Onkaparinga
2020-08-20
A Trail Starter in length, but with uneven, rocky, slippery and undulating tracks.

A circular walk in a small area of the Onkaparinga National Park passing through areas of native bush, including pink gum and grey box woodland. We may see orchids, kangaroos, birds and echidna diggings. {If really lucky an echidna}. As we make our way along some sections of the ridge top there is fabulous views of the gorge.

Friends Shed Maintenance Day – Cobbler Creek
2020-08-20 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-08-27 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-09-03 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-09-10 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-09-17 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-09-24 09:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Adelaide)
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.

Mt Crawford
2020-08-23
A loop walk with steep climbs over Mt Crawford and Little Mt Crawford rewarding with excellent views. Then onto tracks through forest areas including a platform walk.

Cleland - Wine Shanty Hike
2020-08-23 09:00 - 12:30
The Wine Shanty Hike is a 10km loop bushwalk through the eastern section of Cleland Conservation Park.

We will walk through Stringybark forest along sections of the Heysen and Yurrebilla Trails. Shortly after the start, we pass Keirs Ruin, an old farm house abandoned in the 1900s.

The walk combines some steep climbs with gentler sections – we will do it in the direction that best suits a Trail Starter.

Morning tea will be a short diversion to the cafe (and facilities) at the Cleland Wildlife Park.

Annual General Meeting 2020
2020-08-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Woodville Bowling Club, 25 Oval Ave, Woodville, SA, 5011, Australia
Friends of Heysen Trail Annual General Meeting 2020- Rescheduled from March

Now that Covid 19 restrictions have eased the Friends is able to convene its postponed AGM.

Meeting will commence 6.30pm at Woodville Bowls Club.

President Report on 2019
Treasurer Report for 2019
Election of Council Members – nominations were called for and received in March
Approval of Auditor for 2020/2021
Nomination of Honorary Members.

Members are asked to register in advance as numbers may still need to be limited to appropriate space requirements as defined by SA Health at that time. Safe hygiene and social distancing will be in place. Please note socialising after the formal meeting will not occur this year. Current Covid restrictions for community groups prohibit sharing of food so members should not “bring a plate” like previous years.

Horsnell Gully with a taste of Heysen
2020-08-29 08:00 - 14:00
This walk proceeds along Coach Road to meet up with the Heysen Trail. This lovely section of the Heysen Trail through to Giles Conservation Park is renowned for its wildflowers. At Giles we visit 3 cottages – “Faith”, “Hope” and “Charity” and the reed beds for morning tea. The cottages were built by Charles Giles and John Horsnell in the 1840s so are in need of some maintenance.

From here we head back to Horsnell Gully Conservation Park with more interesting ruins with helpful information panels that may be perused by those interested in history during a lunch break. After lunch the fun part of the walk includes a clamber up a waterfall (be prepared some crawling on hands and knees).

The walk is about 14 kms and includes a number of challenges. Walking poles and boots with good ankle support are recommended.

Old Noarlunga & Onkaparinga River Loop
2020-08-30
This walks starts off in historic Old Noarlunga and we follow the Onkaparinga River around to the wetlands reserve where you should spot numerous bird life and the odd kangaroo. This walk encompasses a boardwalk and is very easy & flat, the biggest risk is bumping your head if you don’t duck low enough as you walk under the South Road bridge.
Note: members must not attend if unwell See Risks – Hazards & Requirements below for details

Marion Coastal Walk
2020-09-02
This is a mid week morning walk to help maintain some fitness.

The Marion Coastal Walkway is located in the Marion Coast Park which extends 7.2 km from Marino in the north, to the Hallett Headland Reserve at Hallett Cove in the south.

Its environment is unique in the metropolitan area, with its rugged cliffs, small coves and a rocky coast.

It also features world famous geological formations at Hallett Cove, important sites of remnant coastal vegetation, and the significant cultural presence of the Tjilbruke Dreaming. Discover more in the Coastal Walkway brochure.

https://cdn.marion.sa.gov.au/sp/Coastal-Walks-Brochure.pdf?mtime=20180226123542

About 2km of this walk is closed but has bypass route.

