Bio Security alert – Be aware of the potential dangers of Foot & Mouth Disease

With the increasing risk of Foot and Mouth Disease (F&MD) being introduced to Australia, it is essential that walkers take precautions to combat the potential spread of FM&D and other soil borne diseases.

As the Heysen Trail (and many other walking trails) traverse private properties, it is important that we respect and protect the agricultural activities that are conducted by landholders.

What we can do to stop the spread

Therefore walkers are asked to clean your footwear, clothing and equipment, including walking poles, so they are free from mud, animal manure and mucus.

  1. Use a stiff brush to clean boots & poles to remove dirt and seeds,
  2. Wash the equipment in water to remove any remaining contaminants,
  3. If possible, immerse your boots in a foot bath
  4. If a foot bath is not available, use a spray bottle with any of the following cleaning agents:
    • soap,
    • detergent,
    • bleach,
    • vinegar,
    • citric acid,
    • percarbonate.

Find out more about Foot and Mouth Disease (F&MD).

Temporary closure of the Heysen Trail in the Montacute Conservation Park, 25th-29th July 2022

Temporary closure of the Heysen Trail in the Montacute Conservation Park
Monday 25th to Friday 29th July, 2022

Walkers are advised of the upcoming temporary closure of the Montacute Conservation Park.

Landscape SA will be conducting a pest control program in the park and on adjoining private properties.  The operational area includes the section of Heysen Trail between the eastern boundary of Montacute CP (1b Track, Forestry SA), and Valley Rd, Montacute.

The operation will be undertaken between 6.00am on Monday 25th and 6.00pm on Friday July 29th.

Walkers should note that the Conservation Park and adjoining private property will be closed during this period. As a result, there will be no public access to the sections of the Heysen and Mawson Trails within the park.

Landscape SA will install signs informing the public when the park is closed during the operations.

You can obtain further information about the Park closure from Parks SA.

Heysen Trail closure through the Buckaringa Sanctuary, Friday 26th to Monday 29th August 2022.

 

The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed for 3 days in late August 2022. As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.

The closure will commence on the evening of Friday 26th August and continue until the morning of  Monday 29th August 2022.

 

 

The Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies and is located between Quorn and Hawker. You can find it on map 6, chapter 4, of the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook and on Sheet Map 7b – Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to Mernmerna Creek.

The Heysen Trail enters the southern boundary of the sanctuary at grid reference 195 440. The northern section on the trail exits the sanctuary at 257 490.

The closure affects the trail in the following walk sections:

51 Warren Gorge to Buckaringa Gorge

52 Buckaringa Gorge to Callabrinda Creek

The closure is because the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) will be undertaking feral animal control in the sanctuary.

AWC will place closure signs at all entry points to the sanctuary to warn walkers of the danger.