The Heysen Trail is 1,200km long, extending from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges. It is Australia’s longest continuous hiking trail and is recognised internationally as one of the world’s great walks.
The Trail owes its existence to many people, however, the late C Warren Bonython AO, former patron of the Friends of the Heysen Trail, celebrated adventurer and conservationist, is credited as the visionary force that drove it's creation.
His book Walking in the Flinders Ranges details his traverses from Crystal Brook to Mount Hopeless, which lies some 300km north of the Heysen Trail’s northern trailhead at Parachilna. His experiences provided major impetus for creation of a long distance footpath in South Australia.
The late Terry Lavender OAM was the architect and builder of the Heysen Trail. His book The Last Post: or How to Build the Heysen Trail in less than 400 years describes this massive undertaking, with the first section opening in 1976 and the final section being completed in 1993.
Terry’s dogged determination in building the trail is hugely admirable given the size of the task and the many obstacles that had to be overcome. His accounts of negotiations with landholders, late night town hall meetings and ongoing battles for government funding will be instantly familiar to anyone who has worked in the public sector.
You can view an interactive trail map at the Friends of the Heysen Trail and see the elevation profile at Hiiker App.
The Friends of the Heysen Trail was established in 1986 and, alongside the Department for Environment & Water and other volunteer organisations, they are responsible for maintaining it. Given the length and remoteness, this is a formidable task and we are extremely grateful for their efforts.
If you would like to support the Friends of the Heysen Trail, you can become a member and/or make a donation.
Official Heysen Trail logo used with permission.