Walk will be about 12-14 km in length.

Para Wirra
2020-09-05
Walk through Parra Wirra Recreation Park and Barossa Goldfields to see the views from the ridges and the Devil’s nose, and the old gold mine ruins. Look out for the local birdlife.

Some undulations and one decent hill.

Please be aware of FoHT weather policies concerning cancellation of walks.

Refer to COVID-19 requirements.

The Best Of Two
2020-09-05
Joining parts of walks 4&5 of the Heysen Trail together you get to experience the rolling green hills ,the lovely beaches and the towering cliffs of the majestic Fleurieu Peninsula.A longish day on the trail but a cracking walk .

A bus will be used to get to start of walk .

Please be aware of FOHT weather Policies concerning cancellation of walks

Please Note-Hand sanitiser must be used before & after being on bus .A face mask must be worn throughout the journey on the bus .Both sanitiser and masks to be provided by the walker.

Cedars Pilgrimage
2020-09-06
This pilgrimage walk follows the Heysen Spur from Bridgewater to The Cedars along roads, bushland, gentle hills, crosses the Adelaide main railway line & has views to rural properties of the Adelaide Hills. A leisurely BYO morning tea will be at The Cedars, family property of Hans Heysen. There will be $5 fee to enter the property. We will then return via the same route.

Brownhill
2020-09-06
A loop walk in the hills that starts behind the Waite Institute Campus and makes its way to Brownhill Creek via the Waite and Yurrebilla trails before the return that includes the Sheoak trail. There are opportunities for some great views across Adelaide and the plains. There is a testing ascent at Brownhill Creek so bring your climbing legs.

There will be a brief stop at a reserve near Carrick Hill for consumption of energy food and drinks if required (before the hill), then lunch/munch at the top.

Ansteys Hill North
2020-09-10
This walk will commence on a marked trail in the north region of the park, leading to great views and returning via fire track and trail to the meeting place.

Mack Creek
2020-09-13 09:00 - 13:00
A lovely walk taking in sections of Old Kersbrook Forest and the Blue Gum and Mack Creek tracks of Para Wirra Conservation Park.

The walk follows a range of trails – including well made fire tracks, shared trails and a narrower, more secluded track along Mack Creek.

The terrain is reasonably flat although there is a gentle descent into and ascent out of the creek. We will walk through blue gums and later box and pink gum forests.

Blackwood Reserve Belair
2020-09-16
This is a mid week morning walk to help maintain some fitness.

We will take a short stroll through back roads to Blackwood Forest reserve. The reserve is the site of the old Blackwood Experimental Orchard and details can be found on the following link:

http://www.communitywebs.org/friendsofblackwoodforest/history.php

From the reserve we will make our way up Turners Ave to a fire trail.

From here we climb up Olave Hill to join Olave Hill Road which will lead us into Belair National Park.

We will do a couple of loop walks exiting the park to follow Minno Creek back to our starting point.

Walk will be about 12-14 km in length

Onkaparinga Explorer TW
2020-09-17
Expand your horizons on trails less travelled within Onkaparinga NP. This is a challenging walk of some 14-15km loop with descents to the river and accents up the gorge. Initially walking down to the river, the walk then climbs the gorge to pick up a section of the Willunga Basin Trail, tracing edges of the park it then traverses less familiar tracks further up river. Testing your durability will be 3 water crossings: walkers should be prepared with spare socks and hand towel depending on river levels.

Sir Mark Oliphant Park
2020-09-19
From the Heathfield Oval car park we cross Longwood Road onto Scott Creek Road before turning down Brick Kiln Road and up through the SA Water site into Mark Oliphant Con. Park. once in the Park we will follow a mix of trails, fire tracks and off track scrambles within the park on both sides of Evans Drive before exiting back via SA Water and returning to the Oval.

