Australia Day BBQ

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Don’t forget, tomorrow (Thu 26th) we have our Australia Day BBQ and walk at Kingston Park, under the trees.

Coastal walk at 3pm with Gavin, length depending on sea breeze. Return by 5pm for a swim and the BBQ.

BBQ at 5pm. BBQ plate and table provided. BYO meat, salads, drinks and chairs.

No cost to attend. No booking required for the walk or BBQ, just turn up to enjoy.

View the location map.

Start the New Year with a Downhill Walk?

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A downhill walk or run on the George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail, Mt Lofty to Brighton Beach. On the public holiday Monday, 2 January, 7.00am. Three distance options – 34km, 18.5km or 14km. Run or walk. No cost, no registration required.

Organised by SARRC (South Australian Road Runners and Walkers Club). Unlike their mid-year annual uphill run, there are no support crews available along the way. Bus available from Brighton to Mt Lofty for $10. Finish with a swim.

More info on the SARRC website.

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Nature Foundation SA’s Walk for Nature

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On Sunday our president, Robert Alcock, donned a bandanna and joined over 300 walkers on the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater to Woodhouse. The walk raised money and awareness for the work of the Nature Foundation of SA, a group dedicated to saving native wildlife and protecting our natural environment.

For more info on the Nature Foundation visit www.naturefoundation.org.au

Read more about the walk at www.adelaidenow.com.au

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Saturday’s 25th birthday party a big success

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80 or so guests and members celebrated 25 years of volunteer service on the Heysen Trail with bushwalks, Irish jigs, koalas, all with the sun shining on our picnic.

Irish band ‘Inesheer’ provided the music, while red and white balloons on Karka Pavilion were the colourful backdrop to speeches (short ones!) by our President, Robert Alcock, Chief Executive of the Dept of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Alan Holmes, and guest speaker John Kenneally of radio 5AA.

A new Memorandum of Understanding between DENR and the Friends of the Heysen Trail was signed, then our Patron, Warren C Bonython AO, resplendent in his bright orange shirt and yellow short shorts, cut the birthday cake.

Many thanks go to the organisers, Jeanette Clarke and Chris Porter, for the well organised celebrationary day.

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Beautiful walk, awesome weather and a great group

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On Sunday, End-to-End 5 crossed Mount Lofty during a great day’s walking through some of the best of the Adelaide Hills.

Although overcast weather threatened the start of the walk, the group was sun drenched at Mount Lofty summit for the all-important group photograph. With the theme of this walk being ‘orange’, much of the group donned something of that colour. Our orange presence was evident to all spectators and other walkers we met along the trail with some interesting facial expressions displayed by those who are endowed with reliable colour perception skills.

Over almost two years the walkers have consolidated into a close-knit, supportive and capable walking team. Well done End-to-End 5ers! Visitors are always welcome to join us – you may even want to stay!

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It’s our 25th birthday

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Join with us in celebrating our 25th anniversary on Saturday 8th October at Belair National Park (as recently published on page 24 of the Spring Trailwalker.)

Please register if you are attending.

There are three short walks available for those who are keen for it:

  • David Beaton and Liz Barry will be guiding walkers on a one hour walk along some of the picturesque tracks of the national park.
  • Simon Cameron will be guiding walkers on a two hour fun challenge walk involving a little bit of everything: a little bit of rock scrambling (5m), a little bit of off-track walking (300m), a little bit of singing (one song), and a little bit of frisbee golf.
  • Michael Middleton will be guiding walkers on a one hour walk up Saddle Hill track and through the old cherry plantation.

If you wish to go on a walk please also register for that walk.

The is no charge for the day or any of the walks, however park entry fees may apply.

View full details at: http://www.heysentrail.asn.au/walks/view_event.php?event_id=735&view=event

We look forward to seeing you on the day!

Nature Foundation SA’s Walk for Nature

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From time to time we hear of other activities along the Heysen Trail or trails elsewhere in the State, this is one of them, and, it’s for a great cause.

Nature Foundation SA is holding its first Walk for Nature on Sunday 16th October 2011 with a light to moderate 6km return walk along the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater Oval to Woodhouse Activity Centre. Help to raise funds to conserve, restore and sustainably manage South Australia’s wildlife and environment.

Check out the Walk for Nature webpage at www.naturefoundation.org.au/help-nature/walk-for-nature/ and register today!

20th Anniversary of the Burra Branch

The walks for the Burra Branch’s 20th anniversary on the 24th and 25th September are now open for registration.

There will also be an anniversary dinner at Burra Bowling Club on the Saturday night, cost $25, RSVP to Hugh (ph. 8843 8115) by 17 September.

The Saturday walk is to be at Ulooloo Station (7 kms north of Hallett) on private property, the walk follows Ulooloo Creek downstream passing by old gold prospecting ruins and Wookongarie ruins. The return walk is a climb of Thunder Storm Hill, passing by Mount Scrub and through Chewing’s Gap. Visit registration page.

The Sunday walk is to be at Burra Creek Conservation Park, east of Burra. This walk follows the Burra Creek and some of its tributaries. This walk will be shorter than Saturday’s walk to assist people who will return to Adelaide. Visit registration page.

Accommodation is by your own arrangement. Burra Visitor Centre can help out: ph 8892 2154 or www.visitburra.com, or contact the Clare Valley Visitor Information Centre.

For further information contact Hugh ph 8843 8115; Rodney email rbrees@rbe.net.au ph 0411 134 984 or Meredith ph 0428 832 023.

FoHT 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Friends of the Heysen Trail and other Walking Trails Inc is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday 8th October at Karka Pavilion, Long Gully, Belair National Park from 9.30am.

Members and invited guests can join the celebrations which will include a bush band and an official cake cutting ceremony. Bring your own lunch, drinks and chairs. There is ample car parking available although park entry fees are payable.

There will be three walks available for interested walkers: one or two hours, free guided walks will commence from 10.00am at the Karka Pavilion.

Register for the celebration, and if interested, one of the walks: click here