Friends of the Heysen Trail

Friends Shed Day at Cobbler Creek
2019-10-31
Maintenance Days at the Friends Shed at Cobbler Creek.

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

Please register so we can anticipate numbers and plan jobs.

Crafers Stroll
2019-10-31
Trail starter in Cleland reserves.

Glen Osmond Loop
2019-10-27
Sorry for the delay in getting these details up. And congratulations to those of you that have booked without knowing where we are going.

Hopefully, this walk still suits you.

From Glen Osmond we zig zag across the slope to the top. We cross Howard Drive and walk through to Waterfall Gully Rd and into Cleland Conservation Park.The walk from that point on will be determined by the weather but will include at least one climb.I will shorten the walk if it’s hot.

Awesome Orchids
2019-10-27
This walk will focus on looking at and photographing wildlife, including orchids in Scott Creek Conservation Park.

Willunga Basin Trail
2019-10-26
As the October 5th walk was cancelled, this walk on the 26th has been updated to do that missed walk:

We continue to stage 5 exploring the new Willunga Basin Trail – yet to be marked – 120km loop around the basin south of Adelaide.

Today the walk leaves from Ironbark picnic area, meandering through Kuitpo Forest – we may come across a small section of the Heysen Trail – a gentle rise to Mt Wilson and descending to McLaren Flat. Terrain follows forest tracks, road reserves a nd a bit of road: there will be an occasional undulation but no major climbs.

Distance approx. 20km 5 – 6 hours.

Hazards – some road walking

Stirling Night Walk
2019-10-25
A night time walk in the Cleland reserves

Friends Shed Maintenance Day â€“ Cobbler Creek
2019-10-24, 2019-10-17, 2019-10-10, 2019-09-26

Horsnell Gully
2019-10-20
A tough walk with some steep ups and downs in Horsnell Conservation Park and elsewhere.

Onkaparinga River Recreation Park
2019-10-20
A loop walk incorporating the Pingle Farm Trail and Wetlands Loop Trail on either side of the Adelaide to Seaford railway viaduct. 95% dead flat, except for one short steepish hill to climb and descend. Distance may be shortened if there are adverse weather conditions. Optional group lunch afterwards at Jimmy Deane’s bistro at the South Adelaide Football Club afterwards. Seniors Card holders 3 course lunch for $12.90!

Bowman Park to Mt Zion(Mills Rd) to Wirabarra
2019-10-19 - 2019-10-20
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.

This weekend heralds the beginning of our journey north into the Flinders Ranges.

Please note the order of these walks will be reversed to enable an earlier finish on Sunday prior to everyones drive home.

Please remember to take plenty of water for each walk now that the weather is warming up, especially on Saturday as it is a long demanding walk with few opportunities for the support vehicle to access the trail.

SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER

A fantastic and testing walk commences with a steady climb along Mills Rd up to Beetaloo Creek campsite.From here the trail heads up to the ridgeline for an approx. 12 klm up & down trekking to the Bluff(it just doesn’t seem to get closer). After leaving the Bluff the trail continues another few kilometres on the ridgeline to where we exit down Bluff Road onto Wirrabara Forest Road for the final 3 kilometre trudge back to the cars.

Throughout the walk there are some spectacular views to the east over Beetaloo Valley & beyond, and to the west over Spencer Gulf.In every sense a tough but rewarding walk.

SUNDAY 20th OCTOBER

Beginning with a pleasant walk along the Crystal Brook after leaving Bowman Park, criss-crossing the brook between often steep sides and many rocky outcrops, before passing through a narrow gorge to Hughes Gap & the nearby storage tanks for the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline. From there the walk follows a series of country roads, often providing wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

Dinner on Saturday night will at the Laura North Hotel from 6.15-6.30pm.

The theme for the evening will be the seventies. Take inspiration from the Music, Dress or Events of the era to celebrate another wonderful season of walking along the Trail.

Peters Hill to Gerkie Gap to Webb Gap
2019-10-19 - 2019-10-20
Weekend Based in Kapunda. SAT-19thA pleasant walk along back roads through undulating farmland and past the town of Marrabel{and it’s memorial to the famous buckjumper””Curio”‘} to the southern end of the Tothill Range.

Sun 20thThis section of the trail follows the Tothill Ranges,which boasts the largest remaining section of remnant vegetation in the area .There are pleasant vistas over surrounding farmland,with constant reminders of 19th century optimism and 21st century technology.

Group Dinner Sat Night

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

Belair/Brownhill Creek
2019-10-16
A loop walk through Belair National Park down to Brownhill Creek before a sharp climb up Brown Hill then down to join the Yurrebilla trail for the descent back to Brownhill Creek Road. From there a short stint in some streets of Mitcham prior to a climb through Randell Park and back to Belair Railway station.

There will only be a break for morning tea as we will be at lunch time.

If the weather is hot the walk will be shortened by a few kilometers and at least one climb.

Cudlee Creek to The Nugget Rd
2019-10-13
The trail leads walkers through the rolling hills of the South Mt Lofty Ranges and sections of Mt Crawford Forest. The climb towards Mt Gould provides outstanding views.

Inman Valley to Myponga
2019-10-13
A very undulating walk. Majestic gums line roadsides leading to testing climb up Sugarloaf Hill where walkers are rewarded with spectacular rural views. The trail then leads into Myponga Conservation Park for more views and some more testing undulations. Pretty farmland and quiet country roads complete this section.There is a 2km walk to the cars after leaving the trail on Yulte Road. As this is our final official Heysen walk for 2019 you have the option to check the box for a meal and join the leaders for a light meal/snacks at the Similing Samoyed Brewery after the walk

Walk Leader Training
2019-10-08
With over 1200 members now, we need more walk leaders.

