Friends of the Heysen Trail

Highlights of the Great South West Walk
2019-04-30 - 2019-05-08
Nine days, using Rufus bus to explore the Great South West Walk from Nelson to Portland.

Leaving from the Rufus depot, Strathalbyn Tuesday 1000am

(2 km from the West Terrace / South Terrace / Sandergrove Road / Milne Road round about. Start on Milne Road, which becomes Dry Plains Road.)

Based at Mt Gambier for three nights, Tues 30th April to Thursday 2nd May, moving to Portland Friday 3rd May and staying until Tuesday 7th May inclusive. Drive home Wednesday 8th May.

Included : bus travel, all walks.

Walk pickups – Mt Gambier – Bluelake Holiday Park, Bay Road

– Portland- NRMA Portland Bay Holiday Park,184 Bentinck St.

The Friends Shed Maintenance Day - Cobbler Creek
2019-05-09, 2019-05-16, 2019-05-30, 2019-06-06, 2019-06-13, 2019-06-20
The Shed will be open this Thursday from 9.00 am to 2.00pm.

Volunteers are welcome to join in. You don’t have to be an expert handy person.

If you can attend to help in one of our current projects, please register on-line or contact Colin Edwards.

It helps him plan jobs when he knows how many people to expect.

Cleland (Tuscany Loop)
2019-05-12
I had a longer walked planned before realising that this was Mother’s Day. So it is now a shorter, sharper walk so that all the Mums can be pampered appropriately.From Lofty Summit we will drop down to Wine Shanty via Lodge. Up Pimpala, Sprigg Rd and back to the Summit via Gores Rd and Warre Track. Yes, we go back to the Summit but not via the more direct Heysen route.We will use a route that is longer with less of a gradient and with a better surface underfoot.

Approx 8.5k and a little over 2hrs allowing for regroup/drink stops.

We wont have a morning tea break as it is a short walk and we need to give the Mums time to change for their special lunch. Any non-Mums can stay for a coffee at the Summit if in fact it is open on the day.

Summertown / Cleland Conservation Park
2019-05-12
A circular walk using tracks, lanes and country roads as we walk from Summertown, passing Uraidla then through the Piccadilly valley before climbing into the Cleland Conservation Park and returning to the start.

Depending on the weather conditions the area will hopefully be a mass of autumn colours.

Waite Conservation Park
2019-05-15
Entering the Waite Cons.Park with a climb up Wild Dog Glen we proceed on and off the Yurrebilla Trail through the park before descending for a short walk along BrownHill Creek prior to a steep climb up Brown Hill. Then the walk follows the eastern edge of the conservation before returning to descend down Wild Dog GLen and back to the cars.

Though not a long walk it will include at least 3 testing climbs for all to enjoy.

Please remember we only stop for morning tea as we will be finished before lunch.

Cudlee Creek to Nugget Road
2019-05-19
A walk through the rolling hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges,including sections through several blocks of the Mt Crawford Forests.The Trail summits on Mt Gould before a steep descent to Rifle Hill and surrounding countryside.A character building walk for the beginning of E2E12’s 2019 walking calendar.

Mt Compass to Kyeema
2019-05-19
The pretty dairy pastures of Mt Compass and Nangkita provide the backdrop for the first section of this walk. Back roads then lead walkers through Finniss Conservation Park and into Mt Magnificent Conservation Park, where a short hike off the main trail rewards walkers with spectacular views from Mt. Magnificent over the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. A combination of native bushland then back-road walking completes the day.

Anstey Hill Recreation Park
2019-05-19
A loop walk taking in some of the historical sites of the Anstey Hill Recreation Park.

The walk will be undulating with periods of challenges and views of the city.

The Friend's Shed Maintenance Day - Cobbler Creek
2019-05-23
The Shed will not be open this Thursday.

Colin is involved with an ‘on the trial project’ in the Mid North instead.

Willunga Basin Trail
2019-05-25
This walk is an exploration along the new Willunga Basin Trail – yet to be marked – 120km loop around the basin south of Adelaide. Today we walk from Maslins Beach to Onkaparinga National Park. Starting along the coast to Moana, then we take the rail wine trail to McLaren Vale followed by a long section of road/reserve to Onkaparinga.

Distance approx. 24km 6-7 hours.

Wandallah to Newikie Creek to Dares Hill Summit Rd
2019-05-25 - 2019-05-26
These are 2 wonderful testing and rewarding walks.

SATURDAY 25th MAY

This is a remote and very undulating section of the trail providing walkers their first introduction to the grazing lands beyond Goyders Line.Over the past few years the countryside in the area has been particularly dry.

SUNDAY 26th MAY

This section passes through Caroona Con. Park and Tourilie Gorge, which is one of the lesser known gems of the trail. Part of the walk through the gorge will be along the ruins of an old bullock track. Look out for the old retaining walls and the hand dug rock cutting.

It should be noted this is probably the most remote section of the trail south of the Flinders Ranges.

The Theme for the weekend is BACK TO SCHOOL; revive some long lost memories for a bit of FUN

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 online registration system will only allow you to register for both days.

Carrick Hill - Brown Hill Summit
2019-05-26
This walk is listed on www.walkingsa.org.au as ….

