Oakbank: Cycling Trail, Golf and Market

If you’re looking for a hotel in Oakbank, you can plan your stay around specific activities and dates. The Amy Gillett Pathway is an option for cyclists, walkers and horse riders; golf, the monthly Oakbank Market, the Oakbank Easter Carnival and seasonal offerings at the Murdoch Hill Tasting Room provide other options. So your choice depends both on the activity you’re interested in and when you’re staying.

The Amy Gillett Pathway: one route, several ways to get moving

The Amy Gillett Pathway is 22 km long and runs from Oakbank to Birdwood through the Adelaide Hills. It’s a cycling, walking and horse-riding trail, accessible from many points. The route follows an old railway line on a dedicated, sealed bitumen path; the gradient is gentle. The trail is family-friendly. Its gentle gradient is suitable for families, inexperienced cyclists and walkers.

When planning, the 22 km distance refers to the length of the route between Oakbank and Birdwood; the many access points provide additional guidance on how to reach it. The surface is also clearly described: sealed bitumen and a gentle gradient. This means you can consider the distance, surface and gradient when choosing between cycling, walking and horse riding, without confusing the different details.

Golf and club history

Oakbank Golf Club is the second-oldest golf club in South Australia. Its course in the Onkaparinga Valley has nine holes. These details give you two different points of reference: the size of the course and the club’s history. In contrast to the Pathway, the focus here is on the golf course and its club history, while the Pathway is described by its length, route and range of activities.

Market and Easter event

The Oakbank Easter Carnival began in 1876 and takes place over two days during the Easter weekend. The Oakbank Market follows a different schedule: it’s held on the second Saturday of each month, from 9 am to 2 pm, at Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall. Before visiting, check the specific market date and the dates for the Easter weekend you have in mind for the Carnival.

The two events differ not only in their history but also in when they take place: the Carnival is tied to the Easter weekend, while the market is held on a particular Saturday each month during a set time window. If you already know when you’ll be staying, this comparison can help you factor the event dates into your plans.

Seasonal tastings at Murdoch Hill

Seasonal tasting flights and local cheeses from Section 28 are offered at the Murdoch Hill Tasting Room. During the warmer months, the tasting room opens onto a sunny outdoor terrace. Both details have a seasonal connection, but not the same one: the tasting flights are seasonal, while the terrace is specifically associated with the warmer months. If you’re including these offerings in your stay plans, it’s worth checking how they align with your chosen travel dates.

Oakbank offers different scheduling cues: the monthly market date and time, the Easter weekend for the Carnival, and the warmer months for the outdoor terrace at Murdoch Hill. The Pathway and the golf course add two clearly distinct activity options to these events.

Discover more destinations: Birdwood, Stirling, Uraidla, Woodside, Kersbrook, Lower Hermitage, Basket Range, Gumeracha

For the broader travel overview: Adelaide Hills Council.