Newsroom

South Australia’s Copper Coast Rail Trail adds a new leg

An extension to the Copper Coast Rail Trail on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula triples its length and connects it to key regional landmarks.  

Constructed in 2017, the original trail consisted of an 8km sealed path between Wallaroo on the coast and the inland township of Kadina. It followed a historic railway line used in the second half of the 19th century to move copper ore mined in Kadina to the nearby seaport. 

The extension adds 17km to the trail and runs along another disused railway line to the historic copper mining town of Moonta. It brings the total length of the Copper Coast Rail Trail to 25km and connects the three main towns in the region. 

The township of Moonta has a rich mining heritage and offers plenty to see and do, including historical buildings, museums, and Cornish architecture and pastries, thanks to an influx of skilled workers from Great Britain in the 1860s.  

In Moonta, the Copper Coast Rail Trail connects with existing shared used paths running out to Moonta Bay and Port Hughes, and offers a total of 32.5km of off-road pedalling.  

Though the extension has been open since January, the council advises that a small section of the trail near Moonta is yet to be sealed. An official opening will take place once this finishing touch has been applied.  

All images courtesy of Rail Trails Australia. To find out more about the Copper Coast Rail Trail, head over to their website

Like our articles?

Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work.

Join Now