Waite Conservation Reserve & Brownhill Creek Walk

9.5km circuit, moderately difficult, undulating, duration 3-4hrs

Walking anticlockwise there is a steep (but short) climb up to the summit of Brown Hill. We can take several rests stops on the way up and debate the meaning of the word “short”and any substitute words. We will take the climb at an easy pace so that everyone can reach the summit in good humour to enjoy the lovely panoramic view.

The walk joins the Yurebilla Trail as it winds through a remnant of original grassy woodland in the Waite Conservation Reserve looping back to the start.

Please bring morning tea to have on the trail, water, appropriate weather clothing, good grip hiking boots and walking poles, if you use them.

This walk is for more experienced walkers and those that want to test their fitness.

**Please note** the meeting time has been brought forward.. Meet 845am

Start 900am sharp

Finish approx. 1230pm

Mt Pleasant
2019-05-26
Circular walk from Glen Devon Trail Head through forest land, remnant woodland and native scrub. Finishing at Mt Pleasant Summit a great place to stop for lunch before returning to cars.

E2E10 Block 9 Rd - Murraytown - Melrose
2019-06-01 - 2019-06-02
Day 1: Saturday 1st June 2019 Block 9 Rd to Murraytown 21kms

The trail leaves the forest via a series of graded roads, passing the White Park property and coming within reach of Murray town.

Day 2: Sunday 2nd June 2019 Murraytown to Melrose 22kms

From Murraytown the trail heads North following several back roads, offering good views of Mount Remarkable and the South Flinders Ranges. The trail continues North, following tracks and graded roads, and passes near Wild Dog Creek giving walkers great views of rolling wheat-growing country to the east and the peaks of the South Flinders Ranges to the west. It then heads northwesterly along minor roads towards Melrose before heading through farmlands and onto Survey Road into Melrose. The Wirrabara Way ends in the historic town of Melrose.

*If you would like to register to walk one day only, please contact the FOTH office to register*

Cobbler Hill to Tapanappa
2019-06-02
Although relatively short, this section of the trail offers spectacular scenery, including a magnificent waterfall, as walkers follow narrow tracks through the dense native scrub of Deep Creek Conservation Park

Shepherds Hill
2019-06-02
Walking along well made trails with great views of Adelaide. This involves some short hill climbs. We are mostly in Shephards Hill recreation park then a short scramble over the train line and up the hill to Wittunga Gardens. Here we can have morning tea while enjoying the Flora. Bring your snacks and a drink.

If you register and are unable to come on the day please advise me 0402 036 296.

Black Hill
2019-06-02
This is a great training walk over a good mix of terrain from rocky clambering to easy strolls along well made tracks to challenging slogs up never ending hills. Expect to be challenged and rewarded with great views over the Adelaide plains.

It is only about 18 kms but could take 6 hours by the time we have morning tea and lunch.

Ambers Gully
2019-06-09
We make our way leisurely uphill on the Yurrebilla Trail to take in the scenic view from the Sugarloaves lookout, then descend via fire track with views over NE Adelaide.

Mount Crawford
2019-06-09
Route is to be advised, due to possible logging works, but the intention is to climb Mt Crawford, Little Mt Crawford, and Tower Hill, for a total of 21kms.

Kyeema to Dashwood Gully
2019-06-09
The dense native bushland of Kyeema Conservation Park, the plantations of Kuitpo Forest and pretty back roads make this a pleasant winter walk.

Nugget Rd to Mt Crawford
2019-06-16
This section of the trail combines several sections of MtCrawford pine forest with the natural bushland of Warren C/P and Little Mt Crawford to provide a picturesque and diverse walk .

Kersbrook
2019-06-16
This walk is in a section of Mount Crawford Forest referred to as “Old Kersbook Locality”. We will be walking on wide open fire tracks through native forest and pine plantations and also along the edge of the forest where there is good views over surrounding farmland. Parts of this area were burnt in the Sampson Flat fires of 2015 and you will see the rejuvenation of the trees.

A trail walker with undulating terrain.

To reach the meeting point there is a small section of gravel road.

Linear Park, Athelstone
2019-06-16
A pleasant ramble on the Linear Park Trail, walking on both sides of the Torrens, much of the walk off the paved trail.

Greenhill Loop
2019-06-19
A loop walk up from Langman Reserve, Burnside through the quiet Greenhill Recreation Park and urban streets of Greenhill, before descending into Chambers Gully and a meander around some of the trails on the northern side of Cleland Con. Park prior to returning along the Waterfall Gully Road Walking Trail and some quiet suburban streets of Burnside to the Reserve.

It is a walk of ups and downs, some steep & some not so steep. The section in Greenhill Rec. Park offers panoramic views over Adelaide.

Come prepared to do some climbs.

Please remember we will only stop for morning tea as we will finish before lunch.

Willunga Basin Trail
2019-06-22
We continue to stage 3 exploring the new Willunga Basin Trail – yet to be marked – 120km loop around the basin south of Adelaide.

Today the walk leaves from Onkaparinga National Park, winding its way through Hardy’s Scrub, then travels some road reserves with a swoop across Gemtree Winery wetlands before a few quiet back roads take us into Willunga. Terrain is relatively flat with an occasional undulation.

Distance approx. 21 km 6 hours.
