Friends of the Heysen Trail

Sturt Gorge -western end
2013-09-01
Scrubby hill and deep gullies. Up and down, with views and running water. Slippery downs. Depending on water level, the ford crossings could be wet. Bring dry shoes for the end of the walk.

Ambers Gully
2013-09-01
We will take the Yurrebilla Trail from the car park, winding uphill at leasurely pace on Ambers Gulley track to the Sugarloaves, where there is a great panarama of Adelaide; returning via fire track to the start, with more great views over the northeast suburbs

Kaiserstuhl
2013-08-25
A lovely walk thru early spring flowers, in native scrub sections and pass thru old pine forests.

We climb to the sumit of Kaiserstuhl for some spectacular views and decend to the site where a plane crashed in 1944.

On to Rossiters Hut for lunch and back to the cars a around 2.30pm. Coffee and drinks at Williamstown Hotel after.

Adelaide Park Lands Walk (South and East Park Lands)
2013-08-25
Explore the Adelaide Park Lands adjoining South and East Terrace with a local resident: community gardens; Japanese garden; bush regeneration site; historic mansions; engineering heritage; Victoria Park; Rymill Park.

Mylor to Cleland
2013-08-25
Although the most populous section of the trail, it still retains a rural feel as walkers pass through the parks and bushland of Bridgewater, Mt George Conservation Park, Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens and Cleland Conservation Park.

Block Nine Rd to Wirrabara to Mt. Zion
2013-08-24 - 2013-08-25
The theme for the weekend is “Show Your Colours!” – there is an election coming up, so having touched on religion last month, we will broach politics this month.

The weekend’s walking will be a roller-coaster ride:

Sat.24th Aug – From Block 9 Road we make our way through the northern part of Wirrabara Forest, to a narrow trail along a picturesque creekbed before we climb up to the ridge. Then it’s up and down, views to the left, views to the right, up and down, views to the left and right, up and down ’til we exit down the TV track. Recent track closures due to fires means we must descend via the TV Track to Wirrabara Forest Road and on to the Old Nursery car park.

Sun.25th Aug. – We climb back up the TV track and resume the trail taking us to The Bluff and the roller coaster resumes. Up and down, views to the left, views to the right, up and down, views ahead before we drop down on to Mills Road and reach our cars at the Junction with Collaby Hill Road.

Mylor Nature Trail
2013-08-18
Commencing within Mylor’s Parklands narrow bush track will lead us through to the Valley of the Bandicoots wildlife corridor near Warrawong Sanctuary. Generally low open woodland with an understory of interesting native shrubs and ground covers. Some wild flowers should be emerging.

Pewsey Vale to Tanunda
2013-08-18
This is an easy walk that takes us through the northern section of Mt Crawford forests and through the native bushland of Kaiser Stuhl CP and its unusual weathered rock ‘sculptures’. Walkers are rewarded with spectacular vistas as the trail makes its descent into the Barossa Valley, finally passing through the town of Tanunda.

UPDATE – The theme for this walk will be “The Ashes”.

Alpana Station, Flinders Ranges
2013-08-16 - 2013-08-18
Weekend away in the wilds of the north Flinders.

Arrival Friday night. Twin share accommodation in shearers quarters.

Saturday Walk – Blinman Pools 22k

Dinner Catered by the Camerons

Sunday walk – Mt Mary peak bagging 12k

Sunday catered by the Camerons

Drive home Monday

Onkaparinga
2013-08-11
A circular walk of some duration with enough challenges for the hardier walkers amongst you in the Upper Gorge area of the Onkaparinga River National Park. By mid August the level of the river will test the Gore-Tex lining of your boots! By mid afternoon, at the end of the walk, a reward! A glass of chardonnay perhaps.

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park
2013-08-11
This walk will firstly take us on some bush tracks through the Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, and then some road walking around Ironbank, before re-entering the park again. Some hill walking in the Conservation Park, mixed with more relaxed walking around Ironbank. Bring lunch to picnic in the park afterwards.

Balquhidder to Waitpinga
2013-08-11
Passing Balquhidder Station, named after the birthplace of Rob Roy, we make our way down to the coast while taking in the views offered by the Southern Ocean. The walk takes us along both Parsons and Waitpinga Beaches and finishes at Waitpinga Campground in the Newland Head Conservation Park. This is a spectular walk.

