The Fire Danger Season has finished in the Flinders (north of Wirrabara and the trail is open. Elsewhere the trail remains closed. Read more
The fire danger season for the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District (between Kings Beach (WSCW) and Tanunda in the Barossa Valley) has been extended by two weeks to 14 May. Read more
Warren Bonython has been recognised with a new Walking Trail named after him.
Robert Alcock and Andrew Robertson represented the Friends of the Heysen Trail at the opening ceremonies last Thursday and Friday at Hiltaba Nature Reserve, Gawler Ranges, 650km from Adelaide.
10km loop walk, 5 hours
Leaving from Hiltaba Homestead and traversing over Mt Hiltaba.
2km loop walk, 1 hour
Leaving from Pretty Point
Thursday 19th March 2015, 5.30pm
Goodman Lecture Theatre, Hackney Road
Presented by the Royal Geographical Society of SA
Mr Allan Holmes will present a discussion on the issue of fire vs natural amenity of the Mt Lofty Ranges. Allan will draw on his experience as Director of SA National Parks and Chief Executive of the Department of Environment. Allan will provide an insight into the role that government can play in dealing. He is also keen to views from the floor.
The Mount Lofty Ranges form a picturesque backdrop to the city of Adelaide and a valuable environmental buffer. The rugged landscape has ensured that significant areas have remained as verdant forest and bushland.
That this region lies so close to urban centres poses major challenges in land use management. Along with the usual competition for open space, there is also ongoing debate regarding the retention and management of bush land to provide amenity, while also providing a safe environment for residents and visitors.
The use of fire as a management tool is often cited as a necessary part of this program. Regular controlled fires are seen to be a naturally occurring management tool, designed to reduce the accumulation of large amounts of combustible material.
The Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc with support from Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges are to deliver a number of public events in 2015 to celebrate the centenary of Morialta Conservation Park.
The Friends of the Heysen Trail have sponsored two images. All images are available through an online silent auction, open until November, and any proceeds we receive will go towards our work on the Heysen Trail.
| Coventry Library, Stirling | 3 – 13 March 2015 |
| Cleland Wildlife Park | 15 – 31 March 2015 |
| The Summit Community Centre, Norton Summit | 2 – 30 April 2015 |
| Campbelltown Library | 2 – 29 May 2015 |
| Burnside Civic Centre Atrium | 3 – 26 June 2015 |
| Gumeracha Library | 30 June – 30 July 2015 |
| Tea Tree Gully Library | 2 – 28 August 2015 |
| The Long Gallery, St Peters Town Hall Complex | 1 – 16 September 2015 |
| The Long Gallery, St Peters Town Hall Complex | 22 – 30 September 2015 |
| Cleland Wildlife Park | 2 – 31 October 2015 |
A family of five, including Eli, 12, Emily, 10, and Noah, 9, will skip Term 2 of school in favour of hiking the Heysen Trail.
There’s so much more to life than just maths and English that kids miss out on, if parents don’t invest time in them.
Along with their parents Luke and Erina, they will be a world away from the classroom routine when they undertake a mission to cover 1,151km on foot over 56 days.
Their trek begins at the northern trailhead at Parachilna Gorge, trekking south through the Flinders Ranges and Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis.
It’s all part of Erina’s plan to give her children an educational experience of a different kind.
“We want to teach our children the life lessons that, when you’re caught up in the nine to five regime, you just don’t have the time to do,” she says. “There’s so much more to life than just maths and English that kids miss out on, if parents don’t invest time in them.”
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Thanks to the guys at Nature Play and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA free vehicle entry passes are being offered to provide opportunities for children to explore nature.
Hike, ride, swim, climb, camp, play or take photographs at any of South Australia’s great Parks listed below with this free vehicle entry pass.
South Australian Parks are special places that provide a safe home for thousands of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Hike, ride, swim, climb, camp, play or take photographs at any of South Australia’s great Parks listed below with this free vehicle entry pass!
Nature Play SA Inc is a not-for-profit association established to increase the time South Australian children spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature.
Need some inspiration for where to walk and explore? Check out the SA National Parks Guide.
Photos courtesy of Play & Go.
Exhibition Opening
2.30pm this Saturday 1 November 2014
Robin Hood Hotel, 315 Portrush Rd, Norwood
Free entry
Exhibition 1 Nov – 30 Nov 2014
A range of paintings on the Heysen Trail available for purchase, varying sizes.
Artists
Marree De Souza
Marika Lis
30% of proceeds to the Friends of the Heysen Trail.
The Government of SA and six local councils have been working on a scheme to create a Coast Park – a 70km walking and cycling path along the metropolitan Adelaide coastline, from North Haven through to Sellicks Beach.
Planning and consultation for one of the final sections, from Grange, through Tennyson, to Semaphore Park, is underway. A working group has produced four solutions, and local residents have raised their concerns. It’s time to have your say on the plan.
The Park will include, as far as possible, a continuous two-way pathway or trail for walkers and cyclists along the coastal foreshore.
It has been progressively developed since 1992.
We at the Friends of the Heysen Trail consider that Option 1 provides the best solution and is in line with our Policy Document on Shared Use of Walking Trails: a narrower 1.5m – 2m wide path along the dune edge. As path allows for walkers and slow cyclists we consider a 2m wide path is required. Part of this option includes an upgrade of the parallel Seaview Road for faster cyclists. Whilst the ideal in the overall plan calls for a 3m wide path, we think this option provides the balance between encouraging people to walk, cycle and experience the natural environment, whilst balancing dune environment management.
More information about this Coast Park Consultation can be found on the Charles Sturt website at yoursaycharlessturt.com.au/coast-park-consultation
Have your say via the online consultation survey.
A new walking and riding trail along the River Murray is being considered by three regional councils.
A feasibility study is underway and input is being sought.
The trail could begin in Salt Creek on the Coroong, following the Coorong to the Murray Mouth, then following the River Murray to Morgan via Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and Mannum. The trail will provide links to a number of iconic and historic river towns, major tourism attractions and other existing trail networks along its route.
This feedback survey allows people to view the preliminary trail alignment prior to the land survey commencing. The feedback survey closes 3 November 2014.
You can review the high level alignment maps:
The End-to-End ‘Minus 1’ group experienced snow on the summit of Mt Bryan on Saturday.
Check out some of the photos at facebook.com/HeysenTrail (no login required).
At 936 metres Mt Bryan, north of Burra, is the highest peak in the Mt Lofty Ranges and occasionally sees a snow fall. The group is spending five days hiking the trail, starting on Saturday in Hallett, and ending two days south of Burra this Friday. Recent rainfall has flooded paddocks and roads, so their walks between Mt Bryan East and Burra have been postponed to another time. Meanwhile they are continuing their journey southwards.
The photos look more like Tasmania, rather than from where they are in the Mid North of South Australia. Keep warm guys!
Thanks for the photos Robert Alcock and Michael Middleton.
Book launch: “Walking with Warren – during one half life” by author Terry Kreig.
Sunday 1 December 2013, 4pm at the Fullarton Park Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton.
Official launch by Alice Bonython. Screen presentation of some of Warren’s exploits and 30 minute Super8 movie film shot during Warren’s and Terry’s walk around Lake Eyre in 1982.
If possible, please RSVP early this week to patez1@yahoo.com