Overall description

The trail surface varies from rubble /gravel to a formed natural earth surface, and is suited to walkers and  adventurous riders. Make sure you have water and food; there are no facilities between Balaklava and Port Wakefield.

The trail runs between flat, open grain fields, but thanks to the efforts of the local community, which planted the rail reserve with indigenous vegetation 30 years ago, the trail now provides visitors with shade as well as great scenery.

Balaklava has good parking in Edith Terrace, near shops and amenities, and a short distance from the trail at the junction of Hudson Rd and Balaklava Rd.

Port Wakefield has good parking, cafes and amenities. Construction work will begin soon on the duplication of the Princess Highway through Port Wakefield, so it may be worth parking near the beginning of the path east of the golf course on Balaklava Rd.

NOTE: the Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail, 11 km from Balaclava to Halbury, forms part of the Copper Rail Trail and is described in more detail in its own webpage 

Port Wakefield to Bowmans (10 km from Port Wakefield Golf Course)

The trail will ultimately begin at the start point for the Walk the Yorke walking and cycling trail, but cyclists should start the trail on the northern side of Balaklava Rd just east of the Port Wakefield Golf Course.

This section of trail is flat and has a compacted earth surface. The corridor has some vegetation and Council plans to add new planting.

About 6 km out Port Wakefield Golf Course the trail passes through a dense planting of century plants, easily recognisable by their long, tapered dull grey green leaves and 6 m tall flower spikes.

A further 2 km from the century plants the trail crosses a farm entrance where several railway sleepers were left in place when the rails were removed.

Take care when using the road crossing to cross the rail line just before Bowmans: this is a major freight route and carries many high-speed trains each day.

Bowmans to Balaklava (15 km)

Bowmans was once a thriving railway town and many of the original railway houses are still occupied. The Bowmans railway loading platform is visible on the side of the trail.

Vegetation increases in the trail corridor as the trail progresses to Balaklava; there are small sections of old man saltbush and bullock bush, which were once common in this area.

This section has some sections of compacted earth, but is mainly compacted rubble.

Use Balaklava Road to enter Balaklava. A small section of railway line has been retained from Hudson Rd to Whitwarta Rd on the approach to Balaklava, and the original railway turntable is visible on the corner of Whitwarta Rd and Balaklava Rd.