Year: 2025

Bookings for the next ‘End to End’ walk from Cape Jervis open at 7.00am on Tuesday 11th March 2025

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Feedback sought on Heysen Trail South Coast Proposed Upgrade

The next series of the Friends ‘End to End’ walks along the Heysen Trail is scheduled to commence from Cape Jervis on Sunday May 18th  2025.

Registrations can be made from 7.00am sharp on Tuesday March 11th 2025.

You can find out more information about the walk by reading the description in our walk calendar.

The End to End walk program section of our website provides further information about the ‘E2E’ program.

Registration is only open to members of the Friends, so to save time, make sure you have created a membership account before registrations open. You will need to log into your account to register. You can then navigate to the walk page via the walks calendar.

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025

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The 38th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 16th April 2025 at the Torrens Rowing Club Functions Centre, Victoria Drive, Adelaide.

Call for Council Nominations

Seeking nominations from our members, for election to the following Council positions:

  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Treasurer
  • Ordinary Council Members

To nominate, please complete the nomination form (page 2 of AGM notice) and provide to The Secretary by 9th April 2025.
Forms may be submitted via email: heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au; or deliver/post to Friends of the Heysen Trail, Suite 203, Epworth House, 33 Pirie Street Adelaide, 5000.

AGM Agenda

  1. Apologies
  2. Acceptance of Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 17th April 2024
  3. President’s Report
  4. Treasurer’s Report
  5. Election of Returning Officer
  6. Election of Councillors
    • President
    • Vice President
    • Treasurer
    • Council Members
  7. Appointment of Auditor
  8. Report from Honorary Members Committee
  9. Other Business
  10. Close of Meeting

Registration

Members must register to attend the AGM via our website walk/events program.

Register

Walk Leader Training

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New Leaders Needed for Day & Short Walks

The Friends has been successful for over 35 years because of dedicated members stepping into volunteer roles across our programs and activities; building camaraderie and having fun.

  • Have you wondered what it takes to lead our short walks?
  • Do you have a favourite walk you’d like to share with others?
  • Did you know The Friends has a mentor system for new short walk leaders?
  • Want to find out more with “no strings attached”?

The Friends actively encourage members to “give it a go”.  Being a walk leader is a way to share the pleasure of walking and introduce others to The Friends.

In 2024 volunteers led 64 Trailwalkers/Trailstarters and 41 Summer Walks that were enjoyed by many members.  They’re small friendly groups varying from 5 up to15 or 20; walking from 2 to 4 or 5 hours. Volunteer Leaders choose where, when and what type of walk they want to lead.

You can find out more with a no obligation introductory session with some of our current Walk Leaders.  Register interest for The Friends “Introduction to Day/Short Walks” on Saturday 5 April.

Heysen Trail closure – Advance Notice – May & June 2025

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Heysen Trail Closures for Feral Animal Control

Advance Notice for 2025

The Friends is pleased that we have received early notice of closures for the 2025 season following consultation with Parks, Landscape Boards and Feral Animal Control Project staff about communication challenges in 2024.  The closures aim to protect public safety during aerial shooting operations.

Deep Creek & Fleurieu Peninsula Parks

Sunday 18 to Friday 23 May:

The following parks/trails will be closed:

  • Deep Creek National Park
  • Talisker Conservation Park
  • Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park
  • Eric Bonython Conservation Park
  • Waitpinga Conservation Park
  • Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail (except Newland Head Conservation Park and Natunyuru Ngawanthi/Sand Dunes Campground)

Click here for further information.

Northern Adelaide Hills including ForestrySA & private land

Monday 2 June to Friday 6 June

Shooting over Pewsey Vale zone and Mt Gawler/Old Kersbrook/Para Wirra/South Para. Rossiter’s Hut Heysen Trail (Pewsey) will need to be closed for public access. Trail at Pewsey Vale / Kaiserstuhl will have closure signage.

Tuesday 10 June to Friday 13 June

Shooting over eastern side of Mt Crawford – campsites to consider: Chalks, Rocky Paddock, Cromer Shed, Fromm’s Farm, Old Schoolhouse, Ponderosa, Old Schoolhouse, Centennial Drive and Scott’s Heysen Trail hut. Closure signage will be erected at all public land gates in this area, including at points along the Heysen Trail.

Campsite & event bookings will be blocked for the dates above. Any bookings already in place will be managed through communication with option to change dates or cancel and get refund. (at time of preparing details are not yet listed on ForestrySA website).

Mid-North Rangelands: 

The feral animal control program is scheduled in April during the Fire Danger Season Closure period. The Friends welcome this decision that will have no impact on hiking for 2025.

Fire Danger Season Closures remain in place until mid-April/May 2025

The end date remains subject to confirmation by the Country Fire Service assessment of risk in each region. Click here for further information.

It’ s good practice to review the “Know Before You Go” sites before starting any hike.

  • For information regarding Parks click here.
  • For ForestrySA information click here.

The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday 4th February, 2025.

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The Friends Office reopens on Tuesday February 4th.

After a break over Christmas,  the Friends office reopens on Tuesday February 4th. Our volunteers will be available to help you from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

We:

  • Welcome visitors to the Office to inspect our range of maps and publications,
  • Answer questions about walking the Heysen Trail,
  • Attend to your emails and phone calls,
  • Process On-line shop orders, Membership enquiries and renewals,

You can register for walks using our online walk calendar or contact the Office if you need assistance.

There are several ways to contact the Office – you will find details on our website at heysentrail.asn.au/contact

Access to the Trail over the Fire Danger period

We remind walkers that many sections of the Heysen Trail remain closed over summer and through April. You can find more information about the closures on our Fire Danger Season page.