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2023-24 Fire Danger Season closes the Heysen Trail early.
The Country Fire Service has announced the early commencement of 2023-24 Fire Danger Season across all sections of the Heysen Trail.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season ha started early in the Flinders, Mid North district and in the Mount Lofty district.
The Heysen Trail are closed during the Fire Danger Season: as the trail passes through several fire ban districts, please adhere to dates for the following districts:
Flinders district Fire Danger Season is 16 October 2023 to 15 April 2024.
The Flinders District covers the Trail north of Wirrabara (near Laura) to Parachilna Gorge.
Mid North Fire Danger Season is 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2024.
The Mid North District includes the Trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara.
Mount Lofty Fire Ban Season is 15 November 2023 to 30 April 2024.
This region covers the southern section of the trail from Cape Jervis through to Tanunda.
Heysen Trail Closures do not apply to the following:
The Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail (between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor) is open all year round, except on days of catastrophic fire danger. Walking Trails in National/Conservation Parks, Forestry SA forests and SA Water Reservoirs are also open all year round.
Walkers are responsible for checking walking trail advice as these areas may be closed locally on days of Catastrophic or Total Fire Bans, for prescribed burns or forest.
- Parks NPWS: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/know-before-you-go/closures-and-alerts/park-closure-descriptions
- Forestry SA: https://www.forestrysa.com.au/before-you-visit/forest-closures-and-alerts/
- SA Water: https://www.reservoirs.sa.gov.au/conditions-of-entry
Details of the Fire Ban Districts can be found Interactive Map on the Friends website.
The Friends Office holiday closure – 2.30pm Friday December 8th 2023
Office Closure
The Friends of the Heysen Trail office will close for the Christmas and New Year period at 2.30pm on Friday, December 8th 2023.
Office Volunteers will return for an Information Day on Monday, February 5th 2024 with normal office operations commencing the following day, Tuesday, February 6th 2024 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 2024 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 14th on that day.
Please note that Australia Post has advised that for parcel delivery by Christmas (within Australia, excluding WA / NT) the following time frames will apply:
- Send Parcel Post by Tuesday, 19th December 2023 (WA / NT – send by Friday, 15th December 2023)
- For Regular Post (cards / letters) within SA, send by Monday, 18th December 2023 (interstate – send by Thursday, 14th December 2023).
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.
December 2023
Issue 167
Highlights include:
- End-To-End Year In Summary
- Friends Summer Walk Programme 2023/24
- Heysen Trail ReRoutes: From Idea To Inception Is A Long Road
Final announcement of the 2023-24 Fire Danger Season dates affecting the Heysen Trail.
The Country Fire Service has announced the early commencement of 2023-24 Fire Danger Season across all sections of the Heysen Trail.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season has started early in the Flinders and Mid North district and will start early in the Mount Lofty district.
Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, please note the dates for the following districts:
Flinders district Fire Danger Season commenced on October 16, 2023
The Flinders District covers the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara (near Laura). Many sections of the trail in this region will be closed until April 15, 2024.
Mid North Fire Danger Season commenced on November 1, 2023.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara. Affected sections of the Heysen Trail between these locations are now closed until
Mount Lofty Fire Ban Season to start on November 15, 2023.
This region covers the southern section of the trail from Cape Jervis through to Tanunda. The closure of affect sections of the trail in that district will commence on November 15 through to April 30, 2024.
Some other 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.
Although located in the Mt Lofty district, the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor will remain open during the Fire Danger Season. However it will be closed on days of Catastrophic fire danger.
If you want to walk on the trail, check which Fire District you will be in. The Fire Districts and closure dates are listed on the Fire Danger Season page of the Friends website.
We strongly advise you to respect the rights of landholders. Please restrict any activity which may increase the risk of fire in this period.
Details of the Fire Ban Districts can be found Interactive Map on the Friends website.
Closure of Southern Flinders Ranges Parks – November 4th to 10th 2023
Walkers are advised that the following parks in the Southern Flinders Ranges will be temporarily closed while pest control programs are undertaken:
- Mt Brown Conservation Park and
- Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park
The closures will operate from 6.00am Saturday, 4th November 2023 until 2.00pm Friday, 10th November 2023.
The parks are shown on Heysen Trail Map sheets 6C and 6D.
For more information about these pest control programs or park closures, contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service on (08) 8841 3400. You can also view a full list of park closures and alerts on the Parks SA Alerts page.
Note: Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed over the Fire Danger Season. The Country Fire Service has already announced the early commencement of the Fire Danger Season for the Flinders and Mid North regions.
However, walkers can still use some sections of the trail – the sections that are not on private land.
