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Public Talk: Fire – the Effect of Climate Change on the Flora and Fauna of the Mt Lofty Ranges
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.
Autumn 2015
Issue 135
March 2015
Highlights include:
- Tour Mont Blanc
- Overland Track
- Let’s Do Lunch
- AGM Notices
- The First End-to-End walk of the Heysen Trail
Historic images of Morialta exhibition
2015 will be 100 years since Morialta was declared a National Pleasure Resort on 15 July 1915.
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.
Exhibition Schedule
| 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 |
5 Ordinary People hiking the Heysen Trail
A family’s 56-day trek
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.”
Follow @5OrdinaryPeople on Facebook.
Heysen Trail article in SA Life magazine
Check out the article in the latest SA Life magazine, Feb 2015. The story looks at walking the entire 1,200km with one of our End-to-End groups.
This year we have seven end-to-end groups walking the trail, all of which are open to new members:
- End-to-End 5, beyond Quorn
- End-to-End 6, near Spalding
- End-to-End 7, near Kapunda
- End-to-End 8, near Cudlee Creek
- End-to-End 9, near Mt Compass
- End-to-End 10, a new group starting from Cape Jervis
- End-to-End Minus 1, heading south from Mt Crawford
Heroes of the Field – Heysen Trail & CFS Volunteer on Front Page of the Advertiser
One of our chief maintenance and construction volunteers is featured on the front page of today’s Advertiser. As well as volunteering on the Heysen Trail, John Potter is a volunteer with his local Cudlee Creek CFS, and is among an army of volunteers doing 12-hour shifts to protect life and property in the Adelaide Hills bushfire.
Summer 2015
Issue 135
December 2014
Highlights include:
- End-to-End Group Reports
- 2015 Walks Programs
- Kangaroo Island
- Unicorn Brewery
Summer Twilight Walks + 2015 Walk Season Program Released
Summer Twilight Walks program released
Wednesday evening walks, 1-2 hours, around Adelaide.
Warm summer evenings are perfect for short walks. Open to members and new people from just $6 per walk.
Trailstarter and Trailwalker 2015 Walk Season program
Trailstarter walks are good for those new bushwalking or who want a shorter walk.
Trailwalker walks are for those wanting more demanding walks.
End-to-End 2015 Walk Season program
A new End-to-End group 10 starting from Cape Jervis in May 2015.
Walk the complete length of the Heysen Trail over approx sixty walking days, spread over six years. One day or one weekend a month.
Find out more about End-to-End walks.
FREE SA National Parks Vehicle Entry
Take the kids to walk and explore nature
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!
- Belair National Park
- Morialta Conservation Park
- Para Wirra Recreation Park
- Deep Creek Conservation Park
- Ngarkat Conservation Park
- Mount Remarkable National Park
- Flinders Ranges National Park
- Gawler Ranges National Park
- Coffin Bay National Park
- Lincoln National Park
- Innes National Park
- Bool Lagoon Game Reserve and Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park
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.
Art Exhibition: Echoes of the Heysen Trail – starting this weekend
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.
Fire Danger Season Brought Forward 2014/15
The dates for the 2014/2015 Fire Danger Season have been brought forward. The Heysen Trail is closed during these high risk times.
| Fire Ban District | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Lofty Ranges | 1 December 17 November 2014 | 30 April 2015 |
| Adelaide Metropolitan | 1 December 2014 | 30 April 2015 |
| Mid North | 15 November 1 November 2014 | 30 April 2015 |
| Flinders | 1 November 15 October 2014 | 15 April 2015 |
Walkers are reminded to be extra vigilant of fire weather conditions in coming months. Check the Fire Danger Rating before setting out on a hike, monitor changing weather conditions, and always have a back-up plan. Download the CFS smartphone app.
Find which Fire Ban District your planned hike is in on our Interactive Map, by turning on the Fire Ban Districts checkbox layer.
