The Barossa Marathon will be run on Sunday 23 August and almost 3,000 competitors are expected to take part in the four distance options. Both the full marathon and half marathon courses will use a 1.4km part of the Barossa Trail between Light Pass Road and Research Road (Nuriootpa) with the full marathon competitors running the route twice. The trail is not closed but passage will be very difficult with masses of runners travelling from Light Pass Rd to Research Rd. Full marathon start is at 7:30am and half marathon starts at 8:00am. The Barossa Trail should be open for normal business early afternoon.

This scenic shared-use trail is in the heart of the Barossa Valley and links the major towns of Gawler, Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston via the railway corridor and shared paths, taking advantage of panoramic views and the topography. Although some of the trail between Gawler and Tanunda is shared path, it gives cyclists and visitors the opportunity to extend their ride, or walk, through more parts of the Barossa. It is possible to ride all the way from Gawler to Angaston, mainly on dedicated shared paths. Care must be taken on the short on-road section through Tanunda and at all road crossings.  Take advantage of the many coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants in all the Barossa towns and holiday parks in Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Gawler.

At the terminus of the Barossa Rail Trail in the Angaston rail yards, The Barossa Council has created a unique recreation area called the Barossa Adventure Station which features a one kilometre mountain bike trail, zip-line, accessible trampolines, bespoke tower and slide, skate ramps, boulder walling, half-court basketball, sensory sound forest and serene BBQ and picnic facilities. The Barossa Adventure Station will cater for all the family needs and is located only metres away from the main street of Angaston.

Nearby MTB trails at Pewsey Vale.

Toilets and picnic facilities at Lyndoch, Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston

Barossa Cycle Hub located at Visitor Information Centre (68 Murray Street Tanunda) includes bike hire, showers, public toilets, cycle storage and lock-up, bike maintenance stand, tools and a vending machine dispensing common tube sizes.

Barossa Bike Hire (5 South Terrace, Nuriootpa) can provide bikes, e-bikes, bike tours, some parts and repairs. Hire bikes can be delivered to accommodation within the Barossa.

Angaston Hardware & Cycle Hub (5 Sturt Street, Angaston) can provide hire-bikes, a good range of spare parts, and repairs.

Plenty of places to eat and stay in the region. There are caravan parks in Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Gawler.

Gawler to Lyndoch (16 km)

This section was completed in 2014, with an extension from Gawler East to Kalbeeba completed in 2022, and features a high quality smooth hot mix surface.

Either Gawler (4.8km to Barossa Rail Trail) or Gawler Central (3.3km) railway stations can be used but Gawler Central is closest to the Gawler Council Administration Centre and the start of the Barossa Rail Trail.

Access: Search 43 High St, Gawler East

A mostly on-road cycle route starts from the Gawler Council carpark. Signage and road markings show the way. The final section is off-road cyclepath alongside the Barossa Valley Way and links to the Barossa Rail Trail at Sunnydale Avenue.

Access: Search 2 Sunnydale Ave, Gawler East

The Barossa Rail Trail follows the unused railway line from Gawler East to Sandy Creek, then follows the Barossa Valley Way and railway to Lyndoch.

At Sandy Creek a short link trail provides access to the historic Sandy Creek Hotel (currently closed) and Barossa Valley Way.

The trail passes mostly cropping and grazing farmland and then vineyards and wineries closer to Lyndoch.

At Lyndoch Hill the trail passes through the hotel grounds and garden.

Kies Family Wines at the entrance to Lyndoch offers tasting and dining options and a specialty tea shop.

Picnic facilities, water station and toilets are located opposite Lyndoch Bakery.

There are no steep or dangerous sections but take care at road crossings.

Access: Search 20 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch

Lyndoch to Rowland Flat (5.6 km)

Access: Search 20 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch

This section is a good quality sealed cycle path which follows the Barossa Valley Way and then the unused railway line to Rowland Flat.

The section that follows the railway line has a couple of short, steep climbs.

The trail passes vineyards and wineries.

This part of the line suffered a number of derailments over the years. An information board near Rowland Flat details the events.

Access: Search Rowland Flat

Rowland Flat to Tanunda (9.4 km)

Access: Search Rowland Flat

This section is not a rail trail but a good quality sealed cycle path which follows the North Para River and then the Barossa Valley Way to Tanunda.

The section that follows the North Para River has several short, steep climbs and awkward sharp switchback bends, and two stock grids.

There are some hazardous sections on this trail so all cycle riders should exercise caution.

The trail passes through the grounds of Jacobs Creek Visitor Centre.

