Re-Routes of the Heysen Trail

Map 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda (Sept 2014)

Occassionally, due to weather or maintenance issues, it is necessary to realign sections of the Heysen Trail. Minor reroutes, necessitated by such things as sand blowouts in coastal areas, protection of native vegetation, erosion control, or requests from landholders, are also frequently carried out.

Logging operations in forests can sometimes necessitate the rerouting of the Trail. These reroutes often have to be done at short notice, and it is important to follow these reroutes, as it is dangerous to walk in areas where logging operations are in progress.

1. Re-route at Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest, January 2023

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This is a minor but permanent re-route of the Trail near Chookarloo Campground at Kuitpo Forest.

The new route directs walkers away from the Kuitpo Tree Climb and associated car park. Northbound, it deviates from the Trail at the Avenues Picnic Ground (Mapsheet 2A & Southern Guidebook, Map 2.9 at Grid Ref. 916 015), runs parallel with Black Nursery Road for 200 metres before crossing the road. The new trail then enters the forest at GR 918 015. After a short meander through a dense eucalypt forest, it rejoins the Trail just to the north of the Tree Climb area.

The two hike-in campsites at Chookarloo have been closed, but the other 21 campsites in this campground are available for hikers.

Walkers should be aware of increased road traffic when crossing Black Nursery Road and should avoid entering the Tree Climb facility and walking under the high ropes course. There is now a cafe at the the facility and walkers are welcome to take a break and tarry a while at the cafe. Please walk around the high ropes apparatus when accessing the cafe.

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2. Re-route at Knott Hill Reserve (Kuitpo Forest), September 2021

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This temporary re-route has been restored to the original trail alignment

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Forestry SA advise that logging operations in the Knott Hill Forest Reserve will impact on the Heysen Trail and The Onkeeta Trail. The Onkeeta Trail is completely closed.

The Heysen Trail has been rerouted to pass along the eastern edge of the plantation, using some of the southern sections of the Onkeeta Trail and the eastern sections of the Willunga Basin Trail. Look for reroute markings on these trail posts.

Forestry SA anticipate that logging operations will be complete by the end of October 2021.

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3. Kuitpo – Jupiter Creek temporary re-route, June 2022

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This is a temporary re-route

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This reroute is in the Jupiter Creek Plantation on Mapsheet 2A and Southern Guidebook Map 3.1.

It follows the eastern edge of the plantation along Pocock Road from the intersection with Bassham Road (Grid Reference 955 107) until the car park at GR 953 117. It then follows the northern edge of the forest until it reconnects with the Trail at GR 947 120.

Walkers should take care not to enter the logging area shown on the map and to beware of logging trucks using the haul roads to Pocock Road.

This reroute is likely to remain in place for the rest of 2022.

5. Trail closure caused by the Cudlee Creek bushfire, June 2020

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This temporary re-route has been restored to the original trail alignment

This reroute/closure has been removed – the trail through to Cudlee Creek was reopened in April 2021. However Grandpa’s camp remains closed.

Forestry SA has closed access to the Heysen Trail in the vicinity of Cudlee Creek, with the affected section shown on this exclusion zone map.

It covers sections of the following maps:

Heysen Trail Sheet Maps 2B & 2C and
Southern Guidebook Map 3.6.

The exclusion zone commences at the eastern exit of Montacute Conservation Park (Grid Ref 983 377) and concludes when the trail leaves Forestry property at Snake Gully Rd (GR 014 402).

All walkers are advised to avoid the area. Trail closure signs have been erected by Forestry SA.

Unfortunately the excluded area included Grandpa’s campsite.   The campsite has been reopened however the rainwater tank is contaminated with ash. Until it is replaced, the water is not fit for consumption.

6. Temporary Re-Route Around Sampson Flat Fireground, July 2015, Updated August 2017, Suspended 2021

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Updated 29 Aug 2017: the temporary re-route has been removed, the trail has been restored to its original alignment, with a small re-route crossing North East Road. The Aug 2017 re-route has been suspended, please refer to the 2021 temporary re-route.

Following the January 2015 Sampson Flat Bushfire the Heysen Trail has been re-marked through the fireground, from Nugget Road to near Kersbrook. A temporary re-route is in place from Chain of Ponds to Kersbook.

8. Reroute of the Heysen Trail near Chain of Ponds where it crosses North East Road, Early 2021

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This re-route was marked in early 2021 to allow for a roadwork upgrade of the junction of North East Road and South Para Road.
It was expected to be a temporary change until the roadworks were completed in June 2021.

The route shown in purple is the Heysen Trail in Chain of Ponds crossing North East Road.

UPDATE December 2021. Due to land access issues related to SA Water property, the trail has not returned to the original route. Further options are being investigated.

CAUTION: The re-routed trail now crosses North East Rd about 50 metres from the crest of a hill which makes for a dangerous road crossing. This is a dangerous crossing as the speed limit on the Chain of Ponds Rd is 100 km/h.
Please be extra cautious when crossing the road.

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9. Reroutes in Mt Crawford forest, August 2020

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The Heysen Trail has been re-routed in Mt Crawford forest in three places:

  1. The main trail (which is the route along the southern then eastern side) has been re-routed off of Chalks Road
  2. The alternative trail (which is the route along the north-western side) has been re-routed via Warren Reservoir to Centennial Drive
  3. When the South Para River water level is high, avoid the main trail crossing (marked #3, upstream to the east) and walk 900m downstream to cross the river on the Mount Rd bridge (marked #4, downstream to the west)

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10. Re-Route returning the trail to Tower Hill, avoid closed Freemans Hut, and Re-Route near Mt Crawford Summit, April 2016 (updated May 2018, updated November 2021)

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  1. Freemans Hut on the Heysen Trail near Mt Crawford has been closed due to a land sale, and the trail re-routed to continue north along the Wirra Wirra Peaks ridge line.

    [update May 2018] The trail has been re-routed away from Tower Road, to the east to follow Wirra Wirra Road to the north to meet Corryton Road.

    [update November 2021] Following successful negotiations with landholders in the area, the Heysen Trail has returned to the route initially adopted in 2016 following the closure of the trail to Freemans Hut.

    After the descent from the Wirra Wirra peaks, the trail again follows Tower Road in a northerly direction for a kilometre. It then crosses a fence into private property. The trail follows the fenceline for another kilometre before reaching the summit of Tower Hill, which affords spectacular views in all directions.

    The trail continues along the fenceline until reaching the Ross Fire Track where it turns in an easterly direction along an unmade road reserve. This section of the trail continues until it leaves the road reserve at the junction of Wirra Wirra, Trial Hill and Corryton Park Roads.

  2. [update May 2018] The Heysen Trail climbs over the summit of Mt Crawford. There is now a river crossing on stepping stones near the base of the summit. When river water levels are high, use the route west over the road bridge.

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