Friends of the Heysen Trail

Kyeema to Dashwood Gully Road
2015-07-19
The dense native bushland of Kyeema Conservation Park, the plantations of Kuitpo Forest and pretty back roads make this a pleasant winter walk.

Mount Lofty
2015-07-19
A circular walk on bush and graded tracks, some climbing but in short sections. Following trails through the Cleland Conservation Park we meander through little travelled areas joining the Heysen Trail, skirting Mt Lofty and returning via the Chinamans Hut Trail.

Can be wet but scenic.

Wirrabara Forest to Murraytown. Based in Melrose
2015-07-18 - 2015-07-19
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2015

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 walk alongside pine forests.

SUNDAY 19 JULY 2015

This section starts in the Wirrabara pine forest where there are some testing climbs. After leaving the forest, the rest of the day is spent walking along back roads and road reserves through undulating farmland.

THEME – Tour de Melrose aka Tour de France.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FOHT office to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

Tanunda to Kapunda
2015-07-12
This section takes walkers along back roads and road reserves past vineyards and wineries of the Barossa Valley, through the small town of Greenock and into the cropping and grazing land of the Lower North. It is a long but mainly flat walk with only a few undulations. Pleasant vistas and changing seasonal colours make this a pretty walk

Lavender Federation Trail Bondleigh to Mount Beevor
2015-07-12
From Rams Road the trail passes abandoned ruins before following Gum Gully Creek. This is a steady climb. There are some awkward spots at times, sometimes boggy, with some thick vegetation and rocky ground. The prolific wildlife in this isolated area makes the walk worthwhile.

The final section of the slow ascent to Mt Beevor is particularly steep. There are comms towers at the summit with spectacular 360 degree views. From there is a 4 km downhill walk to intersection of Fendlers rd and Blackheath Road (marked as Mount Torrens Road on the LT Map).

Koala Walk (Now Morialta Conservation Park)
2015-07-12
(The walk was going to be in Belair National Park, but a similar walk is programmed a few weeks earlier.)

A loop walk up past Third falls to Moores Road, and down Rocky Hill Track back to our cars.

Weather permitting, a optional BBQ in the Recreation area after the walk, using the free gas BBQ’s provided.

Tapanappa to Balquhidder
2015-07-05
This walk starts with spectacular views to Tunkalilla Beach, followed by a picturesque route through dense bushland before a steep descent to Boat Harbor Beach, and then on to the very testing 4km walk along Tunkalilla Beach, followed by the infamous Balquhidder Hill. Whales sighted by E2E6 group off of Tunkalilla Beach (June 2011) Photo opportunities abound.

Glen Osmond / Cleland
2015-07-05
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.

Cleland
2015-07-05
This walk is in the South Eastern side of Cleland National Park, using mainly service tracks and a few walking trails. There are a couple of hill climbs but nothing too long or difficult. You will be pleasantly surprised walking along less travelled tracks in this lovely part of the park. Walk is about 12.5kms.

Mount Hayfield
2015-06-28
This walk takes in sections of the Mount Hayfield forest including the pine and native forest areas. It provides some stunning views over Yanakalilla and the coast around Normanville.

This is a very strenuous walk.

Belair National Park
2015-06-28
A pleasant walk through parts of South Australia’s oldest park passing through Echo Tunnel, taking in the views at the Lower Waterfall and returning via Old Government House. This walk has a few short hills but will present no problems to walkers of moderate fitness.

Cudlee Creek to Montacute to Cleland Conservation Park
2015-06-27 - 2015-06-28
The theme for the weekend is “SILVER”

Sat.27th – We are definitely in the Adelaide HILLS this weekend. Leaving Cudlee Creek, we have a steady climb to Thomas Hill and on through lovely bushland to Montacute Conservation Park shadowed by Mt. Misery and overlooking Kangaroo Creek reservoir. Then its the biggy – a serious climb up to Montacute Heights before some road walking to finish the day.

