New Onkaparinga coastal boardwalk connects popular Adelaide beaches

A newly opened section of boardwalk trial linking the foreshores of Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach in South Australia has proved popular since its pre-Christmas opening.

The completion of the 1.1-kilometre Witton Bluff Base Trail linking the foreshores of Port Noarlunga and Christies Beach via a shared path boardwalk is part of a South Australian Government vision for a 70-kilometre coastal path from North Haven to Sellicks Beach one step closer.

The $6.7 million project, equally funded by the South Australian Government and the City of Onkaparinga Council, has delivered a three-metre-wide shared-use boardwalk from Port Noarlunga to the tip of the bluff. It will be followed by work to repair the existing sea wall to the north of the new boardwalk to protect the cliff’s infrastructure from erosion and rising sea levels.

Speaking at the opening, City of Onkaparinga Mayor, Moira Were stated that the boardwalk “marks a major milestone for the Witton Bluff Base Trail, and for the residents, community groups and businesses who have called for an accessible shared-use path linking these iconic beaches for years.

“This boardwalk will be a jewel in South Australia’s Coast Park trail, attracting locals and visitors alike, but equally important are the project’s focuses on minimising cultural heritage impacts, and future-proofing the bluff from climate change impacts.

The fully completed Witton Bluff Base Trail is expected to open to the public by mid-2025, providing access for people of all abilities, encouraging the community to stay healthy and active in stunning surrounds, and boosting the local economy through increased visitation.

The broader project will also feature public art created by First Nations artists, reflecting the Onkaparinga coast’s significance to the Kaurna people and the Tjilbruke songline.

Onkaparinga’s 31-kilometre coastline forms almost half of the 70-kilometre Coast Park vision, and the state government has worked closely with the council since 2003 to make this vision a reality. To date, more than half (17.8 kilometre) of Onkaparinga’s Coast Park has been completed.

The South Australian Government has committed an additional $250,000 for the First Nations public art, thanks to the support of local Members of Parliament Chris Picton and Katrine Hildyard.

The City of Onkaparinga has also secured additional funding for sea wall repairs including $1.2 million through the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund and $355,000 through the state government’s Coast Protection Board.

The Witton Bluff Base Trail’s construction marks the culmination of a long and rigorous approval process to ensure any potential impacts from the trail on Aboriginal heritage and the environment are minimised.

Images: The Witton Bluff Base Trail boardwalk. Credit: City of Onkaparinga.