Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari | Walking Trail & Horses | West Beach
Breakout Creek has been transformed into a scenic, little leg-friendly loop walk, where beaches, wetlands, birdlife, frogsong and friendly horses combine to create an easy (and free) family adventure.
Review by Lisa Bachmayer
Stretching between Henley Beach South and West Beach, the Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari trail follows the final stretch of the River Torrens as it meets the sea.
Whether you’re walking, scooting, birdwatching or stopping to say hello to the resident horses, it’s a beautiful place to slow down, explore and reconnect with nature – with some gentle exercise thrown in.
The Walk
For a beach to river walk, we recommend starting at Ozone Reserve, where you’ll find parking and public toilets. The accessible, family-friendly loop is around 2.4km and takes about 30 minutes without stopping, although most families will want to allow at least an hour or two. (My 4 year old and I stayed for three!)
Follow the coastal path past the Torrens Outlet, where the River Torrens flows into the sea, before continuing under the Seaview Road bridge and onto the northern riverbank.
From here you can choose between the raised asphalt shared-use path (just watch out for bikes) or the lower compacted gravel track, which takes you closer to the wetlands, native plants and wildlife.
Between the two paths are vegetation areas and two large habitat pools, so we recommend the gravel path if you want to be closer to bugs, nature and birdlife.
Listen out for the chorus of frogs, watch for birds on the water and enjoy the peaceful riverside setting along the way.
The sealed asphalt path may be better if you have a fragile stroller, a scooter with thin wheels or a runaway toddler. There are reeds and vegetation between the gravel path and the river, but there are no fences.
Along the northern riverbank, picnic shelters, benches and viewing platforms make it easy to stop for a packed lunch, a snack break or to just soak up the scenery. Miss 4 loved spotting and counting the horses, which live opposite on the southern riverbank.
About 1.2km into your walk (and 650m before Tapleys Hill Road), you’ll find the new accessible footbridge, offering lovely views across the water and taking you to the southern riverbank.
Just keep young children close or in prams as there are no handrails.
The walking trail on the southern riverbank is asphalt and runs behind the fenced horse paddocks.
Meet the Horses
Aside from the 245,000 new plants and 111 new trees, one of Breakout Creek’s biggest drawcards is the return of its much-loved horses from Lockleys Riding Club.
Temporarily relocated during major redevelopment works in 2022, the horses returned home in mid 2026, continuing a tradition of horses grazing beside the lower River Torrens dating back more than 160 years.
The horses now graze beneath gum trees in 800m of riverside paddocks along the southern riverbank, creating the feeling of a country estate just minutes from Henley Beach.
They often wander over to the fence to greet visitors, and during our visit we met Princey, Willy, Cashew and Jack, with the latter especially keen to come and say hello.
Signage introduces the horses and explains how to interact safely, including suitable treats if you choose to feed them (see our tips below).
Art & Culture
Look out for the nine Kaurna artworks by Kaurna artist Allan Sumner and his team, celebrating local wildlife and culture through sculptures of lampreys, pelicans, wedge-tailed eagles, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, magpies and kookaburras.
While you’re here, take a moment to visit the nearby Kaurna Reflection Space behind the northern riverbank, near Military Road, a peaceful place designed in a shield shape to celebrate Kaurna culture and history.
Extend your Visit
With the beach, river, birdlife, resident horses, picnic shelters and even a nearby playground and duck pond, Breakout Creek can be a ‘pick and mix’ your own family adventure.
To visit Apex Park from the southern riverbank, near the footbridge, take the path leading away from the river and past the horse corrals. Here you’ll come to a duckpond, fenced playground, more picnic areas, and public toilets.
There is also a carpark here bordering Burbridge Road, in case you want to focus on the horses and playground instead of the loop walk.
Pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy at one of the riverside shelters, or finish your outing with a sandcastle or splash at Henley Beach South before heading back to the car at Ozone Reserve.
If you’re keen to explore the river further, Breakout Creek connects to longer walking and cycling trails that continue towards Adelaide city. The outlet to Adelaide CBD is about 13km along the River Torrens Linear Park Trail.
What we like about it:
While Adelaide’s western suburbs are well-known for their beaches, Breakout Creek is a refreshing change of scenery, with lush riverbanks, wetlands and gum trees creating a peaceful escape for families.
Straddling the border of Henley Beach South and West Beach, the trail follows the final stretch of the River Torrens – and upgraded landscaping means it now has a beautiful send off as it flows into the sea.
It’s the perfect place for all ages to reconnect with nature, whether you’re spotting wildlife, listening to the frogsong or saying hello to the friendly resident horses. We’ve visited in sunshine and misty rain and can confirm both are equally lovely.
With peaceful walking trails, abundant wildlife, beautiful Kaurna artworks and the welcome return of the resident horses, it’s an easy family adventure you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Tips and things to consider:
- The horses don’t need to be fed but if you must, you can bring carrots (sliced lengthwise) or chopped apples to feed them with an open hand.
- While friendly, be mindful the horses can bite and kick, so approach with caution. Keep dogs on lead at all times.
- For a short visit just to see the horses, park in the backstreets behind the southern riverbank. You may have to walk along the path a little until you find them.
- The southern riverbank is best for horse spotting and Apex Park playground, while the northern riverbank is great for picnics, exploring nature and walking along the river.
- A small footbridge connects the two riverbanks, but be mindful of young children as there are no barriers.
- If doing the loop walk from Ozone Reserve, you will need to cross Seaview Road from the southern riverbank to get back to your car. There is a small pedestrian crossing on the southern side of the bridge. The coastal path runs under the bridge to the northern riverbank, so you don’t need to cross the road on that side.
- Our youngest has completed the loop walk on foot as a three year old, but you may wish to bring a pram, balance bike or scooter for tired little legs (just choose the appropriate path on the northern riverbank).
Good to Know:
- Location: Seaview Road, Henley Beach South and West Beach
- Parking: Ozone Reserve at Henley Beach South, Apex Park at West Beach, or the Kaurna Reflection Space at Henley Beach South.
- Toilets: Ozone Reserve and Apex Park
- Pram Friendly: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Path for bikes and scooters
- Dogs: Welcome on lead (no dogs in horse paddocks)
- Time: Allow around 1 hour with kids for the walk and horses, or 2–3 hours with the walk, horses, playground and picnic
Food and coffee options nearby:
- Cafes, shops, jetty, the beach, and a water play feature are a short drive away at Henley Square
- There are also cafes and dining venues at West Beach, including the West Beach Lifesaving Club with its spectacular view and Skala Bakery.
Location:
Breakout Creek, Seaview Road, West Beach
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Green Adelaide website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (2026).
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