View all news articles below, or select a news category to the right.
Mapsheet 1D and 2A: Re-route at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest, January 2025
View pdf map showing re-route
Permanent Re-Route of Heysen Trail at Chookarloo Campsite, Kuitpo Forest.
A short (500m) permanent re-route has been installed for walkers bypassing the Chookarloo Campsite at Kuitpo Forest.
This re-route is an amendment to the re-route originally published in 2023. It removes the need for walkers to use the narrow walkway against the highway bridge opposite the campsite entrance.
Northbound walkers leaving the eucalypt plantation surrounding the Kuitpo Tree Climb at Mapsheet 2A (GR 919019) will now follow the northern edge of this plantation westwards to the boundary fence. Walkers will then cross Brookman Road via a step-over before heading north towards the pedestrian gate at GR 918020 and rejoining the Trail.
This re-route will provide walkers with a clear view of approaching traffic and greatly improve walker safety.
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Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
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)
Bookings for the next ‘End to End’ walk from Cape Jervis open at 7.00am on Tuesday 11th March 2025
The next series of the Friends ‘End to End’ walks along the Heysen Trail is scheduled to commence from Cape Jervis on Sunday May 18th 2025.
Registrations can be made from 7.00am sharp on Tuesday March 11th 2025.
You can find out more information about the walk by reading the description in our walk calendar.
The End to End walk program section of our website provides further information about the ‘E2E’ program.
Registration is only open to members of the Friends, so to save time, make sure you have created a membership account before registrations open. You will need to log into your account to register. You can then navigate to the walk page via the walks calendar.
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025
The 38th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 16th April 2025 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
- Treasurer
- Ordinary Council Members
To nominate, please complete the nomination form (page 2 of AGM notice) and provide to The Secretary by 9th April 2025.
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 17th April 2024
- President’s Report
- Treasurer’s Report
- Election of Returning Officer
- Election of Councillors
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- 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.
Walk Leader Training
New Leaders Needed for Day & Short Walks
The Friends has been successful for over 35 years because of dedicated members stepping into volunteer roles across our programs and activities; building camaraderie and having fun.
- Have you wondered what it takes to lead our short walks?
- Do you have a favourite walk you’d like to share with others?
- Did you know The Friends has a mentor system for new short walk leaders?
- Want to find out more with “no strings attached”?
The Friends actively encourage members to “give it a go”. Being a walk leader is a way to share the pleasure of walking and introduce others to The Friends.
In 2024 volunteers led 64 Trailwalkers/Trailstarters and 41 Summer Walks that were enjoyed by many members. They’re small friendly groups varying from 5 up to15 or 20; walking from 2 to 4 or 5 hours. Volunteer Leaders choose where, when and what type of walk they want to lead.
You can find out more with a no obligation introductory session with some of our current Walk Leaders. Register interest for The Friends “Introduction to Day/Short Walks” on Saturday 5 April.
Heysen Trail closure – Advance Notice – May & June 2025
Heysen Trail Closures for Feral Animal Control
Advance Notice for 2025
The Friends is pleased that we have received early notice of closures for the 2025 season following consultation with Parks, Landscape Boards and Feral Animal Control Project staff about communication challenges in 2024. The closures aim to protect public safety during aerial shooting operations.
Deep Creek & Fleurieu Peninsula Parks
Sunday 18 to Friday 23 May:
The following parks/trails will be closed:
- Deep Creek National Park
- Talisker Conservation Park
- Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park
- Eric Bonython Conservation Park
- Waitpinga Conservation Park
- Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail (except Newland Head Conservation Park and Natunyuru Ngawanthi/Sand Dunes Campground)
Click here for further information.
Northern Adelaide Hills including ForestrySA & private land
Monday 2 June to Friday 6 June
Shooting over Pewsey Vale zone and Mt Gawler/Old Kersbrook/Para Wirra/South Para. Rossiter’s Hut Heysen Trail (Pewsey) will need to be closed for public access. Trail at Pewsey Vale / Kaiserstuhl will have closure signage.
Tuesday 10 June to Friday 13 June
Shooting over eastern side of Mt Crawford – campsites to consider: Chalks, Rocky Paddock, Cromer Shed, Fromm’s Farm, Old Schoolhouse, Ponderosa, Old Schoolhouse, Centennial Drive and Scott’s Heysen Trail hut. Closure signage will be erected at all public land gates in this area, including at points along the Heysen Trail.
Campsite & event bookings will be blocked for the dates above. Any bookings already in place will be managed through communication with option to change dates or cancel and get refund. (at time of preparing details are not yet listed on ForestrySA website).
Mid-North Rangelands:
The feral animal control program is scheduled in April during the Fire Danger Season Closure period. The Friends welcome this decision that will have no impact on hiking for 2025.
Fire Danger Season Closures remain in place until mid-April/May 2025
The end date remains subject to confirmation by the Country Fire Service assessment of risk in each region. Click here for further information.
It’ s good practice to review the “Know Before You Go” sites before starting any hike.
The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday 4th February, 2025.
The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday February 4th.
After a break over Christmas, the Friends office reopens on Tuesday February 4th. 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
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.