Those sections include National Parks, Conservation Parks and Reserves, forests and public roads, provided access to these areas isn’t closed and it is not a Declared Total Fire Ban day.
The Heysen Trail 2024 calendars have arrived. Now available for immediate delivery. Only $12!
The Friends of the Heysen Trail 2024 calendar is now in the Office.
We have taken delivery of the calendar and we have them ready for immediate despatch. Buy yours now for only $12.00.
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.
Standard postage to any address within Australia (for a single copy) will be an additional $5.10.
Save postage – pick your copy from our Office or the End of Year Bash.
If you can get into the Office, you can take delivery yourself. Simply visit the Office during business hours – 10.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
If you are attending the Friend’s End of Year Bash at Belair National Park on November 26th, you can also pick up your copy there.
To order a ‘pick up’ copy without paying postage, visit or phone the Office on (08) 8212 6299 to order and pay.
Some sections of the Heysen Trail to close early due to changes to the Fire Danger Season.
Earlier start to the 2023-2024 Fire Danger Season restricts access to the Heysen Trail between Tanunda and Parachilna.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season will start early in the Flinders and Mid North districts.
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 will now commence progressively from Monday October 16, 2023.
A drier winter and increased temperatures for spring have brought the fire season forward in these areas.
This means that access to many sections of the Heysen Trail north of Tanunda will be closed to walkers earlier than expected.
At this stage there has been no announcement for the Mt Lofty District so the trail south of Tanunda remains open for the present. However you should check the CFS website for any further announcements.
Flinders District Fire Danger Season commenced on October 16, 2023.
The Flinders District covers the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara (near Laura). 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.
Many sections of the trail in this region will now be closed between October 16, 2023 and April 15, 2024.
Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on November 1, 2023.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara. Affected sections of the Heysen Trail between these locations will close on November 1, 2023 and reopen on April 30, 2024.
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.
The Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor will remain open during the Fire Danger Season for the Mt Lofty Ranges region, but will be closed on days of Catastrophic fire danger.
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 and closure dates are listed on the Fire Danger Season page of the Friends website.
We strongly advise you to respect the rights of landholders. Please restrict any activity which may increase the risk of fire in this period.
Details of the Fire Ban Districts can be found Interactive Map on the Friends website.
Mapsheet 2D: Reroute at Dewells Block, Mt Crawford Forest, October 2023
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
Forestry SA has advised that commencing in early October 2023, logging operations will be undertaken in Dewells block of the Mt Crawford Forest.
The reroute is depicted by the bold red line in the attached map pdf.
For walkers heading northbound, the reroute heads north along Warren Road, following the fence line until it crosses Cricks Mill Road and enters Mount Road. It follows Mount Road, past the access to Fromms Farm, and turns east at Grid Reference 131 564. It then ascends up Little Mount Crawford, where it rejoins the Trail.
Due to the short notice given to us, we do not have a gpx file of the reroute.
Forestry have installed ‘No Access Logging Operations’ signs at the beginning and end of the reroute and reroute markers along the new route.
The logging operations are expected to take 6-8 weeks.
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
Friends of the Heysen Trail 2024 calendar available for order now. Only $12!
The Friends of the Heysen Trail 2024 calendar will be available soon. Order it now.
Make sure you order your copies of the calendar early to get in on the low price of $12.00.
Get one for your wall at home or work or buy some as Christmas gifts for family and friends.
We expect to have copies available at the Office in early November.
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.
Standard postage to any address within Australia (for a single copy) will be an additional $5.10.
Save postage – pick your copy from our Office or the End of Year Bash.
You can also order the calendar for pick up from the Office. If you can get into the Office you can take delivery yourself – we will let you know when they’ve arrived.
If you are attending the Friend’s End of Year Bash at Belair National Park on November 26th, you can also pick up your copy there.
To order a ‘pick up’ copy without paying postage, it is best to pre-order your copy by phoning the Office to order and pay.
Extra Christmas special – price reduction for Heysen Highlights – Companion Guide to the Heysen Trail
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 new super low prices. We’ve reduced the price to $25.00, with a discounted rate of $20.00 for Members.
Respectful conversation in Australia – a First Nation’s Voice to Parliament
A contribution from the Friends of the Heysen Trail Reconciliation Committee.
We encourage all members to be informed on the Voice from all perspectives and to respect all individuals and their positions in relation to the Voice.
Uncle Lewis O’Brien, a significant Kaurna Elder teaches that when non-Aboriginal people look at a proposition or a problem they tend to divide into camps with a Yes or No response.
The Kaurna people were the teachers and knowledge keepers. They looked at the brain and called it muka muka because it appeared in two halves.
What that means for decision making in the Aboriginal community is that we should think both ways. In other words, look at a problem from all sides before resolving which direction to take.
