Amy Gillett bikeway

Today, the Lad and I rode the Amy Gillett bikeway. More a mini bike road actually. When it was in the first stages of planning, the trail: using the old Balhannah to Mount Pleasant rail branch line, was to be a horses and bikes, but somewhere along in the planning, it was decided to asphalt the trail, which actually made it dangerous for horses. (A horse trail was to be added along side, but never happened).

 At the time, many of the property owners who were using the right of way, were not too happy about the formation of the trail, as it would mean having people passing in front of, or through their properties, but it was soon pointed out, that they did not own the old railway right of way, as it was still under ownership of the South Australian Government.
(As a note: somehow three houses were built on the right of way at Oakbank????)

Right of way before the trail near Woodside.

Riders from Inverwood riding school out for photo shoot for press on the trail.

We started the trail at Mount Torrens, the furthest point, so far (just up behind the town's oval) and headed off towards Oakbank: heading downhill.

Looking back towards Mt Torrens.

Through one of the old cuttings.

Behind Woodside township. The trail passes by the old station site, before you have to cross the main road towards Oakbank.

The railway line was built 1915-18, and was 21mile long from Balhannah to Mt Pleasant: with timber built stations at Oakbank, Woodside, Charleston, Mount Torrens, Birdwood and Mount Pleasant. The line was officially closed in March 1963.