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Heysen Trail closure dates over the 2025-2026 Fire Danger Season
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has announced some of the dates for the 2025/26 Fire Danger Season.
Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, the trail closures commence progressively from Saturday November 1st.
Flinders District Fire Danger Season to commence on 1st November.
The Flinders District covers the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara. The trail in this section includes Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park through to the northern end of the trail at Parachilna Gorge.
This section of the trail will be closed from November 1st and is expected to re-open on May 1st next year.
Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on 1st November.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara. The Heysen Trail between these locations will close on November 1st and is expected to reopen on May 1st next year.
Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban Season yet to be announced
The CFS has yet to announced the dates of the fire danger season for the Mt Lofty District.
(In past years it has commenced on November 15th)
As indicated above the Heysen Trail will reopen during April/May next year. The re-opening dates vary across the three Fire Ban Districts the Trail passes through.
Some sections of the trail remain open over the Fire Danger Season
During the declared fire danger season some sections of the Heysen Trail remain open to walkers. They are principally the sections of the trail that are not on private land. These include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests and vacant land.
Please note that Conservation Parks and Reserves and Forests are closed on days of Total Fire Ban. The CFS publishes these bans, as does the Bureau of Meteorology. In addition, the media also broadcast weather reports including fire ban information.
If you want to walk on the trail, check which Fire District you will be in. The Fire Districts are listed on the Fire Danger Season page and shown on the Interactive Map on the Friends website.
Friends of the Heysen Trail 2026 calendar available now. Only $14!
The Friends of the Heysen Trail 2026 calendar is now available.
Make sure you order your copies of the calendar early to get in on the low price of $14.00.
Get one for your wall at home or work or buy some as Christmas gifts for family and friends.
Order from our On-line shop for delivery by post.
By ordering the calendar from our On-line shop you can request postage to an address in Australia or overseas.
Postage charges to any address within Australia (for a single copy) will be an additional $6.60.
Save postage – pick your copy from our Office.
You can also order the calendar for pick up from the Office. If you can get into the Office you can take immediate delivery.
But wait there’s more…
Heysen Highlights – Companion Guide to the Heysen Trail is still available.
If you haven’t yet got a copy of Simon Cameron’s authoritative guide to the Heysen Trail now is the time.
Secure your copy at the members price of $20.00.
The Friends Office holiday closure – 2.30pm Friday December 12th 2025
Office Closure
The Friends of the Heysen Trail office will close for the Christmas and New Year period at 2.30pm on Friday, December 12th 2025.
Office Volunteers will return for an Information Day on Monday, February 2nd 2025 with normal office operations commencing the following day, Tuesday, February 3rd 2026 from 10.30am.
If you contact the office (by email or telephone) over the closure period, it is unlikely that we will respond to your enquiry until the Office reopens. We recommend that you refer to the website for any information you may need.
The 2026 Heysen Trail calendars are still available for purchase on-line or for collection at the office. If you want to save the shipping cost and can get into the Office, don’t forget to pick one up before the Office closes.
Online Shop Sales
While the office is closed, the online shop will remain open for business and we will endeavour to despatch shop orders within 5 working days of being received. If you want to shop for last minute Christmas purchases, we undertake to dispatch any orders received by midday on Wednesday, December 17th on that day.
Please note that Australia Post has advised that for parcel delivery by Christmas the following time frames will apply:
- Send Parcel Post to SA addresses post by 2.30pm 22th December 2025 (NSW, ACT, Vic, Qld & Tas by 19th Dec, NT by 17th Dec, WA by 18th Dec. )
- For Regular Post (cards / letters) within SA, NSW, ACT, Vic, Qld send by 23rd December (Tas and NT by 22nd December).
Walk Registrations
Although the office is closed you can still register for Summer and other walks online during the closure period.
Merry Christmas
The Office Volunteers wish all members and supporters a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.
Mapsheet 1D and 2A: Chookaloo Mallawa Reroute (Kuitpo Forest )
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map.
