Yes, in most cases. A legal e-bike is treated as a bicycle in South Australia, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (NPWSSA) pages for popular Adelaide parks like Belair, Cleland and Sturt Gorge say you can ride your bike on public roads and on the specific cycling trails and tracks in each park. You can't ride on walking-only trails, you need to give way to walkers and horses, and parks close on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger. ForestrySA forests such as Kuitpo and Mount Crawford have their own rules. Here's what the official sources say, with links to each one.
The short version: only a legal e-bike (250 watts, assistance cutting out at 25 km/h) counts as a bicycle. Stick to roads and trails marked for bikes, give way to walkers and horses in national parks, and check the fire danger rating before you head into the Hills from November onwards. At the time of writing, NPWSSA doesn't publish a separate e-bike rule, so signs at each trailhead are the final word. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is an e-bike a "bike" in a national park?
A compliant one is. The SA Government's Riding a power-assisted bicycle page says two types of e-bike can be ridden in SA: a pedal cycle with up to 200 watts of motor power, or a pedelec with up to 250 watts of continuous power that cuts out at 25 km/h. The same page says e-bikes with more power, or that can be ridden without pedalling, can't be ridden on roads or road-related areas, and neither can bikes with petrol engines. Our guide to e-bike rules in South Australia covers these definitions in detail.
Parks aren't a loophole for high-powered "e-motos". The National Parks and Wildlife (National Parks) Regulations 2016 say, in regulation 10, that a person must not, without permission, drive a vehicle in a reserve except on a road or track set aside for that purpose (the regulations define "drive" to include "ride"). The same regulation sets a default 40 km/h speed limit where no other limit is fixed, and says a vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine must be registered and insured. If you're unsure whether your bike is legal, assume it isn't welcome on park trails until you've checked.
Where can you ride in Adelaide's national parks?
NPWSSA's park pages use the same wording for each park: "You can ride your bike on public roads and any specific cycling trails and tracks on offer in this park." Its cycling and mountain biking page adds a Trail Users Code of Practice that asks riders to ride only on formed tracks and trails, comply with all signs, and avoid riding in wet, muddy conditions. It also explains the trail grades, from "Easy" (wide, gentle and smooth) through to "Difficult".
Here's what the official pages say about some of the most popular parks close to Adelaide:
- Belair National Park: shared-use trails for walking and mountain biking include the Adventure Loop, Brady Gully Track, Carawatha Track, Microcarpa hike and Moorowie Track. The Microcarpa Loop is about 4 km (easy with intermediate sections) and the Adventure Loop is a 13 km intermediate ride with technical singletrack. The Goat Shed bike hire and café, listed on the park page, hires out e-bikes. Entry on foot or by bike is free.
- Cleland National Park: the park page describes trails and fire tracks where you can ride on shared-use trails, including the Cleland Link Trail between Waterfall Gully Road and Crafers, and the Chambers Gully to Crafers link with an optional spur to Mount Lofty Summit. The page also notes the park will be closed at various times through 2026/2027 for pest animal control.
- Sturt Gorge Recreation Park: a big trail network, but read the fine print. The park page says the Parrianna Link Trail is for walking only, some sections of the River Trail and Magpie Creek Trail are walking only, and on the Lakeview Trail you must ride at walking pace.
The Department for Environment and Water's 6 parks for mountain biking in and around Adelaide also lists Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, Cobbler Creek Recreation Park and Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta (the former O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park) as riding spots. Check each park's own page and trail map before you go, because shared-use and walking-only sections can sit side by side.
Who gives way on park trails?
In NPWSSA parks, the park pages say that generally cyclists give way to pedestrians, and both cyclists and walkers give way to horses. On an e-bike that means slowing right down when you come up behind walkers, especially on climbs where it's tempting to keep the motor working. A friendly ring of your bell well before you reach people helps too.
ForestrySA forests are different, which catches people out. Its bike riding page sets out a Forest Trail Code that says walkers give way to cyclists, and both should give way to horse riders. Either way, courtesy beats rules: if a walker hasn't heard you coming, stop and let them pass.
ForestrySA forests: Kuitpo, Mount Crawford and Fox Creek
Several of the best-known Hills riding areas are pine forests run by ForestrySA rather than national parks. According to its bike riding page:
- Kuitpo and Mount Crawford forests have well-marked shared-use trails for walking, cycling and horse riding, and sections of the Mawson Trail pass through Mount Crawford Forest.