Alligator Gorge Rd to Horrocks Pass to Pre Mt Brown (Broadview)
2013-08-10 - 2013-08-11
On Saturday 10th we take to the bush for a demanding ridgewalk, with great views east over the Willochra Plain. There is a 3km walkout from the trail to Broadview HS where the vehicles will be parked.

On Saturday 11th we start with a steep climb to Lavender Peak, then descend along Stony Creek to rejoin Alligator Gorge Rd, which we follow for 1km. Then the trail curves westerly to Hancocks Road, then north to Main North Road. The westerly climb up to Horrocks Memorial is memorable-for all the wrong reasons.

Weekend Theme – SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR

Anstey Hill
2013-08-04
Following some interesting bushwalking tracks we will see some of the last remaining vegetation associations that were once widespread throughout the Adelaide Plains and Mt Lofty Ranges, also evidence of early settlement of the district can be found in the ruins and quarries that we pass by.

Mt Osmond Reserves
2013-08-04
Walk links into the Burnside Walking Trails network through native woodlands and grasslands. We will walk on part of the historical Pioneers Women’s Trail and visit a number of old colonial mine sites in the Wheal Watkins Reserve in Glen Osmond. Walk climbs gently to the Mt Osmond Golf Course along a number of switchbacks. Fantastic views over the Adelaide Plains to the sea.

We will stop for morning tea and at the end of the walk have a picnic lunch at Brock Reserve.

Wandallah to Newikie Creek to Dare's Hill Summit Road
2013-08-03 - 2013-08-04
SPECIAL NOTE:

The sections of the Heysen Trail to be walked on 3 & 4 August will be E E George Road Quarry to Spalding Road (Saturday) and Spalding Road to the Chlorinator (Sunday).

If you wish to walk these sections please register for the 3 & 4 August AS NORMAL. Ignore the advertised walk descriptions and the automatically generated email with meeting location details, etc. You will receive an email from Russell O’Brien containing all required information for the replacement walks.

The advertised walks (Wandallah to Newikie Creek to Dare’s Hill Summit Road) have been postponed due to access road conditions being unsuitable.

ALL ENQUIRIES TO RUSSELL O’BRIEN.

SATURDAY 3 AUGUST

This remote section of the Heysen Trail gives walkers their first introduction to the grazing lands beyond Goyders Line. After Wandallah Shelter walking is undulating until turning east toward Sugar Loaf Range. The track then turns to the north where Newikie Creek is reached via White Hill Road and Black Jack Shelter. This is an exposed and undulating walk with some very nice views.

SUNDAY 4 AUGUST

This section passes through Caroona Conservation Park and Tourilie Gorge, which is one of the lesser known gems of the Trail. Look out for the remnants of an old bullock track cut through the gorge.

Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park
2013-07-28
A lovely walk through this significant area for nature conservation. We will exit the park and walk along Aldinga Beach before re-entering the park. Great views of the coast and Willunga hills.

Dashwood Gully to Mylor
2013-07-28
A picturesque walk through gently undulating farmland, the northern blocks of Kuitpo Pine Forest and through the historic Jupiter Creek Goldfields.

Melrose to Murraytown to Block 9 Road
2013-07-27 - 2013-07-28
The theme for the weekend is “Christmas in July”. Please bring a “Secret Santa” gift up to the value of $7 to the Sat. night meal.

After the tough ridges and valleys of the previous walks this year, we now have a doddle on some flat country.

Sat.27th July: Its a leisurely stroll along the backroads between Melrose and Murraytown with a bit of rugged cross-country just in case you were missing it!

Sun.28th July: From Murraytown its more easy backroads until we reach Wirrabara Forest where we get a taste of the “roller coaster” walking that awaits us in August.

(These walks may be adjusted if weather affects bus access).

Myponga
2013-07-21
Short but technically difficult walk, mostly on animal trails for the adventurous. Exploring Myponga Conservation Park. Some bush bashing but nothing too thick. Appoximately 800m of climb on undulating route for the day. The reward is great views.

