Lavender Federation Trail
| Lavender Federation Trail | |
|---|---|
| Established | 2000 |
| Length | 212 km (132 mi) |
| Location | Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia |
| Trailheads | |
| Use | Hiking |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | medium[1] |
| Season | avoid summer |
| Waymark |
 Trail marker at Dutton |
| Sights | |
| Hazards | washouts, bushfire |
| Surface | mainly natural |
| Website | http://lavenderfederationtrail.org.au/ |
The Lavender Federation Trail is a long distance walking trail in the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. It extends 212 kilometres (132 mi) from Murray Bridge to Eudunda.[2][3] It is named after Terry Lavender OAM[4] and development started in 2000.[4] The 53 kilometres (33 mi) extension to Eudunda was opened on 28 September 2014,[3] with the ultimate goal being to extend it to a total of 350 kilometres (220 mi) to Clare.[4]
Route
The trail starts at Sturt Reserve by the Murray River in Murray Bridge. It climbs out of Murray Bridge through Rocky Gully and passes Monarto Zoo. The trail crosses the ridge with views over the Bremer River valley, and up to the summit of Mount Beevor (503m). The trail continues north along the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges through the Eden Valley wine region to Truro.[5] The next section continues north to Eudunda, South Australia.
There are several loops off of the main trail,[6] including:
- Tungkillo Loop Trail
- Eden Valley Loop Trail
- Springton Loop Trail – 17km
- Moculta Loop Trail
Geology and biology
The trail passes through wetlands near the Murray River, rocky gullies up the eastern slopes of the ranges, past the ruins of former farmhouses and copper mines. There are native plants, grain crops, and grape vines then more crops and grazing land.
History
The first section of the trail from Murray Bridge to Mount Beevor opened in 2000. Stage 4 opened in 2014 from Truro to Eudunda.[7]
Future
The trail is proposed to be extended via Burra to Clare, a total length of 350 kilometres (220 mi).[4]
References
- ↑ "Lavender Federation Trail Murray Bridge". Office for Recreation & Sport, Government of South Australia. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ "First Full Length Trail Walk". Lavender Federation Walking Trail. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- 1 2 "Lavender Federation Walking Trail". SA Recreation Trails Incorporated. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "History". SA Recreation Trails Incorporated. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ↑ "Trail Description". Lavender Federation Walking Trail. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ "Maps". SA Recreation Trails Incorporated. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ↑ "Lavender Federation Trail Opening Truro-Eudunda section". Web South. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.