This reroute due to harvesting in the Knott Hill area, shortens the Trail by approximately 6.5 km.
This temporary reroute, as with all in Kuitpo, may be in place for some months.
Download gpx file.
This re-reoute applies to: Section 10: Kyeema to Dashwood Gully
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
Heysen Trail Closure – Cudlee Creek
Cudlee Creek Closure
The advice below is from the Department for Environment & Water (DEW).
Please be advised that Section 15 of the Heysen Trail, specifically the segment between Union Bridge and Tippett Road in Cudlee Creek, is now closed. This closure is effective as of 5pm on Friday the 8th of August 2025 and will remain in place indefinitely.
DEW has been unable to secure access to this section of trail and a safe detour has not yet been established.
As this area is private land, hikers will not be permitted to enter and will need to use Gorge Road and Tippett Road through this section to rejoin the existing trail. Please take care walking on these roads.
We understand this may impact your plans and appreciate your understanding. DEW is actively working with the Friends of the Heysen Trail and other stakeholders to find a safe and sustainable solution. We will provide an update as soon as a resolution is found.
If you should gave any comments or questions please contact the DEW State Trails Officer: Jarrah.bailey@sa.gov.au.
Vale David Rattray OAM
David Rattray being presented with Honourary Membership by Friends of the Heysen Trail President, Robert Alcock
We were saddened to hear that David Rattray, one of our treasured volunteers died on July 16th 2025, at the age of 77 years.
David was a lover of the outdoors and as well as his service to the Heysen Trail, he had extended involvement with service and community groups including the Naval Reserve and Scouts Australia.
David was awarded the Order of the Australia Medal in 2007 for his service to youth through the Scouting movement.
As far as his association with the Friends is concerned, David became a member in the early 1990s and received his End-to-End certificate (no 104) in the winter of 2003.
In 2005 David commenced service as a volunteer in the Office, soon after retiring and joined Council in 2008. Within a year he added the role of Membership Secretary to his list of responsibilities.
Around the end of 2010 David also took on the position of Chair of the Office Committee. He continued to carry on all of these responsibilities. It is a credit to David that he steered the Office Committee and volunteers through several years of substantial change while ensuring that we provided advice and service to members and walkers.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded Honorary membership of the Friends in 2016. His nomination was accompanied by the following recommendation:
Those who have worked with David in the Office over many years can attest to his amazing dedication.
Always at work well before anyone else, he has everything organised for the rest of the team when they arrive. No problem is too difficult and David’s knowledge of every aspect of how the organisation and the office systems work is second to none.
At times when the pressure is on, David’s calm professional approach prevails.
He always had the interest of volunteers, walkers and members in mind in the many roles that he held with the Friends.
Sadly, David relinquished his position as Chair of the Office Committee in 2020 due to increasing impact of Parkinson’s disease. It is to his credit that he kept up his attendance at the Office every Tuesday until illness forced his resignation only a few months ago.
David may have left us, but he won’t be forgotten.
We extend our condolences to Dianne and family.
August 2025
Issue 172
Highlights include:
- West Highland Way
- Six Days In SA's 'Badlands'
- Walking on Kaurna Country
- Old Mount Bryan East School
Storm Damage at Kings Beach on the WSCW
Recent high tides and stormy weather has taken a toll on the Trail as it skirts Kings Beach.
FOHT volunteers are working on organising a re-route but in the meantime do take care as you cross that section of the trail.
Storm damage at Kings Beach
Storm damage at Kings Beach.
Mapsheet 2C: Reroute of the Heysen Trail near Chain of Ponds where it crosses North East Road
View pdf map.
A reroute resulting from the completion of roadwork at the junction of North East Road and South Para Road and the installation of a bridge.
Download gpx file.
