Heysen Trail GPX files update for GPS: version 4.9 issued 15/5/2025

Latest update to the Heysen Trail gpx and Interactive Map

With the opening of the walk season upon us, we have updated the Heysen Trail gpx file to include all re-routes since the last version of the consolidated gpx file was released in February 2024.

The trail changes include five re-routes and a new spur trail:

  • Mapsheet 1D: Willowburn reroute of 1.1km which takes the trail along a series of fencelines on the Willowburn property.
  • Mapsheet 1D/2A: permanent re-route at Chookarloo Campsite, Kuitpo Forest.
  • Mapsheet 2B: a minor re-route of the trail through Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens.
  • Mapsheet 3B: a new spur trail trail north of Kapunda to a campsite and pub at Allendale North.
  • Mapsheet 4C: a re-route on Olive Road, Spalding East to get some of the Heysen Trail off of the main highway.
  • Mapsheet 5B: in August 2024 a re-route was created to get some of the Heysen Trail back on land it was previously on prior to May 2021.

The reroutes have been added to the downloadable GPX file (version 4.9 released 15/5/2025) and the Interactive Map as displayed on Friends of the Heysen Trail website.

You can find instructions for downloading the updated file onto your GPS unit on the Maps & GPS page.

The reroutes have had a very minor impact on the Heysen Trail Distances.

Please note the the revised gpx file does not include temporary reroutes such as :

  • Those frequently established around Forestry SA logging operations in the Kuitpo and Mt Crawford Forest reserves (Mapsheets 1D, 2A & 2D)
  • The Maryvale reroute, south of Hamilton (Mapsheet 3B)
  • The Goyder Windfarm reroute, east of Huppatz Hut (Mapsheet 3D

Improvements to the Walk Selector pages

Walkers are reminded that following recent improvements to our website,ย  the Heysen Trail Walk Selector pages now include:

  • Re-routes – all current re-routes (permanent and temporary) are listed for each of the 61 ‘day walk’ sections from Cape Jervis to Parachilna.
    Before before setting out on any walk, you should check the relevant Walk Selector page to make sure you are aware of any recent trail changes.
  • Vehicle access to End to End points – there are a limited number of ‘End to End’ start and finishing points that do not have close access to a public road.
    In those cases, the Walk Selector pages now include an advisory note to independent/through walkers wishing to get vehicle access to End to End points.

Heysen Trail closure โ€“ Advance Notice – May & June 2025

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.ย  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 Nationalย 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. Rossiterโ€™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 โ€“ campsites to consider: Chalks, Rocky Paddock, Cromer Shed, Frommโ€™s Farm, Old Schoolhouse, Ponderosa, Old Schoolhouse, Centennial Drive and Scottโ€™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:ย 

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.

Itโ€™ s good practice to review the โ€œKnow Before You Goโ€ sites before starting any hike.

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

HEYSEN TRAIL โ€“ NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATION

CELEBRATE HEYSEN TRAIL – NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATION

Monday 2 September, 2pm; Parachilna Gorge Road, near Blinman

Friends of Heysen Trail members & supporters are invited to help celebrate completion of the Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation Project.

It’s very exciting to see The Friends’ bold vision become reality, especially as it is the biggest project our volunteers have ever initiated and funded.

The tired old stile and fencing are gone; deteriorating platforms are replaced by stone yarning circles and a vibrant archway with stone steps herald the start or finish point.  Landscaping and clear parking bays transform the surrounds.

The celebration will officially open the Trailhead and unveil new signage and a plaque acknowledging the incredible support and donations that helped make this a reality.

Members please register your attendance via The Friends of Heysen Trail website walks & event program to help with catering. (Click here)

Heysen Trail through the Buckaringa Sanctuary Closed in August and October 2024

 

The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed for a few days in August and again in October.
As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.

A closure will commence on Friday 2nd August through to Tuesday 6th August 2024 inclusive .
Another closure will commence on Thursday 10th October and continue until Sunday 13th October 2024 inclusive.

 

 

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.

Heysen Trail closure โ€“ Deep Creek โ€“ June 30th-July 5th, 2024

The Heysen Trail through the Deep Creek Conservation Park will be closed from mid­day Sun­day 30 June until 12pm mid­day Fri­day 5 July 2024.

The purpose of the closure of the entire conservation park is to protect public safety during a feral animal control program.

