Try the southern section of the Amy Gillett Bikeway instead of committing to its full length. Ride between the Oakbank trailhead and Woodside, take a break, and return the way you came.
The council map gives Oakbank–Woodside as 5 km one way: allow about 10 km return, plus any trip into town. The full bikeway now continues beyond Mount Torrens to Birdwood. Time is a planning allowance, not a measured ride time.
Follow the ride.
Cumulative distances based on the published 5 km section. Town detours add distance.
- Start / Gillman Road trailhead
Start at the trailhead
Set off towards Woodside along the sealed shared path. Stay on the main bikeway rather than taking the optional road detours.
- About 5 km / Woodside turnaround
Make Woodside your turnaround
The published section is around 5 km. For food or facilities in town, leave the bikeway carefully and treat street crossings as a separate part of the trip.
- About 10 km / Back at Gillman Road
Leave enough for the return
Head back towards the Oakbank trailhead. If 10 km is a stretch, turn around earlier; the return journey still needs energy.
MAKE IT A SMALLER OUTING
Choose an earlier turnaround
Keep to the same bikeway and turn back before Woodside if the full return feels too much. Make that decision before energy runs low; a halfway snack does not remove the ride home.
Places to pause.
A separate detour from the bikeway
Woodside town stop
Choose a town break if you have time for extra distance and street crossings. The tourism guide identifies bakeries and cafés; check your chosen stop’s hours before relying on it.
Woodside stops in the tourism guideBeside the bikeway at Woodside
Woody Trails
The tourism guide identifies this skills area and a bike repair station. A pause here does not commit you to riding the jumps; the skills area is separate from the sealed route in this guide.
Tourism guide: Woody Trails & repairsAlong the way
The path crosses roads and is used by walkers, riders and horses. Stop and check each crossing. This itinerary excludes the optional 7.5 km road detour through wine country.
These are bicycle outings. Scooter access and e-bike requirements need a separate check for the device and location.
A couple of useful answers.
Is this the whole Amy Gillett Bikeway?
No. This outing uses the Oakbank–Woodside section and returns to the same trailhead. The wider pathway continues north; use the current tourism information if planning farther afield.
Do we have to ride the road detour?
No. Stay on the main bikeway for this itinerary. The optional 7.5 km wine-country road loop is a different outing with different road exposure.