The Mount Barker Rail Trail features a mostly smooth sealed surface of good width. There are two blocks of good gravel path.

It is a useful off-road route for cyclists, walkers and runners, linking the town centre with several wetland areas and numerous suburbs.

Childs Rd to Gawler St (1.9km)

• The trail starts at the northern end of Childs St in Littlehampton. The first 400 m is a concrete shared path. A pedestrian tunnel under the South Eastern Freeway links it to Childs St, Mt Barker. Some on-street parking is available in both locations.
• There is more parking at the Mt Barker Railway Station, food outlets and supermarkets in the nearby main street and food outlets and toilets in the adjacent homemaker centre.
• After passing under the freeway, the trail turns right and descends sharply between a housing estate and the freeway embankment before passing under the railway line and immediately turning left to follow it.
• The good quality path then passes alongside the Purtinga Wetlands before exiting onto a roadside path.
• Crossing Cameron Rd near a disused railway crossing, the path turns right to follow Cameron Rd briefly, separated from traffic by fencing, then crosses the caravan park access road and a bridge over a creek.
• The winding trail passes through lush vegetation following the creek for the next kilometre, separated from the railway line by the caravan park and a transport depot.
• At Gawler St there is access to the town centre to the right or the homemaker centre, railway station and SteamRanger depot to the left.
• There is parking at the station, food outlets and supermarkets in the nearby main street and food outlets and toilets in the homemaker centre.

Gawler St to Alexandrina Rd (1.2km)

• Continue along the creekside path behind the homemaker centre, crossing the creek on a wide bridge. Just before the path passes under the railway bridge, toilets can be accessed from a walkway through to the homemaker centre carpark. Immediately after passing under the railway, make a right turn to pass over another bridge over the creek. The trail is a gravel surface from this point for 2 blocks, remaining on the eastern side of the railway. Take care crossing Fletcher Rd. Further on, Alexandrina Rd can be busy but has a safe crossing with traffic lights.

Alexandrina Rd to Bluestone Linear Park (1.6km)

• After crossing Alexandrina Rd, the trail is a sealed path of good width. Wellington Rd has a safe crossing with traffic lights. There is a supermarket about 300m east on Wellington Rd.
• The good quality sealed path continues south to Hurling Dr which also has a safe crossing. South of Hurling Dr the trail is narrower and an older surface, in mostly good condition, passing between housing estates and the railway line.
• After 600m the path ends at the western edge of Bluestone Linear Park. Paths within the park lead around the lake to a playground and picnic area. Toilets are 400m further south along the linear park adjacent to basketball courts.

CONNECTING PATHS

Laratinga Wetlands Trail (2km): At the point where the Mt Barker path passes under the railway line at the rear of the homemaker centre, continue straight ahead on a good quality path for 2 km to reach the popular walking trails of the Laratinga Wetlands. There are toilets and picnic facilities close to Bald Hills Rd.

Summit Sport and Recreation Park Trail (3.5km): Follow the above directions to the Laratinga Wetlands. At the entrance to the Laratinga BBQ and picnic area, turn right and cross two footbridges, then turn left to get to a boardwalk which leads to a good quality trail which passes under Bald Hills Rd. The trail climbs gently through farmland until reaching the Summit Sport and Recreation Park. There is good parking around the football oval and great views of surrounding hills and farmland from the southern side of the oval.

Newenham Linear Park Trail (3.6km)

At the rear of the homemaker centre, 200 m before the railway underpass, turn right to cross a bridge over the creek to reach the Newenham Linear Park Trail which extends 3.6 km to the south western suburbs of Mt Barker, following Western Flat Creek. Two underpasses provide safe passage under busy roads. There are toilets, BBQ and picnic facilities along the very pleasant scenic route.

To Amy Gillett Bikeway rail trail (11km)

The Amy Gillett Bikeway starts in Oakbank, about 10km north of Childs Rd, Littlehampton, by rural roads.