Year: 2020

Sections of the Heysen Trail now closed over the Fire Danger Season 2020/21

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Mt Lofty Fire Danger Season commences today

With the commencement of the Fire Danger Season in the Mt Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District on December 1st 2020, many sections of the Heysen Trail are now closed.

The closed sections of the trail will reopen during April/May 2021. The re-opening dates vary across the three Fire Ban Districts the trail passes through.

Much of the trail traverses private property. The viability of the Heysen Trail is dependent on the continuing co-operation of private landholders. Therefore the trail closures must be obeyed during this period.

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. The Fire Danger Season page of our website provides a list of Trail Sections Open Year Round

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.

Access to Heysen Trail huts is also restricted

Access to huts on the trail is also restricted. A number of the huts along the trail are on private property and are therefore not accessible to the public (including walkers) during the Fire Danger Season.

These are:

  • Marschalls Hut
  • Huppatz Hut
  • Hiskeys Hut
  • Catninga Hut
  • Mayo Hut

Huts in National and Conservation Parks or Forest Reserves are accessible during the Fire Danger Season, provided it is not a day of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger.

Get your Friends Calendar before the Office Closure.

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Friends 2021 Calendar now in stock

The Friends 2021 Calendar is now available for pick up from the Office. If you’ve ordered a calendar for delivery by post, we have started sending them to you.

It is not too late to order copies – they are available from the on-line shop. You can also call into the Office or phone us

Office closure

If you plan on picking up your calendar or other Christmas gifts, please note that our Office will close at 2.30 pm on Friday December 11th 2020.

We are giving our volunteers a well-earned break. They will return for our Office Volunteers Information Day on Monday February 1st 2021. The Office will re-open for business the following day, Tuesday February 2nd.

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 post out any orders received by midday Wednesday December 16th, on that day.

Please note that Australia Post has advised that for delivery by Christmas (within Australia) the following timeframes will apply:
  • Send Parcel Post by Saturday 12 December 2020.
  • Send Express Post by Saturday 19 December 2020.
  • For sending letters within Australia this Christmas, Australia Post’s standard delivery timeframes apply.

Register for Walks

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

Trail care – the Heysen Trail needs our attention

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We need to care for and protect the trail

As the COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed within South Australia, people were encouraged to travel within our State.

Many have tried bushwalking and camping for the first time, some doing it better than others.

Increased demand for Parks SA campsites

On many weekends, the Parks SA campsites have been fully booked resulting in some people apparently camping wherever they can find a spot.

Sometimes this has occurred on private land and at other times, Google has directed vehicle-based campers towards the Heysen Trail campsites, that are intended as “walk in” sites. The Friends have taken some steps to make our sites less visible to Google and the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) is addressing the issue from an official standing.

While it is preaching to the converted, we all need to remember to follow good bushwalking and camping etiquette:

Leave no trace

  • Leave campsites better than you found them.
  • Use existing fireplaces or carry cooking equipment when possible, and do not scar the landscape with fire rings.
  • Comply with fuel-stove only requirements.
  • Do not pollute the ground and waterways with soaps and detergents.
  • Remove our rubbish from the bush and bury human waste away from watercourses.
  • Do not remove plants or rocks from National Parks.
  • Do not disturb native wildlife.
  • Avoid easily damaged places such as peat bogs, cushion moss, swamps and fragile rock formations.
  • Use existing tracks where possible and avoid creating multiple tracks which lead to erosion.

Report damage to trail campsites, markers and other assets

  • If you find campsites, tanks, stiles and trail markers need attention please let us know.
  • DEW & the Friends Trail Maintenance volunteers rely on trail users for your help.
  • You can report problems to the Friends using our website contact form .

Safety

  • Have appropriate first aid skills and carry first aid kits.
  • Comply with the trail closure periods over the Fire Danger Season.
  • Do not enter closed Parks or any section of the trail that is shown as closed.
  • Only light fires when it is permitted and ensure they are fully extinguished.
  • Carry sufficient food and water in order to survive unexpected delays.
  • Wear or carry appropriate clothing and equipment for our comfort and safety in the worst possible conditions we are likely to encounter.

Respect all bushwalkers

  • Respect the right of bushwalkers to enjoy the peace and quiet of the bush.
  • Help fellow bushwalkers in need.

Respect indigenous culture

  • Acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we walk.
  • Treat sites of spiritual or cultural significance with respect.
  • Obtain permission from traditional landowners or the relevant land manager to visit sensitive areas.
  • Do not damage aboriginal rock art or camp under overhangs that contain aboriginal rock art.

Respect landowners

  • Respect landowners and do not trespass on their land.
  • Leave farm gates as we find them.
  • Respect the rules of National Parks, and other land managers, regarding camping conditions, maximum numbers in wilderness areas, pets, permitted activities and park closures.