If you’ve ever thought you may like to lead walks for the FOHT,well here’s your chance. In a low key evening you’ll get to see what goes on ,on and off the trail as we run through the basics of becoming a leader.

We’re hoping to add more walks to the 2020 Calendar and would love for you to join our team of leaders {no pressure though}

Sir Mark Oliphant Conservation Park
2019-10-06
A relatively gentle walk through the Sir Mark Oliphant Con. Park and some nearby back roads.

Willunga Basin Trail
2019-10-05
We continue to stage 5 exploring the new Willunga Basin Trail – yet to be marked – 120km loop around the basin south of Adelaide.

Today the walk leaves from Ironbark picnic area, meandering through Kuitpo Forest – we may come across a small section of the Heysen Trail – a gentle rise to Mt Wilson and descending to McLaren Flat. Terrain follows forest tracks, road reserves a nd a bit of road: there will be an occasional undulation but no major climbs.

Distance approx. 20km 5 – 6 hours.

Hazards – some road walking

Friends Shed Maintenance Day â€“ Cobbler Creek. CANCELLED
2019-10-03

Onkaparinga River National Park - East End
2019-09-29
A challenging walk that covers a lot of the different areas in the upper end of the Onkaparinga River National Park.

WARNINGS:

1. The route is subject to change depending on the level of the river. This will not be determined until closer to the date.

2. There will be at least 2 river crossings involving slippery rocks and possible wet feet.

3. There will be at least 2 hills with gradients up to 30%

Lobethal Bushland Park
2019-09-29
Pleasant circular walk in a hidden wonderland just outside of Lobethal. The Lobethal Bushland features two large reservoirs and tall stringybark forest with fern undergrowth. We will walk beautiful trails around and beyond the park passing the reservoirs on walking trails through heritage-listed remnant bush. Slopes are mostly gradual. A good walk for new walkers and families, with toilets and a picnic area on completion.

Dutchmans Stern to Eyre Depot to Buckaringa
2019-09-28 - 2019-09-29
Due to the logistic side of these walks, the days of the walks have been swapped around and we will be using the bus for pick ups and drops to and from the walks.

Day 1: Saturday 28th September 2019 Eyre Depot to Buckaringa 29kms

After climbing back into the range, walkers enter Mount Arden Creek which winds its way northwards. The gradual climb up the winding creek bed with its waterfalls and rocky sections can make progress very slow, but after Mt Arden South campsite the trail leaves the creek to Climb Mt Arden summit for spectacular 360 degree views. The trail then follows the ridge line and a pretty creek line to exit at Buckaringa.

Day 2: Sunday 29th September 2019

Dutchmans Stern to Eyre Depot 19kms

This is a deceptively tough walk with a bit of everything – undulating fire tracks with spectacular views, a rocky gorge and a gibber strewn floodplain.

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

Stirling to Mt Lofty
2019-09-22
The walk will explore one of the many alternative ways of walking to Mt Lofty.

Hardys Scrub
2019-09-22
This loop walk is through a conservation area in Onkaparinga River National Pk with a diversity of plants from Greybox gums to Cypress pines. This is not a long walk but there will be time to look at wildflowers, especially native orchids, and views of McLaren Vale.

Tugwell Rd to Inman Valley
2019-09-22
A Gentle undulating walk. This section follows country roads, farm fencelines and attractive road reserves and a short but lovely walk through a pine forest . Native orchids, grass trees, abundant birdlife and classic Fleurieu farmland views make this a walk to remember.

Raeville to Locks Ruin to Bowman Park
2019-09-21 - 2019-09-22
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.

Accommodation for the group for weekend has booked in the Gladstone Goal. More details shown below.

SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER

The walk follows Lehmann Road into Georgetown, a historic farming town well known for its heritage hotel. From town the trail heads west along Slaughterhouse Road past Hiskeys Hut. The trail then follows undulating fencelines with a steady climb over Sams Hills down to Sams Hut before crossing Rocky River. After a short section adjacent to the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline the walk finishes with a further 4-5 klms along an undulating fenceline to Locks Ruin.

SUNDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER

An easy walk predominantly along roads and road reserves with a couple klms along the Goyder Hwy into and through the township of Crystal Brook, which marks the end of the trail journey westwards.After leaving the town via the golf course and onto Crystal Brook Valley Road the walk concludes a further 3 or so kilometers at Bowman Park.

From here our next walk commence our journey into the Southern Flinders Ranges.

Dinner on Saturday evening will be YIROS and bread and butter pudding in the grounds of the goal. Cost will be $15 per person paid at time of registering. See meal description below for meal options. Pre-ordering is essential and MUST BE DONE by Wednesday 18th September using the comments box below.

Naturally, the theme for evening will the Goal.

Staying in the goal costs $20 per person/night. You will need to bring your own bed linen, pillows, towels etc. There is a kitchen available to prepare breakfast, and your snacks & lunches for the walk.

It is recommended you ring the Goal to advise them you intend to stay on 86622200.

The Shed, Cobbler Creek Conservation Park
2019-09-19

Mt Lofty
2019-09-18
A short but challenging walk with some steep ups and downs in Cleland Conservation Park – up to Mt Lofty and back down.

We will stop during the walk for morning tea but will finish prior to lunch.
