People often ask me where are good places to practice driving near me, especially around Mount Barker. Whether you’re a new learner driver or getting ready for your VORT test, choosing the right driving practice roads in Mount Barker makes a big difference.
For newcomers who are in the early days of training, you cannot beat the Old Princes Highway from Nairne to Callington. This road features nice steady curves and plenty of opportunities to hone braking and car control skills. It is ideal for learner drivers in Mount Barker who want a safe and open road to build confidence.
If that’s a bridge too far, try Summit Road from the new sports centre out to Nairne. It’s a quieter route, great for those still gaining confidence and wanting a bit of variety in their driving practice.
🌄 Intermediate and Advanced Driving Roads in Mount Barker
For more challenging roads to practice driving near Mount Barker, I recommend a few that really help develop accelerator control and smooth speed transitions.
Springs Road, from the Homemaker Centre to Bald Hills, is an excellent choice to learn good accelerator habits. This road features many undulations and is brilliant for practicing holding the same speed whether you’re going uphill or downhill.
Bald Hills Road is also fantastic once you’re comfortable with higher speeds above 60 km/h. It’s perfect for improving awareness and practising safe overtaking.
The South Eastern Freeway provides an ideal opportunity to practice freeway entry and exits. Go on at the Adelaide Road end and off at Bald Hills Road, then reverse the pattern. This stretch is also perfect for practising lane changing and “form one lane” merging, essential skills for any Mount Barker learner driver preparing for the test.
🚦 Turning, Stop Signs and Roundabouts
When practising left and right turns, try the following combinations for real-world intersection experience:
- Gawler Street from Dutton Road – right turn onto Hutchinson Street. You’ll get experience with Give Way signs and a one-way street. Mix it up by driving both directions along Gawler Street and crossing via Hutchinson.
- Try right turns at the Adelaide Road traffic lights, one onto the Freeway heading towards Murray Bridge and another into Druids Avenue.
- Give left turns at traffic lights a go at both Druids and Morphett Streets.
From feedback I’ve received, there’s a right turn from Hawthorn Road onto Adelaide Road included in one of the VORT test routes. I’ve written to the Department of Transport expressing my concerns over this manoeuvre. It’s a very busy road which makes this turn quite dangerous, and it’s only going to get worse. To date, I’ve had no response, which is disappointing.
🛑 Stop Signs and Parking Practice
Stop signs can be found on Stephen Street, Hutchinson Street, and Druids Avenue. Try left and right turns into both Druids and Morphett from these streets.
Three Point Turns can be done in any quiet, narrow street, and there are plenty off Wellington Road. Nairne and Littlehampton also provide great quiet narrow roads for this.
Reverse Parallel Parking can be done in almost any quiet side street. This is ideal for learner drivers who need repetition without the pressure of traffic.
U-turns can be practiced safely on Flaxley Road, which is about the only suitable road in Mount Barker for this manoeuvre.
For roundabout practice, the Wellington Road / Adelaide Road roundabout is excellent. It provides good experience for negotiating a dual-lane roundabout and merging into one lane.
Angle parking can be practised in almost any shopping centre car park, as long as it’s not busy. This is perfect for fine-tuning parking control and spatial awareness.
✅ Final Thoughts
I do hope this helps those searching for safe roads to practice driving near Mount Barker. Each of these routes provides valuable opportunities to improve your driving skills, gain real experience, and prepare for your test safely and confidently.
Stay safe, keep practicing, and happy motoring.