Enjoy reading this?
Get similar articles delivered directly to your inbox
Constructed in 2005, Melrose is one of Australia’s oldest mountain bike destinations. Almost all of the trails here are on private property, with the Melrose Town Trails situated on the McCallum Family’s land and the Bartagunyah trails within the borders of a winery. But, despite their land tenure, everything is open to the public — woohoo!
The trails around Melrose are hand-built, narrow, and have maintained their old school flair — there hasn’t been much on offer for families and beginners.
That was until the new green and blue trails at Willowie Forest opened in early 2021. There is another family loop on the way at Wirrabara too.
Each year in June, Melrose hosts its annual Fat Tyre Festival. It’s two days of food, music and riding, and your entry fee goes towards keeping the trails at Melrose running.
Parks SA is currently working on the Mount Remarkable Epic trail, which will start in the Melrose Town Trails and head up for a loop around the summit. Once completed, it will be the only Epic in Australia that starts and finishes in the same spot.
The Mawson Trail also passes through town, and the locals tell us the gravel riding in the area is primo.
Located about three hours north of Adelaide, Melrose is a quaint little town. There are a few places to eat, plenty of accommodation, and they even have a brewery. When you go through Melrose, be sure to pop your head into the local bike shop, Over the Edge Sports, to say hello.
*Editors Note: Since we visited Melrose about 12-months ago, the trail is now complete and open to the public. We’re very much looking forward ...
Melrose is one of Australia’s oldest riding destinations. Constructed in 2005, the trails sit at the foot of Mount Remarkable on private land owned by ...
This June long weekend is the 15th Melrose Fat Tyre Festival, and they’re celebrating by giving the FTF a theme that reflects the values ...
With the new Rise Against record soothing my inner ear and a light snack on the passenger seat for sustenance, the 3-hour cruise from Adelaide ...
South Australia should be on every traveling mountain bikers bucket list. There is so much riding on tap and close to the city it’s ...
Back in June NZ’s Kelly McGarry, Tom Hey, filmer Ross McKay and I jumped on four separate planes and embraced the four hour flight ...
The crew from the most excellent Kiwi publication and website, Spoke, recently made the journey to Melrose to soak up the good vibes of the ...
A quick look at the program and we had flowing singletrack, epic riding, rides with gravity legend Darren Berrecloth, and super D challenges ahead of ...
Leave your review