Walking clubs

Walking the Adelaide100® in one day

Posted on by Walking SA

On Sunday 3 August Retire Active SA Bushwalkers walked the entire Adelaide100® trail (even the unfinished bits!) in one day by putting all their different grade walking groups on the trail. Great job and very well organised.

Celebrating their 40th birthday and following on from the club’s all-in-one-weekend walk of the Heysen Trail back in 2000, the club walked the proposed full 120km Adelaide100® trail with 10 groups of walkers. The walk involved 111 walkers who walked a cumulative 1,313km on the day.

To facilitate the walk, the club arranged two buses which each started out early and proceeded west to either Kingston Park or West Beach. Each bus collected four different groups of walkers and dropped them at their walk commencement point. Walkers then spent the day walking back to their own vehicles. At the conclusion of each of the walks refreshments were enjoyed at Norton Summit, Blackwood, Hindmarsh and Glenelg.

The WEA Ramblers who celebrate 100 years as a club this year also joined in the day.

Everyone enjoyed the diversity within the terrain of their walk and sense of being part of the greater whole.

The Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW) appoints Penny Day as new President

Posted on by Walking SA

Long-time friend of Walking SA Penny Day has been appointed President of the Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW) club. The Adelaide Bushwalkers specialise in doing lightweight overnight bushwalking and getting further ‘out there’. They provide some great training too!

“Hiking has been more than just a passion for me — it has shaped who I am, given me unforgettable experiences, and connected me with an incredible community of adventurers. As President of Adelaide Bushwalkers, I am honoured to lead a club that shares this love for exploration and discovery.”

“My journey with the club began in 2013 and has seen me become Membership Secretary for the last 3 years, where I had the privilege of welcoming new members and fostering a space where everyone feels they belong. Organizing New Members Weekends has allowed me to help others take their first steps into the world of hiking, and promoting the club through Walking SA has seen us strengthen our community, bringing more people together in the spirit of adventure.”

“In the last decade I have hiked some of Australia’s most breathtaking trails, including the Larapinta Trail, Great Ocean Walk, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Overland Track, and Heysen Trail, each journey deepening my appreciation for nature and the resilience of the human spirit.”

“As President, I am committed to inspiring and supporting every member, growing our club into an even more vibrant and welcoming space, and encouraging all of us to seek out new paths, forge meaningful connections, and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors.”
— Penny Day

South Australia’s oldest walking club celebrates 100 years

Posted on by Walking SA

A Ramblers’ Club group after a walk to Summertown, 1935, SLSA B52561

This year South Australia’s oldest walking club, the WEA Ramblers Bushwalking Club Inc, are celebrating 100 years, having held their first walk in August 1925 in Hallett Cove.

A group of walkers from the WEA Ramblers, September 2024, taken at a recent camp at Goolwa Beach.

On the 100th anniversary on Saturday 16 August 2025, the WEA Ramblers will celebrate with a birthday lunch at the Lakes Resort at West Lakes. They’re keen to get in touch with as many past WEA Ramblers as possible.

A history of WEA Ramblers members will be presented at the celebration lunch. You can read some of the extracts of their history below.

The WalkFest on Sunday 6 April in Belair National Park will include a special celebration of the milestone.

They will also do a special celebration challenge walk on Sunday August 31 2025 along one of the most difficult sections of the Adelaide 100 trail. The complete walk will be from Marble Hill Road at Norton Summit down to Thorndon Park Reserve in Paradise and walkers can choose to walk the whole 22km or a smaller one third, or two-thirds chunk of the total distance.

Last year two members celebrated 50 years of continuous membership with WEA Ramblers. Husband and wife Ian and Fay Harding first walked with the WEA Ramblers in 1974.

This year, as always, the WEA Ramblers are keen walkers, getting out there and exploring our great state on foot. A few highlights from their walk calendar this year include:

  • Walking a series of eight walks to cover 100km of the Willunga Basin Trail. Three walks will be completed at the autumn camp, and the others across some Sundays over a few months.
  • In September they will head to Clare for three nights, with walks on the newly completed Clare Valley Wine and Wilderness Trail.
  • Over a series of six short walks on Tuesdays they will walk 36km of the Coast Park Path from Outer Harbor to Hallett Cove (36km).

