The Witton Bluff Base Trail is now fully completed and open to the public, with an official opening of the new accessible pathway on Saturday 23 August.

Offering breathtaking views of the dramatic coastline between Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga, the 1.1-kilometre trail is a key component of the state government’s Coast Park vision – a world-class network of pathways that stretches along 70kms of metropolitan shoreline.

The second and final stage of the $9.3 million Witton Bluff Base Trail provides a shared-use, asphalt pathway with newly installed fencing and solar lighting. This section links Christies Beach to the boardwalk, which was completed and opened late last year as part of the first stage of trail works.

The bluff’s ageing seawall has also been reshaped, reinforced and raised, through installation of more than 20,000 tonnes of rocks and inclusion of a new crest that will help reduce erosion caused by waves and overtopping seawater. 

This crucial upgrade will help ensure that the cliffs and valued coastal infrastructure are protected from the threat of storm surges and rising sea levels.

In recognition of the Onkaparinga coast’s cultural significance to the Kaurna people and the Tjilbruke dreaming track, First Nations artworks – created by senior Kaurna man, cultural authority, and Tjilbruke story holder Karl Winda Telfer – will be installed along the new trail in the form of two Tjilbruke Dreaming Track Message Sticks.

Jointly funded by the state and federal governments and the City of Onkaparinga, the trail provides access for people of all abilities and offers a drawcard for visitors.

The state government contributed $3.47 million from the Department for Housing and Urban Development, $600,000 from the Coast Protection Board, and $250,000 as part of an election commitment to support and install public artwork along the trail.

The federal government contributed $1.2 million from the Disaster Ready Fund for the seawall upgrades; and the City of Onkaparinga contributed $3.8 million.

City of Onkaparinga CEO Phu Nguyen says building a trail like this in a complex and dynamic coastal environment isn’t easy, and is testament to the power of a strong community voice, collaboration and leadership – of what we can achieve when we all work together.

“This project provides a stunning and accessible new place for the community to stay active and healthy. It boosts a thriving local economy and tourism by linking and supporting businesses in two of our city’s premier coastal destinations, and it helps future-proof the coastline and its assets from the impacts of climate change.”

Onkaparinga’s 31km coastline forms nearly half of the Coast Park vision, with the state government working closely with the council for more than two decades to make this vision a reality. To date, 18.9km of the council’s section of Coast Park has been completed.