Sun.28th – ** Note** – An early start today. A long day which is both testing and rewarding with a variety of terrain, vegetation and views. This section has many ups and downs passing through the dense bushland of Morialta Conservation Park, Horsnell Gully and Cleland and along roadsides, rewarding walkers with spectacular views over Adelaide and the Hills.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FoHT office Ph.(08) 8212 6299 to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

World's End to Wandallah Based at Burra
2015-06-27 - 2015-06-28
Saturday

Although primarily a long, flat, treeless walk, along dirt roads and road reserves, this section provides walkers with a perspective on the diversity of landscapes of the Trail. The final few kilometres provide pleasant views over the historic Burra township.

Sunday

This section of the Trail goes through historic Burra, passing the old Redruth Gaol and other reminders of a bygone era. The trail then takes walkers over the exposed hills of the North Mount Lofty Ranges.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FOHT office to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

Mt Compass to Kyeema
2015-06-21
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 Finnis Conservation Park and into Mt Magnificent Conservation Park, where a short hike off the main trail rewards walkers with spectacular views over the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. A combination of native bushland and open grazing land completes the day.

Montacute
2015-06-21
We will initially walk steeply uphill to gain spectacular views of the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir, then Kangaroo Creek, then swinging back to Constitution Hill and joining the Heysen for return to the cars.

Brownhill Creek
2015-06-21
This is a rather gentle walk and it is after all a TrailStarter walk, however, I will include a few mild challenges, subject of course to what the weather will throw at us. The Brownhill creek area offers a number of possibilities with a variety of interesting tracks.

Bowman Park to Wirrabara Forrest
2015-06-20 - 2015-06-21
SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2015

This begins as a pleasant walk along the Crystal Brook, past the southern most hills of the Flinders Ranges. After the main road crossing at Hughes Gap, the trail follows the top of the range along gravel roads, providing views over Port Pirie and Spencer Gulf.

SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2015

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

THEME – GOLDEN NORTH

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FOHT office to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

Pewsey Vale to Tanunda
2015-06-14
This is an easy section of trail that runs through the northern section of Mt Crawford forests and through the native bushland of Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park with its unusual weathered rock features. Panoramic vistas over the Barossa Valley and Lower North are a highlight.

Lavender Federation Trail: Mt Beevor to Tungkillo
2015-06-14
Towering eucalypts, panoramic views, abundant wildlife creek crossings and strong historic connections in the area. Tungkillo Hotel established in 1861 after the Reedy Creek Copper Mine was abandoned in 1851.

Anstey's Hill
2015-06-14
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. We will stop and have lunch at the ruins before end of walk. Great place for photo opportunities.

Piccadilly
2015-06-07
Circular walk from Piccadilly to Cleland Conservation Park and returning via the Heysen Trail through the picturesque Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens back to the cars. This walk of 17km has some ups and downs because it is in the hills, a pleasant but solid walk following some lovely trails.

Webb Gap to World's End Based at Burra
2015-06-06 - 2015-06-07
Saturday

The trail continues along the Tothill Range, providing expansive views over the surrounding farmland and Apoinga Lagoon.

Sunday

The trail crosses undulating farmland before entering the scrubland of the Hallelujah Hills. The day finishes with an easy stroll to Worlds End Gorge.

Dutchman's Stern to Old Wonoka
2015-06-02 - 2015-06-08
IMPORTANT NOTE

This is a multi-day walk. Registration requires payment of the END TO END EXTENDED WALK FEE. This fee assumes that registrants have purchased a Golden Boots card (see https://heysentrail.asn.au/walks/faq-frequently-asked-questions/#cost ). Accommodation and meal costs are not included. Those registering are invited to travel on the bus, at no extra cost, from Adelaide to Pt. Augusta, then Hawker, and return to Adelaide. If you choose to drive your own vehicle to the base locations (Pt Augusta and Hawker) the bus fee remains the same. Please note that there are no other fee options for this multi-day event. Accommodation and meal arrangements are the responsibility of each person registering. Group meals are planned for Tuesday 2 June (byo BBQ) and Sunday 7 June (hotel).

If you are unable to walk for the specified 6 walk days comprising this multi-day event and you still wish to register, contact the Friends’ office during operating hours.