The aim of the WEA Ramblers Club is to bring together people who are keen walkers and lovers of nature. Day hikes from 12 to 18km are held fortnightly on Sundays. Half day hikes from 6 to 9kms are held monthly on Tuesdays. A couple of long weekend camps are held each year. Currently there are 25 members who range in age from 40 to 80.

The WEA Ramblers welcome anyone over the age of 18, and accept children as guests if accompanied by an adult.

Check out their Photo Gallery walk albums to see some of the recent hikes.

To join a walk or find out more view their website at sites.google.com/view/wea-ramblers-sa. You can get in touch with Frances Robertson, Publicity Officer, at wea.ramblers.sa@gmail.com or by phone at 08 8267 3174.

A History of the WEA Ramblers in South Australia

The WEA Ramblers Bushwalking Club Inc is a special interest group of WEA Clubs Inc, which was formed in South Australia in 1913 as the Workers’ Educational Association. Now known as the WEA, it is Australia’s largest non-government adult community education organisation.

The Ramblers First Walk

An early photo of one of the WEA Ramblers group camps, at Graham’s Castle near Goolwa, 1978

The WEA Ramblers held their first walk was in Hallett Cove on in August 1925:

“Some members of the W.E.A. (Workers Educational Association) classes at the University have formed a Ramblers’ Club. The initial outing was held on Saturday, August 16th., when a large party took train for Hallett’s Cove Station and walked to the Cove. A halt was made at the famous glacial rock (originally discovered by Mr. Stirling Smeaton but first described by Professor Howchin). The leader for the afternoon. Mr. Ham, of the F.N.S., described the Permo-Carboniferous glaciation of South Australia and made reference to the many interesting geological and physiographical features of the coast. A hearty invitation was given to members to join, in our own excursions.”
South Australian Naturalist, Volume VI No 4, August 1925, p69.

A group of walkers from the WEA Ramblers at Crystal Brook in 1979

Mr Ham was an Assistant Lecturer in Economics at The University of Adelaide. He was on the Boards of the WEA as well as the South Australian Field Naturalists. He was also editor of the South Australian Naturalist magazine for several years until 1936/1937. His academic initials were F.R.E.S. (Fellow Royal Economics Society).

Other Early Walks

 “The Workers’ Educational Association recently formed a W.E.A. Ramblers’ Club. The outings so far have been very successful. On the public holiday some 86 members and their friends went by train to Eden and walked to Brighton via the Sturt Creek. The ‘billy’ was boiled on the way, and after lunch the club walked over the hills and down the gully, crossing and recrossing the creek a number of times to Sturt, and then by road to Brighton, when tea was partaken of on the beach, the ramble covering a distance of some eight miles. The social side of such a club is very valuable, and in the members derive great benefit from the exercise of walking. The next ramble will be to Waterfall Gully on November 21.”
The Register newspaper (Adelaide) 16 Oct 1925, p4.

“This Club flourished during the year and arranged outings almost monthly, the most successful being on the June holiday, when 181 students and friends went by rail motors to Angaston for an all day picnic. The WEA Ramblers Club is proving a means of WEA students getting to know each other, as well as benefiting in other ways by the rambles. ”
WEA Annual Report 1926

“Members of the Workers’ Educational Association, embracing the Association’s Ramblers’ Club, held a picnic at the Semaphore on Saturday afternoon. They were met and welcomed at the railway-station by the Mayor of Port Adelaide (Mr. A. O. R. Tapp). The Mayor entertained the executive at the parlor in the Semaphore Town Hall, members present being Messrs. R. A. Gibbins (president), G. McRitchie (secretary), G. Wheeldon, A. Cotter, C. Read, A.V. Thompson, and H. Nolan.”
The Advertiser newspaper (Adelaide) Mon 28 Feb 1927, p13.

“The W. E. A. Ramblers’ Club on its monthly outing visited Hallett’s Cove. About seventy members and their friends accompanied by Mr. Machell, instructor in Nature Study at the Teachers’ College, participated. He described the Amoeba and other forms of animal life up to the whale, taking for the purposes of demonstration the huge carcase of the whale that had been washed up some time previously in that locality. He also referred to the geological formations of Hallett’s Cove which are in some respects unusual. Mr. Machell was warmly thanked for his interesting and instructive talk.”
The Advertiser newspaper (Adelaide) Tues 6 Sep 1927, p4.