December 2024
Issue 170
Highlights include:
- 2024 End-To-End Reports
- Truth Telling Along the Heysen Trail
- Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation Opening
Heysen Trail closure dates over the 2024-2025 Fire Danger Season
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has announced the dates for the 2024/25 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 October 15th.
Flinders District Fire Danger Season to commence on 15th October 2024.
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 between October 15th 2024 and April 15th 2025.
Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on 1st November 2024.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara.
The Heysen Trail between these locations will close between November 1st 2024 and April 30 2025.
Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban Season to commence on 15th November 2024
The CFS has also announced the fire danger season for the Mt Lofty District will commence on 15th November 2024 and continue through until midnight on 30th April 2025.
As indicated above the Heysen Trail will reopen during April/May 2025. 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.
Map 4C: Re-route Spalding East: Olives Rd – Oban, August 2024
View pdf map showing re-route
In August 2024 a re-route was created to get some of the Heysen Trail off of the main highway. The re-route follows Olives Road and Deep Creek Road.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
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, July 2024
View pdf map showing re-route
A minor 1.1 km reroute which takes the trail along a series of fencelines on the Willowburn property.
This reroute has been effected to allow the farmer to sow crops on several paddocks without interference from walkers.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
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 through the Buckaringa Sanctuary Closed in August and October 2024
The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed for a few days in August and again in October.
As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.
A closure will commence on Friday 2nd August through to Tuesday 6th August 2024 inclusive .
Another closure will commence on Thursday 10th October and continue until Sunday 13th October 2024 inclusive.
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.
Heysen Trail closure – Deep Creek – June 30th-July 5th, 2024
The Heysen Trail through the Deep Creek Conservation Park will be closed from midday Sunday 30 June until 12pm midday Friday 5 July 2024.
The purpose of the closure of the entire conservation park is to protect public safety during a feral animal control program.
Campsites and other walking trails in The Deep Creek Conservation Park will also be closed during this time.
The trail will be closed between Blowhole Creek (GR 425 507 on mapsheet 1A) and the eastern boundary of the Deep Creek Conservation Park at Tunkalilla (end of McGregor Rd track – GR 543 527 on mapsheet 1A).
(This covers from the eastern end of section 1 up to the western end of section 3 of the trail)
Warning signs and trail closure signs will be placed at several locations along the trail and at the western and eastern approaches to the park.
If you have any enquiries, please call National Parks & Wildlife Service SA — Deep Creek National Park Office.
Ph: 8598 0263
Further information can be found on the Parks SA Alerts page.
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.
Heysen Trail governance review consultation
A new governance model for the Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail is managed by a partnership comprising the Department of Environment and Water, the Friends of the Heysen Trail, ForestrySA, and SAWater.
As foreshadowed by the Heysen Trail 5 Year Plan, work has started to develop a best-practice governance model to give the Heysen Trail a continuing and successful future.
If you are a landowner or other stakeholder along the Trail please read this flier about consultation that will take place in the near future. We would love to have your input.
Neil Hendry,
President,
Friends of the Heysen Trail
BIG BOLD NORTHERN TRAILHEAD
The current trailhead
The proposed trailhead
Change is coming to the Heysen Northern Trailhead!
Work will commence in early May.
The Friends of Heysen Trail initiated a rejuvenation of the now tired Trailhead that’s helped hikers cross the line for more than 30 years.
The new design will enhance the sense of starting or completing the 1200km adventure.
Read the full article in the latest Trailwalker. (Click here.)
This benefits everyone, whether you are new to the Trail or a long-term hiker & supporter.
Anyone who has or will enjoy the Trail is encouraged to donate to this exciting project. (Click here.)
Heysen Trail re-opens with end of Fire Danger Season
The entire length of the Heysen Trail has now re-opened following the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Mid North Fire Ban Districts.
The northern half of the trail, from Wirrabara, reopened on April 15 following the conclusion of the Fire Ban Season in the Flinders Ranges Fire Ban District.
The entire length will remain open until November 2024 when the Fire Danger Season is expected to begin.
View more information about how the Fire Danger Season affects the Heysen Trail.
View the CFS media release confirming the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season.
Heysen Trail GPX files update for GPS: version 4.7 issued 6/2/2024
Latest update to the Heysen Trail gpx and Interactive Map
With the opening of the walk season approaching, 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 August 2023.
The reroutes have been added to the downloadable GPX file (version 4.7 released 6/2/2024) 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
Cessation of our re-route and trail closure email subscription service
Due to a major cost increase imposed on us by a third party supplier, we have been forced to review the manner in which we advise members and walkers of changes to the trail closure periods and updates to the website gpx files.
We have now suspended the issue of notifications to subscribers by email. We are examining alternative arrangements as part of our website review project. As an interim measure we will advise you of trail changes using our website banner alert/messaging system.
If you are not already aware, the banners appear at the top of every page of our website. As an example there is currently a banner in place to advise walkers of the closure of the trail over the Fire Danger Season. The headline notice includes a link to a website news item which provides further information.
Improvements to the Walk Selector pages
Walkers are advised to 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.