As much of the Heysen Trail traverses private land, it is essential that hikers do all we can to help to protect that privilege.

While leaving farm gates as found may not seem to be critical to the non-farming community, it is an important part of farm management. If it’s closed, leave it closed to prevent grazing animals moving through paddocks or if it’s open, it may be to allow stock to move into another paddock.

It is worth remembering that in one way or another, someone is responsible for managing the land that we walk over. We are their guests.

Heysen Trail closure dates announced for Mt Lofty Fire Danger Season – 2020/21

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The Country Fire Service  (CFS) has now announced the full set of dates for the 2020/21 Fire Danger Season.

Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban Season to commence on 1st December 2020

The fire danger season for the Mt Lofty District (that is the trail south of Tanunda) will commence on 1st December and continue through until midnight on 30th April 2021.

Closure of the Heysen Trail over the Fire Danger Season

The Heysen Trail is closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, the closure dates vary depending on the region that the trail passes through.

Flinders District Fire Danger Season commenced on 1st November 2020.

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 is now closed until April 15th 2021.

Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on Sunday 15th November 2020.

The Mid North District includes the trail north of Tanunda  and south of Wirrabara. The Heysen Trail between these locations will close on 15th November  2020 and reopen on 30th April  2021.

As indicated above the Heysen Trail will reopen during April/May 2021.

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. You will find the Fire Districts listed on the Fire Danger Season page and shown on the Interactive Map on the Friends website.

Heysen Trail Closure – Southern Flinders Ranges

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Walkers are advised that access to the Heysen Trail in the Southern Flinders Ranges will be restricted  from 6 am  Saturday, 21 November 2020 until 2pm Friday, 27 November 2020.

Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, The Napperby Block of Mount Remarkable National Park, Spaniards Gully Conservation Park and Wirrabara Range Conservation Park  will be closed for the purpose of undertaking a pest control program.

The parks cover a long section of the trail on Heysen Trail Map sheets 5B and 6A  and Maps 2.5 to 2.7 of the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook.

The Heysen Trail is closed over the Fire Danger Season. The Country Fire Service has  already announced the commencement of the Fire Danger Season for the Mid North & Flinders Districts.  As a result, the Heysen Trail is now closed in those areas.

However walkers can still use some sections of the trail, including sections that are not on private land including Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests, public roads and vacant land.

But the feral animal control program means walkers need to take note of this closure and avoid that section of the trail over the period from the 21st  to 27th November.

For more information about the control program or park closure, please contact the Natural Resources Centre on (08) 8841 3400.

You can also check this and other park closures on the Parks SA Alerts page.

Heysen Trail closure dates over the 2020-2021 Fire Danger Season

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The Country Fire Service  (CFS) has announced the dates for the 2020/21 Fire Danger Season.

The Heysen Trail is closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, the trail closures commence progressively from Sunday November 1st 2020.

Flinders District Fire Danger Season to commence on 1st November 2020.

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 now be closed between November 1st 2020 and April 15th 2021.

Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on 15th November 2020.

The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda  and south of Wirrabara. The Heysen Trail between these locations will close on November 15th 2020 and reopen on April 30 2021.

Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban Season to commence on 1st December 2020

The CFS has also announced the fire danger season for the Mt Lofty District will commence on 1st December and continue through until midnight on 30th April 2021.

As indicated above the Heysen Trail will reopen during April/May 2021. 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.

Friends of the Heysen Trail 2021 calendar available for order now. Only $12!

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The Friends of the Heysen Trail 2021 calendar will be available soon.

Make sure you order your copies of the calendar early to get in on the low promotional price of $12.00.

Get one for your wall at home or work or buy some as Christmas gifts for family and friends.

We expect to have copies available at the Office in late November.

Order from our On-line shop for delivery by post.

By ordering the calendar from our On-line shop you can request postage to an address in Australia or overseas. We will be posting out the first orders by the end of November.

Postage charges to any address within Australia (for a single copy) will be an additional $4.80.

Pre-order online now

Save postage  – pick your copy from our Office.

You can also order the calendar for pick up from the Office.  If you can get into the office you can take delivery yourself.

Contact us either by phone or email.

Unfortunately, as we are unable to hold the End of Year Bash this year, we can’t offer that as a pick up location.

Walkers warned of night closure of trails in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park for the next 12 months through to October 31st 2021.

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Feral animal control continues in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

The Department for Environment & Water has advised that the existing feral animal control program being undertaken in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park will continue over the next year.

Multiple walking trails within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park will be closed every night until Sunday 31 October 2021. Walkers are advised to exercise caution in the area as the trails will be closed for the purpose of a pest control program. The program is being conducted after dark in the vicinity of the following tracks.