“The Club again flourished during the year: outings were arranged monthly except in January. Again the weather was kind to the Ramblers, the rain not being sufficient on any occasion to really interfere with the pleasure of the outings. The club is serving a three-fold purpose – physical, educational and social. ”
WEA Annual Report 1927

“Rambles were arranged to beaches and hills in months February to November. Billy tea was provided and greatly appreciated by the Ramblers. ”
WEA Annual Report 1938

“Rambles were arranged to beaches and hills monthly from February to November. At the October outing in the National Park, Ramblers celebrated the one hundred and fiftieth outing. Past and present Ramblers joined to make presentations to Mr and Mrs McRitchie. ”
WEA Annual Report 1939

Showcasing a Walking Club: Skyline Walkers

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Skyline Walkers walking in Kangaroo IslandSkyline Walkers are a friendly group of approximately 70 members with about 25-35 who attend the Saturday morning walks. They offer an all-year round programme of walks. All walks conclude with tea/coffee and cakes.

Their summer morning walks (January to March, starting at 8:30am) are 2 hour duration located on the Adelaide Plains or seaside locations, with fairly flat terrain. They are however, at a fairly brisk pace. If the forecast temperature is 32C or higher the walk is cancelled.

During the main walk programme (April to November, starting at 9:00am) the walks are mainly located in Conservation Parks and the Adelaide Hills (hence include some hills). There is a choice of a 2 hour walk (approximately 7km) or a 3 hour walk (approximately 10km). They also offer walking trips away within SA, interstate or overseas. On long weekends they usually do a 2 hour walk on the Monday followed by a pub lunch.

Members fees are $70 per year which covers walking for a whole year with no other fees required. People wishing to try out the club and their walks can have two walks free of charge before joining.

Their Saturday walks are located as far north as Para Wirra and as far south as Onkaparinga and Kuitpo Forest. Weekend trips in recent years have included Mannum, Marion Bay, Clare, Penola and Normanville. Trips further afield have included Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk and the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Pre-Covid, they ventured overseas (on average once every 5 years) to Ireland (2019), Orkney Scotland, Italy, Canada and Japan.

You can find out more, including the walk calendar and details, and guidelines for walkers on their website at skylinewalkersinc.com.

You can find a walking club at walkingsa.org.au/walk/list-of-walking-clubs-south-australia.

Congratulations to our latest BLSA Day Walk Leader graduates – Elise Kennewell, Elaine and Andrew Davies

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Elise Kennewell from WEA Ramblers and Elaine and Andrew Davies from ARPA Bushwalkers have recently graduated as Day Walk Leaders through our program to strengthen bushwalking leadership within our clubs. The program was possible through grant support from Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, with Walking SA partnering with Bushwalking Leadership SA.

The Day Walk Leader Certificate equips people to lead single day group bushwalking trips.

Elise Kennewell, WEA Ramblers

Elise Kennewell has recently graduated as a Bushwalking Leadership SA Day Walk Leader

Elise signed up and commenced the Day walk Leadership Certificate course in October last year. At the time she was not connected to a bushwalking group, she wanted to complete the training for personal, and potentially future employment reasons.

Following the completion of the theory component, she was required to log a number of walks and then undergo assessment practically by planning and leading a walk with a number of participants.

To assist her to get walking, and complete a number of walks and trails around Adelaide, she chose to join the WEA Ramblers group. She had found all their contact details and a walk program with dates and walks on the Walking SA website. She was very warmly welcomed by this group, and she joined them on a number of walks as a guest and then later as a member.

This group were very supportive of her training, and were keen to provide support with her assessed walk by attending and encouraging her in the lead up and on the day.

“I really feel that being a part of this walking group has consolidated and enhanced all that I learnt in the theory of the course. I have learnt a lot more about bushwalking, planning, group dynamics and leadership styles by observing, participating and walking with the group, which contains many very experienced bushwalkers. I have also been able to use my skills in navigating and first aid in real life situations as a part of our regular walks, which has given me practice and confidence.”

