Melrose

Destination overview

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!

Ride old school hand-built trails

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.

An Epic on the way, gravel and bikepacking too

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.