Year: 2012

Three new campsites with water tanks under construction

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Work has continued on our project of eleven new water tanks and shelters along the Heysen Trail. Further to the four shelters and water tanks constructed late last year, three new campsites are being established in the Mid-North between Marschalls Hut and Burra.

The frames for the three shelters were erected this week, and will be completed in coming weeks. The shelters feature a water tank and bench. Each campsite also features a large square bench/table.

Details of the three new campsites are as follows:

1. Smith Hill Camp Site

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A campsite located west of the town of Marabel, Southern Guidebook chapter 5, map 6.

2. Webb Gap Camp Site

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A campsite located between Smith Hill Campsite and Huppatz Hut, Southern Guidebook, chapter 5, map 7.

3. Worlds End Hike-in Camp Site

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A campsite located between Huppatz Hut and Burra, Southern Guidebook, chapter 5, map 11.

These three campsites will assist through-hikers on the Heysen Trail by closing one of the trail’s water gaps. The distances between campsites and water sources is now:

  • Maschalls Hut to Marabel – 8.6km
  • Marabel to Smith Hill Camp Site – 17.3km
  • Smith Hill Camp Site to Webb Gap Camp Site – 13.3km
  • Webb Gap Camp Site to Huppatz Hut – 16.2km
  • Huppatz Hut to Worlds End Hike-in Camp Site – 21.3km
  • Worlds End Hike-in Camp Site to Burra – 23.0km

Thanks to Bronte Leak from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), Colin Edwards, John Potter, Albert Schmidke, Peter Wynen, Trevor Lee and Julian Monfries for their work in the construction effort.

The remaining four shelters and water tanks have been fabricated and will soon be erected.

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Survey of forest use in Mt Crawford, Kuitpo and Second Valley forests

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Forestry SA is conducting a survey about the forests of the Mt Lofty Ranges, namely Mt Crawford, Kuitpo and Second Valley forests.

The online survey is to help ForestrySA understand the awareness, desires and perceptions of the public with regard to recreational opportunities in the forests. The survey is open to everyone regardless of their level of knowledge of forest recreational areas.

Fill in the survey now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7R7MSF2. It features 26 questions about your forestry use, and should take between 7 and 20 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous.

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First Friends group heads south (downhill) as another member completes her End to End 3 trek

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A social and happy group of members have completed the first 6 days southbound on the Heysen Trail. Starting at Parachilna Gorge, and a 31km final day rocky walk to Mt Little camp near Mayo Gorge. A week of wonderful walking through the Flinders Ranges, enhanced by the diligent planning, organisational and leadership skills of our leader, Dean Mortimer. Thanks to Dean, who dressed in “reverse” to lead us, for such a successful and highly enjoyable week.

Meanwhile, also up north – Sandy Wood completed her End to End 3 walk at the Parachilna Trailhead yesterday. Delayed from last August due to a non walking injury along the trail, 3 days from finishing with her group, it was pleasing to see her wide smile beaming ever wider as she approached the final stile. Well done Sandy.

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Walk for Nature by the Nature Foundation SA

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Nature Foundation SA is holding its annual Walk for Nature on Sunday 21st October 2012 with a 3, 6 or 12km return walk along the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater Oval to Woodhouse Activity Centre. Join in to help them raise funds to conserve, restore and sustainably manage South Australia’s wildlife and environment.

More information can be found at www.naturefoundation.org.au

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Graham Loveday’s walk for Rett Syndrome

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One of our members, and End-to-End 7ers, Graham Loveday, will be travelling to the UK next month to undertake a walk to raise awareness and funds in support of Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK. He will be walking the Coast to Coast Path across northern England.

His granddaughter Abby, who is three years old, has been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome.

More information about his walk and Rett Syndrome can found in this document, and on the fundraising page.

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Competition: Your photo on our Facebook page

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We’re running a weekly competition to include photos of the Heysen Trail on our Facebook timeline page. Simply enter your photo, taken along or of the Heysen Trail, to us for consideration as our Cover Photo.

The rules are simple:

a) open to anyone

b) photo to be taken along or of the Heysen Trail, or an adjoining trail

c) photo will be displayed for 1 or 2 weeks

d) in addition, with your permission, we’d like to use your photo on our website at some point in the future.

To enter post your photo to us on our Facebook page facebook.com/HeysenTrail, or email us at website@heysentrail.asn.au

This week’s winner for our Facebook Cover Photo competition is Andrew Shipway for this great photo of Parsons Beach on the South Coast. www.flickr.com/photos/57372488@N07/

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Great Greening Opportunity

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In conjunction with Forestry SA, we have been asked to plant over 600 trees, shrubs and grasses at the Centennial Drive campground at Mount Crawford. (Southern Guidebook, Map 3.9, Grid ref 135583)

We are looking for enthusiastic vounteers to be involved in this project and depending on numbers, the planting will be over one or two days.

Initial planting Wednesday 1st August.

If required follow-up Saturday 11th August.

Any enquiries Neil Nosworthy, Greening Committee Convenor, via the Friends’ Office 82126299

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What a difference a day makes

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The Friends End to End 4 group of 55 walkers, spent two tough days walking the bald and stony hills of Burra, and east into the mallee country. The Xmas in July dinner Saturday night was a blast. Glorious sunshine on Saturday after a very frosty morning. Sunday was overcast, a good dry walking day. On Monday Mt Bryan East received 23mm of rain. Dust Hole Creek Road would not have been accessible by the cars. Our timing was perfect.

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Heysen Trail sign for Burra

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Those who walk the Heysen Trail’s 1,200km length walk through Burra, along the Burra Creek as they trek from Cape Jervis in the south, to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. A new sign now provides details of the Heysen Trail to locals and visitors. Situated in the Burra Creek Recreation Park, it was here on Friday 6th July when the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails formally handed over of the new Heysen Trail sign to the community of the Regional Council of Goyder. The new sign has been a cooperative effort, funded by the Friends of the Heysen Trail, produced by Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) and installed by the Regional Council of Goyder. It includes a map of the walking trail, with photos and a description of the various sections.

Officials present were:

  • Jessica Humphrys, Tourist Officer, Regional Council of Goyder
  • Paula Jones, Manager of Burra Visitor Information Centre
  • Rodney Rees, President of the Friends Heysen Trail Burra Branch and DEWNR representative
  • Hugh Greenhill, Friends Heysen Trail Burra Branch
  • Robert Alcock, President of the Friends of the Heysen Trail

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