The Friend's Shed Maintenance Day - Cobbler Creek
2019-03-28
Flushed with the success of installing the new dunny at Bundaleer Weir campsite and the first of our new camping platforms, Colin’s crew are moving onto the next challenge.

Come along and get in on the ground floor.

There are always a range of jobs to be done which vary from week to week. Colin can also assign jobs based on your physical abilities.

Tasks to be done over the next few weeks may include include:

â€¢ Preparing more camping benches for installation.

â€¢ Final preparations on the newly acquired hut before it is destined for installation somewhere along the trail.

Laura Folk Fair - Volunteers to promote the Friends
2019-04-06
The Friends has booked an information stall at the annual Laura Folk Fair to promote the Heysen Trail and our new book “Heysen Highlights”. The fair attracts up to 15,000 each year.

Membership & Marketing would like additional helpers for a few hours Saturday and/or Sunday to hand out publicity and talk to interested people during the event.

Please register if you are interested, would like more details and able to help.

Contact details will be sent to you.

Hiking Expo-Opening of the 2019 Walking Season
2019-04-14
An expo to celebrate the start of the South Australian bushwalking season. With the arrival of cooler autumn weather, hiking is an ideal outdoor activity. South Australia’s bushwalking clubs and Walking SA are coming together to celebrate the occasion with a unique day in Belair National Park

This link will lead you to the registration page on the Walking SA website.

https://www.walkingsa.org.au/hiking-expo-2019/

Measday Lookout
2019-04-17
Commencing from Measday Lookout the walk threads its way through and around the southeastern portion of the Cleland Cons. Park.There will a couple worthwhile climbs & descents to test your early season fitness.

As we will finish by prior to lunch there only be a break for morning tea probably around 10.30 to 10.45am

While this walk is only 4-4.5 hrs duration it will be a testing walk so please come prepared.

The Friends Shed Maintenance Day - Cobbler Creek
2019-04-18, 2019-05-02, 2019-05-09, 2019-05-16, 2019-05-30
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.

Willunga Basin Trail
2019-04-27
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 Sellicks Hill to Maslins Beach. Starting with some road verge and reserve, then a variety of cliff and beach as well as a section through Aldinga Scrub. Tides will dictate how much we are on the beach.

Distance approx. 18km 5-6 hours.

Mount Lofty Summit & Gardens
2019-04-28
A loop walk including sections of the Heysen Trail taking in Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, tracks within the Cleland Conservation Park and the summit of Mount Lofty.

Starting from the summit with views over Adelaide City, we will walk down and walk through the Botanic Gardens.

The last section of the walk is a challenging steep hill up to the Mount Lofty summit.

Feel free to join us at the Mount Lofty summit restaurant for a drink afterwards.

Adelaide Hills
2019-04-28
This walk is ideal for walkers who need to get a few kms into their legs. It is about 26kms and includes a few hills and rough tracks to improve your stamina and walking techniques. It takes in part of the Pioneers Womens Trail, Mt. Lofty Botanic Gardens and Cleland Recreation Park. The up hills are out of the way by lunchtime leaving a gentle stroll back to the cars after that.

We will probably make Cleland Wildlife Reserve in time for lunch and a coffee (if you feel inclined).

The walk commences at 8am from Brock Reserve on Dashwood Road, Beaumont. The walk should finish by 16:00.

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.

Mt Zion to Wirrabara Forest to Block 9 Rd
2019-05-04 - 2019-05-05
Day 1 Saturday 4th May 2019 Mt Zion to Wirrabarra Forest 22kms

Both sections of the trail have been totally re-routed due to the Bangor fires of Jan/Feb 2014.

For most of this section the trail follows gravel roads and a rollercoaster firetrack through natural bushland towards the TV tower at the Bluff where walkers are rewarded with the spectacular views of the gulf and beyond.

Day 2 Sunday 5th May 2019 Wirrabarra Forest to Block 9 Rd 16kms

This section provides a very diverse range of scenery, beginning with the dense natural scrub, ridgelines and spectacular vistas of the Telowie Gorge Conservation park, then descending to a narrow single file track along a very pretty creek line, before emerging into walking alongside pine forests.

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

Worlds End to Burra to Wandallah
2019-05-04 - 2019-05-05
SATURDAY 4th MAY

Primarily a long, flat, treeless and exposed walk along dirt roads and road reserves although the final few gently undulating kilometers through hills south of Burra provide pleasant views over the historic township.

SUNDAY 5th MAY

This section of the Trail commences through historic Burra, passing the old Redruth Gaol and other reminders of a bygone era. The trail then takes walkers over the exposed and testing hills of the North Mount Lofty Ranges.Though not a long walk it is a challenging day which needs you to be prepared for as there no ready exit points.

The THEME for the weekend is MINING in recognition of the areas rich copper mining history.

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.

Cape Jervis to Cobbler Hill
2019-05-05
Welcome members to the new End-to-End 14 group. We are commencing the entire 1200km Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis. In the first few years we will be walking one Sunday a month during the walk season, then onto weekends away culminating in 2 x 1 week long adventures in the 6th & final year to reach Parachilna Gorge.

This first E2E Walk starts from the Cape Jervis trailhead, this section follows sandy coastal tracks and exposed coastal hillsides, providing spectacular views over Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island. Walkers are sometimes rewarded with sightings of seals and dolphins. At Blowhole Beach the trail enters Deep Creek Conservation Park to begin the long climb through native bushland to Cobbler Hill.

Mylor - Aldgate Circuit
2019-05-05
Come along and walk some little known tracks around Aldgate Creek using the Bandicoot Trail and linking back roads to the Heysen Trail as it parallels the Strathalbyn Road and then traverses the Mylor Conservation Park.

Para Wirra National Park
2019-05-05
This is a bush-walk through very picturesque country linking the major features in the park. The scenery rivals some areas of the Flinders Ranges with its beauty, and the proximity to Adelaide is a bonus. Birds of prey and colored birds in addition to native animals can be seen in the quieter northern parts of the park.

The terrain provides a good training ground for E2E walks etc.,as the route will be undulating, incorporating some significant climbs and gentle descents. Our return to the start point will be via a more recent established track.

First time trail walkers are encouraged to participate, a strategy for group cohesion will be in place.

The walk distance is about 14Km consisting of a loop from the Devils Nose car park via the gold fields and return by a different route.

Some sections are narrow with tripping hazard requiring undivided attention, please stop walking to admire the view in these areas.

Please note there is no park entry fee for registered participants in this walk.

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*
