View all news articles below, or select a news category to the right.
Heysen Trail closure north of Cudlee Creek, 19th-21st May 2023
Forestry SA has announced that there will be a closure of the Heysen Trail in the Bennett’s Planation, north of Cudlee Creek, from Friday May 19th (all day) till Sunday May 21st (all day).
This is to enable Re-Enact SA to conduct simulated battles in Forestry SA’s Bennett Plantation.
The closure will extend from GR 018 445 to GR 041 460, shown on map sheet 2C; Southern Guide Book map 3.7. (part of section 15 of the Heysen Trail).
The closed area extends northward from where the Heysen Trail intersects the North East Road (north of Cudlee Creek) to a point just south of Checker Hill Road (south of Kersbrook)
For further information or in an Emergency call the Safety Officer on 0428 159 669
or the Forestry SA Ranger on 8391 8800 (option 2).
Heysen Trail closure through the Buckaringa Sanctuary, Friday 23rd to Monday 26th June 2023
The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed for 3 days in late June 2023. As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.
The closure will commence on the evening of Friday 23rd June and continue until the morning of Monday 26th June 2023.
The Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies and is located between Quorn and Hawker. You can find it on map 6, chapter 4, of the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook and on Sheet Map 7b – Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to Mernmerna Creek.
The Heysen Trail enters the southern boundary of the sanctuary at grid reference 195 440. The northern section on the trail exits the sanctuary at 257 490.
The closure affects the trail in the following walk sections:
51 Warren Gorge to Buckaringa Gorge
52 Buckaringa Gorge to Callabrinda Creek
The closure is because the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) will be undertaking feral animal control in the sanctuary.
AWC will place closure signs at all entry points to the sanctuary to warn walkers of the danger.
Maryvale re-route south of Hamilton, September 2022
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
A temporary re-route has been marked on the Heysen Trail just south of Hamilton. The affected section of the trail is shown on Heysen Trail Mapsheet 3B..
The re-route has been established to address landholder concerns about walker access to farming property.
For walkers northbound, after exiting a property at grid reference 046 059, the trail now turns left onto Allen Creek Road and continues to the junction with Marrabel Road.
Again the trail turns left and follows Marrabel Road for approx 1.5 kilometres. Walkers are advised to walk on the gravel verge and take extreme care on this section of road.
The trail then turns left and follows Taylors Run Rd before turning right (northwards) onto Hydedale Rd. After 2 kms the re-route rejoins the original trail on Cornvale Road at grid reference 033 100.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 3: Tanunda to Burra (May 2015)
Wild South Coast Way incl. Kings Beach to Victor Harbor spur, May 2022
Complete gpx file of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail – Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor.
This file incorporates:
- a minor re-route away from the road at Tapanappa and a spur trail to the Yapari Ngawanthi/Cliffs ‘walk-in’ site. (Heysen Trail Mapsheet 1A)
- a spur trail heading east from Kings Beach (Heysen Trail Mapsheet 1B) to Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
Caroona Creek Closure – May 24th to May 26th 2023
Parks SA have advised the temporary closure of Caroona Creek Conservation Park and Hopkins Creek Conservation Park for feral animal control.
These parks have access to the Heysen Trail and the closure dates are 6.00pm May 24 until 6.00pm May 26, 2023.
Park rangers will place notices at Black Jack Hut and the Mount Bryan East School to advise walkers of the closure at Caroona Creek CP.
The closure of the Caroona Creek park will affect a section of the Heysen Trail north of Burra – (Map sheet 4A)
The Closure at Hopkins Creek CP should not impact walkers as it involves the western boundary only, but walkers may stray into the Park.
To refer to the original notice press here
Alternate Route at Knott Hill Plantation (Kuitpo Forest ), April 2023
View pdf map showing re-route
Walkers now have the option of two routes through Knott Hill Plantation. The re-route affects both Mapsheets 1D & 2A
The original route via Knott Hill planation
Following the completion of a logging operation commenced in September 2021, the original trail has been restored.
This route heads westwards along Wicks Road before heading northwards towards Stagecoach Lane (6km).
The new optional route following sections of the Onkeeta & Willunga Basin Trail
The new route involves a walk further to the east.
It departs the main Trail at grid reference 898 027 and follows the Onkeeta and Willunga Basin Trails northward. It skirts along the eastern side of the forest before rejoining the main trail on Stagecoach Lane at grid reference 904 054. The distance for this option is 3.5 kms
This additional route is designed to avoid sections of the Knott Hill plantation which may be logged from time to time.
It is marked as an alternative route, and will remain available in the event of future logging operations nearby.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
View all re-routes for the Map 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
Goyder Windfarm – temporary re-route east of Huppatz Hut, April 2023
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
A temporary re-route has been marked north of Huppatz Hut to avoid construction works associated with the Goyder Wind Farm.
The section of the trail affected by the re-route is shown on Heysen Trail Mapsheet 3D.
The existing trail heads east from Huppatz Hut before the re-route diverts walkers from the trail at grid reference 089 509.
