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The Heysen Trail is open for through walkers and camping … BUT the Cudlee Creek fire has caused a problem…
With the easing of COVID-19 health restrictions on May 11th, the campsites and huts along the Heysen Trail are now open to ‘through’ walkers.
The easing of restrictions means that the trail is now open for small group walks. Currently, under Step 1 of the SA Government Road Map to Recovery bushwalking is permitted, provided the group size and social distancing advice is observed.
Additionally, through walkers need to keep informed while they are on the trail. The COVID situation may change while they are on the trail and this could affect their ability to continue to walk. This particularly applies to walkers from interstate, as border crossing arrangements may change from time to time.
Before setting off on walks on the Heysen Trail, you need to be aware of the following issues:
1. Trail closure caused by the Cudlee Creek bushfire
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).
Due to the location of the trail in relation to the extensive exclusion zone, finding an alternative route is presenting some difficulties. The travel restrictions caused by COVID-19 have further delayed the task. However, our Trail Development Team is attempting to find a way, but it may be some time before a re-route is approved.
All walkers are advised to avoid the area. Trail closure signs have been erected by Forestry SA. Any walker planning to walk the whole trail this year, including through Cudlee Creek should email the Friends Office to seek advice on alternative arrangements. One option would include taking vehicular transport to avoid the area.
Unfortunately the excluded area includes Grandpa’s campsite, which is now closed. Due to the extent of the fire zone and the danger of falling trees, we do not anticipate the campsite being available for several months, if at all during 2020.
As a result of this closure, there is no campsite between Woodhouse and Scotts Shelter, a distance of 76 kms. Through walkers should be aware of this, and plan accordingly. Refer to the Service Directory and Transport for planning information.
2. On Line Bookings for Forestry SA campsites
Forestry SA has initiated an on line booking system for the following campsites along the trail:
- Kuitpo Forest: Chookaloo & Rocky Creek
- Mt Crawford Forest: Rocky Paddock & Chalks.
No fees apply to the Heysen Trail huts in Mt Crawford Forest, ie Scotts Shelter & Rossiters
3. Temporary closure of the Montacute Conservation park
Parks SA have advised that the Montacute Conservation Park will be closed from 6pm, Sunday 31 May until 6pm Friday 5 June 2020 for a feral pest control program. Heysen Trail walkers need to avoid the area during this period.
4. Correction to the website accommodation list – camping is not permitted in the Finniss Conservation Park
Parks SA have also advised us that the old campsite in the Finniss Conservation Park was incorrectly shown in the accommodation list as being available for camping. The campsite was closed some years ago in the interest of protecting the park.
5. Tanks – take care if you are relying on them for your water supplies
Over summer we have become aware that several of the tanks along the trail require maintenance. Due to travel restrictions caused by COVID-19, we have been unable to travel to these remote locations to fix/replace the tanks.
Fortunately, indications are that we can anticipate good winter rains. However, the supply of water in our tanks cannot be guaranteed.
So, if the walk you are planning includes Beetaloo Creek or Eyre Depot we suggest you carry additional water or arrange a water drop.
The Friends modified walk program to start around mid June
Easing of restrictions will allow gradual reintroduction of walks
The Friends Council appreciates your ongoing support during the Covid 19 restriction period. The latest SA Government announcement about a slight easing of some restrictions is welcome, although we will remain vigilant in protecting the health and safety of our volunteers and members.
Council has supported a recommendation from the Chair of the Walking Committee to adopt appropriate guidelines that will assist us to revive small group walking over the next few weeks. Walk leaders will be consulted about suitable loop walks with the view to ease into a modified program around the middle to late June after finalising any practical steps.
Extra responsibilities of walkers
Members attending walks will be expected to
- register online
- take responsibility for their own and others health by adhering to the current social distancing requirements; and
- stay away if they have any cough, cold or fever symptoms.
End-to-End 2020 programme remains cancelled
Council’s decision to cancel our End to End walks for this year (and subsequently confirmed in the April news item) has not been rescinded.
