3/10/19
Wakefield Regional Council is blazing a new trail through the heart of the district, a 55km journey that will link-up two of regional SA’s best trails – Walk the Yorke and The Riesling Trail.
The Copper Trail has been given the go-ahead after receiving $41,900 from the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, with Council contributing another $14,000 to complete the final stage of the project.
Once the Copper Trail is constructed between Balaklava and Port Wakefield it will provide the missing link to Walk the Yorke (entry from Port Wakefield) and Riesling Trail (entry to Leasingham via Balaklava) creating an optional multi-day adventure for walkers and cyclists.
The route from Balaklava to Leasingham is already accessible through existing trails and backroads with newly installed signage guiding users.
The Copper Trail is named so because it follows in part the course taken by bullock teams delivering copper from the Burra mine through to the wharf at Port Wakefield.
Wakefield Mayor Rodney Reid said the trail had the potential to bring economic benefits because linking to these already established trails could draw more tourists through our towns to explore places of interest.
“This is an example of Council working to provide great recreational areas for locals, as well as forming strategies to boost visitor numbers and create more opportunities for our food and hospitality businesses,” Mayor Reid said.
“Our community loves its walking trails and once The Copper Trail is constructed, people will be able to access the wineries of Clare or the beaches of Yorke, with our region as the gateway and the closest starting point from Adelaide.”
“Soon we’ll be conducting a tender process and we expect the project to be completed in April 2020.”
Media contact: Nicole Alberton, Communications Officer at Wakefield Regional Council. Ph:8862 0817 M:0479 023 802 or email admin@wakefieldrc.sa.gov.au
Photo by Desmond Brown