Campsites and other walking trails in The Deep Creek Conservation Park will also be closed during this time.

The trail will be closed between Blowhole Creek (GR 425 507 on mapsheet 1A) and the eastern boundary of the Deep Creek Conservation Park at Tunkalilla (end of McGregor Rd track – GR 543 527 on mapsheet 1A).
(This covers from the eastern end of section 1 up to the western end of section 3 of the trail)

Warning signs and trail closure signs will be placed at several locations along the trail and at the western and eastern approaches to the park.

If you have any enquiries, please call Nation­al Parks & Wildlife Ser­vice SA — Deep Creek Nation­al Park Office.
Ph: 8598 0263
Further information can be found on the Parks SA Alerts page.

Heysen Trail closure – Northern Adelaide Hills – June 17th-30th 2024.

An aerial pest animal control program will mean the closure of sections of the Heysen Trail in the Mount Lofty Ranges from Monday 17th June to Sunday 30th June, 2024. The program will include forestry reserves, reservoir reserves, conservation parks and private properties, over native scrub, plantations, and farmland in the areas around Millbrook Reservoir, Para Wirra, Mount Crawford Forest and Kaiserstuhl.

The Heysen Trail and Heysen huts will be closed from Pewsey Vale/Kaiserstuhl in the north (GR 170 727 on Mapsheet 2D, Southern Guide Map 4.3) , south to Scotts and as far south as Millbrook (GR 014 442 on Mapsheet 2C, Southern Guide Map 3.7).

This represents the southern part of section 18, the whole of sections 17 through 16 and the northern portion of section 15.

For further information contact Theo Goldsworthy of PIRSA at Theo.Goldsworthy-Hess@sa.gov.au or phone 0461 284 454.

You can find further information on the Forestry SA page.

Heysen Trail closure – Mid North – May 28th-June 2nd 2024.

Caroona Creek Conservation Park :   www.visitburra.com

An aerial pest control program will mean the Caroona Creek Conservation Park (Including Caroona Creek Campground), Mimbara Conservation Park and Hopkins Creek Conservation Park will be closed from 6.00 pm Tuesday 28th May to 6.00 pm on Sunday 2nd June, 2024. The closure will also extend to surrounding private land.

The Heysen Trail from Gerkie Gap (GR 113 250 on Mapsheet 3C, Southern Guide Map 5.5) all the way to Dares Hill Summit Road (GR 188 017 on Mapsheet 4B, Southern Guide Map 6.6.) will therefore be closed
This represents the whole of sections 23 through 28 of the trail.

If you have any enquiries about the Park Closure  please contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Yorke & Mid North on (08) 8841 3400.

You can find further information on the Parks SA Alerts page.

Heysen Trail governance review consultation

A  new governance model for the Heysen Trail

The Heysen Trail is managed by a partnership comprising the Department of Environment and Water, the Friends of the Heysen Trail, ForestrySA, and SAWater.

As foreshadowed by the Heysen Trail 5 Year Plan, work has started to develop a best-practice governance model to give the Heysen Trail a continuing and successful future.

If you are a landowner or other stakeholder along the Trail please read this flier about consultation that will take place in the near future. We would love to have your input.

Neil Hendry,
President,
Friends of the Heysen Trail

BIG BOLD NORTHERN TRAILHEAD

The current trailhead

The proposed trailhead

Change is coming to the Heysen Northern Trailhead!

Work will commence in early May.

The Friends of Heysen Trail initiated a rejuvenation of the now tired Trailhead that’s helped hikers cross the line for more than 30 years.

The new design will enhance the sense of starting or completing the 1200km adventure.
Read the full article in the latest Trailwalker. (Click here.)

This benefits everyone, whether you are new to the Trail or a long-term hiker & supporter.
Anyone who has or will enjoy the Trail is encouraged to donate to this exciting project. (Click here.)

Heysen Trail re-opens with end of Fire Danger Season

The entire length of the Heysen Trail has now re-opened following the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Mid North Fire Ban Districts.

The northern half of the trail, from Wirrabara, reopened on April 15 following the conclusion of the Fire Ban Season in the Flinders Ranges Fire Ban District.

The entire length will remain open until November 2024 when the Fire Danger Season is expected to begin.

View more information about how the Fire Danger Season affects the Heysen Trail.

View the CFS media release confirming the conclusion of the Fire Danger Season.