In this fifth instalment of SA Bakery runs we once again follow a route through the Adelaide Hills, this time culminating in a visit to the Wistow Bakery!
Where do we start?
As with the Meadows ride we begin and finish at Hope Valley in the North Eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
The gpx route begins at what is now the OTR petrol station on the corner of Grand Junction Rd and Valley Rd.
Route overview
This route includes various bitumen roads through the Adelaide Hills, good quality gravel roads and several secondary dirt tracks that can get quite slippery in the wet. It also includes a visit to the summit of Mt Barker. In total, the route covers a distance of around 192 km
Let's go!
As we did on our Meadows run we head from our starting point up Grand Junction Rd and onto Lower North East Rd which winds its way up past Anstey Hill Recreation Park.
As the road winds its way up the hill
it passes by the Anstey Hill Water Treatment Plant and it's possible to pull off the road at one section near where the plant's storage tanks sit. From here you can get a great view of the plains and gulf out to the west.
Soon on the right you pass the 15th hole of the Highercombe Golf and Country Club
before veering off down Murphy Rd that hugs the northern edge of the course
It's then on to Paracombe Rd past the first of what will be many vineyards seen during the day.
With such an extended period of low rain it was great to see the country side returning to its winter greenery after big rainfalls in July. Empty dams a month ago are now looking much better.
As we pass through Paracombe our route then takes us steeply down to the River Torrens Gorge via Torrens Hill Rd.
We then join Gorge Rd that winds its way along the edge of the Torrens River, which is visible around a number of the bends.
Soon we get to Cudlee Creek
it's then off down Cudlee Creek Rd towards Lobethal
with plenty of green farms along the way
Before Lobethal is reached, we head off to our right down Neudorf Rd.
where the countryside has recovered from the devastation caused through this area by the wildfires back in 2019.
Soon we join onto Croft Rd
that crosses over Fox Creek Rd
and follows the edge of the hugely popular Fox Creek Bike Park where over 50km of tracks weave down and around the hills. They even have dedicated shuttle bus to take you back up to the top!
After passing a number of wineries
This takes us through the orchids and vineyards of the area before we pop out on the bitumen on Lobethal Rd
not far from Forest Range, where the post office is manned for one hour each weekday from 9-10am!
as we head down Bonython Rd it seems tree pruning is in order as the road is being taken over!
As we wind our way towards Woodside the cows were enjoying the sun
one farm in particular has a set up an extensive horse jumping circuit.
Soon we arrive at the Lovells bakery in Woodside for morning tea.
where they have a nice selection of buns and cakes!
there's a large area to sit and enjoy the break with some historical info
and some comfortable chairs to sit and enjoy your donut!
Once back on the bike we head off past Bird in the Hand
and then on to Donoghue Rd
before we see the landscape slowly change to more rocky outcrops as we pass Five Bob and Military Roads
We pass a quintessential Dodge Truck sitting out in a paddock on a short run along Harrogate Rd
before we find ourselves taking a great run along Ironstone Ridge Rd
this fast paced gravel road slowly weaves its way south along a ridge line with great views off to the east.
The gums along here have taken a battering with the low rainfall
but as the road heads down the hill and crosses a creek
things look a little more positive
The road then crosses the Adelaide to Melbourne railway line
before joining Petwood Rd and running adjacent to the SE Freeway
After several kms we then turn and head under the freeway
and head back in a northerly direction along Back Callington Rd
this is another free flowing run
that takes us to the bitumen intersection where we head up Summit Rd.
It's then about 2.5km to the turn off to the Mt Barker Summit Reserve
the one kilometre track heads quite steeply up to the summit
where there is a small carpark and some signage.
The view from this point isn't great with lots of blocking trees but a short walk up a dirt track (of around 150m)
takes you to a good vantage point with some tables and seats. The view from here is out to the west where the rapid expansion of the town of Mt Barker can be seen first hand.
To get to the summit requires a bit more walking up some steps
where after a few more hundred metres you reach the summit.
