Year: 2014

Christmas Closure

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Our office is closed over the Christmas period, from Dec 12th, to give our volunteers a well-earned break. We’ll reopen on Tuesday 20st January 2015.

Online Shop Sales

While the office is closed, our online shop will remain open for business. Over the break, shop orders will be despatched within 5 working days.

If you want to shop for last minute Christmas purchases we will process and despatch any orders received by midday Saturday December 20th, on that day.

Register for Walks

You can also still register for walks online during the break.

Summer Twilight Walks + 2015 Walk Season Program Released

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Summer Twilight Walks program released

Wednesday evening walks, 1-2 hours, around Adelaide.

Warm summer evenings are perfect for short walks. Open to members and new people from just $6 per walk.

View Twilight Walks Program

Trailstarter and Trailwalker 2015 Walk Season program

Trailstarter walks are good for those new bushwalking or who want a shorter walk.

Trailwalker walks are for those wanting more demanding walks.

View Trailstarter and Trailwalker Walks Program

End-to-End 2015 Walk Season program

A new End-to-End group 10 starting from Cape Jervis in May 2015.

Walk the complete length of the Heysen Trail over approx sixty walking days, spread over six years. One day or one weekend a month.

Find out more about End-to-End walks.

View End-to-End Walks Program

FREE SA National Parks Vehicle Entry

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Take the kids to walk and explore nature

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Thanks to the guys at Nature Play and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA free vehicle entry passes are being offered to provide opportunities for children to explore nature.

Hike, ride, swim, climb, camp, play or take photographs at any of South Australia’s great Parks listed below with this free vehicle entry pass.

South Australian Parks are special places that provide a safe home for thousands of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Hike, ride, swim, climb, camp, play or take photographs at any of South Australia’s great Parks listed below with this free vehicle entry pass!

Nature Play SA Inc is a not-for-profit association established to increase the time South Australian children spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.

Need some inspiration for where to walk and explore? Check out the SA National Parks Guide.

Photos courtesy of Play & Go.

Download Free Entry Pass

Fire Danger Season Brought Forward 2014/15

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Fire Danger Season

The dates for the 2014/2015 Fire Danger Season have been brought forward. The Heysen Trail is closed during these high risk times.

Fire Ban District Start Date End Date
Mount Lofty Ranges 1 December 17 November 2014    30 April 2015
Adelaide Metropolitan    1 December 2014 30 April 2015
Mid North 15 November 1 November 2014 30 April 2015
Flinders 1 November 15 October 2014 15 April 2015

Walkers are reminded to be extra vigilant of fire weather conditions in coming months. Check the Fire Danger Rating before setting out on a hike, monitor changing weather conditions, and always have a back-up plan. Download the CFS smartphone app.

Find which Fire Ban District your planned hike is in on our Interactive Map, by turning on the Fire Ban Districts checkbox layer.

Some short sections of the Heysen Trail remain open year round, principally those sections not on private land. These sections include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves (closed on days of Total Fire Ban), Forests (closed on days of Total Fire Ban) and vacant land.

View Fire Ban District Boundaries

Pathway along Adelaide’s beaches – have your say

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The Government of SA and six local councils have been working on a scheme to create a Coast Park – a 70km walking and cycling path along the metropolitan Adelaide coastline, from North Haven through to Sellicks Beach.

Planning and consultation for one of the final sections, from Grange, through Tennyson, to Semaphore Park, is underway. A working group has produced four solutions, and local residents have raised their concerns. It’s time to have your say on the plan.

The Park will include, as far as possible, a continuous two-way pathway or trail for walkers and cyclists along the coastal foreshore.

It has been progressively developed since 1992.

We at the Friends of the Heysen Trail consider that Option 1 provides the best solution and is in line with our Policy Document on Shared Use of Walking Trails: a narrower 1.5m – 2m wide path along the dune edge. As path allows for walkers and slow cyclists we consider a 2m wide path is required. Part of this option includes an upgrade of the parallel Seaview Road for faster cyclists. Whilst the ideal in the overall plan calls for a 3m wide path, we think this option provides the balance between encouraging people to walk, cycle and experience the natural environment, whilst balancing dune environment management.

More information about this Coast Park Consultation can be found on the Charles Sturt website at yoursaycharlessturt.com.au/coast-park-consultation

Have your say via the online consultation survey.

Respond to survey

Trail along Adelaide beaches - have your say

Trail along Adelaide's beaches - have your say - map

Walking SA AGM + Annual Report published

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Walking-SA-Annual-Report-2013-14-promo-coverWalking SA’s AGM is 7pm this Thursday, 30 October 2014, at the Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur Street, Unley.

View details

Annual Report Published

  • eleven highlights of the past year
  • read about the year’s achievements
  • letter from the Government of SA congratulating the Board on the successful implementation of the recommendations of the 2013 Governance Review
  • Verdun Bridge Feasibility Study
  • update on the Mount Lofty Ranges Trails Walking Trail Network
View their Annual Report

Guest Speaker

Adelaide Hills Trails Network Strategy for website

The guest speaker is Mark de Lange from Adelaide Hills Council, who will give a short presentation on the Adelaide Hills 20 Year Trail Strategy.

The strategy is designed to link townships for commuting purposes, provide unique experiences for visitors and provide outlets for recreational activity. Trail opportunities identified include a mix of walking, cycling and horse riding trails; some for shared use and other trails designed specifically for walking.

Read the strategy: Part One and Part Two.

Proposed 400km Walking Trail along River Murray

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Seeking Feedback via Online Survey

Proposed 400km Walking Trail along River Murray 560pxA new walking and riding trail along the River Murray is being considered by three regional councils.

A feasibility study is underway and input is being sought.

The trail could begin in Salt Creek on the Coroong, following the Coorong to the Murray Mouth, then following the River Murray to Morgan via Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and Mannum. The trail will provide links to a number of iconic and historic river towns, major tourism attractions and other existing trail networks along its route.

This feedback survey allows people to view the preliminary trail alignment prior to the land survey commencing. The feedback survey closes 3 November 2014.

You can review the high level alignment maps:

Respond to Survey

Pre-Order now – 2015 Heysen Trail Calendar

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2015-Heysen-Trail-calendar-mock-upShowcasing photographs of South Australia’s iconic hiking trail – the 1,200km Heysen Trail from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.

An A4 wall calendar, opening up to A3.

Photos submitted by Friends of the Heysen Trail members and Heysen Trail hikers.

Pre-order now for just $15 per copy. Available late November at $18 per copy.

Available for delivery or pick-up in November.

Purchase online via our online store, or
to place a pick-up order please order direct via the office (phone 08 8212 6299, Mon-Fri 10.30am – 2.30pm)

Order Now

End of Year Bash, BBQ + Band – Sun Nov 30

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End of Year Bash 2014

Come and see your President boogie to the tune of the foot-tapping Bogaduck Band at the beautiful Paxton Winery in McLaren Vale.

Sunday 30 November, 12-5pm
$20 per person
Book online at heysentrail.asn.au/xmas
or via the office

Befores, bbq and artisan bread provided. Wine for purchase by the bottle or glass, cash only, no BYO. Bring beer or soft drink, bring Salad or Dessert to share, chair or rug, plates & cutlery.

Paxton Winery
Lot 100 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale

Book Now