Friends of the Heysen Trail walk calendar
The Friends of the Heysen Trail organise regular walks along the Heysen Trail for our members. Explore our upcoming walk events and find out how you can join in.
We run a year-round calendar of walk events
The Friends of the Heysen Trail lead walks along the Trail as well as in national parks and reserves elsewhere in South Australia and occasionally interstate.
All walks in the Friends of the Heysen Trail Walk Calendar are created, organised and run by the Friends, making it easy for hikers to get the most out of their Heysen Trail experience.
Here’s a quick guide to the different walks in the calendar:
End-to-End walks
The Friends’ End-to-End walks program covers the full length of the Trail and takes approximately sixty days, spread over five or six years.
Trail Walker
Walks generally take between five and six hours and you’ll need to be physically fit. These walks are usually scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays.
Trail Starter
Haven’t walked in a group before or want to enjoy a shorter walk? These three to four hour walks are usually scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays.
Trail Rambler
Occasionally we offer Trail Rambler walks for specialist events such as bird watching or historical walks. They are relatively short and informative and are suitable for people of all fitness levels.
Summer Walks
We offer shorter walks during the hotter summer months when much of the Trail is closed. These generally take 1.5 to two hours and are mostly held on Wednesday evenings, meeting at 6 pm, followed by a meal, close to Adelaide.
Extended Walks
These are multi-day walks, usually over a long weekend or a full week. The location and walk difficulty varies, with some walks being a few hours’ drive from Adelaide, others taking place interstate or overseas.
Events
Views Navigation
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This walk follows dirt roads into the small town of Georgetown and beyond past Hiskeys Hut. The trail then follows…
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This remote and very undulating section gives walkers their first introduction to the grazing lands beyond Goyders Line, traversing remnant…
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A pleasant walk following backroads, tracks and fence lines through the undulating farmland of the Lower North. After the walk…
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A picturesque section highlighting the diversity of the Heysen Trail, walkers traverse native bushland, a long sandy beach, lush farmland…
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The trail initially leads over Lavender Peak to picturesque Stony Creek campsite. From there, tracks, back roads and a busy…
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After an initial road walk, the trail makes a very long and steep descent to Sixth Creek before climbing again…
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Majestic gums line roadsides leading to the climb up Sugarloaf Hill where walkers are rewarded with spectacular rural views. The…
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This is an easy and pretty walk with gentle undulations, along creeklines and through native pine woodlands, in the shadow…
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This is diverse walk through native scrub, Bundaleer pine forest and farmland. The ridgetops and testing climbs reward walkers with…
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This section of the Trail goes through historic Burra, passing the old Redruth Gaol and other reminders of a bygone…
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This section takes walkers along back roads and road reserves past vineyards and wineries of the Barossa Valley, through the…
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Although relatively short, this section of the trail offers spectacular scenery, including a magnificent waterfall, as walkers follow narrow tracks…
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This is a very long and difficult (but memorable) section of the Trail that starts with the ascent of Mt…
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This spectacular section of the trail passes through the ruins of Morialta Barns before descending into the native bushland of…
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This section follows country roads, farm fencelines and attractive road reserves. Native orchids, grass trees, abundant birdlife and classic Fleurieu…
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One of the gems of the Trail, this ridge walk provides spectacular views and many photo opportunities. It is a…
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Passing Bundaleer Reservoir and the permanently flowing Bundaleer Creek, the Trail joins the Bundaleer northern intake channel at the aqueduct.…
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Although primarily a long, flat, treeless walk, along dirt roads and road reserves, this section provides walkers with a perspective…
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This is an easy section of trail that runs through the northern section of Mt Crawford forests and through the…
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Starting from the Cape Jervis trailhead, adjacent the ferry terminal, this iconic first section of the Heysen Trail follows sandy…
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A leisurely walk, predominantly along lightly undulating back roads, this section provides pleasant vistas over the surrounding farmland and finishes…
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This section of the trail passes through the native bushland of Cleland and Horsnell Gully Conservation Parks and along roadsides,…
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This is a long but fairly fast walk, initially along vehicle tracks, then over open grazing land along the face…
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This is a very flat, but unique walk that follows the Freshwater intake channel for Bundaleer Reservoir, only leaving it…
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The trail crosses undulating farmland before entering the scrubland of the Hallelujah Hills. The day finishes with an easy stroll…
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Initially following forest edges and roadsides, the trail then make its way up and over the pretty Wirra Wirra Peaks,…
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This section starts in the Wirrabara pine forest with there are some testing climbs. After leaving the forest the rest…
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Although the most populous section of the trail, it still retains a rural feel as walkers pass through the parks…
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Although a predominantly flat walk along the Heysen Trail, this section passes below rocky outcrops, and crosses the Willochra Creek…
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Most of this section is spent walking south, initially along the crest of Brown Hill Range, following the remnants of…
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This section of the trail continues along the Tothill Ranges, which boast the largest remaining section of remnant scrub in…
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This section combines several sections of Mt Crawford pine forest with the natural bushland of Warren Conservation Park and Little…
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This section provides a very diverse range of scenery, beginning with the dense natural scrub, ridgelines and spectacular vistas of…
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A picturesque walk through gently undulating farmland, the northern blocks of Kuitpo Pine Forest and through the historic Jupiter Creek…
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From the Mt Arden South campsite the trail leaves the creek to climb Mt Arden summit for spectacular 360 degree…
