Year: 2013

2014 Calendar of the Heysen Trail – Order Yours Now

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

Pre-order your copy of the 2014 Calendar of the Heysen Trail now for just $15.

Showcasing photographs of SA’s iconic hiking trail – the 1,200km Heysen Trail, the calendar is an A4 landscape wall calendar, unfolding to A3 with a month to an opening.

Released in November at $18, pre-order now for $15.

Submit your photo of hiking on the Heysen Trail to heysentrail@gmail.com. Open to anyone who has hiked the trail. Photographers included in the calendar will receive a free copy.

Pre-order at www.heysentrail.asn.au/calendar/

Posted in Uncategorized

Event Clothing now Available – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

It’s just 4 weeks until the Day on the Heysen Trail – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk. We’ve released a selection of event clothing you can wear on the day, or keep as a souvenir of the event.

Purchase online now at www.sportscentre.com.au.

Delivery is available. Orders placed prior to 22/9/13 will be available before the October 6th event.

The t-shirt is moisture wicking, and available in womens and mens fit. The polo top is breathable polyester and available in red or white.

Politics and Walking, a Look at the Election Policies

Posted on

With Saturday’s election looming, Bushwalking Australia has investigated expressed policies and the track record of political parties on a range of environmental, health and transport issues that may interest walkers.

“Too often, strong industry lobbies and vested interests have successfully derailed attempts to improve and reform important policies to the detriment of walkers and walking. Unlike other forms of sport, recreation and transport, the benefits of walking are not captured by powerful industries and interests, but flow across the entire society and economy, ” states the introduction.

View the information, including the policies of the Labor Party, Liberal/National Coalition and The Greens at www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/bushwalking-news/119-2013-election-scorecard

For broader environmental issues besides walking, refer to the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Senate Scorecard: www.action.org.au

Independent Review of Walking SA Complete

Posted on

The independent review into the governance and organisational structure of Walking SA by BDO (formerly PKF) has been completed. The response rate to surveys conducted last year was one of the highest BDO has ever received for this type of review, which is an indication of the importance of walking within the community.

Walking SA has agreed in principle with all the recommendations of the review (view summary of recommendations). The Minister for Recreation and Sport has agreed to provide some additional funds to assist with their implementation.

Key aspects include:

  • Drafting a new constitution and implementing a modern governance structure to support a wider range of walkers and walking interests than has been possible in the past.
  • Better collaboration with local government and like-minded community organisations.
  • Enabling Walking SA to be more adequately resourced to perform these roles.

AGM This Thursday

We would also like to draw your attention to Walking SA’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting this Thursday 15th August at 7:30pm in the Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St Unley. At that meeting an interim committee will be elected, whose main task will be to implement the changes, as well as continue with the present operation of Walking SA. The AGM is open to members of the public as well as members of all affiliated walking clubs.

Ten new camping platforms

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

In recent weeks multi-purpose camping platforms have been constructed at four campsites, with six more to be built.

This program of constructing ten platforms has been permitted with funding from donations by the End-to-End 3 group, who completed the Heysen Trail in 2011.

Volunteers have installed these four multi-purpose camp platforms at:

In the near future, platforms will be built at Smith Hill Campsite and Black Jack Shelter.

View an album of photos on Facebook.

Click on image to view larger image
Click on image to view larger image

Walking SA Newsletter

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

1) Newsletter

The peak body for recreational walkers in South Australia, Walking SA, has published their Autumn newsletter.

In this edition:

  • Invitation for nominations to Walking SA Transitional Board
  • Coastal Trails at Elliston, Yalata and the Fleurieu Peninsula
  • Trails Update
  • Goannas Walking Group
  • Bushwalking Australia

2) Invitation for nominations to Walking SA Transitional Board

Walking SA will receive state government funding in 2013/14 towards the implementation of the major recommendations of its 2013 Review.

Their next critical step is the establishment of a broad Transitional Board to build on the good work of the current small Interim Committee.

Nominations are being sought for the Board from anyone wishing to contribute to the promotion and practice of walking at all levels in South Australia.

Refer to page 2 of the current newsletter for more details.

3) Walking SA AGM (Annual General Meeting)

Thursday 15 August 2013 at 7.30pm at the Unley Community Centre.

More information about Walking SA can be found on the Walking SA website.

End-to-End Minus 1 – Walkers charge across a raging swollen Stony Creek – again

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

Yesterday the End-to-End Minus 1 group charged across a raging swollen Stony Creek, north of Melrose, again and again, while walking along the Heysen Trail.

Completing the weekend’s soggy wet walking in the pouring rain, we climbed up and over the wet and rocky Lavender Hill. Saturday was a very wet 26km walk. From Alligator Gorge Road to Grays Hut, then up Mount Remarkable and passing gushing streams, down to Melrose. It rained all night Saturday and the following morning a raging torrent rushed across the campground access ford, by the caravan park, as we left Melrose for the days walk. There were many pools and lakes of water to be seen on our way to the Horrocks Pass walk start.

Click on image to view larger image
Click on image to view larger image

Walk Leaders Training Day

Posted on

There is a lot of satisfaction in becoming more involved in walking and we encourage walkers to engage further in the activities of the organisation either as walk leaders or tail-enders.

This Walk Leaders Training Day on Saturday 20 July aims to give interested people the information needed to prepare and lead a walk successfully and goes through how to deal with issues that might arise. Part of the day is spent talking about how the Friends organisation operates and the assistance available to new leaders. The day goes from 9.30am to about 2.00pm and lunch is provided.

There is no charge for this day but you do need to register via the website or office. For more information phone the office or email Arrienne at wynena@ihug.com.au

End-to-End 5 Plants 600 Trees

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

Last weekend Russell O’Brien’s End-to-End 5 group hiked the Heysen Trail north of Worlds End, near Burra. A relatively long road walk, along the way the walkers helped the Greening Committee plant nearly 600 trees along the trail. The weather was kind, so the planters did not get wet yet planting conditions were ideal.

The Greening Committee is moving on to its next planting at Spalding from Thursday 13th June to Sunday 16th June. We’re looking for volunteers to assist, please get in touch with Neil at neil@noztours.com.au or on 0447 922 617.

The Jodi Lee Foundation’s inaugural SA Hiking Challenge

Posted on

Click on image to view larger image

From time to time other groups conduct events on the Heysen Trail. The Jodi Lee Foundation’s inaugural SA Hiking Challenge will take place in a few weeks time, to hike or run on one or two days along the Heysen Trail through the spectacular Flinders Ranges National Park environment.

The Jodi Lee Foundation raises awareness and education of bowel cancer, a cancer that is 90% curable if detected early. Despite this, it is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia.

Their event on 21 & 22 June 2013 will cover 80km of the trail over two days, with full support at checkpoints.

It’s not too late to:

  • Register for the event
  • Donate to the cause
  • Volunteer to assist on the weekend
  • Register your interest for next year’s event

Find out more about the event on their website jodileefoundation.org.au or via these event itinerary and registration documents. To donate click on any one of the participants, or on the event administrator’s page.

Whilst we mention events along the Heysen Trail, please note that this event is not associated with our organisation.