Some short sections of the Heysen Trail remain open year round, principally those sections not on private land. These sections include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves (closed on days of Total Fire Ban), Forests (closed on days of Total Fire Ban) and vacant land.
Pathway along Adelaide’s beaches – have your say
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.
Proposed 400km Walking Trail along River Murray
Seeking Feedback via Online 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:
- Coorong: Salt Creek to Wellington
- Murray Bridge – Wellington to Murrawong (north of Murray Bridge)
- Mid Murray – Mypolonga to Morgan
Art Exhibition: Echoes of the Heysen Trail
Exhibition Opening
2.30pm 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.
New Heysen Trail Maps for Sale
A new series of Heysen Trail maps have been released.
Over the next 12-18 months the Southern and Northern Guidebooks are being gradually replaced with fold-out map sheets.
The first two map sheets are available for purchase now via our online store, for $15 with postage from $1.45.
The maps are double sided and printed on water resistant paper. The maps include elevation profiles with kilometre markers and crossing point names. The new map style allows walkers to gain a “big picture” understanding of where they are on the trail, with a continuous trail line and a constant 3-5km of mapping around the trail.
Remember, you can sign up to receive re-route notifications for your guidebook or map sheet editions. All guidebooks and map sheets published since 2008 are available for notification.
There will be 8 maps in this series:
- Map 1: Cape Jervis to Kuitpo Forest – available now
- Map 2: Kuitpo Forest to Tanunda – available now
- Map 3: Tanunda to Burra – coming soon
- Map 4: Burra to Spalding – coming soon
- Map 5: Spalding to Wirrabara Forest – coming soon
- Map 6: Wirrabara Forest to Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park – coming soon
- Map 7: Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to Mernmerna Creek – coming soon
- Map 8: Mernmerna Creek to Parachilna Gorge – coming soon
Re-route near Middlesight Water Hut, Map 6.5, August 2013
View pdf map showing re-route
This re-route begins at Middlesight Water Hut and continues to Brachina Gorge Road.
The re-route has been installed to avoid an eagle nesting area. Please do not follow the original trail alignment.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
View all re-routes for the 2010 Northern Guidebook, 2nd Edition
Re-route near Middlesight Water Hut, Map 6.5, August 2013
View pdf map showing re-route
This re-route begins at Middlesight Water Hut and continues to Brachina Gorge Road.
The re-route has been installed to avoid an eagle nesting area. Please do not follow the original trail alignment.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
View all re-routes for the 2014 Northern Guidebook, 3rd Edition
New Website Launched
Additional Walk Planning Tools
We’ve launched a new website with more tools to assist you in planning where to walk on the Heysen Trail, where to stay and how far to walk.
Buy Heysen Trail guidebooks, regional road maps to access the trail, and other walking books and maps in our new online store.
The Friends End-to-End group 4 complete the Heysen Trail
On Saturday 16th August the Friends End-to-End group 4 completed the Heysen Trail. Congratulations to the 38 walkers who completed the 1,200km Trail on that day. Five walkers had walked each of the 61 End-to-End 4 walking days over 6 walk seasons, a real commitment and achievement. They are Pam O’Donnell, Gary Dawes, David Weinel, Giles Walkley and David Sando.
David and Michael Weinel may be the first father and son to walk the length of the Heysen trail together?
Dean Mortimer completed the Trail for the second time, and Kevin Liddiard completed the Trail for the third time.
Heavy rain on the Thursday night and Friday prevented our bus from travelling off the bitumen. We are thankful to the 4×4 vehicles which enabled us to ferry the walkers over very slippery roads on Friday and Saturday. Surprisingly, on the Trail, the walkers had little need for raincoats. Celebrations were held at the Northern Trailhead and at the celebratory dinner on Saturday night.
Spring 2014
Issue 133
August 2014
Highlights include:
- Luke’s Kokoda Experience
- Alan and Neil’s NZ Tramp
- Worumba Weekend
- Willow Brewery