BASE LOCATION: 1 – 4 JUNE (WALKS 1, 2, & 3)

Port Augusta (Big 4 Holiday Park)

TUESDAY 2 JUNE (WALK 1)

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.

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE (WALK 2)

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.

THURSDAY 4 JUNE (WALK 3)

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 Gorge.

FRIDAY 5 JUNE RELOCATE BASE TO HAWKER (NO WALKING)

BASE LOCATION: 5 – 8 JUNE (WALKS 4, 5, & 6)

Hawker

SATURDAY 6 JUNE (WALK 4)

This is a predominantly flat walk below rocky outcrops. The trail then leads across Willochra Plain to Partacoona Station.

SUNDAY 7 JUNE (WALK 5)

This is a long but fairly fast walk, initially along vehicle tracks, then over open grazing land along the face of Yappala Range and past the historic Mt Elm school site to Jarvis Hill carpark.

MONDAY 8 JUNE (WALK 6 and RETURN TO ADELAIDE)

One of the gems of the Trail, this ridge walk provides spectacular views and many photo opportunities. It is a short walk, but may still take up to 4 hours because of the terrain and photo stops.

THEME

On Thursday we climb Mt Arden, named after Matthew Flinders’ great-grandmother. See The Life of Capt Matthew Flinders R.N. (Appendix C) at http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00065.html

The theme is, therefore, the letter A.

Cobbler Hill to Tapanappa
2015-05-31
Although relatively short, this section of the trail offers spectacular scenery, including a magnificent waterfall, as walkers follow narrow tracks through the dense native scrub of Deep Creek Conservation Park.

Sea to Summit
2015-05-31
From Kingston Park to Lofty summit following the George Driscoll route.

Devonshire morning tea to be served at Warriparinga.

Sea to Hills
2015-05-31
From the sea to the Hills, following the western section of Sea to Summit, finishing at Hawthorndene.

Devonshire morning tea to be served at Warriparinga

Beaumont to Hahndorf
2015-05-24
This is the 26.5 kms Pioneer Women’s Walk. Apart from Bullocks Track which is a steep hill at the start of the walk, the rest of the journey consists of undulating ups and downs through Cleland Conservation Park, Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens, Woodhouse Scout Camp, Bridgewater, along the Heysen property and Hahndorf.

It is expected that we will arrive in Hahndorf at about 3.15 pm.

Afterwards, we normally have a beer or coffee to celebrate our achievement.

Sturt Gorge Loop
2015-05-24
10km circuit walk from Blackwood to the flood control dam in Sturt Gorge. Includes a number of creek crossings (that rise after rain so boots may get wet) and some hill climbing.

Hiking poles would be very useful to have.

General ‘what to bring’ reminders: lunch, nibbles, water, first aid kit, camera, hat, gloves and protective wet weather gear.

Mount Crawford to Mewett Road to Cudlee Creek
2015-05-23 - 2015-05-24
The theme for this weekend is “GOLD”.

Sat.23rd: A long walk today filled with variety and many ups and downs. From the flat and wide to the narrow and steep we walk through the orderly monoculture of the pine forests of Mt. Crawford to the random abundance of the native bushland in Warren Conservation Park. Then we skirt the north-eastern edge of the area burnt during the Sampson Flat fires of January.

Sun.24th: A less demanding day, but still with lots of ups and downs and more road walking. With clear weather we will get far-reaching views from the ridges across expansive valleys to the north and south giving an appreciation of the extent of the Sampson Flat bushfire and a stark contrast between burnt and unburnt country.

NOTE – If you wish to walk on only one day, please contact the FoHT office Ph.(08) 8212 6299 to register for that day. The online registering system will only allow you to register for both walking days.

Peter's Hill to Webb Gap Based at Riverton
2015-05-23 - 2015-05-24
Saturday – A pleasant walk along back roads through undulating farmland to the southern end of Tothill Range, taking in the town of Marrabel and its memorial to the famous buckjumper ‘Curio’.

Sunday

This section of the trail follows the Tothill Ranges, which boast the largest remaining section of remnant scrub in the area and are one of the delights of the Mid-North. There are pleasant vistas over the surrounding farmland, with constant reminders of 19th century optimism and 21st century technology.