The re-route heads due north contouring up the ridge, before a switchback at grid reference 089 514 that brings you to the summit.
The new route crosses the construction road and then heads east adjoining the old trail over a new stile at grid reference 092 514.
While classified as a temporary re-route, we expect that it may be in place for 18-24 months.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 3: Tanunda to Burra (May 2015)
Yuluna realignment, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, April 2023
The Heysen Trail east of Aroona ruins has been realigned to follow the northern section of the Yuluna loop walk trail.
The re-route relates to both the August 2015 and the November 2020 editions of Mapsheet 8C.
Although this is a relatively small change, (a distance of 2.6 kms) the walk is improved as follows the Yuluna hike and therefore avoids a section of the Bulls Creek Track.
We do not have a map of the reroute at this stage.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 8, Mernmerna Creek to Parachilna Gorge (August 2015)
View all re-routes for the Map 8, Mernmerna Creek to Parachilna Gorge (Edition 2, 2020)
Temporary Re-route at Bells Gully, Kuitpo Forest, April 2023
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
ForestrySA has advised that extensive logging operations in the Bells Gully area, will impact on walker safety on the Heysen Trail.
There is now a re-route between Kyeema Conservation Park and Brookman-Connor Road.
The re-route affects both the original version (September 2014) and the September 2022 (version 2) of Mapsheet 1D.
An expansion of the logging operations area in late April has resulted in an major change to the trail. This has required a re-route to the east, adding a further 2km to this section.
Walkers (northbound) will deviate from the trail at grid reference 900 962. The re-route follows forest break tracks eastward to Blackfellows Creek Road. From there the new trail will head northwards to the junction with Brookman-Connor Road at grid reference 914 968. The trail then heads westwards along Brookman-Connor Road until it re-joins the trail near the car park at grid reference 903 968.
Walkers take care
Walkers must not enter the closed logging areas at any time and are advised to take great care of heavy logging vehicles when crossing and walking along Brookman-Connor Road.
This re-route will remain in place for several months.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
Error in Grid Reference (Eastings) on Mapsheet 2C, September 2014
Please note that there is printing error on Mapsheet 2C of the 2014 version of the mapsheet.
The grid references (Eastings) on the bottom are incorrect, so those on the top part of the map should be used.
The Eastings on the bottom half of the map are displaced by 1 km between 980 and 700.
As an example, the true grid reference for Grandpas Campsite, (south of Cudlee Creek township) is 019 395. The Eastings on the top of the map show this correctly, however the bottom reading is 009 395 (incorrect).
View all re-routes for the Map 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
Wild South Coast Way & associated Park closures, 7th-12th May 2023
There will be a cull for purposes of feral animal control organised by PIRSA/DEW on the South Coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula from 4pm Sunday May 7th until Midday Friday May 12th.
This involves Deep Creek National Park, Talisker CP, Eric Bonython CP and Waitpinga CP.
These parks , the Wild South Coast Way and the Heysen Trail within Deep Creek National Park will be closed for the entire time of the above date span for public safety.
Walkers will not be able to access the Trail during this time.
Camping will not be allowed in the named parks during this time.
For further information visit
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/closures-and-alerts
Animal control program on the Fleurieu Peninsula, 1-14 May 2023
Map highlighting the ‘no shooting/buffer’ zone
Warning to walkers on the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail.
There will be an extensive animal control cull of feral deer on the Fleurieu Peninsula by PIRSA and other organisations, between 1 and 14 May 2023.
Walkers may be affected if in the region of Boat Harbour Beach, Tunkalilla Beach and the trail to Ballaparudda Creek campground.
The cull will use helicopters carrying thermal technology to detect deer, allowing them to be culled even in dense scrub. Flights will be on week days and weekends, mainly around dawn and dusk, when thermal cameras can detect targets most easily.
The Wild South Coast Way will remain open to walkers during the operation
No shoot and low flying buffers will be put in place around the Wild South Coast Way (Heysen Trail) and Bullaparudda campground, as well as public roads and infrastructure.
The buffer zone relating to the Wild South Coast Way is displayed in orange on the map above.
There is no risk to people or livestock, but if you are in affected areas you may hear low flying helicopters and the sound of gun shots in the distance.
You can find out more information about the operation on the Parks Closure and Alerts page.
FoHT new Council & Annual Report 2022
Member News: FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2022
The Friends AGM on 5 April 2023 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.
2023 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
- Vice President – Melanie Sjoberg
- Secretary – Vicki Stewart continuing in current 2 year term
- Treasurer – Basia Samcewicz continuing in current 2 year term
Council Members
- Continuing in current 2 year term – Barbara Deed; John Babister; Margaret Fletcher.
- Newly elected: Paul Bond; Judy McAdam; Ross McDougall; Kathy Wright; Mark Fletcher.
FOHT achievements and financial statements were presented and approved at the AGM. The FOHT Annual Report for 2022 outlining those presentations is attached for your information.
April 2023
Issue 165
Highlights include:
- 30th Anniversary of the Heysen Trail Opening
- Tackling the Wild South Coast Way
- Walking Poles 101: Technique
- Walked the Yorke
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2023
Annual The 36th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 5 April 2023 at the Torrens Rowing Club Functions Centre, Victoria Drive, Adelaide.