Golden Boots passes extended
To acknowledge the patience of our members during the Covid restrictions, Council has decided to extend expiry dates for Golden Boots passes by 12 months.
Trail maintenance
We are also looking at how to recommence volunteer trail maintenance and will notify members when we have confirmed those arrangements.
Office relocation and reopening
During this period the Friends is also moving office to a larger space just next door. The office will remain closed until the relocation has been completed. Council has decided it is safer for our team if we get the new space organised before opening up again.
See you on the trail
We appreciate your patience as we gradually ease back into operation, and look forward to seeing you back on the trail.
Melanie Sjoberg,
President
Mid North Park closures affect Heysen Trail – May 24th to June 1st 2020.
Heysen Trail walkers are advised that a number of parks in the Mid North will be closed from 6am Sunday May 24th until 6am Monday, June 1st 2020.
The park closures that will affect Heysen Trail walkers are:
- Caroona Creek Conservation Park
- Hopkins Creek Conservation Park
The parks will be closed for the purpose of undertaking a pest control program. Walkers will not be able to access the Heysen Trail in and adjacent to the parks during this period.
The parks are located south and north of Burra. Affected sections of the trail can be found on
- Heysen Trail Map Sheets 3D, 4A & 4B and
- Southern Guide Book Maps 5.10, 6.4 and 6.5
For more information about the control program or the park closures, please refer to the Parks Closure notice or contact the Natural Resources Centre Northern and Yorke on (08) 8841 3400.
Unfortunately we received late notification of this closure. When planning walks on the trail we recommend you check the Parks Alerts page to check whether parks that you intend to visit will be affected by a closure.
Announcement: Friends Walks and Events cancelled due to COVID-19
The Friends of the Heysen Trail is disappointed to announce an extension to the cancellation of planned activities beyond 31 May 2020.
Sadly, in light of ongoing public health requirements, the Friends Council and Executive has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel all the following activities:
Walking:
- End to End Walk Program for 2020;
- Group walks using buses: Lavender/Willunga Basin/Yurrebilla/Yorke Peninsula; and
- Except that the October South Coast Walk will be reviewed mid-year.
- Trailstarter/Trailwalker program.
Trail Development
- Trail Development infrastructure projects;
- Section Leader Trail Maintenance; and
- Friends Shed work.
Office
- Remain closed until further notice;
- Online shop will cease for map and book sales;
- Membership Subscriptions and Renewals will continue to be processed.
Trailwalker
- Production of pdf only version will continue until restrictions are removed.
We share the frustration and regret that walks and trail work plans had to be adjusted.
Depending on progress around the current public health risks and any announced reduction in community isolation practices, the Friends may be able to revive some of our local Trailstarter/Trailwalker and/or trail development work later in the year. The website will be updated if that occurs.
Prescribed Burn in Hale Conservation Park – week commencing 20th April 2020.
Heysen Trail walkers are advised that the Hale Conservation Park will be closed for several days over the week commencing Monday, 20th April 2020.
The closure will be for the purpose of DEW undertaking a prescribed burn. The burn off is most likely be held on Friday April 24th, but this may vary due to weather conditions. The closure may affect walkers in the vicinity of the Mount Crawford Forest. The Hale Conservation Park is approx. 4 kms west of the Heysen Trail at Mt Crawford. You can find the park on Map 3.9 of the Southern Guidebook and Heysen Trail Mapsheet 2C.
Rangers will post closure signs the day before the burn on the trail coming from the Warren Conservation Park. On the day of the burn, additional signs will be posted for the two loop walks within the Hale Conservation Park.
The Heysen Trail remains closed during the Fire Danger Season
Walkers are reminded that the Heysen Trail south of Wirrabara remains closed during the Fire Danger Season. The season ends at midnight on April 30th. Walkers can use the Heysen Trail in Parks and Forest Reserves during the fire season, except on days of total fire bans.
FOHT – Response to COVID-19
Announcement: All Friends events cancelled until the end of May 2020
Dear Members and Volunteers
FOHT has been monitoring the rapidly changing developments arising from the pandemic announcement for Coronavirus COVID-19 and especially the need to adhere to public health requirements issued by the Federal and State Governments.
