Friends of the Heysen Trail

Maslins to Willunga
2013-10-27
An easy walk along the cliffs with sea and country views. May see the occasional seal or perhaps dolphins and if still around maybe a whale.

80% flat with a few gully’s and inclines.

Opportunity for coffee at Star of Greece, Willunga if not too busy

It is a linear walk approx. 10 ks

Montacute Heights to Cudlee Ck
2013-10-27
After an initial road walk, the trail makes a very long and steep descent to Sixth Creek before climbing again through Montacute Conservation Park and Mt Crawford Forest Reserve. A pleasant walk past the pretty private gardens along Holland Creek Road completes the section.

Locks Ruin to E Smith Rd to Curnow's Hut
2013-10-26 - 2013-10-27
Theme: “Cops and Robbers”. Budget cell accommodation is available for everyone at Gladstone Gaol: $15/person/night or $20/person/night with linen provided.

Sat.26th: From Lock’s Ruin we head east thru farmland to cross the Rocky River and then some lumpy stuff to Hiskey’s Hut where we will have a “nature stop” to water young trees planted by the Greening Committee. Then its road walking on through Georgetown and along Lehmann’s Rd. to the cars.

Sun.27th: Today we head North! We quickly climb to the ridge which takes us up and down and thru more farmland and across to Bundaleer Forest. We take a re-route away from the burnt areas of the forest and along Springs Rd. to Curnow’s Hut.

NOTE: The walks may be altered/shortened due to weather conditions.

West Park Lands
2013-10-23
Exploring the sculpture trail along the Western Parklands and into Bonython Park.

Dinner at Adelaide Pho

Deep Creek Conservation Park
2013-10-20
This walk will cover some of the best areas of deep Creek Conservation Park. It will be challenging in places, you will pass thru thick native scrub, past a waterfall to a cove and spectacular coastal scenery. There should be plenty of native animals and wildflower’s in this remote area.

You will need to get a day pass to the park, at the self registration point as you near Trig camp ground.

Scott Creek
2013-10-20
Follow fire trails and tracks through the Scott’s Creek Conservation Park. Catch the last of the spring orchids and some lovely views across the valley.

Kapunda to Hamilton to Peters Hill
2013-10-19 - 2013-10-20
SATURDAY: From Kapunda we head northwest along backroads and tracks to Black Joes Road, then mainly north along fence lines and tracks to the old telephone exchange at the crossroads. The walk is over undulating mainly open country of the lower North Mount Lofty Ranges.

SUNDAY: A pleasant walk along back roads and road reserves of open scrubland. After the short walk up Peters Hill, walkers are rewarded with pretty vistas over the farmlands of the Lower North. We will take a short detour to visit Marshalls Hut.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FOHT office to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

The THEME for the weekend will be HALLOWEEN. Unlike our usual themes the theme will extend into the Saturday night dinner.

Newland Head
2013-10-13
Loop walk through Newland Head Conservation Park which includes part of Heysen Trail. This beautiful coastal walk starts from Waitpinga Beach passing through sand dunes and mainly coastal vegetation. Views across Waitinga and Parsons Beaches to Kangaroo Island can be enjoyed at the lookout. Walking along the cliff tops is a rewarding section with views towards the Bluff. The trail is sandy with lots of exposed tree roots.

Sturt Gorge
2013-10-13
We will explore a few of the tracks at the western end of Sturt Gorge and perhaps see the river in flow. Depending on the day we may exit the gorge and explore the pine forest and lake on the campus of Flinders University. There could be some ups and downs on dirt paths so shoes with good grip are recommended. Start time 8.30am. Plan to finish around12.30pm. Bring morning tea to have on the trail. There is a lovely park at the start/ end where you can enjoy a picnic lunch.

Tugwell Road to Inman Valley
2013-10-13
A Gentle undulating walk. This section follows country roads, farm fencelines and attractive road reserves. Native orchids, grass trees, abundant birdlife and classic Fleurieu farmland views make this a walk to remember. Take time out to explore the church ruin and graveyard on Hancock Rd above Inman Valley.

Dutchmans Stern car park to Eyre Depot, Quorn to Dutchmans Stern
2013-10-12 - 2013-10-13
Saturday 12th. We do the long day today! After leaving the cars at Dutchmans Car Park, we walk around the Stern, then head down (unexpectly) through a lovely gorgette, and after a climb or two, arrive on the western margin of the ranges. Then a rather tiring traverse along a fence line to Eyre Depot. We won’t get closer than this to the western plains.

Sunday 13th. From Quorn we head north-west through fields and then pleasant foothills into the Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park. We then divert from the Trail to do the Dutchmans Loop, visiting the summit for superb views in all directions. We should be able to see Wilpena Pound.Please note-you will be “Qing” on Saturday night. Theme – QI (Quorn Inspirations). “Q” or “Quorn”. 6.30pm join the quiet queue of quaint walkers taking a quick quench while quizzing the leaders about the quirks of the Heysen Trail ahead of quaffing to quell the quibbles at Quorn Community Hall.

First Twilight Walk of the season
2013-10-09
First Twilight Walk of the season.

Twilight Walks will follow on Wednesday nights during daylight saving time.