The trail finishes at the start of the main street in Tanunda which can be busy but speeds are usually low – exercise caution.

Cycle Hub at Barossa Visitor Information Centre in Tanunda (68 Murray Street) includes bike hire, showers, public toilets, cycle storage and lock-up, bike maintenance stand, tools and a vending machine dispensing common tube sizes.

Tanunda Railway Station (300m east of the Cycle Hub) is in a reasonable state of repair and was in use by community groups until recently.

Numerous accommodation, food and beverage options in Tanunda.

Access: Search 68 Murray St, Tanunda

Tanunda to Nuriootpa (6 km)

Access: Search 68 Murray St, Tanunda

This section is mostly a rail side trail. From the Cycle Hub it is an on-road journey through Tanunda on Murray Street with on-road cycle lanes for most of the distance. Alternatively the quieter and more scenic Bilyara, Langmeil and Para Roads can be used. The 3.5km rail-side trail starts at Kroemer’s Crossing Roundabout at the intersection of Murray St and Burings Rd and is a good quality sealed shared path.

This section features a long (approx. 3km) avenue of red roses between the unused railway line and cycle path, passing vineyards and wineries. Large shady trees separate the path and main road.

Exercise care at roundabout road crossings at Kroemer’s Crossing (Burings Road) and Dorrien (Seppeltsfield Road).

Remains of Dorrien Siding are visible south of Seppeltsfield Road.

Hot air balloons can often be sighted in the morning, usually during the first hour following first light.

Historic Penfolds building at Nuriootpa has been re-purposed to provide numerous food and beverage options.

At the point where the railway crosses the Barossa Valley Way at Nuriootpa, turn right into South Tce then left into The Crescent to continue to Angaston, passing the remains of Nuriootpa Station and associated railway yards.

Barossa Bike Hire is at 5 South Tce, Nuriootpa.

Access: Search 24 The Crescent, Nuriootpa

Nuriootpa to Angaston (7 km)

Access: Search 24 The Crescent, Nuriootpa

This is a high quality rail trail which follows the old rail easement and has a smooth hot mix bitumen surface. At Nuriootpa turn into South Terrace then left into The Crescent to access the Nuriootpa – Angaston rail trail.

No buildings remain at Nuriootpa station but platforms, railway lines and water tower are still in place.

Nuriootpa had a turning triangle rather than a turntable for reversing engines. The triangle is still in place, often hidden by long grass, and the cycle path crosses it twice.

Railway Terrace, on the opposite side of Nuriootpa station, formed one straight of a rectangular racing circuit used for the 1950 Australian Grand Prix. Murray Street was another straight, right through the middle of the shopping precinct.

This section passes through vineyards and past wineries, and features high embankments and deep shady cuttings at the Angaston end.

The trail has been enhanced with high quality metal sculptures, information and map boards and seating at regular intervals.

Early morning wildlife encounters (birds, kangaroos, rabbits etc) are not uncommon on this section.

Road crossings have been paved to resemble rails and sleepers – exercise caution at all road crossings.

Iconic Barossa Farmers Market can be accessed from the Light Pass/Diagonal Road crossing or the Stockwell Road crossing. Saturday mornings only.

Angaston Station site has been reinvented as a multi-purpose recreation area known as the Barossa Adventure Station.

A 1km MTB track overlooks the old railway yard.

Barossa Valley Machinery Preservation Society has a large shed in the station grounds. They have numerous restored/under restoration vehicles, engines and machinery occasionally on display.

At Angaston the trail terminates in Washington St. Turn left then left again into Sturt St to access Murray Street shops and cafes.

Angaston Hardware & Cycle Hub (5 Sturt Street, Angaston) is just 100m from the trail end and offers hire-bikes, a good range of spare parts, and repairs.

Angaston has a working Blacksmith’s Shop in the main street, open weekends and public holidays.

Numerous accommodation, food and beverage options in Angaston.

Access: 12 Washington St, Angaston

Side Trail – Nuriootpa Linear Park Shared Use Path (2km not included in the Barossa Rail Trail)

At the point where the railway crosses the Barossa Valley Way at Nuriootpa, continue straight ahead to Nuriootpa centre.

About 200 metres north of this crossing is Tolley Reserve with an RX steam locomotive on display as well as toilets, picnic facilities, playground, skate park and MTB/BMX track.

A riverside linear path runs from Tolley Reserve under the Murray Street road bridge and then onto the Nuriootpa caravan park.

Numerous accommodation, food and beverage options in Nuriootpa.