As a member-based organisation that relies on the active support of our dedicated volunteers, we are most focused on the health, safety and wellbeing of our members and volunteers. We have considered the public health requirements about social distancing as well as the related issue of avoiding non-essential activity and our specific demographic. We also wanted to make clear decisions that allow lead in time for our volunteer Walk and Maintenance Coordinators to organise necessary changes to programmed events.
The Friends Council has made the difficult decision to cancel ALL FOHT events: this includes all walks in our program, all trail maintenance trips and section work, all face-to-face meetings and to close the office. This will have effect immediately until 31 May 2020. We recognise that the public health requirements may continue to change so Council has established a small response group to review the COVID-19 situation as it evolves and update members should changes occur.
Action from hereon:
- Walk and Maintenance Leaders will contact groups about any specific details.
- The Office will continue to be monitored by a small team of willing volunteers to ensure emails, phone and shop are managed.
- Finance team will generally manage the bookkeeping by remote access.
- We will apply the usual refund policy where members are already booked and paid on walks. If this affects you, you will not need to contact the Office. Please allow us 2 weeks to complete your refund.
- Our Council and Committees will organise through email and phone discussion as needed.
Advice to our members
We encourage you to individually get out walking in nature for your own physical and mental well-being and where it aligns with the current public health requirements.
- Practice social distancing i.e. keep at least 1.5m away from others;
- Increase hand hygiene by washing with soap & water after sneezing, coughing, toilet and contact with doors, benches etc.
- Dispose of tissues safely.
- Use email and phone communication.
- Stay home if you are unwell.
These decision will create challenges for the Friends and our partner bus companies, as the current situation is damaging many small businesses. Please consider renewing your membership to continue to support the Friends and the Heysen Trail.
If you have any questions or concerns
Please email the office if you have any specific questions. We will appreciate your patience as we may take longer than usual to respond.
This is an unusual time but mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus to protect community health is critical. You may find the following sites useful in monitoring developments:
Melanie Sjoberg
President
Cudlee Creek fire damages the Heysen Trail and other popular walking areas in the Adelaide Hills.
The fire ground east of Snake Gully Road, Cudlee Creek.
Heysen Trail to be re-routed around the Cudlee Creek fireground, including Grandpas campsite.
As we are all aware the recent bushfire at Cudlee Creek has caused significant damage to the forest area. As a result, Forestry SA has closed the Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve, which includes Thomas Hill and Mount Misery to the public for safety reasons.
The Heysen Trail traverses part of the forest from Snake Gully Road through to Stone Hut Road. A temporary reroute has been plotted but has not as yet been approved by FSA and DEW. We hope to have this finalised prior to the opening of the walk season but until then we are required to avoid the area.
When the re-route has been established we will publish it on our re-routes page. Due to the amount of work to be undertaken in the area, it may be a number of months before we can return the trail to the normal route.
This CFS Map shows the extent of the Cudlee Creek Forest exclusion zone. Please refer to it before walking in the area and abide by all signage.
There is a National parks & Wildlife Service sign at the end of Valley Rd (Montacute Conservation Park) informing people that there is no thoroughfare through Montacute CP to Forestry SA property along the Heysen Trail.
Grandpas campsite is within the fire exclusion zone and will remain closed until further notice. Some of the infrastructure at the campsite including the rainwater tank has been damaged and will require replacement.
Temporary closure of the Montacute Conservation Park
Fortunately the nearby Montacute Conservation Park was not affected by the fire. However, Parks SA have advised that the park is currently closed for the purposes of a feral animal eradication program. In the interest of public safety, we advise walkers not to enter the park. Parks have posted closure notices at the entrances to the park.
The last closure for this operation will be held on Monday June 1st to Friday June 5th.
You can get more information on the closure, including any changes to the park closure date on the Parks SA Alert page.
Autumn 2020
Issue 155
February 2020
Highlights include:
- Fire hits the Heysen
- The original End-to-End
- Water treatment on the trail
- Eliza's 4,270km walk for diabetes
Heysen Trail Closure – Southern Flinders Ranges – 22nd to 28th February 2020.