From here you can see both to the north and east for some panoramic views of the Mt Lofty Ranges.
After the short walk back to the bike we back track and then pick up Harper Rd through the trees
that ends at the intersection of Paech Rd, where the outer 'suburbs' of Mt Barker are now spreading.
It's then just a short ride to Wellington Rd where we fing our lunchtime target.. the Wistow Bakery and Cafe!
So, now for my bakery review..
Firstly, I arrived mid week at around 12:45pm and found that there was only a very limited choice of pastries available. By the number of customers that came through while I was there it's no doubt a busy place so I'd suggest an early lunch to ensure plenty of choice. In the end I settled for a Steak and onion pie. Here's my scores:
Pastry - Not bad 7/10
Filling - Quite tasty but not overly generous 8/10
Temperature - Perfect 10/10
With lunch out of the way it was soon time to start the return journey. The run to the bakery was almost exactly 100km form the start, which is just a tad over halfway of the entire route.
First up we had a nice run along Native Ave.
The old Adelaide to Victor Harbor rail line is crossed along here. It is now used as a tourist heritage railway line by Steamranger, with weekend trips from Mt Barker to both the Bugle Ranges and Strathalbyn on different heritage trains.
We then wind our way along several tracks
Some that require a little careful manoeuvring in winter!
As we pass along Flaxley Rd we see the huge effort one landowner has gone to in planting hundreds of trees on their property, all surrounded by wooden borders.
Soon we arrive at the main Strathalbyn Road
where we turn off and pass through Flaxley
Before making our way to the turnoff to Redgum Rd
This is a great little track that follows a creek
a large muddy section from previous years has since been fixed with several tonnes of rock (strange for a 'No Through Road' 😀)
the track then rises away from the creek
before popping out onto Whites Rd. From there it is just a short distance to the Hack Range Rd turn off. This is great road that runs through a remnant native corridor
with fantastic views on both sides of the road.
and numerous healthy cattle checking you out as you ride past
Towards the end of Hack Range Rd we turn off to the west and head along Bailey Rd with views back across the range.
Soon we reach Echunga and pass by the Leopard AS1 Battle Tank monument
it's then along Glen Bold Rd
before winding our way along Sheoak Rd
then we duck under the SE Freeway once more on River Rd, which was at once stage mooted by the government as a bypass route around Hanhdorf
Although there looks like plenty of water around and green paddocks, a lot of the cattle were still being fed hay.
After skirting around Hanhdorf (and all the roadworks - stuck at the Mt Barker Rd turnoff for over 10mins!). We pass Balhannah (which also has an excellent bakery 😀)
and then turn off down Oakwood Rd
past the iconic Oakbank House
and the famous Oakbank Racecourse
It was then through the canopy of Plain trees along Oakwood Rd.
Unfortunately, the leaves had already dropped as this is a fantastic view when in full season (Internet photo)
Once up the hill from the racecourse Swamp Rd is reached and we head off towards Lenswood
Passing Fred's Tank on the corner of Stentiford Rd
where at least one local was interested in my passing.
Continuing along Swamp Rd we pass the 'Pavilions at Lenswood'. The spot for a nice weekend getaway ... at around $650 a night!
Our journey back takes a little loop off down Miller Rd
and into Lobethal before we head left towards Gumeracha down Kenton Valley Rd
Rather than the main road we hook off along Reservoir Rd that takes us past the Lobethal Bushland Park
a nice little area of native vegetation that has bounced back from near total destruction during the fires
From there it was along Berry Hill Rd and onto Odea Rd, which looked like it had been recently graded.
Sure enough after a few bends we came across the grader and spent a while stuck behind him until it was clear enough to pass by.
Our last stretch of dirt was up along Retreat Valley Rd
that popped us out on the outskirts of Gumeracha. We then followed Torrens Valley Rd past the Millbrook Reservoir and on past Inglewood
and Houghton
before taking once last view of the city as we descended back down Lower North East Rd to our starting point.
Once again, I hope you enjoyed the ride!
A download for a gpx file of the route can be found below.
