Birdwood

Birdwood combines paths along a former railway line with insights into Australian automotive history and visible traces of the town’s past. If you are looking for a holiday rental here, you can choose the focus of your trip based on whether outdoor activities, museum visits or historic sites interest you most.

Exploring former railway lines

The Amy Gillett Pathway is a flat, paved path along a former railway line. It runs from Oakbank through Woodside, Charleston and Mount Torrens to Birdwood. The scenic, paved Amy Gillett Bikeway is 22 kilometres long. It also follows a former railway line and runs from Oakbank through Woodside, Charleston and Mount Torrens to Birdwood. Cycling, walking and horse riding are all possible activities on the bikeway. The information about its route, length and surface provides different points of reference for choosing a suitable day’s activities.

Birdwood is also home to the Birdwood Bike Track, also known as the Birdwood Pump Track. Built in 2020, it includes a beginner and an intermediate loop, as well as two start mounds. The track offers a different kind of cycling from the longer bikeway: here, the focus is on two loops of different difficulty levels, while the bikeway is a 22-kilometre route connecting several towns.

Outdoor activities and time at Birdwood Oval & Park

Birdwood Oval & Park has a bike track, picnic area, tennis court, off-street parking, sports field and playground. Its varied facilities make the park another option for spending time outdoors. If you are considering a holiday rental in Birdwood, the town offers activities and interests to suit different preferences, alongside its longer paths. You can think of the park as a separate item on your itinerary, in addition to a bike ride or museum visit, without implying that they share a route or are a particular distance apart.

Museum and local history

The National Motor Museum in Birdwood explores social history and tells the story of Australia’s enthusiasm for motorised transport. Its subject extends beyond individual vehicles: it also focuses on the significance of motorised transport in Australian society. For trip planning, the museum is a clear cultural complement to activities on the paths.

The original Birdwood Mill was built in 1855 by German settler Gottlieb Blumel and is located on Birdwood’s main street. The Birdwood Soldiers’ Memorial Arch is a memorial arch made of marble and granite, with inscriptions. The two sites offer different ways to engage with the town’s history: the mill is associated with a specific year of construction and its builder, while the arch is recognisable as a memorial through its materials and inscriptions. If local history interests you, you can include these sights in your travel plans alongside the museum.

A special automotive event

RAA Bay to Birdwood features a parade of more than 1,500 historic vehicles along a scenic 67-kilometre route. It ends at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood with the Finish Festival. The RAA Bay to Birdwood Finish Festival takes place at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, in the Adelaide Hills. For travellers interested in historic vehicles, the event combines a long route with a destination in town.

Browse and choose the focus that suits you

The Top of the Torrens Gallery, Rose Cottage Antiques and the Institute Book Shed also offer opportunities to browse in Birdwood. Together with the museum, memorial arch and mill, they provide a range of cultural interests without requiring a set visiting itinerary. Birdwood may be a particularly appealing choice for a holiday rental if you want to focus your trip on the paths, bike track or local history mentioned here.

More places to explore: Uraidla, Ashton, Basket Range, Kersbrook, Gumeracha, Woodside, Lower Hermitage and Forreston.

For the broader travel overview: Adelaide Hills Council.