Heysen Trail walkers are advised that the following parks in the Southern Flinders Ranges will be closed from 6am Saturday, 22 February 2020 until 6pm Friday, 28 February 2020:
- Telowie Gorge Conservation Park,
- The Napperby Block of Mount Remarkable National Park,
- Spaniards Gully Conservation Park and
- Wirrabara Range Conservation Park
Walkers will not be able to access the Heysen Trail in these parks during this period.
The parks will be closed for the purpose of undertaking a pest control program. Walkers need to take note of this closure and avoid that section of the trail during those dates.
Heysen Trail closure during the Fire Danger Season
The Country Fire Service has already announced the commencement of the Fire Danger Season for the Mid North & Flinders Districts. As a result, much of the Heysen Trail is already closed.
Some sections of the Heysen Trail may be open during the Fire Danger Season – principally those not on private land. The areas that are open (other than on total fire ban days) include Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests, public roads and vacant land.
The closure of these conservation parks later this week therefore places additional restrictions on walkers.
Telowie Gorge Conservation park
You can get a further explanation about access to the Heysen Trail during the fire season from our Fire Danger Season webpage.
Please that the Friend’s website will be undergoing maintenance for a few days from early on Tuesday February 18th 2020. If you want to read about the fire danger season but the webpage is not available, please try again later.
For more information about the control program or park closure, please contact the Natural Resources Centre on (08) 8841 3400. Further information can be found on the Parks SA Alerts page.
Easy membership renewals coming – we’re getting ready to upgrade our website
As a part the upgrade of our membership and walk registration system we will be temporarily suspending online walk registrations for a day or so.
What are we doing?
We are updating the software that we use to run the membership and walk registration system. These changes to the ‘back end’ are mainly going to affect our Office Volunteers and Walk Leaders, but the system will make it easier to renew your membership.
We’ve chosen a period of low demand to make the change. This will allow us to be ready for the period of increased website traffic during the walk season.
Will the change affect you?
Apart from the temporary reduction in services on our website, our members and frequent visitors won’t notice many changes.
Our website address will continue as https://heysentrail.asn.au.
After the upgrade, the Walk Calendar on the website will look slightly different. But the calendar will operate much the same as the one you are familiar with.
There will be a welcome change for anyone intending to register for our End to End 15 walk. Registrations for this and all other events will no longer have a set opening time of midnight. Bookings will generally open at 7am instead.
You can help make the change easy
Over the next week our Office Volunteers will be undertaking training in using the new system.
If you need to renew your membership or register for a walk, we ask you to use the existing website. It will be operating normally until late on Monday February 17th.
If you contact the Office before the shutdown, we may not be able to answer the phone immediately. For urgent enquiries, please send us an email which we will action it as soon as we can.
Summer 2019/20
Issue 154
December 2019
Highlights include:
- Twilight Walk Programme
- End-to-End Season Reports
- Meet the New Ambassador
- WA's Cape to Cape Track
Heysen Trail Closure – Southern Flinders Ranges
Walkers are advised that access to the Heysen Trail in the Southern Flinders Ranges will be restricted from 6 am Saturday, 23 November 2019 until 6pm Friday, 29 November 2019.
Telowie Gorge Conservation Park, The Napperby Block of Mount Remarkable National Park, Spaniards Gully Conservation Park and Wirrabara Range Conservation Park will be closed for the purpose of undertaking a pest control program.
So walkers need to take note of this closure and avoid that section of the trail during those dates.
The Country Fire Service has already announced the commencement of the Fire Danger Season for the Mid North & Flinders Districts. As a result, much of the Heysen Trail is now closed in those areas.
The sections that remain open are principally those not on private land. These include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests and vacant land.
For more information about the control program or park closure, please contact the Natural Resources Centre on (08) 8841 3400. Further information can be found on the Parks SA Alerts page.
Introduction to Walk Leader Training Night. Tuesday 8th Oct 2019.