  • Trezona Track
  • Mount Sunderland Track
  • Rifle Range Track
  • Old Blinman Track
  • Jones Camp Track
  • Telegraph Track
  • *St Mary Peak (outside trail)
  • *Cooinda Track
  • Pound Gap Track

Evening/night time closures will occur through to Sunday 31st October 2021.

As daylight hours vary over the period of the night time control program, there are a range of closure times. They are:

  • Saturday 1 November 2020 and Sunday 31 January 2021
    9pm to 5am
  • Sunday 31 January 2021 and Sunday 28 February 2021
    8:30pm to 5am
  • Sunday 28 February 2021 and Friday 30 April 2021
    8pm to 5am
  • Friday 30 April 2021 and Saturday 31 July 2021
    6pm to 5am
  • Saturday 31 July 2021 and Thursday 30 September 2021
    6:30pm to 5am
  • Thursday 30 September 2021 and Sunday 31 October 2021
    8:30pm to 5am

The tracks and walking trails will remain open outside of these times.

*Additional summer closures apply to some trails within Wilpena Pound from 6pm Monday 30 November 2020 until 6am Monday 1 March 2021.

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.

During the period of the evening/night closures, the Heysen Trail will remain open. 

During the Fire Danger Season, walkers should be aware that most sections of the Heysen Trail are closed.

However, walkers still have access to the section of the trail passes through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (and other public areas), unless a total fire ban has been announced for the day.

However walkers must:

  • remain in designated campgrounds and huts, or
  • camp within 20 metres of the Heysen Trail within the park after dark.

If you are camping in the park, you 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.

Access to the Heysen Trail during the Fire Danger Season

For more information on walker access to the Heysen Trail over the fire danger season, including sections that remain open, check this page.

Further information

You can get further information on the feral animal control program and these trail closures on the Parks Alerts page or from

The National Parks & Wildlife Service – Port Augusta.

Phone: (+61 8) 8648 5300

Email:  DEW.SAALParksAccommodation@sa.gov.au

Our 2020-21 Twilight/Summer walks commence in November.

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As the walking season has come to a close, the arrival of warmer evenings and daylight saving has heralded the beginning of our Twilight/Summer Walks. There is a 1.5-2 hour evening walk most weeks until March. Some longer walks may be held during the day.

The full programme will soon be listed on our walk calendar but here are the details for the first four walks:

Wed 4th November 6.15pm: Wirraparinga Trail Loop Plus A Bit

A gentle walk along the 5km Wirraparinga Trail in Brownhill Recreation Park, plus a bit of an add on. Optional dinner or a refreshment at nearby Edinburgh Hotel.

View Walk

Wednesday 11th November 6pm: Randell Park, Mitcham

A somewhat uphill walk through Randell Park with views over the city as the reward.

View Walk

Thursday 19th November 6pm: Torrens Linear Park (Lockleys)

This walk winds along the River Torrens linear path. An easy 6 km walk, with no hills. Dinner afterwards at the Lockleys Hotel.

View Walk

Friday 27th November 6pm: Stirling Dinner walk

A 9-10 km loop starts with an uphill section into Stirling. Then downhill to enjoy our dinner and fellowship at the Stirling Golf Club.

View Walk

Walk fees

Pay with either option:

  • a Golden Boots pass, which are accepted for Twilight walks
  • Twilight walk casual fees are $5.00 ($1.00 for walkers under 18 years of age)

Register online or via the office

If you don’t have a Golden Boots pass, you can purchase one when you register for the walk. Just click on the Golden Boots pass payment option.

Further details of our walks and walker registration can be found on our website at heysentrail.asn.au/walks

Prescribed burn Greenhill – Upper Slape Gully – Tuesday Oct 20th, 2020.

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Temporary closure of the Coach Road, Ashton section of the Heysen & Yurrebilla Trails.

Natural Resources SA have announced that the Heysen and the Yurrebilla Trails will be affected by a planned prescribed burn tomorrow, Tuesday October 20th 2020.

The prescribed burn is planned for a section of private property near Coach Road, Ashton. The burn off area is adjacent to the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park.

The Coach Road/Horsnell Gully area is shown on Heysen Trail Mapsheet 2B and Map 3.4 of the Heysen Trail Southern Guidebook.

The  embedded map shows the burn area,  which is adjacent to both trails.

The Coach Road section of the trails will be closed during the burn operation on Tuesday October 20th  (approx 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm). The trails may be closed on the following days depending on potential hazards such as falling trees.

Natural Resources apologise for the late notice of this trail closure. However decisions to proceed with prescribed burns are dependent on weather forecasts.

Parks staff will be erecting trail closed signs in the vicinity of the burn site.

If you have any questions, please contact Libby Mapletoft, Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges, on ph. 0427 494 518.