Section 59: Bunyeroo to Aroona Hut
2013-10-06
In this section walkers climb from Bunyeroo Valley, up to Yanyanna Hut, passing several vantage points along the way that provide superb photo opportunities of the ranges behind. Continuing along Yanyanna Track, the trail passes old settlers huts before entering the geologically significant Trezona area. The pleasant walk continues along Brachina and Enorama creeks past the Golden Spike and other significant geological sites, before climbing to cross the ABC Range, where spectacular views of the Heysen Range unfold.

Section 55: Leigh Creek Road to Red Range
2013-10-06
A classic Flinders Ranges creek walk, the whole day is spent in Wonoka Creek which has been the site of a couple of major floods in recent years. The trail continues along creeks following the picturesque Mernmerna Creek and Slaty Creek to the Red Range campsite.

Section 49: Dutchmans Stern to Eyre Depot
2013-10-06
This is a deceptively tough walk with a bit of everything – undulating firetracks with spectacular views, a rocky gorge and a gibber strewn floodplain.

Section 8: Myponga to Mt Compass
2013-10-06
After a short road walk, the trail enters the small but picturesque Yulte Conservation Park. After emerging from the bushland, the trail crosses open farmland continuing along Lawless Rd (and the Myponga Pistol Club firing range), and gradually climbing to Mt Cone, which offers distant views over Victor Harbor to the South.

Section 38: Locks Ruin to Bowman Park
2013-10-06
An easy walk, predominantly along roads and road reserves, this section takes us through the town of Crystal Brook, then follows the Crystal Brook itself to historic Bowman Park.

Section 46: Horrocks Pass to Broadview
2013-10-06
Starting with a tough climb out of Horrocks Pass to the ridge, the Trail traverses exposed, gibber littered hills and farmland. Walkers are rewarded with views over the Willochra Plain.

Section 3: Tappanappa to Balquhidder
2013-10-06
A picturesque section highlighting the diversity of the Heysen Trail, walkers traverse native bushland, a long sandy beach, lush farmland and some very memorable hills. Photo opportunities abound, and you might even spot a whale.

Section 19: Pewsey Vale to Tanunda
2013-10-06
This is an easy section of trail that runs through the northern section of Mt Crawford forests and through the native bushland of Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park with its unusual weathered rock features. Panoramic vistas over the Barossa Valley and Lower North are a highlight.

Section 23: Peters Hill to Gerkie Gap
2013-10-06
A pleasant walk along back roads through undulating farmland to the southern end of Tothill Range, taking in the town of Marrabel and its memorial to the famous buckjumper ‘Curio’.

SUNDAY NIGHT – Post-walk celebration of the Warren Bonython Walk at Farrell Flat hall. Commencing at 6 pm. BYO BBQ meat and drinks plua a salad or dessert to share. A gold coin donation to cover the hall hire.

Section 27: Worlds End to Burra
2013-10-06
Although primarily a long, flat, treeless walk, along dirt roads and road reserves, this section provides walkers with a perspective on the diversity of landscapes of the Trail. The final few kilometres provide pleasant views over the historic Burra township.

Section 33: EE George Quarry to Spalding Rd
2013-10-06
Most of this section is spent walking south, initially along the crest of Brown Hill Range, following the remnants of an old 1840s stone wall (the longest in SA). It is quite an undulating walk, with little shelter from the elements, however the views make up for any discomfort. The last 5-6 km follow rural back roads to the main Spalding to Burra road.

Section 37: Raeville to Locks Ruin
2013-10-06
This walk follows dirt roads into the small town of Georgetown and beyond past Hiskeys Hut. The trail then follows undulating fencelines through Sams Hills.

Section 52: Buckaringa to Calabrinda Creek
2013-10-06
Although a predominantly flat walk along the Heysen Trail, this section passes below rocky outcrops, and crosses the Willochra Creek providing views across the Willochra Plain.

Section 9: Mt Compass to Kyeema
2013-10-06
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 Finnis Conservation Park and into Mt Magnificent Conservation Park, where a short hike off the main trail rewards walkers with spectacular views over the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. A combination of native bushland and open grazing land completes the day.

Section 39: Bowman Park to Mt Zion
2013-10-06
Begining as a pleasant walk along the Crystal Brook, past the southern most hills of the Flinders Ranges, the Trail gradually climbs to the top of the range to reveal views over Port Pirie and Spencer Gulf.

Section 47: Broadview to Woolshed Flat
2013-10-06
This section of the trail climbs through grazing land and natural scrub to Mount Brown, where walkers are provided with spectacular views of the northern Spencer Gulf from the viewing tower. A pretty single file descent leads Waukarie Creek and a classic Flinders Ranges creek walk. There are some steep climbs from Broadview to the summit.

Section 28: Burra to Wandallah
2013-10-06
This section of the Trail goes through historic Burra, passing the old Redruth Gaol and other reminders of a bygone era. The trail then takes walkers over the exposed hills of the North Mount Lofty Ranges.

SUNDAY NIGHT – Post-walk celebration of the Warren Bonython Walk at Farrell Flat hall. Commencing at 6 pm. BYO BBQ meat and drinks plua a salad or dessert to share. A gold coin donation to cover the hall hire.

Section 53: Calabrinda Creek to Jarvis Hill
2013-10-06
This is a long but fairly fast walk, initially along vehicle tracks, then over open grazing land along the face of Yappala Range and past the historic Mt Elm school site to Jarvis Hill carpark.