A Friends Trailstarter walk at Hallett Cove Conservation Park
Have you ever thought you’d like to become a Walk Leader with the Friends of the Heysen Trail?
Have you got a favourite short walk that you would like to share with others?
Well, here’s your chance to see what goes on, on and off the trail.
In a low key evening we will run through the basics of being a leader and how you can get involved.
Being a walk leader is a rewarding way of sharing your favourite walks with others and a great way to get involved with the Friends. With an increasing number of members, we have more walkers keen to ‘get out on a trail’. We need new leaders prepared to show others the way.
So if this is something you’d like to hear more about, we’d love to see you on the night.
The evening is the first step in joining our team of walk leaders. The Walk Committee will offer you further support and assistance and help you plan and lead walks. An experienced leader will accompany you on your first walk.
If you are interested come on and give it a try. There is no pressure – attending does not oblige you to lead walks.
How
Just go to the walks calendar on the website and register as you would for a normal walk.
Where
Woodville Bowling Club, Oval Avenue, Woodville South.
When
Time-7.00 to 9:00pm, including a Tea Break.
If you have any questions, please send an email to the Office and one of the leaders will contact you. You can also use the red text hyper link on the walk description to email the leaders directly..
Access to off-track walking may be under threat in the Flinders Ranges and beyond – Pastoral Act Review
Maybe a slightly alarmist subject line, but possibly the case. Walkers ability to access pastoral leases may change, with changes to the way pastoral leaseholders are allowed to manage the land, read on.
The info below has been provided by Walking SA, and is being sent to members of the Friends of the Heysen Trail so they have the information, and can then completed the survey if they have the interest. (many sections of the survey will not be applicable to walkers, so answer “no comment” where applicable). A thorough survey response might take 20-30mins. At the bottom of this email is a table of relevant questions from the survey. The closing date for comments has been extended to 5pm Monday 30 September 2019.
This is of keen interest to FoHT members who undertake extra-circular walks further north, and for any planned FoHT northern trips away. The Friends are with Walking SA in wanting to retain the right to walk through the pastoral country as has been our right since settlement. Sure there will likely be some areas with no, or restricted, access to allow for tourism, cultural sensitivities, or mining activities, yet this should not restrict activity outside those limited, defined areas.
Review of Pastoral Act may impact access for recreational bushwalkers in the Flinders Ranges
What is the issue?
The State Government is seeking input in order to review the Pastoral Act.
Much of the land in the Flinders Ranges north of Hawker is not private freehold land but instead is leased from the State Government to pastoralists to undertake grazing ventures[i], and recognises the rights of Aboriginal people.
As the land is leased, people can undertake recreational off-trail bushwalking in these remote locations. They must notify the lessee of their intentions to walk, and the lessee can only deny access in certain scenarios.
To clarify, by “off-trail bushwalking” we often mean following old vehicle tracks, or walking in a low impact environment, and can include camping for a few nights.
The Act also provides what are called Public Access Routes (PARs), which are often used by 4WDers for recreational use. They will likely probably remain, but our concerns are for access to other lands not part of PARs.
How could changes to Pastoral Act impact on recreational bushwalking? What are our concerns?
Heysen Trail closure through the Buckaringa Sanctuary, Friday 13th September to Monday 16th September 2019.
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby at Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges.
The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed during the second weekend in mid September . As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.
The planned closure is:
- Friday evening 13th September to Monday morning 16th September 2019.
The closure is because the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) will be undertaking feral animal control in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies.
The sanctuary is located between Quorn and Hawker. You can find it on map 6, chapter 4, of the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook and on Sheet Map 7b – Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to Mernmerna Creek.
AWC will place closure signs at all entry points to the sanctuary to warn walkers of the danger.
Spring 2019
Issue 153
August 2019
Highlights include:
- Wading Through Canyons: National Parks of Southwest USA
- We Can’t Stop Here! The Heysen Trail Beyond Parachilna
- The Camino Inglés
- Cleaning Gore-Tex Jackets
- Botanic Thoughts on Mt Remarkable
Tanks-the unreliable water supply for walkers
One of the many tanks along the trail installed and maintained by the Friends of the Heysen Trail
Heysen Trail walkers are reminded that in some locations on the trail, the supply of water can’t be guaranteed
Walkers, especially through walkers, need to be aware that water and its quality cannot be guaranteed along the Trail.
