The Renmark-Paringa Rail Trail features a smooth hot-mix surface of adequate width. It is a popular trail, particularly during school holidays, as it provides safe access to two major caravan parks and both towns.

The Paringa Bridge lifting span operates daily at 9.30 am and 2.30 pm and is best viewed from Bert Dix Memorial Park. Make sure you are positioned on the side you want to be before the span lifts; it can be a long wait.

• Coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants in Renmark and Paringa

Nineteenth St to Patey Dr (2.0 km)

• Renmark is a big town with cafes, bakeries and restaurants
• The trail starts just off Nineteenth St, opposite the Renmark Plaza shopping centre, with parking available on-street or at the shopping centre.
• There is a BMX track, playground, picnic facilities and toilets close by
• The first section, to Para St, is paved. The remainder is hot-mix asphalt.
• After crossing Para St, the trail turns left and runs parallel to Eighteenth St/Sturt Hwy. This area was once the railway station and freight yards; now it is a housing estate and council offices. Just past the council offices, an old railway crane sits deserted, the sole remnant of the station precinct.
• Great care is required crossing the Sturt Hwy as this is a major interstate freight route. The trail then passes behind houses on the edge of town with the highway to the right. At 1.8 km, a ramp to the left allows access to the riverfront trail (see below). Immediately following are the first two of four railway bridges over swampy waterways. Another ramp just after the second bridge leads to a trail that passes beneath the bridge, leading to Paringa Paddock and its many MTB and walking trails.
• Patey Dr crosses the trail and is the highway access point for the Renmark Riverfront Caravan Park. Near the caravan park entrance are public toilets, BBQ and picnic facilities, river access, a boat ramp and a boardwalk across shallow water to a small island for birdwatching. The caravan park café/kiosk can be reached from Patey Dr.

Patey Dr to Paringa (1.9 km)

• A signposted gravel road 250 m beyond Patey Dr leads to the Paringa Paddock trails. Take care crossing the Sturt Hwy.
• There are two more railway bridges to cross before the Paringa Bridge comes into view. Approaching the western end of it, cross the entrance road to the Riverbend Caravan Park and the eastbound carriageway of the highway to reach the bridge’s central bike path.
• Paringa Bridge was built in 1927 as a multi-use bridge over the Murray River, with vehicles sharing the main part with the railway. Later, outrigger vehicle decks were added to both sides, leaving just the railway in the centre. This is now the bike path, necessitating crossing the eastbound lane of the highway at both ends of the bridge. The lifting span is close to the Paringa end.
• Toilets and picnic facilities at Bert Dix Memorial Park just after the bridge
• Leaving the bridge, cross the highway again to reach the remaining section of trail into Paringa. On the left you will see a museum and some silo art.
• The trail finishes on a service road close to the Paringa store and post office.
• Paringa has a bakery café, Black Stump Gallery and a hotel.

CONNECTING PATHS

Renmark Riverfront Trail (3.3 km): This shared path follows the western bank of the Murray River from the Riverfront Caravan Park. It diverges through a housing estate briefly before returning to the waterway. The Visitor Information Centre is opposite the Renmark Hotel. Bike hire is available through the Information Centre, best booked in advance by phone or online. The paddle steamer Industry is moored behind the information centre and has regular passenger steaming days.

Continuing north, the trail drops to river level as it passes in front of the Renmark Club before climbing back to street level before the old wharf area. The central shopping area is to the left and has bakeries, cafes and other shops.

The trail continues through shady parks to the main irrigation pumping station.

Paringa Paddock MTB Trails

Paringa Paddock is easily reached from the rail trail and has a number of walking and MTB trails. Maps can be obtained online or from the Visitor Information Centre in Renmark. Trails are a mix of single track and unsealed roads.

Lock 5 (1.7 km)

Lock 5 Rd can be reached from the eastern end of Paringa Bridge. Bert Dix Park has BBQs, toilets and picnic facilities. Continue on the lightly trafficked road past moored houseboats. Lock 5 and weir has well kept, shady grounds with a picnic area, BBQs and toilets. The historic barge Bunyip is displayed in the grounds and displays historical information and photographs about the barge and the locks.

Old Customs House (31 km)

Leave Paringa on Murtho Rd, uphill initially passing the scenic lookout on the left. Murtho Rd is sealed and lightly trafficked, though it does have a 100km/h speed limit. The terrain is mostly flat and passes irrigated orchards and open farmland.

Headings Cliffs Lookout 12.5 km from Paringa has great views. It is 1 km off to the left on a sealed road.

Turn left 15 km from Paringa on to Wilkinson Rd to visit Wilkadine-Woolshed Brewery overlooking a bend in the Murray River. It is less than 1 km from Murtho Rd.

Approximately 26.5 km from Paringa, just past the intersection with Millewa Road and cattle grid, the route of the old Chowilla Dam railway crosses Murtho Rd. Little evidence remains of the old line.

Old Customs House was established in the late 1800s to levy excise on goods shipped into SA by Murray River steamers. Today it is a base for houseboats and has a general store, and is the stepping-off point for the Border Cliffs Wetlands Walk.