The Heysen Trail has been permanently re-routed through Kyeema Conservation Park, parallel to Woodgate Hill Road but completely within the Park boundary.
Northbound, it enters the Park through the gate at the junction of Woodgate Hill and Blackfellows Creek Roads (Mapsheet 1D and Southern Guidebook Map 2.8, Grid Ref 909 942). The new route runs along the southern boundary of the Park until it re-joins the main Trail at Grid Ref. 899 943, near the Kyeema car park.
This re-route greatly improves walker safety by eliminating the undulating walk along Woodgate Hill Rd. It also provides a much more enjoyable walk through the park.
Walkers should exercise caution when crossing Woodgate Hill Road near the junction with Blackfellows Creek Road.
We appreciate the assistance of the Parks SA Rangers who helped with the route selection and trail marking.
This reroute is in the Jupiter Creek Plantation on Mapsheet 2A and Southern Guidebook Map 3.1.
It follows the eastern edge of the plantation along Pocock Road from the intersection with Bassham Road (Grid Reference 955 107) until the car park at GR 953 117. It then follows the northern edge of the forest until it reconnects with the Trail at GR 947 120.
Walkers should take care not to enter the logging area shown on the map and to beware of logging trucks using the haul roads to Pocock Road.
Logging operations are due to recommence in July/August 2023, so this reroute will remain in place until further notice.
he Trail has been rerouted through the southern part of Caroona Creek Conservation Park as it follows Newikie Creek.
Freemans Hut at Mount Crawford has been closed due to a land sale and the Trail has been rerouted. After the descent from the Wirra Wirra peaks, the Trail follows Tower Road north for 1 km. It then crosses a fence into private property and follows the fence line for another kilometre before reaching the summit of Tower Hill, then continues along the fence line to the Ross Fire Track where it turns an east along an unmade road reserve. The Trail leaves the road reserve at the junction of Wirra Wirra, Trial Hill and Corryton Park Roads.
The Trail climbs over the summit of Mount Crawford. There is a river crossing on stepping stones near the base of the summit. When river water levels are high, use the route west over the road bridg
This short reroute takes the Trail through the main street of Crystal Brook.
On reaching Crystal Brook from the south, the Trail heads along Darbon Terrace before crossing under the railway line and entering Bowman Street, past shops, the bakery and a toilet. It then goes around Adelaide Square and joins Eyre Road. The Trail goes into the caravan park and rejoins the original route after crossing the Crystal Brook via a short floodway.
A minor reroute takes the Trail 400 metres further along the northern section of the Pine Track. Walkers then follow a creek line for 250 metres before rejoining the original Trail.
There have been a series of re-routes to the trail near Bowman Park.
The first re-route was marked in May 2021, due to the closure of the Heysen Trail as it heads north from Crystal Brook between Bowman Park and the Wilkins Highway (Hughes Gap).
For walkers following the south to north direction, the re-routes commence at Bowman Park. Instead of immediately heading north along the Crystal Brook, the trail now heads south on Bowman Park Road before turning north to eventually follow Heads Road. The original re-route took walkers onto the Pipeline Track and then Heads Road to eventually meeting the trail at the Wilkins Highway.
Following agreement with another landholder in the vicinity, a better re-route was created in August 2024 to allow Heysen Trail walkers to again follow a section of Crystal Brook.
The shorter re-route follows the original re-route along Bowman Park Rd, until it meets Heads Rd. Instead of turning onto the Pipeline Track, the new route turns west along Heads Rd and then across private private property to return to a shorter section of the delightful creek line of the Crystal Brook.
Please note that the re-route of the trail in this area was due to damage caused to fences by people (other than walkers) mis-using the trail. An unfortunate reminder to all trail users to respect the trail and the private property it often traverses.
The trail on its approach to Block Nine Road has been rerouted away from the boundary fence on a private property.
This re-route was marked in early 2021 to allow for a roadwork upgrade of the junction of North East Road and South Para Road.
It was expected to be a temporary change until the roadworks were completed in June 2021.
The route shown in purple is the Heysen Trail in Chain of Ponds crossing North East Road.
UPDATE December 2021. Due to land access issues related to SA Water property, the trail has not returned to the original route. Further options are being investigated.
CAUTION: The re-routed trail now crosses North East Rd about 50 metres from the crest of a hill which makes for a dangerous road crossing. This is dangerous as the speed limit on the North East Rd is 100 km/h.
Please be extra cautious when crossing the road.
A 700 metre section of the Heysen Trail has been rerouted as it enters Melrose from the south.