Friends of the Heysen Trail

SW - River Torrens/ Karrawirra Parri
2025-02-27, 2025-03-27
An evening stroll along the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri within the CBD.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TS - Anstey Hill Loop ( morning)
2025-02-28
11k walk largely close to the Recreation Park’s boundary. While often on wide, smooth fire trails, we will head off on to narrow bush trails whenever the opportunity presents itself. Just 1 long, steep climb and descent on this walk, but it is a good one (think that I am getting soft). Poles recommended.

Post walk coffee catch up for those that can stay.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

SW - Myponga Reservoir Loop - Evening
2025-03-05
Venture down south for a leisurely evening walk among the kangaroos! The walking track takes you through open plains, forested areas and native vegetation. No options for dinner afterwards, so please feel free to pack a simple picnic, we can stop and take a break.

This walk will be CANCELLED in the event of FIRE BAN on the day.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Wine Shanty Plus
2025-03-10
Walking The Wine Shanty Track, Cleland – plus extra assents and descents,

uneven terrain -13km

Poles recommended.

We will Meet at Cleland Wildlife Centre at 0750 for 0800 departure

Bring Snack for Morning Tea.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

SW Seacliff / Hallett Cove ( morning)
2025-03-13
Seems hardy necessary to write a description of this walk as most of Adelaide, it seems, has walked it at some time in the past. Seacliff to Hallett Cove via coastal tracks and return. Plenty of ups and downs. Steps, and then more steps. And now we have a new Suspension Bridge as well. Vertigo anyone?

Cooling breezes off the sea to counter the fact that the trail is totally exposed. So, bring your broadest brimmed hat and sunscreen.

Post walk coffee catchup for those that can stay.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW - Belair Adventure Loop
2025-03-16
This walk on Kaurna Yartangka explores the outer reaches of Belair National Parks. It links a variety of well-trod and lesser known tracks with climbs to challenge legs. It is a reasonably demanding walk across various terrain including inclines and declines and irregular surfaces.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Volunteer Support for Heysen Trail - Interested?
2025-03-19 12:30 - 14:30 (Australia/Adelaide)
Volunteer Trail Maintenance – ever wondered about how our dedicated volunteer teams sustain the Trail?

Do you like getting out on different parts of the Trail?
Not sure how to support that activity?
What time and skills do you need?
Is there training & safety provisions?
Are there other ways to support the Trail?
Did you know there’s a heap of fun across the teams?

You’re invited to a relaxed “Q&A” with The Friends Trail Development Committee and Section Leaders at Belair on Wednesday 19 March. Light lunch, tea & coffee provided. Please register for a “no obligation” information session.

FoHT Council Meeting
2025-03-19 17:30 - 19:30
Friends of Heysen Trail Council Meeting
The Friends encourages engagement and interaction across our membership/volunteers. Committees and Members are welcome to attend; if interested please register so our Secretary is aware to expect extra people.

SW Grange to Semaphore Coastal Walk
2025-03-19 18:00 - 20:00
A twilight walk along the metropolitan coastline followed by an optional dinner at the Grange Hotel (please RSVP on registration).

This walk is one way and will involve a car shuffle at both ends.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Tapanappa to Balquhidder
2025-03-23
A picturesque section highlighting the diversity of the Heysen Trail. Photo opportunities abound, and you might even spot a whale.

This walk starts with spectacular views to Tunkalilla Beach followed by a picturesque walk through dense bushland before a steep descent to Boat Harbor Beach.

The very testing 4km walk along Tunkalilla Beach is followed by a very steep climb up to Balquhidder which makes it a unique and very memorable section of the Heysen Trail.

This walk is intended to serve as both an introduction to the Heysen Trail and a chance to catch up this section of the trail. Rather than using a bus we will car-shuffle between the end and start of the walk.

There will be no support vehicle so please assess your level of fitness prior to joining this walk.

If the forecast maximum for Victor Harbor on Saturday evening is 28 or higher the event will be cancelled.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Brownhill Ck to Belair to Mitcham Cemetery Loop
2025-03-30
This loop hike leaves Brownhill Creek valley using the Yurrebilla Trail and into Belair N.P. & Meandering through Belair N.P.

After exiting Belair N.P. a section on local roads to Randell Park. At the bottom of Randell Park, the route returns to Brownhill Creek through the Mitcham Cemetery.

Steep Climbs and Descents with uneven surfaces- 15 km

Hiking poles recommended

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Cleland
2025-04-05
This walk is primarily a pre-season training walk for E2E16. Those Burra hills are not going to climb themselves. But everyone is welcome. Come on out and share the day with the Sweet (or is that Sweaty) 16s.

A 20k loop around Cleland where we climb, descend, just to climb again. How much fun can we cram into one day.

With any luck it will be raining which will enhance the whole experience. And we need to test out our wet weather gear before we head off to conquer the trails of the mid north.

