Large areas of south eastern Australia suffer from the threat of bushfires.
Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed during these high risk times. This time, called the Fire Danger Season, generally runs between November and April, but different areas of the trail fall into different Fire Ban Districts, resulting in slightly different dates. Due to seasonal variations fire risk can vary, so the Fire Danger Season may be extended.
The closure dates of the Heysen Trail are given on relevant maps and/or signs on the Heysen Trail. Signs on the Trail take precedence over dates given on maps. The most up to date information regarding these dates are available from the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) (or by calling the CFS on 1300 362 361), and takes precedence over both Trail signs and maps.
The viability of the Heysen Trail is dependent on the continuing co-operation of private landholders, so the trail closure times must be obeyed at all times.
Some sections of the Heysen Trail remain open year round, principally those sections not on private land. These sections include public roads, National and Conservation Parks (closed on days of Total Fire Ban), Forest reserves (also closed on days of Total Fire Ban) and vacant land. You will find information about these sections of the trail in the ‘Trail Sections Open Year Round’ list further down this page.
The new “Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail” (from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor) will be open all year round except that it will be closed on days of catastrophic fire danger. Parks websites should also be checked on days of extreme or total fire bans.
Parks protocols for fire danger season will apply: Fires and BBQs – National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
ForestrySA reserves fire restrictions
You cannot light any fires on Forestry land, including Forest Reserves, between 1 November and 30 April in any year. Accommodation in forestry huts and camping grounds is also closed over this period.
For further information contact Ranger staff on 08 8521 1700.
Normal Fire Danger Season Dates
The dates given below are the Fire Danger Season dates announced by the CFS on 22 October 2021. As already stated, the Fire Danger Season may be extended, so please check the actual dates that may be in place on the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) website: www.cfs.sa.gov.au or by calling the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.
| Fire Ban District | Fire Danger Season | |
|---|---|---|
| From | To | |
| Mount Lofty Ranges | 1 December 2021 | 30 April 2022 |
| Adelaide Metropolitan | 1 December 2021 | 30 April 2022 |
| Mid North | 15 November 2021 | 30 April 2022 |
| Flinders | 1 November 2021 | 15 April 2022 |
Out of the fifteen Fire Ban Districts, only the relevant ones have been listed.
Prescribed Burns
Prescribed burns are often undertaken across the State in the lead up to the Fire Danger Season, near the end of the walk season. These are controlled fires designed to reduce fuel load. Details of prescribed burns can be viewed on the CFS website: www.cfs.sa.gov.au or by calling the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.
Access to huts on the trail is also restricted
A number of the huts along the trail are on private property and are therefore not accessible to the public (including walkers) during the Fire Danger Season.
These are:
Marschalls Hut
Huppatz Hut
Hiskeys Hut
Catninga Hut
Mayo Hut
Huts in National and Conservation Parks are accessible during the Fire Danger Season, provided it is not a day of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger.
Trail Sections Open Year Round
Some sections of the Heysen Trail remain open year round, principally those sections not on private land. These sections include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests and vacant land.
National and Conservation Parks and Forests are closed on days of Total Fire Ban. The CFS publishes these bans, as does the Bureau of Meteorology, in addition to broadcasted weather reports issued by the media.
Many of these sections are too small to be of much consequence, but some of the longer sections are noted in the table below.
The walk numbers are those given in the Heysen Trail Walk Selector.
| From | To | Maps |
|---|---|---|
| The Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail Cape Jervis Start of walk 1 |
Victor Harbor (Kings Beach is in walk 5) |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 1A-1B Southern Guidebook Maps 1.1-2.1 |
| Blackfellows Creek Road GR 888 908 In walk 9 |
Rowe Road (Clinker Gully) GR 950 138 In walk 11 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 1D-2A Southern Guidebook Maps 2.8-3.1 |
| Heysen Trail Map Sheet 2B Southern Guidebook Map 3.4 |
||
| Horsnell Gully Conservation Park GR 909 307 (access via Coach Road) In walk 13 |
Cudlee Creek GR 008 420 End of walk 14 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 2B-2C Southern Guidebook Maps 3.4-3.7 |
| The Nugget Road GR 090 518 Start of walk 16 |
Tower Road GR 130 618 In walk 17 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 2C-2D Southern Guidebook Maps 3.8-4.1 |
| Brownes Road GR 152 660 In walk 17 |
Rifle Range Road GR 154 744 In walk 18 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheet 2D Southern Guidebook Maps 4.2-4.4 |
| Bethany Road GR 148 759 In walk 18 |
Boundary Road (Albert Glatz Rd) GR 089 880 In walk 19 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 2D-3A Southern Guidebook Maps 4.4-4.6 |
| Higgins Road GR 090 946 In walk 19 |
Bridge Road GR 028 049 In walk 20 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 3A-3B Southern Guidebook Maps 4.7-5.2 |
| Peters Hill Road GR 026 166 Start of walk 22 |
Gerkie Gap Road GR 123 253 Just in walk 23 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 3B-3C Southern Guidebook Maps 5.3-5.5 |
| Crystal Brook GR 040 061 Near end of walk 37 |
Block 9 Road GR 352 435 End of walk 40 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 5B-6A Northern Guidebook Maps 1.8-2.7 |
| cnr White Park Road Yellow Cutting Road GR 348 457 In walk 41 |
Crits Road GR 385 596 In walk 42 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheet 6A Northern Guidebook Maps 2.8-2.10 |
| Survey Road GR 362 607 In walk 42 |
Horrocks Pass GR 221 846 End of walk 44 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 6A-6C Northern Guidebook Maps 2.10-3.5 |
| Mount Brown Conservation Park (southern boundary) GR 189 995 In walk 46 |
Pichi Richi Pass (Woolshed Flat) GR 798 057 End of walk 46 |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 6C-6D Northern Guidebook Maps 3.7-3.8 |
| Wilpena Pound (from boundary at Bridle Gap) GR 572 033 In walk 57 (Access via Visitor Centre) |
Aroona GR 695 372 End of walk 60 (access via Aroona Valley Rd) |
Heysen Trail Map Sheets 8B-8C Northern Guidebook Maps 5.7-6.6 |
Clarification of the above information and maps showing smaller open sections can be found at Atlas of South Australia (activate the land use and Heysen Trail layers).
Map Showing Relevant Fire Ban Disctricts
View or print higher resolution version of map.
The Interactive Map has a layer showing the Fire Ban Districts, if more accurate information is required of the district boundaries.
View other available maps.