Call for Council Nominations
Seeking nominations from our members, for election to the following Council positions:
- President
- Vice President
- Ordinary Council Members
To nominate, please complete the nomination form (page 2 of AGM notice) and provide to The Secretary by 27 March 2023.
Forms may be submitted via email: heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au; or deliver/post to Friends of the Heysen Trail, Suite 203, Epworth House, 33 Pirie Street Adelaide, 5000.
AGM Agenda
- Apologies
- Acceptance of Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 24 March 2022
- President’s Report
- Treasurer’s Report
- Election of Returning Officer
- Election of Councillors
- President
- Vice President
- Council Members
- Appointment of Auditor
- Report from Honorary Members Committee
- Other Business
- Close of Meeting
Registration
Members must register to attend the AGM via our website walk/events program to meet space limitations.
Registration for our next ‘End to End’ walks from Cape Jervis open at 7.00am on Monday, March 20th 2023.
The next series of the Friends ‘End to End’ walks along the Heysen Trail is scheduled to commence from Cape Jervis on Sunday May 14th 2023
Registrations for the first walk opened on Monday March 20th 2023.
You still have time to prepare and train for the walks, however in recent years interest in joining the Friends ‘E2E’ walks has been very high. Most have booked out on opening day.
Get ready to register by joining the Friends now
Registration is open to members of the Friends, so make sure you have created a membership account before registrations open. Once you’ve done that you can join any of the walks listed on our walk calendar.
You can find out more information about the first walk by reading the description in our walk calendar or the article on page 11 of the December edition of our Trailwalker magazine.
The End to End walk program section of our website also provides further information about our ‘E2E’ walks.
Re-route at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest, January 2023
View pdf map showing re-route
This is a minor but permanent re-route of the Trail near Chookarloo Campground at Kuitpo Forest.
The new route directs walkers away from the Kuitpo Tree Climb and associated car park. Northbound, it deviates from the Trail at the Avenues Picnic Ground (Mapsheet 2A & Southern Guidebook, Map 2.9 at Grid Ref. 916 015), runs parallel with Black Nursery Road for 200 metres before crossing the road. The new trail then enters the forest at GR 918 015. After a short meander through a dense eucalypt forest, it rejoins the Trail just to the north of the Tree Climb area.
The two hike-in campsites at Chookarloo have been closed, but the other 21 campsites in this campground are available for hikers.
Walkers should be aware of increased road traffic when crossing Black Nursery Road and should avoid entering the Tree Climb facility and walking under the high ropes course. There is now a cafe at the the facility and walkers are welcome to take a break and tarry a while at the cafe. Please walk around the high ropes apparatus when accessing the cafe.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest inc the Wild South Coast Way (Edition 2, 2022)
View all re-routes for the Map 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday 7th February, 2023.
The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday February 7th.
After a break over Christmas, the Friends office reopens on Tuesday February 7th 2023. Our volunteers will be available to help you from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
We:
- Welcome visitors to the Office to inspect our range of maps and publications,
- Answer questions about walking the Heysen Trail,
- Attend to your emails and phone calls,
- Process On-line shop orders, Membership enquiries and renewals,
You can register for walks using our online walk calendar or contact the Office if you need assistance.
There are several ways to contact the Office – you will find details on our website at heysentrail.asn.au/contact
New Ikara- Flinders Ranges National Park map released.
To celebrate the reopening of the Office, we are delighted to announce the arrival of the latest map in the series of Parks SA Bushwalking maps.
You can purchase the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park map from our On-line store or direct from the Office.
Access to the Trail over the Fire Danger period
We remind walkers that many sections of the Heysen Trail remain closed over summer and through April. You can find more information about the closures on our Fire Danger Season page.
Realignment of the trail east of Mt Bryan, September 2022
View pdf map showing re-route
The Mt Bryan re-route is designed to improve the alignment of the trail with the road reserve.
After leaving the Mt Bryan East Rd, the realignment follows the northern side of the fence. After reaching a stile the trail generally tracks north west, zig zagging to the summit.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 4: Burra to Spalding (May 2015)
Re-route at Robinson Hill/Jaggers Block, September 2022
View pdf map showing re-route
This minor re-route relates to the original September 2014 version of Map sheet 1 (Cape Jervis to Kuitpo).
When walking south-north, the re-route starts at the intersection of Prouse, Hancock and Keens Road following a fence line west behind a telephone tower to enter the Robinson Hill walk-in site.
Just prior to the tank and platform it turns north west, out of the campsite, down into and through a disused quarry, to cross Hancock Road and enters the Jaggers Forest, over a step-ladder stile.
It then follows the fence line of the forest, initially west, then north, then west again with a final northerly turn to exit the forest onto Roads Lane, over a stile.
The re-route avoids temporary reroutes through the the forest which may arise due to future logging operations.
This re-route was marked in early September 2022, which was just in time to be included in the new Edition 2 of Map sheet 1.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)