Heysen Trail

Heysen Trail Closure through Wirrabara Forest

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Whilst the bushfire in Wirrabara Forest was brought under control on 12 May, ForestrySA advises that the Heysen Trail through the area remains closed indefinitely.

The main section of the Heysen Trail along the ridge, north from the TV transmission tower on the Bluff (Map 2.5 in the Northern Guidebook) through to Block Nine Road (Map 2.7 in the Northern Guidebook) is temporarily closed.

All trails and tracks in the forest, including the spur of the Heysen Trail from Frypan Hill to the Old Nursery and on to Ippinitchie Campground is also temporarily closed (Map 2.6 in the Northern Guidebook).

Further information will be made available when ForestrySA releases updated advice. Minor updates will be published on our Twitter feed, @HeysenTrail.

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Funeral Notice

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THE RELATIVES and FRIENDS of Mr C Warren Bonython are invited to attend his Funeral Service which will be conducted on THURSDAY, April 12, 2012 at 11am ENTIRELY in St Peters Cathedral, 27 King William Road, North Adelaide.

Free parking will be available on the park lands. Enter from Pennington Terrace.

CHARLES BERRY & SON Accredited Member Australian Funeral Directors Association 198-204 Magill Road Norwood 8332 2088.

As printed in today’s Advertiser newspaper.

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Vale Warren

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With deep regret we announce the death of our Patron C Warren Bonython OA, the instigator, mover and shaker, for the development of the Heysen Trail.

We have lost a Patron and a friend. Vale Warren. Our thoughts go to Bunty and the family.

Read some background on Warren in this news article on the ABC website.

Greening the Heysen Trail

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The newly formed Greening Committee has set its first project for 2012. It is planned to survey and plant appropriate trees and understory around Hiskey’s Hut, near Georgetown.

Those who are familiar with Hiskey’s will be aware that the hut sits in an open, rather desolate road reserve and is a manageable first project.

It is planned to approach Trees for Life to provide surplus plants, from the 2012 season, for about 100 trees to plant around the hut.

The committee is looking for help with this project, planned dates for parts one (survey and hole digging) and two (planting) are late May and late June respectively.

Contact the office if you are interested in participating.

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Four new shelters and water tanks erected

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Work has begun on four of ten new water tanks and shelters. The frames for the shelters were erected over the weekend, they will be completed in the new year.

The four water tanks and shelters have been erected at four new campsites:

  • Balquhidder campsite (photos | map), a campsite which is marked in the recent 2010 published guidebook
  • Robinson Hill campsite (photos | map), located between Waitpinga and Inman Valley
  • Mt Cone campsite (photos | map), between Myponga and Mt Compass
  • Finniss River campsite (photos | map), between Mt Compass and Kuitpo Forest

These new shelters and water tanks close up some of the longer gaps between camp sites and water supplies:

  • Newland Hill campsite to Robinson Hill campsite – 17.7km
  • Robinson Hill campsite to Myponga – 23km (or 18.8km to Heysen’s Rest B&B)
  • Myponga to Mt Cone campsite – 14km (or 16.2km from Heysen’s Rest B&B)
  • Mt Cone campsite to Finniss River campsite – 17.3km

Thanks to Bronte Leak from DENR, Colin Edwards, John Potter, Bob Gentle, Albert Schmidke, Peter Solomon, Simon Cameron and Julian Monfries for their work in the construction effort.

Six more shelters and water tanks have been fabricated and will be erected in the new year.

Upgrade of Waterfall Gully track completed

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The $1.2 million upgrade of the popular Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty track has been completed, says South Australian Environment Minister Paul Caica.

The four kilometre upgrade has been completed in stages over the past three years. The trail alignment, surface, drainage and signage has been upgraded. More rest areas, including an area safe for children to play and explore, have also been included.

An estimated 400,000 walkers enjoy the trail each year.

Read more in Paul Caica’s press release.

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Current Bushfire Info on the Trail from CFS Smartphone App

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Whilst we wouldn’t normally email you with technology news about smartphones, this news might be of particular interest to late season bushwalkers who have a smartphone and are walking the Heysen Trail or other trails.

Yesterday the CFS released a smartphone app which may be a better offering than third party bushfire information apps. It provides users with the location and status of current bushfires, current wind direction and prescribed burn details, which can be viewed on an interactive map with your current location. This is particularly useful for bushfires that have started during the day within the landscape you are walking.

You will need mobile phone reception from your carrier to access data with this app.

Late season walkers should be highly aware of bushfire conditions. Several bushfires have already occurred throughout the state and in areas where the Heysen Trail passes through.

View further more information about this smartphone app on the CFS website, or search for CFS FireApp.