The End to End 5 group rose to the challenges of the weather and the track for the section of the Heysen Trail between Balquhidder and Waitpinga Campground on Sunday 15th. The 47 walkers easily overcome the elements and some tricky track conditions that caused the occasional wet boot and one leader to find himself prone after tripping on his walking pole while crossing Waitpinga Creek. Despite unrelenting wind from the south west, the walk was enjoyed by all. See you all at next month’s walk.

With high winds and the fickle weather at our backs, 25 hardy walkers, including 15 students and parents from St Joseph’s School, Kingswood, started the inaugural George Driscoll Sea to Summit walk at 7.45AM.

Eight hours later, having been blown upon, sprinkled upon, rained upon and even hailed upon, all 25 ceremoniously touched the Mount Lofty obelisk.

Another great walk completed, with the youngest, Michael, aged 12 carrying 4 litres of water. Part of the "Save the Murray" I suspect!

On Sat 2rd July the E2E3âs walked 23k over Mt Remarkable to Alligator Gorge Road, noted as the 2nd most difficult day walk on the Trail. Over 70 celebrated arriving safely after 8hrs of ups and downs. A chilly 7am Melrose start gave us the sunâs warm glow and first rays as we trekked up My Remarkable. A lovely sunny day provided wonderful views of this Remarkable country, so green, with the cool air making walking enjoyable. Sunday John Potter completed his 1,200km trek with the Murray Town to Melrose 16k leg. All joined in with John to celebrate. John walked with E2E3, E2E2 and E2E4 weekend walks to complete the trail in 3 years. Congratulations John.

Check out the links page for links to photo sites.

As of Monday 21st June 2010, any walks involving buses must be paid for at the time of registration.
There will be no Cash on the Day.
You can pay on line either using

• PayPal account-very easy to set up and very secure
  PayPal using a credit card-must be done for each booking, however still secure
• Through the office. Phone booking using your Credit Card – fiddly, however it’s secure
• In person at the office -either cash or credit card-like any purchase.

Too easy!!

NOTE The Friends pay for the buses regardless of how many walkers turn up. Often it is the Cash on the Day walkers who fail to show up. This then leaves the Friends to cover the cost and often denies another walker a seat, particularly if it’s a limited numbers walk.

On Sunday 2 May saw the first of our 2010 End 2 End (E2E) Walks â the E2E4 group walked from Myponga to Mt Compass. Wonderful fine day, and with a coolish breeze we kept our cool. The 3 groups wound their way up and down. And up and down couple more times thru Yulte Park scrub, then traversed open hills and ridges, before caressing Mt Cone on the long and winding road home. The 22km sorted out those who forgot their walking over summer (stiffening legs on the ride home, hey). Thanks to our lovely support ladies, again there with the Haighs Frog treat to assist us on the final leg to the cars.

The E2E3 are up north next weekend, then the new E2E5 commences. (fully booked I believe). With the other Sunday walks, our busy walk season is well under way.

Anzac Weekend saw the Friends at the Grampians once again. Lead by Simon and Arrienne two full walking days and three boisterous nights were "suffered" in the Baptist Camp at Halls Gap. Simon lead one walk for the hardy, summitting Boronia Peak on Saturday, with Arrienne leading the not so hardy on an epic walk around the Wonderland. Why the Wonderland, well it’s a wonder we let Alice loose with a map.

Sunday saw the even hardier tackle a through walk across the Mitchell Plateau, from Mt William to Jimmy Creek. A cold start lead to a wonderful sunny day, albeit cold winds, with great views from the plateau.

Arrienne and Peter lead the left-overs with some doing a shorter walk leading to Greek cooking lessons back at camp, with Arrienne. The others undertaking a seven hour "stroll" with Peter.

Typical of Simon the nights entertainment were Zorba the Greek dancing leasons and suitably, on Anzac Day, how to rip off your friends with a game of two-up (Simon’s Rules)

Monday departure lead to Arapiles for a short walk to the top, then home.
Well done the organisers.

A lovely day in Paradise â with the temp. keeping well below that of the earlier forecasts. John led 20 walkers up the Torrens, and back to Thornton Park for the BBQ and catch-up. With around 50 Friendsâ and their friends chatting under the pines till late in the afternoon, we were but one of many groups enjoying Aust Day at Thornton. A popular place with plenty of room. Another enjoyable social occasion.

Following successful trials in accepting online payment for the next End-to-End 3 event we are now accepting online registrations for all events. When you register, you will be prompted to pay for your walk, and any bus and meal fees via PayPal. Payment by credit card is accepted. For walks where there is a walk fee only, and no bus or meal, you can nominate to use your Multi-Walk Card or Golden Boots Card, in which case no payment will be required upfront, simply proceed with the registration and present your card to the walk leader on the day.

On Sun 14 June Michelle completed the Heysen Trail – for the second time! (is this the first for a lady?) and husband Jerry completed his first End 2 End (the first of many?). The celebration (accompanied with the bagpipe) was at the end of 2 days of walking – Web Gap Road to Burra Gorge. Congratulations and well done Michelle and Jerry (well known for their leadership with the End 2 End 2 walkers). Despite predictions, the walks were free from rain – although we needed protection from the very strong, cold head-wind on Sat. One group pushed onto Huppatz Hut for a late lunch, and welcome shelter! Some road walking was enhanced with the wonderful vistas from the top of the ranges, and with stretches of mallee scrub. Some precision walking was required as the crops in some paddocks gave very little room along the fence line.

And watch out for the fallen fence posts! Bunny ears, butterflies, a bowling outfit, and beanies to bowler hats fitted the B for Burra theme, and Bogart and Bacall joined in with the noisy crowd which filled the Golf Clubrooms Sat. night (as well as that well-known Blond Bimbo Ben!). Another good weekend on the trail.

A successful start to the End to End Four walks. 145 walkers safely hiked the 15km wet and slippery trail, and finished to a Haighâs chocolate frog treat – from our lovely lady assistants. The day was blowy, sunny with just a few isolated rain squalls to keep us cool. With dolphins, rainbows, a spaceship, wonderful cloud formations, plus a rugged coast, rolling hills, kangaroos aplenty and coastal scrub â such a variety of experiences we were treated to. Many thanks to all the volunteers for all the organising, and to the walkers who came to enjoy.
See more pics at

As part of ongoing development the website interface has been upgraded to a new look. More improvements to follow.

Registrations for the first End-to-End 4 walk opened today. Register by selecting the event on the walks calendar or directly here. Registrations will close at 2.00pm Thursday, April 23.

Commencing at the start of the Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis, this new walk group will follow the trail one day per month.

Registrations for the first End-to-End 3 walk for the year will open on Saturday, April 4.