Sturt River Linear Park

Sturt River Linear Park is a flat, shady creekside trail through Coromandel Valley, about half an hour south of the Adelaide CBD. It runs roughly 1.7km return along a bitumen shared-use path, which makes it pram and wheelchair friendly and easy going for older dogs or anyone after a relaxed stroll rather than a bush bash.

The walk

The trailhead sits near the intersection of Bonython Way and Main Road, following the creek line through native vegetation and river red gums. Small footbridges cross the water along the way, and benches and picnic spots are dotted along the route if your dog needs a breather. It is a well-marked, genuinely pretty stretch of suburb that reads as bushland in places.

Leash status

On-leash only, the whole way. City of Mitcham rules require dogs on-leash at all times on shared-use paths, with a maximum lead length of 2 metres, and dogs must be on-leash within 5 metres of any playground equipment. There are no off-leash opportunities on this trail, so pair it with an off-leash park nearby if your dog needs a proper run. Waste bins sit at the key entry points.

Max: it is a shared path with cyclists, so keep the lead short and stay left. A 2 metre lead is not just the rule here, it also stops you getting clotheslined by a bike.

Water and terrain

The terrain is flat bitumen the entire way, fine for joints and paws of any age. The creek runs alongside rather than through the path, and it is not a reliable drinking source, so bring your own water for the dog. After heavy rain the low spots near the water can be muddy and the creek runs fast, so give the edges a miss until things settle.

Getting there and parking

A small free gravel car park sits off Shepherd Court in Coromandel Valley. By car it is roughly 25 to 30 minutes from the Adelaide CBD via Main Road through Blackwood. Blackwood Station is the nearest rail option but the walk from there to the trailhead is long enough that driving is the practical choice.

When to go

The shade from the red gums makes this workable through the middle of the day in cooler months, but in summer go early morning or evening. Weekend mornings draw families and dog walkers, so weekday slots are the quiet ones.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-leash run to bookend the walk, Fairview Park Dog Off-leash Area in Hawthorn is a short drive north, with Pridmore Park as another option nearby. For coffee, The Little Leaf and Bean in Blackwood is on the way through.

More options are on the SA dog friendly trails guide and the Coromandel Valley destination page.