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Circuit distance : 6 kilometres A fine but cloudy winter’s day, and a good time to tackle the next section of the Torrens: this time from Silkes Road down to Greenglade Drive – a rather arbitrary endpoint, except that there is a footbridge. The walk is about 6 kilometres. (Click on the map and resize the window to enlarge this map.)
• 1 Leaving the Silkes Road bridge, I started walking west towards the city. With the recent rains the Torrens has some lovely reflecting pools.
• 2 All along the Linear Park there are access paths for pedestrians and cyclists : not all as attractive as this one, near the Lower North East Road bridge.
• 3 And then we arrive at the bridge. There is a walking trail on each side of the river. Both trails pass under the bridge, although there are link trails up to the road.
• 4 Here and there where the river makes a turn, it has been necessary to fortify the bank to stop erosion.
• 5 There are lots of ducks!
• 6 I saw plenty of action along the trail. Here a walker stretches his legs on the path across the river. (A cyclist has just disappeared from view.)
• 7 Now here is a lovely sight ...
• 8 ... close to another site: the large Paradise AOG Community Church. This is one of the largest churches in Australia with an auditorium that can accommodate 3000 people.
• 9 Shortly afterwards we come to where the OBahn busway crosses the river. We shall meet up with this busway again. The bus runs along a dedicated track between concrete guides, the front wheels steered by small horizontal guide wheels. (The driver drives 'no hands'.) It can also run as an ordinary bus. The system has proved to be very successful.
• 10 Under the busway, and under the nearby Darley Road bridge – a reflective modern sculpture.
• 11 Here and there along the Park are these helpful signs, telling me not to misbehave, nor put a foot wrong. As if I would!
• 12 Near Greenglade Drive we can cross the little footbridge, and begin our return journey.
• 13 This is a more ambitious water works, where water drains through trash racks to enter the Torrens.
• 14 I find many dog owners walking their pets ... or is it the other way round? I even found an older man cruising along on his gopher!
• 15 Back to the Darley Road bridge. Notice the trail passing beneath the bridge.
• 16 And so to the busway. The frequent buses travel quietly at speed.
• 17 Here is an irrepressible gum tree. Blown out of the ground, it refuses to die.
• 18 Another use for the Linear Park: a marathon training ground for the local school!
• 19 At Yaralinda Street, the walking trail emerges from the Linear Park and follows the footpath for a hundred metres before returning to the Park a little further along.
• 20 This pretty willow must have escaped the cull of a few years back. They are attractive trees.
• 21 Under the Lower North East Road bridge: the work of Grafitti Artists Anonymous. Some might say this is an artistic complement to the Park?
• 22 Just east of the bridge, this seat has been placed facing the wrong direction!
• 23 And near the end of this walk we come to the Mahogany Wetland, a beautiful area adjacent to the main river bed, and a haven for wildlife.
Close by is the Silkes Road footbridge which I cross to return to the car. |
