Earlier start to the 2023-2024 Fire Danger Season restricts access to the Heysen Trail between Tanunda and Parachilna.
The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) has declared the Fire Danger Season will start early in the Flinders and Mid North districts.
Many sections of the Heysen Trail are closed during the Fire Danger Season. As the trail passes through several fire ban districts, the trail closures will now commence progressively from Monday October 16, 2023.
A drier winter and increased temperatures for spring have brought the fire season forward in these areas.
This means that access to many sections of the Heysen Trail north of Tanunda will be closed to walkers earlier than expected.
At this stage there has been no announcement for the Mt Lofty District so the trail south of Tanunda remains open for the present. However you should check the CFS website for any further announcements.
Flinders District Fire Danger Season commenced on October 16, 2023.
The Flinders District covers the Heysen Trail north of Wirrabara (near Laura). The trail in this section includes Melrose, Wilmington, Quorn, Hawker, Wilpena Pound, the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park through to the northern end of the trail at Parachilna Gorge.
Many sections of the trail in this region will now be closed between October 16, 2023 and April 15, 2024.
Mid North District Fire Ban Season to start on November 1, 2023.
The Mid North District includes the trail between north of Tanunda and south of Wirrabara. Affected sections of the Heysen Trail between these locations will close on November 1, 2023 and reopen on April 30, 2024.
Some sections of the trail remain open over the Fire Danger Season
During the declared fire danger season some sections of the Heysen Trail remain open to walkers. They are principally the sections of the trail that are not on private land. These include public roads, Conservation Parks and Reserves, Forests and vacant land.
The Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor will remain open during the Fire Danger Season for the Mt Lofty Ranges region, but will be closed on days of Catastrophic fire danger.
Please note that Conservation Parks and Reserves and Forests are closed on days of Total Fire Ban. The CFS publishes these bans, as does the Bureau of Meteorology. In addition, the media also broadcast weather reports including fire ban information.
If you want to walk on the trail, check which Fire District you will be in. The Fire Districts and closure dates are listed on the Fire Danger Season page of the Friends website.
We strongly advise you to respect the rights of landholders. Please restrict any activity which may increase the risk of fire in this period.
Details of the Fire Ban Districts can be found Interactive Map on the Friends website.