This re-reoute applies to: Section 15: Cudlee Creek to The Nugget Rd
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2024
Member News: FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2024
The Friends AGM on 16 April 2025 at Torrens Rowing Club was well attended with an upbeat vibe and lots of chatting among members. Thank you all for your membership, engagement and volunteering to keep the Friends and Heysen Trail alive.
Please welcome the incoming Council Members listed below who will continue that commitment.
2025 FOHT Office Bearers & Council Positions
Reminder that the revised FOHT Constitution adopted in 2022 included provision to assist renewal that all member are elected for 2 year terms, a limit of 3 x 2 years continuous in an Office Bearer position and maximum 12 years continuous for any Council member.
- President – Neil Hendry for an additional term
- Vice President – Melanie Sjoberg for an additional term
- Secretary – Vicki Stewart continuing in current 2 year term
- Treasurer – Rudy Pieck.
Council Members
- Continuing in current 2 year term – Margaret Fletcher.
- For an additional 2 year term – Mark Fletcher, Ross McDougall, Kathy Wright, Judy McAdam.
- Newly elected: Daniel Jardine, John Wilson (the younger).
- Retiring – John Babister, Paul Bond, Basia Samcewicz
FOHT achievements and financial statements were presented and approved at the AGM. The FOHT Annual Report for 2024 outlining those presentations is available view the link below.
Heysen Trail GPX files update for GPS: version 4.9 issued 15/5/2025
Latest update to the Heysen Trail gpx and Interactive Map
With the opening of the walk season upon us, we have updated the Heysen Trail gpx file to include all re-routes since the last version of the consolidated gpx file was released in February 2024.
The trail changes include five re-routes and a new spur trail:
- Mapsheet 1D: Willowburn reroute of 1.1km which takes the trail along a series of fencelines on the Willowburn property.
- Mapsheet 1D/2A: permanent re-route at Chookarloo Campsite, Kuitpo Forest.
- Mapsheet 2B: a minor re-route of the trail through Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens.
- Mapsheet 3B: a new spur trail trail north of Kapunda to a campsite and pub at Allendale North.
- Mapsheet 4C: a re-route on Olive Road, Spalding East to get some of the Heysen Trail off of the main highway.
- Mapsheet 5B: in August 2024 a re-route was created to get some of the Heysen Trail back on land it was previously on prior to May 2021.
The reroutes have been added to the downloadable GPX file (version 4.9 released 15/5/2025) and the Interactive Map as displayed on Friends of the Heysen Trail website.
You can find instructions for downloading the updated file onto your GPS unit on the Maps & GPS page.
The reroutes have had a very minor impact on the Heysen Trail Distances.
Please note the the revised gpx file does not include temporary reroutes such as :
- Those frequently established around Forestry SA logging operations in the Kuitpo and Mt Crawford Forest reserves (Mapsheets 1D, 2A & 2D)
- The Maryvale reroute, south of Hamilton (Mapsheet 3B)
- The Goyder Windfarm reroute, east of Huppatz Hut (Mapsheet 3D
Improvements to the Walk Selector pages
Walkers are reminded that following recent improvements to our website, the Heysen Trail Walk Selector pages now include:
- Re-routes – all current re-routes (permanent and temporary) are listed for each of the 61 ‘day walk’ sections from Cape Jervis to Parachilna.
Before before setting out on any walk, you should check the relevant Walk Selector page to make sure you are aware of any recent trail changes. - Vehicle access to End to End points – there are a limited number of ‘End to End’ start and finishing points that do not have close access to a public road.
In those cases, the Walk Selector pages now include an advisory note to independent/through walkers wishing to get vehicle access to End to End points.
April 2025
Issue 171
Highlights include:
- The AustralianTriple Crown
- Evolution of the Heysen Trail 2004 - 2024
- 2025 End-To-End Bookings Now Open
Mapsheet 1D and 2A: Additional re-route at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest
View pdf map.
This reroute is being combined with the previous reroute (Mapsheet 1D and 2A: Re-route at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo).
