Township & Surrounds

Amy Gillet Bikeway

The Amy Gillett Bikeway, a very popular and scenic pathway, runs from Mt Torrens through to Oakbank and is used by bike riders, walkers, dog walkers, and clubs.

Charleston Conservation Park

Explore this 3.2-km loop trail near Charleston, South Australia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

Charleston Methodist Cemetery

Methodism, begun by John Wesley within the Church of England, had become a separate denomination by 1796. In rural districts, church communities started by lay preachers in their own homes developed into churches with an ordained minister responsible for a Methodist circuit. The essential requirements for local preachers, mostly men, were loyalty to the church and love of the Bible. Evangelical zeal and widespread use of lay preachers contributed to the rapid growth of Methodism. Whereas in 1846 10% of the population was Methodist, by 1901 Methodists comprised one quarter of South Australia’s population, the highest proportion of any Australian state. Towards the end of the nineteenth century Methodism had become a comprehensive community embracing wealthy city businessmen, some pastoralists, many settlers in new farming areas, Cornish miners, and a variety of shopkeepers and professional people. Some Methodists were prominent in the early labour movement. The earliest burials recorded are Anna Dunn aged 2 years, and William Herbert aged 2 Months both in 1861. Charles (1900) and Mary Newman (1983) are both buried in the cemetery. The Primitive Methodist Chapel opened in 1852 before the township was laid out in 1857. The Chapel later became the Charleston Methodist Church (now in private ownership) which was built in 1850, of which Charles Newman was a founding trustee. The Charleston Cemetery is still operating today, and contact details can be found through the Adelaide Hills Council.