All-access trail opens along Adelaide’s southern beaches

The South Australian Government has delivered a new accessible pathway along Adelaide’s southern beaches, with the Witton Bluff Base Trail now fully completed and open to the public.

Jointly funded by the SA Government, Federal Government, and City of Onkaparinga, the trail provides access for people of all abilities, encourages the community to stay healthy and active along the picturesque southern Adelaide coast, and offers a new drawcard for visitors both domestic and international – providing a new opportunity for the local economy.

Offering breathtaking views of the dramatic coastline between Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga, the 1.1-kilometre trail is a key component of the State Government’s Coast Park vision – a network of pathways that stretches along 70kms of metropolitan shoreline.

Today marks the official opening of the now-completed second and final stage of the $9.3 million Witton Bluff Base Trail, with the community now able to enjoy a new shared-use, asphalt pathway with newly installed fencing and solar lighting. This section links Christies Beach to the boardwalk, which was completed and opened late last year as part of the first stage of trail works.

Christies Beach business owner Alex Fores, The Macaron Bar enthused “we are so excited for the new trail to open. It’s the perfect addition to showcase everything our vibrant Christies Beach community has to offer and will encourage more people to explore and enjoy the local area.”

The bluff’s ageing seawall has also been reshaped, reinforced and raised, through the installation of more than 20,000 tonnes of rocks and the inclusion of a new crest that will help reduce erosion caused by waves and overtopping seawater. This crucial upgrade will help ensure that the stunning cliffs and valued coastal infrastructure are protected from the threat of storm surges and rising sea levels for years to come.

In recognition of the Onkaparinga coast’s cultural significance to the Kaurna people and the Tjilbruke dreaming track, First Nations artworks – created by senior Kaurna man, cultural authority, and Tjilbruke story holder Karl Winda Telfer – will be installed along the new trail in the form of two Tjilbruke Dreaming Track Message Sticks.

The Witton Bluff Base Trail is the result of a three-way funding partnership between State, Federal, and Local Governments:

The SA Government contributed $3.47 million from the Department for Housing and Urban Development, $600,000 from the Coast Protection Board, and $250,000 as part of an election commitment to support and install public artwork along the trail;

The Federal Government contributed $1.2 million from the Disaster Ready Fund for the seawall upgrades; and the City of Onkaparinga contributed $3.8 million.

Onkaparinga’s 31km coastline forms nearly half of the Coast Park vision, with the State Government working closely with the council for more than two decades to make this vision a reality. To date, 18.9km of the council’s section of Coast Park has been completed.

The trail’s official opening was complemented by the reopening of the popular Port Noarlunga jetty earlier this week, which was closed for repairs in May due to storm damage.

City of Onkaparinga Chief Executive, Phu Nguyen noted “building a trail like this in a complex and dynamic coastal environment isn’t easy, so today’s celebration is testament to the power of a strong community voice, collaboration and leadership – of what we can achieve when we all work together.

“This project provides a stunning and accessible new place for the community to stay active and healthy. It boosts a thriving local economy and tourism by linking and supporting businesses in two of our city’s premier coastal destinations, and it helps future-proof the coastline and its assets from the impacts of climate change.”

Image top. Witton Bluff newly opened pathway; Image below: render of the Tjilbruke message sticks and footage of the boardwalk. Courtesy City of Onkaparinga.