Fun all round.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Introduction for Prospective Day Walk Leaders
2025-04-05 14:00 - 18:30
The Induction aims to help you decide if this is for you & will cover topics about the Day/Short Walks Leader role including:

The Friends background: role of walking, protocols & policies.
Leadership roles
Walk Planning & preparation
How to Start: organising, support, admin and mentor options
And plenty of time for questions and curiosity.

Note if you previously registered interest for September 2024, it has been carried forward to the new date.

Walking SA Annual Walk Expo
2025-04-06
WALKING SA annual WalkFest from 9am at Main Oval Belair.

The Friends is a major partner and will have our information stall as well as special walks on the day. In 2025 we will also showcase 25 years of volunteers organising Heysen Trail End-to-End Walks in our program.

Save the Date and Watch this Space for more details.

TS The Tale of Two Trails
2025-04-13
Trailstarter Plus

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Cleland National Park - E2E17 PreSeason
2025-04-13
This walk will have us meander around Cleland National Park for about 4.5hrs over approx.15km, helping us prepare our legs & bodies for the walking season ahead.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TS Woorabinda- Mark Oliphant CP
2025-04-16
A pleasant walk through Woorabinda Bushland Reserves and Sir Mark Oliphant CP .The CP is a lovely spot to see an abundance of birds and the odd kangaroo. WBR is made up of 4 separate reserves joined by roads and trails amongst the leafy suburbs of Stirling and Aldgate. The lake at Woorabinda was made in 1922 to provide water to the steam trains at the Aldgate Station.Keep an eye out for turtles as we pass by.Theres a couple of hills that will make you breathe a bit heavier than normal, but overall a comfortable walk.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF HOT WEATHER POLICY AS FOUND ON WEBPAGE UNDER ” CANCELLATIONS ”

9am start – 4hrs – 13:5 kms

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Annual General Meeting 2025
2025-04-16 18:30 - 20:00
The 38th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 16 April at the Torrens Rowing Club Functions Centre, Victoria Drive, Adelaide.

TW Onkaparinga Trails Less Travelled
2025-04-19 08:00 - 14:00
Onkaparinga 3 Water Crossings: A scenic exploration of Onkaparinga National Park on some lesser known trails and criss-crossing the Onkaparinga River and Peters Creek: water levels will be checked prior – bring spare socks just in case. Linking several tracks, we’ll sample the Willunga Basin Trail in one part and finish with a strenuous climb out of the gorge to complete 14km. Anticipate 4-5 hours. Please note this is a hard loop walk with no easy exit points – experience necessary.

Wet weather risk: in the event of rain prior the trail will potentially be slippery in places and the river crossings may have some water. Current status April 2025 is unlikely.

Reminder: FOHT hot weather policy – walk will be automatically cancelled if BOM 4pm/ABC 7pm the day prior predicts 32 degrees or greater.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Cleland Nth Sth Loop
2025-04-20
A walk of 23kms from Measday Lookout in the south to Greenhill Rd in the Nth. Then returning using various trails. There are a number of ascents and descents on this walk so you must have E2E or Trailwalker fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Pioneer Womens Walk
2025-04-21
The Pioneer Women’s Trail is a track that was used in the 1800’s for the women and girls to make the trip on foot to Adelaide where they would sell their produce. They would carry baskets of vegetables and dairy produce, and after selling it in Adelaide, they would return with their purchases and two bricks each for building their church.

This walk is along country roads, laneways, and trails through the Adelaide Hills including Bridgewater and along Cox Creek. We pass through Mt George and Cleland Conservation Parks before descending to Brock Reserve.

(Walking from Silver Road not Hahndorf )

There are a number of up and down sections for this walk.

Bring snacks, morning tea, lunch / Possibility to buy something at the Bakery in Stirling

We will carpool from Brock Reserve-Dashwood Road, Beaumont to Bus Stop 48a -Mt Barker road (South side)

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Autumn Colours
2025-04-23
Following the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater we pass through the Picturesque Mt Geoge CP ,Mt Lofty Golf Course,Woodhouse Scout Centre.We then enter The Mount Lofty Botanic Gdns from the bottom carpark where hopefully the Autumn Colours will be on full display.We will do a loop through the gardens before returning along the same trail .A lovely walk with a few undulations to keep you honest .

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Burnside Hills and Beyond.
2025-04-26
The final training walk for E2E16 before we launch into Year 4. But everyone is welcome. 16s are very friendly and seldom bite.

Starting from Brock Reserve, we head up through Mt Osmond Reserve. A brief visit into Glen Osmond CP before heading into Cleland. A bit of everything on this walk. Some ups and downs. Long flat stretches. Wide fire tracks and narrow bush trails. Some stoney sections. And if the weather gods bless us with some rain, some slippery sections. And no Heysen walk would be complete without some roadside walking.