The Referendum on October 14th 2023
Australians are being asked if they support Aboriginal recognition and an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament at the Referendum on the Australian Constitution that will be held on October 14th 2023.
A Referendum is the people’s choice. We should hold respectful conversations as it is beholden upon us to be informed. We need to look at this question in principle from all angles.
All perspectives are relevant; all questions are legitimate; all positions are respected.
The 1967 Referendum with a 91% Yes vote resolved to count Aboriginal people in the census for the first time. It was a campaign that supported Aboriginal rights.
Yet, up to that time, Aboriginal people had been named in the Australian Constitution solely by exception. The powers that enabled the Australian Government to make laws on the basis of race previously read, “……….except for Aboriginal people……” as it was the States that made laws for Aboriginal people. Those words were removed and since then the Constitution has remained totally silent upon Aboriginal people; not a single mention.
A bi-partisan approach to recognition in the Constitution
In 2015, Tony Abbott, as the Liberal Prime Minister, met with 40 Aboriginal leaders at Kirribili House and Bill Shorten, the Opposition leader, joined him. It was resolved in a bi-partisan way to establish a Referendum Council that would consult with Aboriginal people as to their views on recognition.
The Referendum Council held twelve Regional dialogues right across the country. From these, delegates were appointed to go to Uluru. Six years ago the Uluru Statement from the Heart was developed as a result of the meeting at Uluru.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart
243 people at Uluru agreed by consensus that not only did they want Constitutional Recognition, they wanted something more substantive by having a Voice to Parliament.
Click on this link to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This remarkable statement, which is full of grace and meaning, is clear and invites us to join the people’s movement across the country to unite for change.
“In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future”.
Follow this link to read the full statement prepared by FOHT Reconciliation Committee.
The Friends End of Year Bash is on again at Belair, November 26th 2023
The Friend’s End of Year Bash – a family affair.
All Friends of the Heysen Trail are invited, with their families.
Let’s gather to celebrate a year of walking and wonder on The Trail.
Family and friends of members are welcome.
Date and Time : Sunday November 26th, 12 noon to 4.30 pm
Place: Main Pavilion, Belair National Park
What to bring: BYO food, drinks, chairs (there are some bench seats in the Pavilion), cutlery, drinkware or anything else you need to share the day with walking friends and your families.
Cost and Booking: There is no charge for this event but you need to book so we can give Belair National Park some idea of numbers.
Bookings are now open so you can use this link to register on the Walk Calendar on our website.
Bookings close on Monday November 20th.
The 2024 Calendar will be available for collection at this event.
Park entry fees are waived for attending members and guests. On entry, just mention you are with Friends of the Heysen Trail.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Heysen Trail through the Buckaringa Sanctuary Closed Wed 4th to Tues 10th October
The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed for a few days in October 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 Wednesday 4th October and continue until the morning of Tuesday 10th October 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.
Mapsheet 1D – Mount Magnificent summit loop, August 2023
View pdf map showing re-route
A recent addition to the trail in the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park has created a loop allowing walkers easier access to the summit of Mt Magnificent. The 3.5 km loop follows the Parks SA ‘Mount Magnificent Loop Trail’.
Prior to the change, north bound walkers were able to access the summit by taking the spur 500 metres west of the Mt Magnificent Rd. This old spur is remains in place.
To create the loop, Parks rangers marked a second (eastern) spur approximately 100 metres west of the park entrance off Mt Magnificent Rd. In addition to being marked as the Mt Magnificent Loop, this part of the trail also has the traditional red coloured Heysen Trail arrows.
Walkers heading in a south- north bound direction will take the new spur trail to the south. This part of the loop heads south gradually getting closer to the road before turning west to join the original spur just below the summit. The short but steep climb to the summit (380 metres above sea level) affords a magnificent view!
Walkers then return to the trail proper by turning around to descend to the the loop and this time following the old spur trail north.
Walkers not intending to do the loop walk have the option of the shorter east to west section of the original trail. This 500 metre section of the trail is now marked with black arrows as an alternative Heysen Trail route.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
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)
Big bold idea for Heysen Trail Northern Trailhead
The Existing Northern Trailhead
Exciting news about a bold new proposal to enhance the Heysen Trail northern Trailhead!!
Do you remember the feeling as you started or completed the Heysen at the Parachilna Gorge trailhead? Many have described the climb over that Trailhead stile as “underwhelming” – for such a grand occasion.
The new design – northbound view
In 2022, The Friends Council supported a proposal to investigate ways to give the 30+ year old Trailhead a makeover.
We envisaged a gateway offering a greater sense of significance and a place of arrival/launching for the 1200km Heysen achievement.