- Fox Creek Bike Park, in Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve, has about 50 km of single track, and entry is free.
- Bike riding is prohibited in Native Forest Reserves unless there's a specific management plan in place.
- The Forest Trail Code says to always wear a helmet when cycling.
- The forests are closed to the public on declared Total Fire Ban days, and Fox Creek Bike Park and Mount Crawford also close during forest operations.
ForestrySA's page doesn't mention e-bikes specifically, so follow the signs at each trailhead.
Fire season tip: the Belair and Cleland park pages both say the park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also close on days of Extreme Fire Danger. Check the CFS fire danger rating or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1800 362 361 before you load up the bike, and look at NPWSSA's closures and alerts page for track closures.
Tips for riding the Hills on an e-bike
- Plan your battery around the climbs. Trails like Belair's Adventure Loop start with a long climb, and hills drain a battery much faster than flat paths. Ride in a lower assist mode on the way up if you can, and save some charge for the ride home.
- Match the trail to your bike. A city e-bike with narrow tyres is fine on wide fire tracks graded "Easy", but technical singletrack is better left to e-mountain bikes. NPWSSA's code asks riders to control their bike within their limits.
- Carry water and basic repairs. The Trail Users Code asks riders to carry enough food and water. A puncture a few kilometres into a park is a long push with a heavy e-bike, so pack a pump and a multi-tool. Our guides to portable bike pumps and multi-tools have options that fit in a small pack.
- Clean your bike. The code also asks riders to clean their bike to avoid spreading weeds and plant diseases between parks.
- Taking the train? The Belair park page notes bikes can be carried on trains but restrictions apply. See our guide to taking an e-bike on Adelaide Metro.
Gear that helps on park rides
A hydration pack is the one thing many riders add once they start heading into the Hills, because there's often no tap on the trail and summer days get hot. These are researched picks from established brands, not hands-on tests.
CamelBak M.U.L.E. 12
CamelBak's long-running mountain bike pack pairs a 3-litre water reservoir with room for a pump, tube, multi-tool, snacks and a light jacket. It's a sensible size for a half-day loop around Belair or Cleland, with enough storage that you're not stuffing tools into your jersey pockets.
- Large water capacity for hot days
- Organised pockets for tools and spares
- Widely available, with spare reservoirs easy to find
- Warmer on your back than a hip pack
- More pack than you need for short rides
Osprey Raptor 10
Osprey's Raptor 10 is a popular trail pack with a reservoir included, a ventilated back panel and a built-in tool pouch. It's well suited to riders who want a stable pack for longer rides in the Hills or at Fox Creek, and Osprey backs its packs with a strong repair guarantee.
- Stable, comfortable harness
- Handy tool roll keeps spares tidy
- Reservoir included
- Premium end of the market
- Slightly smaller water capacity than some rivals
For more places to ride closer to the city, see our list of the best bike paths in Adelaide for e-bike riders.
FAQ
Are e-bikes allowed in Belair National Park?
A legal e-bike counts as a bicycle in SA, and the Belair park page says you can ride your bike on public roads and the park's specific cycling trails and tracks, such as the Adventure Loop and Microcarpa Loop. The Goat Shed in the park even hires out e-bikes. Stay off walking-only trails and follow trailhead signs.
Can I ride a high-powered e-bike or e-moto on park trails?
No. The SA Government says e-bikes over the legal limits, or that run without pedalling, can't be ridden on roads or road-related areas, and the National Parks regulations limit vehicles to roads and tracks set aside for them. Petrol-powered vehicles must be registered and insured.
Do I have to wear a helmet on park trails?
The SA Government's power-assisted bicycle page says e-bike riders must wear an approved helmet, and ForestrySA's Forest Trail Code says to always wear a helmet when cycling. Wear one on every trail ride. Our e-bike helmet guide explains what to look for.
Are Adelaide's parks open on hot days?
Not always. Belair and Cleland are closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may close on Extreme Fire Danger days, and ForestrySA forests close on declared Total Fire Ban days. Check the CFS rating before you go.
Who gives way on a shared trail?
In NPWSSA parks, cyclists generally give way to walkers, and both give way to horses. In ForestrySA forests, the Forest Trail Code says walkers give way to cyclists and both give way to horse riders. Slow down and be courteous either way.