At 26k, it roughly equates, distance wise to day one of our first weekend away. But then we have to back up with another 22k the next day. A sobering thought.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TS Rocky and Jupiters Creek Loop
2025-04-27
Come and enjoy a moderately challenging Trail Starter walk along the Rocky and Jupiters Creek Loop located between Meadows and Echunga. Following part of the Heysen Trail, you will be walking on fire trails alongside native bush and pine plantation areas in the company of native birds and possibly the odd kangaroo or two. While not a long walk at 9.5kms, this walk involves some hilly undulations so some bushwalking experience and fitness is essential.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

WBT Section 7+ Section 8
2025-05-03 - 2025-05-04
Saturday 3rd

Walking this section first as there’s a creek crossing involved. Hence trying to avoid too much water to negotiate. The trail drops straight into the Onkaparinga River National Park following a series of well worn trails and great scenery .Upon leaving the park walkers are rewarded with views of open farmland and big skies.After the water hazard we climb up onto quiet backroads with more vistas to complete the walk .A great walk to start our journey along the WBT.

SUN – 4th

Walking from Kangarilla we work our way past open farm country and skirt around the edges of Kuitpo Forest .

A reservation has been made at Carmel’s Bar and Grill, Main Road, Mclaren Vale for dinner at 6pm on Saturday 3rd May 2025. Please use the RSVP function to confirm your attendance.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

TW Balquhidder to Waitpinga
2025-05-04
Short road walk then after passing Balquhidder Station, named by the wool brokering firm Harold and James McGregor after a village in Scotland which was the birthplace of famous outlaw Rob Roy McGregor, we make our way down to the coast while taking in the views offered by the Southern Ocean.

As you come down to the beach be prepared to take your shoes off to cross the creek as it can be knee deep at times.

The walk takes us along both Parsons and Waitpinga Beaches and finishes at Waitpinga Beach carpark next to the Newland Head Conservation Park.

This is a spectacular walk and make sure you keep an eye out for dolphins and whales along this section of coast.

This walk is intended to serve as both an introduction to the Heysen Trail and a chance to catch up this section of the trail. Rather than using a bus we will car-shuffle between the end and start of the walk.

There will be no support vehicle so please assess your level of fitness prior to joining this walk.

If the forecast maximum for Victor Harbor on Saturday evening is 28 or higher the event will be cancelled.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Mount Bold Reservoir & Rocky Creek with E2E14
2025-05-04
E2E14 are on the path to get fit ready for their final year on the Heysen Trail and all FoHT members are welcome to join us!

This will be an 8:30am sharp start for an 19km Trail Walker loop, a great way to get over your election hangover and clear your mind with a lovely walk in nature!

This walk starts near Rocky Creek Hut and winds it way through Kuitpo Forest North followed by a few kms on orienteering trails and a short off-trail section before making our way to Mount Bold Reservoir and some steep descents very challenging climbs but the views are amazing. After the half way mark the tough stuff is over and the second half is reasonably flat and goes through pine forest and bushland and again makes use of orienteering trails and goes off-trail so gaiters are a good idea for this walk.

There will a short break for morning tea as well a longer break for lunch.

Walk Difficulty – Trail Walkers are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

Trail Starter - Sturt Gorge
2025-05-04 08:00 - 12:00
Sturt Gorge offers a remarkable nature experience in contrast with it’s close proximity to the suburbs. Despite being so close to urban areas, the gorge offers a serene and rugged environment to explore.

Our route involves some challenging sections, offering views back to the city as we climb, so a good level of fitness is essential. Walking poles are recommended. We following the Sturt river surrounded by lush flora, traversing uneven ground, and requiring some rock hopping. Depending on the weather and water level, some sections may be slippery, so a good sense of balance is required. We will cross the river at various points, making waterproof hiking boots highly recommended.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.

E2E 17 Nugget Rd to Mt Crawford
2025-05-10
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE EXTENSION OF THE FIRE DANGER SEASON, THIS WALK HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD FROM JUNE.

This section combines several sections of Mt Crawford pine forest with the natural bushland of Warren Conservation Park and Little Mt Crawford to provide a picturesque and diverse walk.

This walk begins with a short walk-in (1.2km) from the bus drop off before passing through a small section of native bushland. After a few km. of road walking the trail enters the spectacular Warren Conservation Park, climbing steadily through dense bushland. Open grazing land with panoramic views follows, before heading back into the Mount Crawford forest then along a beautifully constructed boardwalk before crossing Warren Rd and into more scrubland over Little Mount Crawford.

Walk Difficulty – The Heysen Trail walks are demanding and suitable for experienced walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain consisting of long-distance trails with some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base. They have a walking time of about 5 to 7 hours and will require a good degree of physical fitness.

BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before and after each walk to remove all seeds, dirt and other debris. Removed seeds should be bagged and disposed in a ‘to landfill’ garbage bin.