Whilst we endeavour to have up to date information on water levels on all our tanks, due to the remote location of some, this is not always possible.
Be prepared
- Plan for your walk, by checking the location of tanks along the trail
There are approximately 70 publicly accessible water tanks and supply points along the trail, not including addition sources in the towns the trail passes. Generally you will pass at least one water point a day.
You can find a list of these water sources in the Accommodation list on the Friends website. By conducting a ‘Water tank’ & ‘Water only location’ search on that page, you will find the water points along your intended route.
- Look at what other walkers have reported about each of the water supplies.
Read any comments that have made by other walkers about the tanks and campsites. You will find them at the bottom of each page of the campsite and tank tank location description.
As the trail heads into the more remote and arid areas in the north, the water supply is less reliable. Read what other walkers have posted recently and as a back up, carry enough water to last into the next day if you’re unsure.
Send us reports on the condition of tanks, campsites and the trail.
You can help other walkers and our Office volunteers keep a track of water supplies. Tell us about tank water levels and quality in the ‘Leave a Reply’ section on the relevant Accommodation listing.
If you see maintenance work that needs attention, you can also report that to our Trail Development team. Post a comment and we will get the problem assessed and fixed as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or information that will assist us in maintaining the trail, you can also contact the Friend’s Office.
We trust this will help you and fellow walkers enjoy the trail.
Re-route to Kapunda Square, June 2019
View pdf map showing re-route
The Heysen Trail has been re-routed to take the trail into central Kapunda, to the newly constructed Kapunda Town Square (corner Main St and Crase St), and to be closer to bakeries, coffee shops, the camping ground and caravan park.
In July 2020 the route has been tweaked: heading north, the main trail continues along Cameron St, Branson Crescent and Crase St. An short alternative option is from Cameron St, along Mine St, then Whittaker St turning on to Crase St.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
View all re-routes for the 2014 Southern Guidebook, 6th Edition
Mapsheet 3A and 3B: Re-route to Kapunda Square, June 2019
View pdf map showing re-route
The Heysen Trail has been re-routed to take the trail into central Kapunda, to the newly constructed Kapunda Town Square (corner Main St and Crase St), and to be closer to bakeries, coffee shops, the camping ground and caravan park.
In July 2020 the route has been tweaked: heading north, the main trail continues along Cameron St, Branson Crescent and Crase St. An short alternative option is from Cameron St, along Mine St, then Whittaker St turning on to Crase St.
Download gpx file for loading onto your GPS unit.
This re-reoute applies to these 2 sections:
View all re-routes for the Mapsheet 3: Tanunda to Burra (May 2015)
The Friends welcome Joshua West as a new Ambassador for the Heysen Trail.
The Friends of the Heysen Trail are pleased to announce that Joshua West (also known as Trekking West) has accepted our invitation to act as a voluntary Ambassador for the Heysen Trail.
Josh joined the Friends prior to his journey through-walking the Heysen in 2018. His main aim in doing so was to raise awareness and funds for the Black Dog Institute.
During the walk he shared his photos, videos and experiences via Facebook and a daily blog on his website.
His blog continues to be available to inspire and help others who are encouraged to walk the trail.
Relive Josh’s Heysen Trek
Josh’s Daily Diary reports are descriptive and contain some wonderful photos of his adventure on the trail. Read from the comfort of an armchair, they will put you in the boots of an inspirational Heysen Trail walker.
Josh is not one to rest after his Heysen achievement, He is currently walking the Camino de Santiago.
As an Ambassador for the Heysen, Josh will continue to promote walking this fabulous long-distance trail. The Friends appreciate his support in meeting our goals of expanding interest, knowledge and engagement with the trail.
In addition to the Friends website, anyone with a desire to explore long-distance Heysen hiking can check out Josh’s detailed information at www.trekkingwest.com/