Great attendance for Eudunda to Hampden Rail Trail Opening at Eudunda

On Saturday the 11^th April 2026 the Eudunda to Hampden railway line celebrated it’s busiest day of human traffic since 1986 when a commemorative steam train took a train full of enthusiasts including locals from Adelaide Kapunda, Eudunda to Robertstown and return on the last public trip on that line.

The use of the rail line, is now very different, carrying cyclists and walkers, and potentially runners and prams going in small groups or individually, who celebrate the physical exercise and the magnificent view, the peace and quiet and the natural beauty of our rolling hills and wide open plains.

The speeches were unique to the event, everything from Mel Zerner’s ‘Eudunda’s Welcome’, to Mark Draper Regional Representative SA for Rail Trails Australia, Rod Quintrell who is the Executive Director Walking SA, Bill Gebhardt, Mayor of the Regional Council of Goyder, Alan Harton, Chairperson South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI), Mel Zerner, Chairperson for Eudunda Community, Business & Tourism (ECBAT), all able to talk about how the trail benefits us from each organisations perspective.

Amazingly, even though there were five speakers, and a presentation by SA Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI) President Alan Harton of a painting by renowned local artist Helen Peter of the Eudunda Railway Station to Regional Council of Goyder Mayor, Bill Gebhardt we were able to keep this part of the event to just over the allotted 15 minutes, a great effort by all. The speeches were well accepted.

Organisers of the event were very pleased to have several hundred people attend the official opening and officially there were 180 people of all ages, from 4 to 89 years old participating in the rides and walks (and Golf Car).

With four different cycling rides varying in length, and a walk the shortest being to Hampden and return to Eudunda, there was something for all levels of fitness to enjoy.

The little ones were not left out as there was a new short children’s rail trail for them as well and the golf car was a great hit, taking those who could not have made the trip due to physical issues to one of excitement and adventure. Everyone suggested that this could be something the community should do again.

The day was a celebration of the culmination of many years of lobbying, negotiations, investment and work to convert the disused railway line into a safe Northern passage for walkers and cyclists of the South Australian Recreation Trails Inc. Lavender Federation Walking Trail and Lavender Cycling Trail and this was highlighted in the speeches.

The new Rail Trail was funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts ‘Building Australia’ fund and additional funding and works by the Regional Council of Goyder.

The opening celebration has been funded by the Regional Council of Goyder Events Funds which included the hire of the Golf Car and the Eudunda Community, Business and Tourism Committee (ECBAT) along with the trail developers South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI) organised the event.

The organisers wish to thank the many people who helped to establish the trail, to those who helped build the trail and to all those who helped on the day.

Event organiser Peter Herriman said,
“I especially wish to thank our guest speakers who highlighted many reasons why this trail is important not only to our community, but to the wider community in the State. Thanks also to the Regional Council of Goyder, SARTI and ECBAT, and the Federal Government, we could not be here today, celebrating. A fine example where multiple entities worked toward a common community goal.

“Thank you to those local businesses who opened early and stayed late to help deliver the much needed coffee and food for our participants, and to Amanda at Wild Woodland Collective for prizes to the event and to Kristy from Farmhouse Cookie Co for the Bicycling themed cookies, made especially for the event (see photo below). Also to the Julia Hall Committee who hosted many of the cyclists mid way in their journey.

“It just goes to show how local businesses and organisations can create unique experiences for our visitors.

“Thanks also to Belinda Heinrich of the Regional Council of Goyder for helping with the grant application, and to Nathan Bruhn our musician for his exellent entertainment on the morning and to the use of his PA for our speeches.

Also thanks to those who helped with signup on the morning, Deegan, Ron and Carlene Newell for their work guiding people at the Hampden end of the trail, and to Jenny & Toby Herriman for helping with organising at the gardens end. A Thank you to Golf Car Solutions who supplied the Golf Car. One must also mention the admirable work that our Volunteer Gardeners do keeping the gardens looking so good, this needs great praise too for their work.

“Thank you too, to all the people who came to help celebrate and participate, especially in the current fuel climate. Many of you travelled up from Adelaide environs and our furthest travellers coming from Melbourne and Canberra.

“A special thank you to our SARTI Secretary, Helen Dominish who organised the cyclists who have made up the majority of our attendance today and to Stuart Shepherd for bringing a group of walkers.

“Also to all our SARTI Board members and volunteers who have ‘kept the faith’ that we would eventually get to see the Eudunda to Hampden Rail Trail Open!”

To finish off we would like to share some feedback from Kay Haarsma, an avid cyclist who has travelled and participated in cycling events around the world,

“Hats off to the Goyder Council, Lavender Federation Trail folk, and Eudunda locals for the delivering of this fantastic new recreational resource. The track itself looks well built and sustainable. When it was first suggested years ago I’m sure it almost went into the too hard basket but look at it now! A real community achievement for both Eudunda and Hampden.”

Well done to Kerri Newell and Desmond Brown and friends who explored both ends of the ‘Rail Trail’ including the Eudunda Railway Station and the Eudunda Silo Art with going right to the end, visiting the Hampden Railway Platform.

Here are some other shots of things that happened at the trail opening

The Eudunda to Hampden Rail Trail signs thanks to SARTI’s Graphics designer Barry Stacey and erected by Regional Council of Goyder workmen.