Lobethal Bushland Walk.
2020-09-20
Pleasant circular walk in Lobethal Bushland Park just outside of Lobethal. The trails in the park were through heritage-listed bush but the park was burnt out in the December 2019 Adelaide Hills bush fire. Through the care of passionate volunteers, the park has been remarked and is showing signs of incredible regrowth. There are also exciting signs that kangaroos, echidnas and bird life are returning. We will walk through trails which have been burnt, but there are wonderful signs of regrowth on some of the trees and also the undergrowth. Slopes are mostly gradual. A good walk for new walkers and families, with toilets and a picnic area on completion.

Deep Creek Circuit
2020-09-26
A lovely hike in one of SA’s most beautiful Conservation Parks.

Hills, views, water and wildlife. What more do you want in a hike? It takes you down into Deep Creek Cove and onto the Deep Creek waterfall.

Morning tea spot

Health warning: the first 3kms are mostly vertical, and can be slippery when wet. Some clambering over rocks required. A good level of fitness is necessary. (The view and the rest of the walk is worth it though)

Cost warning: The meeting spot is inside the Deep Creek Conservation Park. A day pass of $11 per car is required. These can be bought at www.parks.sa.gov.au (no payment available at the park entrance), and can be purchased ahead of time.

Monarto/ Walk With The Animals
2020-09-27 09:15 - 12:30
This walk is a little different insofar that you must book our walk first, then contact Zoos.SA to purchase your ticket into the park..
We are opening bookings early to ensure you get an entry ticket to the park.
The walk itself is an easy 9-10klms, mostly on flat ground tracks.

Bookings at the Wildlife Park, Sunday the 27th of September, open the same day as our registration opens.
Copy the following link into your browser to book your admission. You will be able to claim any concession/membership that applies to you.:

Tickets

I ask then that you then forward your Zoos ticket number to me.
My details will be in the meeting point information .

We will walk the loop through the 5000 acres of scrub they have.
From which there are connecting tracks to the viewing spots.
I recommend you bring a good camera / small binoculars.
Also water , snack and sunscreen.

As it is a loop walk, my plan is to be back at the information office/canteen for lunch about 12.30pm Sunday the 27th of September.
This will allow you then to take advantage of the included bus services that the park offers.
Those busses leave from 1.15pm

The Friends Shed Maintenance Day - Cobbler Creek
2020-10-01 09:00 - 14:00, 2020-10-08 09:00 - 14:00

Belair Nature Walk
2020-10-03 09:00 - 12:30
Please note – late change of date to Saturday due to unfavourable weather forecast for Sunday.

A leisurely walk around Belair National Park, looking at the wildlife and spring flowers and hopefully some late native orchids.

We’ve conscripted Cindy and Lillian as Nature Guides, so at least someone is going to know what we are seeing!

Wallflower Donkey orchids

South Coast Week
2020-10-04 - 2020-10-10
An opportunity for walkers to undertake the first 6 breathtaking sections of the Heysen Trail in ” one hit”, from the trailhead at Cape Jervis through to the delightful little hamlet of Inman Valley.

A full week of walking designed to enable walkers especially those from beyond Adelaide, whether from intrastate or interstate, the opportunity to complete these fantastic sections along the coast in a single block rather than the normal schedule of an end to end group.

Once you have registered you can think about booking accommodation in Victor Harbor or elsewhere on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Refer to the Friends website for accommodation near to these sections of the Trail. Any accommodation booked is the individual walkers responsibility.

Please note this is an extended walk for people wanting to do the entire week of walks and not those only wishing to do selected day walks.

All the walk leaders are currently leading an end to end group and have each completed the trail at least twice.

For each walk, walkers will need to drive themselves to the end location for the walk, from where a bus will take them to the start of the days walk. The walk fee is to cover the cost of the bus each day. Golden Boots passes are not required for the event.

Some of these walks are challenging so please ensure you come physically prepared for a memorable week on the Heysen Trail.

Should you have any questions regarding the walk please feel free to contact John Babister via email(jpbabister@internode.on.net).

Highbury Aqueduct Trail
2020-10-06
This walk takes in the recently completed Highbury Aqueduct Trail, returning to the meeting place via the Torrens Linear walk.
