond the Young St crossing you reach the highest point on the trail.
• The trail passes beneath the Southern Expressway, then beneath the Main South Rd bridge and climbs to busy Old South Rd where you cross at the lights. The path follows Old South Rd to the right for a short distance before rejoining the old rail alignment.

Old Reynella to McLaren Vale (20 km)

• From here the trail is a wide, well vegetated reserve through the suburbs, linking conservation reserves and parks. Major road crossings have traffic islands or lights
• After Hackham the scenery becomes more rural as it descends to Noarlunga Downs
• At Noarlunga Downs, the trail crosses the Onkaparinga River on a restored bridge (watch for the sewer vent pole in the middle of the path on the approach to the bridge), and after another 600 m it reaches Railway Rd
• The trail runs next to the electric railway, passing the new stations of Seaford and Seaford Meadows
• The trail climbs to the Seaford Rise housing estate before turning east into Pedler Creek valley. From here it becomes a rural landscape of rolling hills
• At the end of the valley the trail joins a pathway beside Victor Harbour Rd for 250 m before passing beneath it to emerge beside Main Rd, McLaren Vale. Take care; the underpass decking has blind corners and can be slippery when wet
• The Visitor information centre is well worth a stop for a coffee and a great display about the region
• The trail crosses Main Road into Caffrey St for 300 m, then turns left. Cross Main Rd as you reach the Almond Train, an old railway carriage that has been converted into a gift shop
• There are many shops and bakeries in McLaren Vale
• Toilets at Memorial Reserve, 270 m south of the Almond Train on the opposite side of the road

McLaren Vale to Willunga (8 km) – the Shiraz Rail Trail

• The trail continues for an uninterrupted 8 km gentle  climb to Willunga. There are many wild olive trees beside the trail and you are surrounded by vineyards
• Willunga has a well-preserved railway station and the township is a few hundred metres away
• Visit the Old Willunga Courthouse and Police Station Museum, rose gardens, nurseries and the Willunga Wirra Arboretum

Side Trails

Flat to Vale Trail

The Flat to Vale Trail is only 4km in length however the scenery along the trail will leave a lasting impression. The trail follows a shared use path along Pedler Creek, with tall eucalypts on one side and rambling vineyards on the other. Just prior to reaching the McLaren Flat township the trail follows Chalk Hill Road, a quiet back lane ideal for cycling and walking. The trail is sealed and flat so its suitable for cyclists of all ages.

Once in McLaren Flat you can use the footpath to ride into the town and to the  General Store/Bakery in the middle of the Main Street. The PG Dawson Reserve and toilets are conveniently located nearby.

The trail commences from the Shiraz section of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail at the location of the former McLaren Vale Railway Station located on Railway Terrace McLaren Vale and ends in the McLaren Flat township. The best return trip is back the way you came.

Southern Vales Loop Trail – Coast to Vines / Aldinga / Willunga

The Coast to Vines and Shiraz Rail Trails now form part (over 50%) of the 28km loop trail.

The shared use path section from Seaford Rise to Aldinga follows the alignment of the Main South Road. There is a small section of trail on the very quiet Old South Road followed by a busy section through Aldinga where it is best to walk your bike along the footpath until the Shared use path starts as the trail on the overpass, crosses the Main South Road.

Once over Main South Road the trail follows the quiet but sealed back roads of Flour Mill Road and Free Lane before turning left onto Aldinga Road. This section has a shared use path that is located on the northern side of Aldinga Road and separated from the road by a solid median. The shared use path finishes at Jay Drive, so if the traffic is busy, use the pedestrian footpath for 400m. The Willunga Jubilee Rose Garden will be on the left, enter the car park and follow the path adjacent to the toilets until you meet the Shiraz Trail at the old Willunga Railway Station. The Shiraz trail will connect with the Coast to Vines Trail at McLaren Vale, which can be followed through to connect with Seaford Rise.

Patrick Jonker Bikeway: a good way to return to Adelaide

Patrick Jonker Bikeway is a 20 km sealed shared use path that follows the Southern Expressway from Darlington to Noarlunga. The bikeway offers plenty of climbs as you head south, and connects with the Coast to Vines rail trail at the Panalatinga Rd exit from the expressway and also at the southern end of the expressway just north of the Onkaparinga River bridge.

The northern end of the bikeway also intersects with the Sturt River Linear Trail just north of the trail’s crossing point at Marion Rd. The Sturt River Linear Trail provides a scenic ride along the watercourse and intersects with the Mike Turtur Rail Trail. Cycle Instead (maps.sa.gov.au) provides a good overview of Adelaide’s cycling network, including the Patrick Yonkers Bikeway, Sturt River Linear Park Trail and the Coast to Vines Rail Trail.