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A gently undulating walk, mainly along rural back roads and road reserves. The seasonally changing hues of the surrounding farmland…
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This section of the trail follows the Tothill Ranges, which boast the largest remaining section of remnant scrub in the…
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The trail leads walkers through the rolling hills of the South Mount Lofty Ranges and sections of Mount Crawford Forest.…
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For most of this section the trail follows gravel roads and a rollercoaster firetrack through natural bushland towards the TV…
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The dense native bushland of Kyeema Conservation Park, the plantations of Kuitpo Forest and pretty back roads make this a…
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This final section of the trail follows Aroona Valley to the watershed dividing it from the Parachilna Creek catchment to…
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After climbing back into the range, walkers enter Mount Arden Creek which winds its way northwards. The gradual climb up…
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The trail takes walkers past the historic Mt Bryan East School, before beginning the climb up Mt Bryan, which is…
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A pleasant walk along back roads through undulating farmland to the southern end of Tothill Range, taking in the town…
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One of the most spectacular sections of the Trail, walkers follow sandy tracks through the coastal scrub of Newland Head…
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This section of the trail climbs through grazing land and natural scrub to Mount Brown, where walkers are provided with…
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Begining as a pleasant walk along the Crystal Brook, past the southern most hills of the Flinders Ranges, the Trail…
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The pretty dairy pastures of Mt Compass and Nangkita provide the backdrop for the first section of this walk. Back…
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This pretty walk is entirely within the Flinders Ranges National Park, with much of the day spent following the Wilcolo…
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A steady climb to start the day takes walkers to the top of the range and views over Pichi Richi…
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This section passes through Caroona Conservation Park and Tourilie Gorge, which is one of the lesser known gems of the…
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This section of the Trail follows backroads and road reserves of open scrubland, before a short up Peters Hill, where…
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Picturesque farmland, unspoilt sandy beaches, rocky headlands and the chance to spot whales characterise this section of the Trail.
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Starting with a tough climb out of Horrocks Pass to the ridge, the Trail traverses exposed, gibber littered hills and…
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An easy walk, predominantly along roads and road reserves, this section takes us through the town of Crystal Brook, then…
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After a short road walk, the trail enters the small but picturesque Yulte Conservation Park. After emerging from the bushland,…
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This is a deceptively tough walk with a bit of everything – undulating firetracks with spectacular views, a rocky gorge…
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A classic Flinders Ranges creek walk, the whole day is spent in Wonoka Creek which has been the site of…
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In this section walkers climb from Bunyeroo Valley, up to Yanyanna Hut, passing several vantage points along the way that…
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First Twilight Walk of the season. Twilight Walks will follow on Wednesday nights during daylight saving time.
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Saturday 12th. We do the long day today! After leaving the cars at Dutchmans Car Park, we walk around the…
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A Gentle undulating walk. This section follows country roads, farm fencelines and attractive road reserves. Native orchids, grass trees, abundant…
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We will explore a few of the tracks at the western end of Sturt Gorge and perhaps see the river…
Lead by Robyn Quinn
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Loop walk through Newland Head Conservation Park which includes part of Heysen Trail. This beautiful coastal walk starts from Waitpinga…
Lead by Dana Florea, Peter Clark
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SATURDAY: From Kapunda we head northwest along backroads and tracks to Black Joes Road, then mainly north along fence lines…
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Follow fire trails and tracks through the Scott’s Creek Conservation Park. Catch the last of the spring orchids and some…
Lead by David Carter
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This walk will cover some of the best areas of deep Creek Conservation Park. It will be challenging in places,…
Lead by John Potter
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Exploring the sculpture trail along the Western Parklands and into Bonython Park. Dinner at Adelaide Pho
Lead by Simon Cameron
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Theme: “Cops and Robbers”. Budget cell accommodation is available for everyone at Gladstone Gaol: $15/person/night or $20/person/night with linen provided.…
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After an initial road walk, the trail makes a very long and steep descent to Sixth Creek before climbing again…
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An easy walk along the cliffs with sea and country views. May see the occasional seal or perhaps dolphins and…
Lead by Christine Porter
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A walk mostly on roads. Using parts of the George Driscoll Sea to Summit Trail and the Yurrebilla Trail we…
Lead by Dana Florea, Peter Clark
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This walk is along the River Torrens linear path. Optional dinner at the Lockleys Hotel after the walk.
Lead by Lyn Wood
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SATURDAY An easy walk, predominantly along roads and road reserves, this section takes us through the town of Crystal Brook,…
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A walk with everything. Street ramble, parks, historic sites, bush trails, and off trail hills. Starting on the Torrens I…
Lead by Simon Cameron
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This loop will take us through some lovely natural bushland close to Adelaide. Although there is a steady climb it…
Lead by Arrienne Wynen
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This is the night that the Council puts on a thank you BBQ for all the volunteers that make the…
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A very undulating walk starting with a testing climb up Sugarloaf Hill and on to Moon Hill. The trail then…
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Coastal cliffs walk from Marino to Hallett Cove Conservation Park and return. There are board walks along the erosion prone…
Lead by Dana Florea, Peter Clark
Want to host an event on the Trail?
For any organisations planning to run an event on the Trail, you’ll need to obtain approvals from the land owners affected or from the Department for Environment and Water.