4 minute read
Adventure for the Family
from Visit Jamestown
by Tracey
CYCLING, BUNDALEER FOREST
ADVENTURE FUN &
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Whether it’s cycling, walking, hiking, golfing, tennis or swimming, Jamestown is the place to be active. The town and district boasts a vast range of top class sporting facilities, many available for use by travellers at no charge.
WALKING/HIKING
If you want a gentle walk, stroll along the Belalie Creek. If you are more of a power walker, take to the Jacka Creek Walking Trail, a 2 km linear trail that snakes along the western edge of Jamestown. The tree-lined trail is pram and wheelchair-friendly, is ideal for youngsters on pushbikes and has its own outdoor gym.
Or head out to Bundaleer Forest, where you can choose to amble along the Maple Walk or step up the intensity on the Conservator’s Trail and the Scenic Trail. These trails all start from the Bundaleer Picnic Grounds.
Bundaleer Forest also provides majestic tree-lined sections of the Heysen trail. This is hiking at its best, with great climbs and breathtaking views. Catch magnificent sunrises and sunsets.
GET ON YOUR BIKE?
While in Jamestown why not hire a bike and see what the town has to offer at a leisurely pace?
Or if you’re after something a little more adventurous, make a day of it, pack a picnic and take on one of Jamestown’s cycling trails, either north to Mannanarie or south to Bundaleer.
The 33 km BUNDALEER TRAIL loops from Jamestown to Bundaleer Forest. Bundaleer Forest’s picnic grounds provide a perfect lunch stop.
Category 1 (Easy)
The MANNANARIE CYCLE TRAIL takes cyclists from the plains of the southern Flinders Ranges through the Mannanarie agricultural district to Mount Lock. Two routes are offered (55km and 54km loops), both departing from and returning to Jamestown. Ride sections or challenge your friends to ride the entire length in one go.
Category 3 (Advanced)
Cycling trail maps can be downloaded from www.visitjamestown.com.au.
Maintaining these trails in good condition for future enjoyment relies on you. Please report damage to trails.
Contact: Northern Areas Council 94 Ayr Street, Jamestown 08 8664 1139. Bike Hire: Jamestown Country Retreat Caravan Park 08 8664 0077
ROAD CYCLING
The road network surrounding Jamestown provides undulating roads to test your speed and get your heart pumping and steep hill climbs to test your stamina. Just plan your ride, keep to the left and enjoy the scenery!
A few things to remember when cycling: Plan ahead, know your equipment, know your ability, wear appropriate clothing (preferably hivisibility), a helmet, and take water.
SKATE PARK
Perfect your moves at Jamestown’s Skate Park. It is conveniently located just east of Jamestown’s main street on Cockburn Rd. Keep your camera handy to capture that ‘perfect stunt’.
Jamestown’s indoor sports stadium features two world-class sprung floor courts for netball, basketball and futsal, as well as a 6-lane cricket training centre, complete with turf and bowling machines.
There’s no questioning the standard of the Big Shed facility; more than 100 national sports champions have trained, competed or conducted regional coaching clinics at the facility.
This has included South Australian men’s and women’s cricket squads, English County cricketers of the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy, the Adelaide Thunderbirds netballers and a raft of State League netballers, soccer champ Christiano and famous basketballer Al Green.
The facility is available for hire for your own club, community or corporate sports event. Jamestown has a raft of accommodation and catering options for larger groups.
Contact: Michelle Stacey 0427 640 136
JAMESTOWN GYMNASIUM
Pump some iron or tackle the treadmill at Jamestown’s well-equipped community gymnasium.
Access is available 24-7 by purchasing a short term membership from the Northern Areas Council office, 94 Ayr St Jamestown, during working hours. Contact: Northern Areas Council 08 8664 1139 The hard courts are available for use free of charge all year round, providing perfect family entertainment.
The magnificent lawn courts are available for competition play only – for local matches and tournaments, including the popular Easter event. Contact: Annie Kelly annie.kelly@internode.on.net
SWIMMING
Jamestown Swimming Pool is open seven days a week from November to March and features two shaded children’s pools and a five lane 25 metre pool; conveniently situated next door to the Jamestown Caravan Park.
Swimmers from all over the state meet in Jamestown on the first Sunday in February for the Full Qualifying Jamestown Carnival event. Contact: Northern Areas Council 08 8664 1139
HYDROTHERAPY POOL
If warm water is more your style, then book in to use the heated Jamestown hydrotherapy pool and spa.
The pool was installed at Jamestown fresh from use by athletes at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Contact: Northern Areas Council 08 8664 1139 The 18-hole golf course (Australian Course Rating of 67) is set in the scenic Bundaleer Forest reserve just 5 km from Jamestown, with eucalypt-lined fairways and stunning views.
Open April to October, green fee players are very welcome ($5 per person).
Or for the serious golfer, why not compete in the club’s popular open men’s and women’s championship events held in August annually! Contact: Deb McCarthy 0409 700 535
4WD Trail
Just north of Jamestown in the Mannanarie Hills is an 18 km 4 Wheel Drive trail (rated intermediate).
Allow an hour and a half to enjoy the scenery from the top of Mt Ngadjuri (with amazing views of Jamestown, Caltowie and Gladstone). The trail is not open in fire danger season. Phone: Chris Bretag 0428 485 651
Jamestown has a host of other sporting clubs, including table tennis, bowling, croquet, pistol shooting and clay target shooting - many hosting annual open tournaments. For details go to www.visitjamestown.com.au
SWIMMING
