Comments on: Southern Flinders Rail Trail

By: Mark K.

Mark K. — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 10:52:18 +0000

Did the section from Melrose to Wilmington. The first part was great, with a well-made path through scenic countryside. But after it crossed to the other side of the main road, it was more of a dirt road and was harder going. We came back on the road instead, as it was smoother and traffic was light.

By: Jacobus V. H.

Jacobus V. H. — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:03:20 +0000

Nice trail from Booleroo to Wirrabara today and return. Sadly, the area needs rain and looked very dry. Please make the effort to support these communities and visit, stay and eat from the many delicious options. The pies in Wirrabara are the best ever.

By: Jacobus V. H.

Jacobus V. H. — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 21:40:37 +0000

When we last ride the Melrose to Booleroo section, we found the trail extremely bumpy from the corrugated surface. Also, two gates at one farm near Booleroo were locked to a point it was difficult to get through. The farmer let's his sheep use the trail therefore be prepared for a bumpy ride. Apart from that, it's a great trail with lovely views of the Mount.

By: Michelle S.

Michelle S. — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 05:42:42 +0000

In reply to Mark D.. Thanks Mark appreciate your input ( sorry re late reply) but I believe this has been cleared. Michelle

By: Jane N.

Jane N. — Mon, 29 May 2023 00:41:52 +0000

The section between Stone Hut and Wirrabara is now open except for a small section, which is easy to go around. To avoid this section cross the road from the Stone Hut bakery and follow rail trail until section ends. Then cross road again and follow on other side. At P. Hollitts Rd cross the Highway again and take the Wirrabara Forest cycling trail which ends near the beautiful painted silos. Trail is reasonably well marked and well kept. Round trip Laura-Wirrabara -Laura is about 35 kms.Try the bakery at Wirrabara, its fantastic. Then on return try Stone Hut Bakery too.

By: kay h.

kay h. — Thu, 25 May 2023 03:05:44 +0000

This trail is all rideable now from Laura to Wilmington – approx 76kms total. The Melrose to Booleroo Centre section has been cleared & is now fine. No doubt the regrowth after a wet winter may need at least annual maintenance. The newest completed section from Wirrabara to Booleroo Centre has a slight climb and is probably the nicest section in my opinion, although the surface may be a bit soft. Interesting that the Mt Remarkable Council has a) renamed it as "the Remarkable trail" on its distance signposts & b) starts it at Stone Hut! There are many dirt rds surrounding the rail trail allowing for nice loops of every section.
The first section that was completed, & that with the best surface, from Laura to Stone Hut has been left off (different council!).
Laura has IGA, pub, caravan pk & lots of shops
Stone Hut has a famous bakery & accomodation.
Wirrabara has a great bakery, pub, caravan park & general store with limited hours & stock.
Booleroo Centre has a great supermarket, no pub, community camping at showgrds.
Melrose has 2 pubs, brewery, OverTheEdge bikeshop & cafe, great museum, caravan park plus camping 2kms N at showgrounds.
Wilmington – limited food options, pub does meals, there is a vending machine on the S side of the street open 24hrs, 2 caravan parks on the outskirts of town, op shop, toy & puppet museums.

By: Jeffrey N.

Jeffrey N. — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:14:00 +0000

I rode this trail last week in two sections: Melrose to Wilmington and return, and then Melrose to Booleroo return. The section to Wilmington is in good condition and easy riding with just a couple of minor washouts across the trail. There is a cafe in Wilmington that was open on a week day for refreshments.
The section from Melrose to Booleroo was, on the first day’s inspection, impassable. The trail was choked with a thick woody and thorny weed from the start just past the silos. However, the following day, a council mini excavator had cleared the trail for about seven kilometres. However, about six kilometres from Booleroo, the trail again became almost impassable with the same weed. Pushing through the weed resulted in scratched legs so a check on Google maps showed a gravel road, Perroomba Road, running largely parallel with the trail. This was far more pleasant to return ride back to where it was possible to get onto the trail. It also avoided two cockies gates (strand wire temporary gates) on that section of the trail.
I went to the Council Offices the next day and found out that the Council’s weed spraying equipment had broken down and when they went to slash the trail verges, the slasher started a grass fire. So, it had been let go over the past growing season. But, I was assured that maintenance was now proceeding for the entire section through to Booleroo. It would be worth checking at the Council Office in Melrose beforehand if you plan to ride this section presently.

By: Mark D.

Mark D. — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:01:03 +0000

In reply to Michelle S..

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your feedback on the Melrose to Booleroo Centre section of the trial. I visited a trail in the lower section of the Southern Flinders recently and encountered similar problems with overgrown vegetation. I think this is a combination of a long, wet winter and a lack of Council resources to clear this heavy growth. I know that the Council is flat out constructing the Booleroo to Stone Hut section (it’s well behind due to the wet winter) so that may have taken resources away from maintaining other sections of the trail. The Council is committed to improving the condition of the trail so that it is consistent with the Wilmington to Melrose section but I don’t expect that we will see any great change until mid-2023. I believe that the signage will be addressed during the completion of the Booleroo to Stone Hut section. Once the trail is complete to Stone Hut, I will ride the total length (88km) and provide comments to the Council in relation to improvements that are required. I have referred your comments onto the Council.
Regards Mark

By: Michelle S.

Michelle S. — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 04:30:59 +0000

Melrose to Booleroo review….very disappointing. Totally overgrown with weeds most likely from the wet winter. At times not ridable due to height of weeds that cut our legs and one section blocked by farmers allowing sheep to graze…maybe to help with weeds. Our group of 4 diverted onto side roads into Booleroo Centre as the trail was so bad. Also there were cracks in the track that your wheels sunk into. Signage was poor from Melrose, no sign at Showgrounds gate or the road opposite towards Booleroo. (Silo trail sign??, whatever that is), In fact you wouldn't know a rail trail to Booleroo existed.
It seems this section of trail may have been poorly built,but hopefully it will be maintained in future or it will never be used which is very sad.
The trail section from Wilmington to Melrose is great, just needs better signage at Cordon Rd to divert you into the back of the showgrounds towards Melrose. Read the notes on this page carefully before riding.

By: David W.

David W. — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 05:45:19 +0000

A really great ride this October with crops at record heights from Wilmington to Melrose to Bolero Centre and then on to Laura.
I will certainly ride these trails again next year