Heysen Trail

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.

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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Traditional owners to manage Flinders Ranges National Park

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An agreement has been reached to give Flinders Ranges traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha people, a greater role in running the national park.

Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association chairman Vince Coulthard says the agreement will let them use more traditional techniques to manage the national park.

56 kilometres of the Heysen Trail passes through the national park, from the southern edge of Wilpena Pound through to Aroona Campsite.

Read the full story on the ABC news website.

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!

Five day walking trail to be developed on Kangaroo Island

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The South Australian Government has announced today that Kangaroo Island will receive a funding boost which includes $5 million towards development of a five-day walking trail.

In late May a report was released recommending, among other things, the development of several walking trails.

Today’s announcement is a package of $18 million to enhance Kangaroo Island’s reputation as a major tourist destination and premium agricultural producer.

Read the details of the proposed walking trail in the Premier’s media release

Read the KI funding story on the Adelaide Now.

The Heysen Trail on Posctards (TV)

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The Heysen Trail and the Friends of the Heysen Trail were featured on last night’s episode of the Postcards, on Channel 9.

  • Bob Gentle you are a star – well done Bob.
  • Great promo for the Heysen Trail and the Friends.

However, there were a couple of omissions –

  • We do have many other groups and individuals who assist with maintenance. And thank you to them.
  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources missed out on getting recognition for their management and work on the Heysen Trail, even though we did ask Postcards for them to be included. We don’t have editorial control!

View story on the Postcards website: www.postcards-sa.com.au

View video here:

Run the 105km Heysen Trail Race

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An event organised by our friends over at SARRC (SA Road Runners Club), the Heysen 105km Trail Race will start from the old quarry entrance at Newland Head and finish at Rocky Creek Hut, Kuitpo Forest.

Start time and date: 6am Saturday October 15 2011.
Cut-off time: 6am Sunday October 16 2011.

Visit www.sarrc.asn.au for details.

This isn’t the only long-distance event on the Heysen Trail, don’t forget the annual Trailblazer Challenge with 18km, 34km, 50km and 100km walk/run options from Adelaide, along the Torrens to Black Hill Conservation Park, along the Yurrebilla Trail then the Heysen Trail to Mount Lofty and Kuitpo Forest. 7am Saturday 8 October 2011 to 7am Sunday 9 October 2011. Visit www.trailblazer.org.au for details.