Refer to that reroute for the comprehensive description of the two reroutes.
The PDF map & GPX file currently showing on this page are in the process of being combined with those of the previous reroute.
Download gpx file.
This re-reoute applies to: Section 10: Kyeema to Dashwood Gully
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
December 2024
Issue 170
Highlights include:
- 2024 End-To-End Reports
- Truth Telling Along the Heysen Trail
- Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation Opening
Map 4C: Re-route Spalding East: Olives Rd – Oban
View pdf map.
This reroute diverts some of the Trail away from the main highway. The Trail now follows Olives and Deep Creek Roads.
Download gpx file.
This re-reoute applies to: Section 32: North Booborowie Rd to Oban
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 4: Burra to Spalding (May 2015)
Mapsheet 1D: Willowburn reroute
View pdf map.
A 1.1 km reroute which takes the Trail along a series of fencelines on the Willowburn property.
Download gpx file.
This re-reoute applies to: Section 9: Mt Compass to Kyeema
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
View all re-routes for the Re-Routes
HEYSEN TRAIL – NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATION
CELEBRATE HEYSEN TRAIL – NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATION
Monday 2 September, 2pm; Parachilna Gorge Road, near Blinman
Friends of Heysen Trail members & supporters are invited to help celebrate completion of the Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation Project.
It’s very exciting to see The Friends’ bold vision become reality, especially as it is the biggest project our volunteers have ever initiated and funded.
The tired old stile and fencing are gone; deteriorating platforms are replaced by stone yarning circles and a vibrant archway with stone steps herald the start or finish point. Landscaping and clear parking bays transform the surrounds.
The celebration will officially open the Trailhead and unveil new signage and a plaque acknowledging the incredible support and donations that helped make this a reality.
Members please register your attendance via The Friends of Heysen Trail website walks & event program to help with catering. (Click here)
August 2024
Issue 169
Highlights include:
- The Great South West Walk
- The Perfect Hiking Companion
- Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation
Heysen Trail closure – Northern Adelaide Hills – June 17th-30th 2024.
An aerial pest animal control program will mean the closure of sections of the Heysen Trail in the Mount Lofty Ranges from Monday 17th June to Sunday 30th June, 2024. The program will include forestry reserves, reservoir reserves, conservation parks and private properties, over native scrub, plantations, and farmland in the areas around Millbrook Reservoir, Para Wirra, Mount Crawford Forest and Kaiserstuhl.
The Heysen Trail and Heysen huts will be closed from Pewsey Vale/Kaiserstuhl in the north (GR 170 727 on Mapsheet 2D, Southern Guide Map 4.3) , south to Scotts and as far south as Millbrook (GR 014 442 on Mapsheet 2C, Southern Guide Map 3.7).
This represents the southern part of section 18, the whole of sections 17 through 16 and the northern portion of section 15.
For further information contact Theo Goldsworthy of PIRSA at Theo.Goldsworthy-Hess@sa.gov.au or phone 0461 284 454.
You can find further information on the Forestry SA page.
Heysen Trail closure – Mid North – May 28th-June 2nd 2024.
Caroona Creek Conservation Park : www.visitburra.com
An aerial pest control program will mean the Caroona Creek Conservation Park (Including Caroona Creek Campground), Mimbara Conservation Park and Hopkins Creek Conservation Park will be closed from 6.00 pm Tuesday 28th May to 6.00 pm on Sunday 2nd June, 2024. The closure will also extend to surrounding private land.
The Heysen Trail from Gerkie Gap (GR 113 250 on Mapsheet 3C, Southern Guide Map 5.5) all the way to Dares Hill Summit Road (GR 188 017 on Mapsheet 4B, Southern Guide Map 6.6.) will therefore be closed
This represents the whole of sections 23 through 28 of the trail.
If you have any enquiries about the Park Closure please contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Yorke & Mid North on (08) 8841 3400.
You can find further information on the Parks SA Alerts page.