The Fire Danger Season has finished in the Flinders (north of Wirrabara and the trail is open. Elsewhere the trail remains closed. Read more
The fire danger season for the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District (between Kings Beach (WSCW) and Tanunda in the Barossa Valley) has been extended by two weeks to 14 May. Read more
Vale Jamie Shephard, past President of Friends of the Heysen Trail
The Friends of the Heysen Trail are saddened by the passing of our highly esteemed past President Jamie Shephard on 27 December, 2016. Jamie was active in all facets of the walking community, and a most generous host of social functions for the members. Jamie will be remembered as a true gentleman and friend to all who knew him, and he will be very sadly missed in the wider community.
Commencing in 2017 we will be rolling out a new maintenance program for the Heysen Trail aimed at:
Early in the New Year, you will be able to view maintenance walks program in our Walks Calendar under the new walk grade End-to-End Maintenance.
If you would like to be involved, or have an interest, please contact the Heysen Trail office.
Telowie Gorge Conservation Park and Napperby Block (Mount Remarkable National Park) will be closed from 6am Friday, 24 November 2016 to 6pm Thursday, 1 December 2016.
The purpose of the park closure is to ensure the safety of the public during a pest control program within the parks during the period indicated.
The Heysen Trail passes along the eastern edge of these parks. Hence do not divert from the Heysen Trail and attempt to enter these parks at those times. The Go Cart Track Shelter is alongside the Heysen Trail and within the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, so this shelter may be closed during these times.
The Heysen Trail in areas outside of conservation parks, forests and public roads are currently closed anyway due to the Fire Danger Season beginning in the Flinders on 4th November 2016.
The parks are north of Crystal Brook and to the west of the Wirrabara Forest.
For Heysen Trail (HT) users:
Read more on the National Parks closure page.
A number of tracks within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, will be closed each night over the next 11 months.
The purpose of the extended closures is to ensure the safety of the public during a feral cat control program to be conducted after dark. The aim is to protect the populations of recently reintroduced Western Quolls and Brushtail Possums.
The evening closures commence on Thursday, 3 November 2016 and will continue through to Saturday, 30 September 2017.
As daylight hours vary over the period of the control program, there are a range of closure times. They are:
Tracks and walking trails will remain open outside of these times.
The Heysen Trail will remain open at all times, however walkers must:
Walkers camping in the park may see spotlights and occasionally hear firearms in the distance at night. The Rangers have advised that the control program will not take place in the vicinity of campgrounds or huts.
The tracks that will be closed at night include –
Further information on the feral animal control program and the nightly trail closures can be obtained from the Natural Resources, SA Arid Lands or by phoning them on (08) 8648 5344 or 0428 116 035.
Daylight saving is here and with the approach of warmer weather, our Wednesday evening Twilight walks are about to start.
Walks commence at 6pm and are 1.5 to 2 hours in duration. They are designed to be quite relaxed and often followed by an optional dinner
Cost is $5 per walk, MultiWalk (although not Golden Boots) passes are accepted.
Register online or via the office.
Check out some of the upcoming walks below, or view the full program.
Agricultural qualifications not required for this walk. In addition to seeing sheep you will explore secret gullies, cliff top paths, artworks, parks, lighthouse, amazing rocky beach and stunning city and sea views. End the evening with dinner, if you wish.
Richard has found a short walk through the eastern parklands on level ground! Stop for a Thai dinner and then walk back to your cars. Sounds like a treat.
A pleasant amble along fifth Creek, from its beginning at the Torrens to where we leave it at Black Hill. Dinner at the Rezz Hotel.
This walk takes us along the River Torrens linear path. Optional dinner at the Lockleys Hotel.
President Robert accepts the Walking SA Award
The Friends won an award on Thursday night at the Walking SA Awards for South Australia, for our work on the HeysenTrail and for our End-to-End walking program.
Special Recognition Award – Organisation – http://bit.ly/2dyLYCo
Two of our members also won Walking SA Awards for Longstanding Contribution – Individual. Colin and Julian were awarded for an enormous amount of work they have put in over many many years.
The Heysen Trail near Kings Beach – photo by Martin Chapman.
Walkers are advised that some sections of the Heysen Trail have suffered damage during the recent weather events.
As a result
are closed until further notice. Refer to the Parks closures webpage for the latest information.
Walkers need to take care on the trail and particularly near the following locations:
While conditions are generally expected to improve over the next week, it may be sometime before the necessary work can be completed on these sections.
If you find any damage on the trail, please report it to the Friend’s office. To assist our Trail Development volunteers, please advise
Flood damage to Montacute Road (picture courtesy of ABC News).
The heavy rains that fell in the Adelaide Hills last week have damaged some popular walking trails and restricted access to several parks.
The lower section of the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty trail is closed and may take several months to repair. Alternative access points to the Mount Lofty trail can be found here: Cleland Conservation Park – Waterfall Gully.
While some of the damage has already been repaired, the following parks are also currently affected:
Walkers are advised to check the Park closures listing before setting out to walk in parks in the hills.
Montacute Road at Athelstone and Waterfall Gully Road at Burnside remain closed while repair works continue. Waterfall Gully Road is currently restricted to local traffic only, although it is expected to reopen within a few days.
You can check the current road access at Traffic SA road closures.
Telowie Gorge Conservation Park and Napperby Block (Mount Remarkable National Park) will be closed from 6am Friday, 23 September 2016 to 6pm Thursday, 29 September 2016
The purpose of the park closure is to ensure the safety of the public during a pest control program within the parks during the period indicated.
The Heysen Trail passes along the eastern edge of these parks. Hence – Do not divert for the Heysen Trail and attempt to enter these parks at those times.
Especially Relevant – The Go Cart Track Shelter is alongside the HT and within the Telowie Gorge Conservation Park. This shelter may be closed during these times.
The parks are north of Crystal Brook and to the west of the Wirrabara Forest.
For Heysen Trail (HT) users:
Napperby Block is on HT Map Sheet 5B
or on HT Northern Guide Map 2.5
Telowie Gorge CP is on HT Map is Sheet 5B & 6A
or on HT Northern Guide Map 2.6-2.7.
The Go Cart shelter is on HT Map Sheet 6A
or on HT Northern Guide Map 2.7
Please direct any enquiries to Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Northern & Yorke. (08) 8841 3400.
Jim Crinion
The Friends are saddened to report the death of Honorary Member Jim Crinion. Jim joined the Friends at the initial meeting in June 1986. At that meeting Jim was appointed Chairman of the Steering Committee, tasked with setting up the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails. Once the Friends were established, Jim continued on as Council member and is well known for leading the original Greening Group which did many years of work, especially with plantings around the Kapunda area. These trees have grown are now enjoyed by todays walkers
An enthusiastic walker in Australia and in many other countries, Jim is also remembered for his popular books of walks – “Adelaide and Country Walks”.