Para Wirra Goldfields Circuit
2013-07-21
A pretty walk commencing at the Bowden Cottages through the historic Para Wirra goldfields. Walk up to Devils Nose where there are great views of Para Wirra Park. Using single file tracks and crossing the South Para River we will see the park at its best.

Bring lunch and wear sturdy good grip shoes as slippery in places.

Mt Crawford to Pewsey Vale
2013-07-21
The trail initially follows forest edges and roadsides, before the climb up and over pretty Wirra Wirra Peaks, then descends to creek lines again. After the mandatory detour to visit Freemans Hut, we follow farm tracks and fire tracks through spectacular open big gum grazing land. Quiet dirt roads and a tree studded road reserve complete the day.

Walk Leaders Training
2013-07-20
There is a lot of satisfaction in becoming more involved in walking and the FOHT encourages walkers to become more involved in the activities of the organisation either as walk leaders or tail enders.

This day aims to give interested people the information needed to prepare and lead a walk successfully and goes through how to deal with problems that might arise. Part of the day is spent talking about how the FOHT operates and the assistance available to new leaders. The day goes from 9.30am to about 2.00 and lunch is provided.

There is no charge for this day but you need to register. For more information phone the office or email Arrienne at wynena@ihug.com.au

Scott Creek
2013-07-14
This is a walk of about 19 kms in the Scott Creek Conservation Park. Before the arrival of the Europeans, this area was heavily forested. Loggers and miners put paid to that soon after.

The walk will start at 8.30 am and finish sometime between 2 and 3.00 pm. Almanda Silver Mine (1850 -1870), Mackereth Cottage, circa 1840, are located within the Conservation Park. In the morning, we will be walking towards the eastern boundary of the park with a gradual uphill climb of about 200 meters. By late morning, early afternoon, the western side of the park will be traversed. Throughout the day, walkers will be walking on a variety of tracks and fire trails.

This walk will be appreciated by afficionados of the hard slog.

Crafers Hills
2013-07-14
Starting below one of the sandstone quarries on Mount Lofty, which provided the building blocks for many stately homes in the area during the 19th century, our track will then take us over the ridge into stringybark forest on the western slopes. Our path on the hills face descends into a damp valley, the last section toward Seventh Falls being particularly steep, before a gradual rise up through different types of vegetation heading to Measday’s Lookout. Return leg will take us past some of the old public buildings in Crafers village.

Tapanappa to Balquhidder
2013-07-14
This walk starts with spectacular views to Tunkalilla Beach followed by a picturesque reroute 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 Balquidder which makes it a unique and very memorable section of the Heysen Trail.

Melrose to Alligator Gorge Rd, Murraytown to Melrose
2013-07-13 - 2013-07-14
Saturday 13th: A long day. From Melrose we climb the switchback to the summit of Mt Remarkable, 961m. Then we head northwest through very attractive country of the Mt Remarkable National Park. The end is at the Alligator Gorge Road. Please note the early start and water/energy food requirements. It is a great walk. Note again, staggered, early start – 7am for the B Group, 7.30am for the A Group.

Sunday 14th: From Murray Town we head north for 5km along Wild Dog Creek Road, then turn northwest, toward the hills to reach Survey Road. Then its north towards Melrose and Mt Remarkable! (the Mighty Mount)

THEME – MELROSE MEMORABILIA-something old for the oldest town in the Flinders

Aldgate
2013-07-07
Loop walk around lanes, paths and back streets of Aldgate.

Glen Osmond / Cleland
2013-07-07
After climbing Mt Osmond , we will head down the Davenport Track, towards Chambers Gully then and up and down various tracks in the Cleland Conservation Park, before returning to our cars at Beaumont.

Wandallah to Newikie Creek to Dares Hill Summit Road
2013-07-06 - 2013-07-07
SATURDAY 6 JULY

This remote section of the Heysen Trail gives walkers their first introduction to the grazing lands beyond Goyders Line. After Wandallah Shelter walking is undulating until turning east toward Sugar Loaf Range. The track then turns to the north where Newikie Creek is reached via White Hill Road and Black Jack Shelter. This is an exposed and undulating walk with some very nice views.

SUNDAY 7 JULY

This section passes through Caroona Conservation Park and Tourilie Gorge, which is one of the lesser known gems of the Trail. Look out for the remnants of an old bullock track cut through the gorge.
