Renmark – Paringa Rail Trail

The Renmark – Paringa Rail Trail is an easy 4 km sealed cycling and walking trail in South Australia’s Riverland, connecting the Murray River towns of Renmark and Paringa. Around 260 km north-east of Adelaide, the trail follows the former railway reserve and provides a largely off-road alternative to riding along the busy Sturt Highway. With a smooth hot-mix surface, gentle gradients and plenty to see along the way, it’s particularly well suited to families, beginner cyclists, e-bikes, hybrids, touring bikes and recreational riders. Starting near Darnley Taylor Park and Renmark Plaza, the trail follows the former railway corridor east towards the Murray River. Riders pass the site of the old Renmark railway station and freight yards, where an original railway crane remains, before crossing several historic railway bridges over the wetlands and waterways between Renmark and Paringa. There are also direct connections from the rail trail into the Renmark Riverfront Trail and Paringa Paddock MTB Trails, making it easy to turn the short rail trail into a longer Riverland cycling adventure. The highlight is crossing the historic Paringa Bridge over the Murray River. Built in 1927, the bridge originally carried both road vehicles and trains, with the railway running through its central corridor. That former railway section is now used as the cycle path, while road traffic travels on separate decks alongside it. The bridge still has its original lifting span, which operates daily to allow larger river vessels to pass. After crossing into Paringa, riders can detour to Bert Dix Memorial Park and Lock 5. The 6.7 km Lock 5 Loop Trail incorporates part of the former railway route before following the Murray River towards Lock 5, providing an excellent extension for riders wanting more distance. Alternatively, head into Paringa Paddock, where two main loops and several alternative trails provide easy, flat mountain biking through the Murray River floodplain. The railway itself was part of the historic Barmera line. Rail reached Paringa in 1913, but construction of the Murray River bridge was delayed by World War I, meaning trains did not reach Renmark until 1927. The line was extended to Barmera the following year before eventually closing west of Paringa in 1984, with the tracks removed by 1986. RTS Tip: At only 4 km one way, this is a great trail to combine with Renmark’s other cycling routes. Ride from Renmark across the Paringa Bridge, add the Lock 5 Loop or Paringa Paddock MTB trails, then return via the riverfront for a much bigger ride. Take particular care at the Sturt Highway crossings at either end of Paringa Bridge. The bridge lifting span currently operates daily at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, so time your ride carefully — or stop at Bert Dix Memorial Park and watch the bridge lift.