Hiking and biking at Mitcham’s Randell Park Reserve – Review
Sea views and quarry cliff faces are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at this reserve along the Mitcham Trail Network.
by Carla Caruso
There is nothing better than discovering new places to explore near home – and Randell Park Reserve is one I recently added to my list.
It’s the first ‘zone’ in the City of Mitcham’s recently upgraded shared-use trail network.
The reserve is near Torrens Park (hello, Scotch College), located to the west of Old Belair Road and north of Sheoak Road in Belair. It comprises 47ha of bushland, formerly used for mining and grazing. The small quarries on-site were once in full swing, between 1860 and 1950, supplying stone for road repairs, walling in houses and buildings, and beyond. Now, the area is managed by the council. It’s cool walking about a place with such history.
The park features 9km of shared-use walking and cycling trails, with spectacular views of the sea and surrounding hills. It’s also abundant in indigenous vegetation (like grey box, drooping sheoak, and golden wattle) and geological features (think ripple rock, ochre, and quarry cliff-faces).
The spot is named after Peter Lake Randell, a former land-broker, who also happened to be Mitcham’s mayor from 1968 to 1971.
For several years, the area was closed to mountain bikers while the trails were upgraded and signage erected. Now, the trails can be used by all, with the skill level required ranging from easy ‘green’ to ‘double black diamond’ (extremely hard, bikers only) and ‘double red circle’ (just hikers).
We found it fairly easy hiking around the lower areas; the terrain is undulating but not steep.
As I discovered too, the reserve is just one part of the district’s 40km of biking and walking trails, linking the Mitcham Hills to the plains.
Four trail zones offer a variety of experiences, including:
Zone 1 – Randell Park Trails (which is where I headed with my family)
Zone 2 – Lynton Reserve Trails
Zone 3 – O’Deas Reserve, Saddle Hill Reserve, and Ashby Reserve Trails, and
Zone 4 – Blackwood Hill Reserve.
For more info on the other zones, check out the City of Mitcham’s website here.
In the meantime, I’ll be heading back to Randell Park Reserve for more meandering!
What we like about it
- It’s cool encountering such bushland and quarry views in the suburbs.
- Dog owners, rejoice! Pooches are allowed at the park so long as they’re ‘under effective control at all times’, according to the signage.
- There is a spot to refill your water bottle along the trail, so don’t forget to pack yours.
Things to consider
- Mountain bikers must give way to walkers, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out (as well as for any maintenance vehicles).
- Trail users must observe the reserve’s code of practice, including to not disturb the plants and animals, and to clean your bike and/or shoes before entering, so as not to spread weeds or plant diseases.
- There are no toilets on-site.
Coffee and food options nearby
Fuel up locally at This Fine Day, Stamps Restaurant, The Edinburgh Hotel, or Mitcham Square Shopping Centre.
Location:
Click here for all the Best Playgrounds for Toddlers
See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide here.
For more information, please visit the City of Mitcham’s website.
What: Randell Park Reserve
When: Open during daylight hours (closed on total fire ban days)
Where: Access via Anderson Ave or Braemar Rd | Torrens Park
Who: Everyone
All photos by Carla Caruso & James Elsby for Play & Go Adelaide
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.
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