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E2E 17 Wandillah – Newikie CK – Dares Hill Summit Rd

Walking from Wandallah to Dares Hill Summit Road on the Heysen Trail.

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What to expect

Along this remote and very undulating section you’ll get your first introduction to the grazing land north of the infamous Goyder’s Line, which marks the point where, due to low rainfall, the land becomes unsuitable for cropping.

Note:  These walks are out of order and has the shorter distance on Sunday.  

Both days are remote, exposed to the elements and very undulating in sections.

 

Saturday 9th May: Newikie Creek – Dares Hill Summit Road  25.5 km

This section passes through Caroona Creek Conservation Park and Tourilie Gorge, which is one of the lesser-known gems of the Trail. Look out for the remnants of an old bullock track cut through the gorge.

Sunday 10th May: Wandillah Rd to Newikie Creek  22km

From Wandillah Rd, walkers will get their first introduction to the grazing lands beyond Goyders Line and pleasant views along the way.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FOHT office (once bookings have opened) to register for that day’s walk. The on-line registration system will only allow you to register for both days.”

Walk Difficulty – The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Walk leaders: Chris Young
Glenn Chambers
Heather Thompson
Paul Frost
Peter Nation
Tammy Main
Registrations close: 4:00pm 6 May 2026
Places remaining: 1 place remaining
Register for this walk now

Cost

Adults: $24.00

Golden Boots Pass accepted

Bus: $50.00

Season Welcome Picnic BBQ Dinner

On the Saturday night of our first weekend walking, the leaders invite you all to a casual picnic style bbq dinner on the lawns inside Paxton Square Cottages.
BBQ facilities are onsite if required with ample lawn area. There is limited table space & seating, so I suggest bringing a chair or rug to sit on, and appropriate warm clothing if the night gets cold and torch to find your way in the dark. A fire pit surround is onsite that we can hopefully make use of.
If you wish, bring something additional to share amongst the group, possibly snacks, a salad, desert, drinks etc.
The Saturday night picnic invite is also extended to any of your family or friends that you may want to have join us.
Further details are included on the walk registration page.

When:  Saturday 9th May from 6pm

Where: Paxton Square Cottages, 1 Kingston St. Entry is off Paxton Tce or Welsh Place.

Google Maps:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGgQQBZg8ETC87YU7

What to Bring:  Food and drink for yourself or to share. Chair or blanket to sit on. Warm clothes. Torch.

Cost:  No cost

Note:  Please be mindful of other guests staying at Paxton Square.

Dates

Saturday 9 May 2026 – Sunday 10 May 2026

Walk difficulty: End-to-End 17

These walks are for those wishing to walk some or all of the Heysen Trail. There are approximately sixtyone day walks involved, spread over six years. The southern walks, from Cape Jervis to Kapunda, are held on one Sunday per month during the walk season. Due to the greater travelling distances involved, from Kapunda northwards, the walk is held over a weekend.

These arrangements make it easy to walk the entire trail because the Friends of Heysen Trail work out many of the logistics.

These walks are reasonably demanding and for walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain. They have a walking time of about 5 to 6 hours and will require a high degree of physical fitness.

Walk details

Start time:
830am – commence walking

Finish time:
4-430pm approx.

Walking from:
Newikie Ck

Walking to:
Dares Hill Summit Rd

Distance:
25.5km

Hazards

Road walking & crossings, keep to right hand side or as directed by leaders. May need to walk through tall grass/crops. Sections of the trail can be rocky & slippery in parts where wet. Snakes, insects and other critters that could bite & sting.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, walking poles, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc, as per the forecasted weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including:- band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications including an action plan, and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

Start time:
8:30am – commence walking

Finish time:
3:30-4pm approx.

Walking from:
Wandillah Rd

Walking to:
Newikie Ck

Distance:
22km

Hazards

Road walking & crossings, keep to right hand side or as directed by leaders. May need to walk through tall grass/crops. Sections of the trail can be rocky and slippery where wet. Snakes, insects and other critters that could bite & sting.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, walking poles, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc, as per the forecasted weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including: – band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications including an action plan, and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

Interactive map

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End elevation: 
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Registration terms and conditions

All walks are subject to you wearing appropriate clothing. Prime considerations are warmth and weather protection. Your safety and the safety of the walking group can be jeopardised by you wearing inappropriate clothing. In an emergency situation it can take hours to evacuate a sick or injured walker. Leaders may not accept people for a walk who have not come appropriately dressed or prepared.

View details of appropriate clothing at https://heysentrail.asn.au/walking-the-heysen-trail/prepare-to-walk-the-trail/what-to-wear-and-bring/

If the forecast temperature for Adelaide is equal or higher than 32C, walks are cancelled. For simplicity, this can be determined the night prior to the walk from the 7.00 pm ABC News Adelaide weather forecast, based upon the Bureau of Meteorology’s routine 4pm forecast.

Your Walk Leader will send an email to all walkers advising the walk is cancelled. We suggest you check your emails before leaving to join the walk. Even if the forecast temperature is later revised, the walk remains cancelled. In such a case walk fees will be refunded.

If unforeseen circumstances arise and you are no longer able to participate in the walk, please cancel your registration as soon as possible using the Manage Walk Registrations facility on your Account page.

Alternatively you can notify the office by 2.15pm on the last business day before the walk. Walk leaders do not have access to messages left on the answering machine after this time. If your Walk Leader has provided their mobile phone number you may be able to contact them prior to the walk (subject to phone service availability).

View the full details of our Cancellation & Refund Policy at https://heysentrail.asn.au/policies/cancellation-refund-policy/

You must be aware of our privacy policy – https://heysentrail.asn.au/policies/privacy-policy-statement/

Memberships, walk and event registrations and Golden Boots passes are tickets. If you purchase a Golden Boots pass details of your pass purchase will be recorded. If the Golden Boots pass has expired when you register for walk events, you will be prompted to purchase another pass.

View full details of our Shipping & Delivery Policy at https://heysentrail.asn.au/policies/shipping-delivery-policy/

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