Name: Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail
Rating: 3.5

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Why visit the Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail?

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Honours elite junior local cyclist Shamus Liptrot who died in 2011, several years after suffering serious injuries in a cycling accident. Halbury was Shamus’s home town
An excellent ride for all the family and can be extended to form a longer ride along the Wakefield Plains and Clare Valley
The history of the bullock and rail trails comes alive in Devil’s Garden adjoining the trail midway between Balaklava and Halbury
An excellent ride from Leasingham through the range to Halbury then Balaklava

Nearby Attractions

Dunn’s Bridge 1.5 km from Balaklava is a single span bowstring arch bridge built in 1880 over the Wakefield River.
Devil’s Garden 7km from Balaklava, east of the Roberts Rd crossing is a small area of eucalypts that has a history of sand hills, bullock teams, corduroy roads and serious flooding. To find out more click here
Links to the Balaklava to Port Wakefield section of the Copper Rail Trail
Links to a back roads trail to the Riesling Trail (Leasingham) in the east

Trail Guide

Last updated: 28 April 2024

The trail is flat and runs through a well vegetated corridor. At Roberts Rd about halfway, take time to visit Devil’s Garden.

Parking is available in Edith Tce, Balaklava, close to shops and amenities and a short distance from the trail at the junction of War Memorial Dr and Railway Tce. The trail begins on the northern side of the rail corridor just north of the intersection of War Memorial Dr and Railway Tce. Follow the path east along the back of Christopher St.

Section Guides

Balaklava to Halbury

The trail crosses Dunn’s Bridge 1.5 km from Balaklava. This metal bowstring arch bridge was built in 1880 and heritage listed in 1995.

A further 3 km along the trail there is a small bridge over a creek. Dismount to cross the bridge; it is narrow with an uneven surface.

Use Roberts Rd 2 km along the trail to reach a roadside cairn that describes the Devil’s Garden, a fine example of mallee box woodland.

The rail trail terminates at Halbury, but a well signed back roads trail can be followed over the range to Leasingham and the Riesling Trail

Photo Gallery

Typical path quality and vegetation along the Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail

Start of the Shamus Liptrot Rail Trails

The rail trail crosses the Wakefield River by using Dunns Bridge which was built in 1880

Devil's Garden monument

narrow bridge over a creek, east of Balaklava

Get Around

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Reviews

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2 reviews of “Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail”

Great ride from Clare on Riesling Trail to Leasingham……turn right onto back roads to Halbury then SL Rail Trail to Balaclava
Terrific fast downhill ride from the Clare hills onto the western plains
Recommend using a Mud Map for the dirt back roads

Great little trail between Balaklava and Halbury. Good surface and well signposted.

Further Information

Information and Links

For more information, or to report problems

Wakefield Regional Council 8862 1115

Contact Rail Trails Australia

To contact us about this rail trail, email sa@railtrails.org.au

Background Information

Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Kaurna and Ngadjuri people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the trail is built.

Rail history

The line from Balaklava to Blyth opened in 1876 and closed in 1988. The rails and sleepers were removed shortly after, and the rail trail was built in 2012.

There is a memorial to Shamus Liptrot at the junction of the trail and Bridge Rd, 1 km from Balaklava.

The 37 km Copper Trail begins at Port Wakefield follows an unused rail reserve 26 km to Balaklava and a further 11 km to Halbury. From Halbury the Copper Trail follows a signed route on back roads over the range to Leasingham on the Riesling Trail.

Development and future of the Rail Trail

Wakefield Regional Council is planning to extend the trail beyond Halbury, following the unused rail corridor north. Ultimately, the Copper Rail Trail may connect with the Southern Flinders Rail Trail.

News

New Copper Rail Trail Opened in South Australia

Posted: 18/07/20

The Wakefield Regional Council, located in the mid north of South Australia, has constructed a 26...

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