The Friends engaged Landscape Architects to work with The Friends and consult with local landholders, community organisations, and local Adnyamathanha representatives, about a suitable concept – a concept that The Friends Council has now endorsed.
After preliminary discussion with the Department for Environment & Water (DEW), The Friends are optimistic that the go ahead for the concept will be forthcoming.
The southbound view
The design concept, shown to the right, looks inspiring and will incorporate planting / landscaping.
A more detailed design package is available by clicking on this link: Heysen Trail Northern Trailhead.
We hope you’ll agree that it’s a worthwhile and very exciting project!
FOHT Website Review – Update
Members would be aware that The Friends Promotion: Membership & Marketing Standing Committee (PMM) has been canvassing views about the need to improve and modernize our website. Consultation across the Friends Committees and a member survey have informed the assessment that it is time to generate a visually appealing website with simpler navigation.
PMM has now completed a tender process by engaging an experienced design and software team to provide The Friends with future design options. PMM is aiming for completion in 2024.
Mapsheet 5A: Bundaleer Reservoir, August 2023
View pdf map showing re-route
A new reroute has been established near the Bundaleer Reservoir. The reroute crosses into SAWater land on the southern side of the channel opposite the crossing of the Spalding-Gulnare Rd where the Heysen Trail follows the channel from Spalding.
Walking from south to north, the re-route proceeds directly across the Gulnare-Spalding Rd from the channel (Grid Ref 716 938) and crosses a stile next to the SAWater entrance gate. The trail follows a track for 100 m to a ford then directly up the hill to a stile that crosses into SAWater land.
Once in the SAWater land the trail crosses to the Ring Rd around the reservoir and follows this road across the dam wall and around to the Reservoir Car Park/Toilet at the North-Western corner of the reservoir (Grid Ref 710 958).
The trail leaves the car park on the western side and after 50 m crosses a stile into private property, (the trail follows the northern channel but NOT in the fenced off channel land). The trail then follows the fence within the private property until it reaches the Aquaduct where it crosses a stile and meets up with the existing trail (at Grid Ref 706 969) and follows the existing trail north.
New End to End walk start point. The Reservoir car park is now the end point for End to End Walk 33 and the start point for Walk 34. The E2E point has been moved from the Chlorinator, as the trail no longer passes that feature.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 5, Spalding to Wirrabara Forest (August 2015)
View all re-routes for the Re-Routes
Heysen Trail GPX files update for GPS: latest edition includes 9 reroutes
This is a summary of the latest permanent reroutes of the Heysen Trail that have been undertaken by the Trail Development Committee in consultation with the Department of Environment & Water (DEW).
The reroutes have been added to the downloadable GPX file (version 4.4 released 7/8/2023) 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 following re-routes and updates have been added:
- Mapsheet 1A – Reroute around Tapanappa Campsite for the Wild South Coast Way
- Mapsheet 1A-1B – The Wild South Coast Way spur trail from Kings Beach to Victor Harbor
- Mapsheet 1C – Reroute at Robinson Hill/Jaggers Block, September 2022
- Mapsheet 1D – Reroute at Kyeema – exit off Woodgate Hill Rd, December 2022
- Mapsheet 1D and 2A – Reroute at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest, January 2023
- Mapsheet 1D and 2A – Alternate Route at Knott Hill Plantation (Kuitpo Forest), April 2023
- Mapsheet 2D – Reroute at Old School House, Mt Crawford Forest, July 2023
- Mapsheet 4B – Realignment of the trail east of Mt Bryan, September 2022
- Mapsheet 8C – Yuluna realignment, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, April 2023
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
Walkers are advised to check the Heysen Trail Reroutes page before setting out on any walk to make sure you are aware of any recent trail changes.
The reroutes have also had a very minor impact on the Heysen Trail Distances.
Mapsheet 1B: Wild South Coast Way waymarked into Victor Harbor on spur trail, May 2022
As part of the development of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail the Kings Head Hike spur trail into Victor Harbor has been waymarked. The trail branches off the main Heysen Trail at Kings Beach and heads to Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest (Sept 2014)
Mapsheet 1A: Re-Route around Tapanappa Campsite for Wild South Coast Way, May 2022
A minor 2km re-route away from the road at Tapanappa, and a spur trail from Tapanappa into the Yapari Ngawanthi/Cliffs ‘walk-in’ site.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
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)
Mapsheet 2D: Re-route at Old School House, Mt Crawford Forest, July 2023
Due to forestry operations the Heysen Trail has been re-routed near the Old School House in Mt Crawford Forest.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)
August 2023
Issue 166
Highlights include:
- Bob was Right!
- Heysen and the Trail
- Not just Noodles & Porridge
- When End-to-Ends come Face-to-Face