Images: Renders from Alexandrina Council
A new way to explore one of South Australia’s historic wine regions is taking shape, with construction underway on a $7 million walking and cycling trail that will give visitors access to four Langhorne Creek cellar doors.
The 2.8-kilometre Langhorne Creek Discovery Trail will stretch from near Bremerton Wines to Bleasdale Vineyards, winding through the township, parks and reserves along the way.
Kimbolton Wines and The Winehouse will also be accessible from the route, meaning visitors will eventually be able to spend a day moving between several of the region’s cellar doors without driving between every stop.
“It’s trying to make Langhorne Creek much more of a destination,” Langhorne Creek Grape and Wine Association executive officer Lian Jaensch said.
“It’ll boost our wineries and other businesses, and it’s not just about the wine industry. It’s for the whole community as well,” she added.
“It’s really about getting more attention for the region.”
Lian said the central trail would cover enough of the township for visitors to build an entire day around exploring on foot.
“It would easily fill a day if you were walking,” she said.
The shared trail is being designed for walkers and cyclists, with Lian saying its relatively short distance would also make it manageable for families with young children, bikes and scooters.
However, the project will include far more than the pathway itself, with plans featuring a new pedestrian bridge across the Bremer River, a nature-based playground at First Reserve, a bicycle pump track at Frank Potts Reserve, shelters, picnic areas, toilets, barbecue facilities and accessible play equipment.
Wayfinding, public art and interpretive signage will also share stories connected to Langhorne Creek’s wine industry, natural environment, river system, early history and Ngarrindjeri culture.
Lian said the project team was working with the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation and a South Coast Ngarrindjeri artist to incorporate local language, cultural knowledge and stories throughout the trail.
“It will cover things such as the local history, environment, people and place, and the water story,” she said.
The trail is also intended to support new tourism products, potentially including bike hire, guided tours, nature-based activities, cultural experiences and specially developed cellar door packages.
Lian hopes the first 2.8-kilometre section will ultimately become the starting point for a broader network of experiences throughout the district.
“Once this is established, the idea is that we then look at what can branch off from it and how we make that happen,” she said.
Construction is expected to continue over the coming months, with the trail scheduled for completion by April 2027.
Langhorne Creek Discovery Trail
When: Expected completion April 2027
Where: Between Bremerton Wines and Bleasdale Vineyards, passing through the Langhorne Creek township
To find out more, click here.