“I want to thank this group for all their support and now friendship, and I look forward to many more walks together as I continue to walk with them exploring the many beautiful natural areas in South Australia.”

Elaine and Andrew Davies, ARPA Bushwalkers

Elaine (left) and Andrew Davies (right), pictured with Rod Quintrell, on a Bushwalking Leadership SA Day Walk Leaders training day

Andrew and Elaine Davies were sponsored by ARPA Bushwalkers to participate in the Bushwalking Leadership SA Day Walk Leader Program. They have been members and active participants of ARPA since 2016 when they retired.

Starting by participating in day walks, they have subsequently led (between them) walks in all areas around Adelaide. They’ve led ARPA graded A-grade, B-grade and C-grade walks (ARPA walks are graded from A-grade – the longest and hardest walks, to D-grade – the  easiest shortest walks). They’ve been involved in long distance walks on Kangaroo Island and Victoria’s a

They have also done long distance walks including the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle. They have convened trips including the alpine High Country in Victoria and New South Wales. In January they’re hoping to complete the “Alpine Trifecta” in Mt Buller.

After graduating, Andrew said “I found the Day Walk Leadership Program very instructive and the was process exceptionally good at installing necessary Bushwalking Leadership skills.”

They are appreciating their additional skills to pursue their passion for delivering the best day walk possible.

Their skills will also enhance their work with their work with the Walking Trails Support Group.

 

You can find out more about upcoming training dates by contacting us or visiting bushwalkingleadership.org.au.

Congratulations to our latest BLSA Day Walk Leader graduate – Judy McAdam

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Judy McAdam, our latest BLSA Day Walk Leader graduateJudy McAdam has recently graduated as a Day Walk Leader. Judy is a member of the Friends of the Heysen Trail, being actively involved with the Friends as an office volunteer, Membership Secretary, Council member and as Co-ordinator of End-to-End 10 when they crossed the finishing stile on the July 16.

The Day Walk Leader Certificate equips people to lead single day group bushwalking trips.

Thanks to grant support from Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Walking SA partnered with Bushwalking Leadership SA to strengthen bushwalking leadership within our clubs.

Having walked in her teens Judy returned to the trail to train to walk the Camino for a significant birthday 11 years ago and hasn’t stopped walking since, and doesn’t plan to do so anytime soon.

She found the opportunity to undertake the Bushwalking Leadership Day Walk Leader Certificate was too good to miss.

“I found the course excellent and even though I had a reasonable base knowledge I learned a great deal and dug up some lost knowledge and skills out of the archives of my brain, ” says Judy.

“I must admit while reading through the notes prior to first day I had a chuckle that these were the same things I was taught as a girl guide, oh so many years ago but I quickly came to realise that what was good bushcraft then remains good bushcraft today, and even though there were advances in technology and equipment the fundamentals remain the same.”

“I particularly enjoyed the navigation component and I applied the route planning lessons to the current Heysen trail route and maps and found it beneficial in really appreciating the terrain the group we were leading was facing in final 200k of the trail.”

She strongly recommends the course to all walking clubs and walk leaders.

 

The next Bushwalking Leadership SA Day Walk Leader Certificate course is in September. The Training Day is Saturday 4th September 2021, with the Workshop on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September 2021. Book via www.bushwalkingleadership.org.au.

You can find out more about upcoming training dates by contacting us or visiting bushwalkingleadership.org.au.

Advice for Bushwalkers to consider Biosecurity

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Recently we sought advice from the state government Primary Industries & Regions SA (PIRSA) in regards to issues bushwalkers should consider in relation to biosecurity.

Read the advice from Biosecurity SA – Invasive Species Unit, Primary Industries & Regions SA (PIRSA) in full below.

A major issue for the protection of native vegetation and primary production is the transport of seeds of weedy plants on clothing including footwear, and even coats or backpacks.

Walkers are advised to check their trousers, shoes and socks after walking through a weedy area, then take a moment to get all weed seeds out of their clothes. Staying on established walking trails can make it easier to avoid picking up this plant debris.

Walkers should also consider the potential for their vehicles to carry weeds on roadsides and car parks adjoining the walking trail.

The SA Weed Control App may be useful to walkers.

View as response letter (PDF).

 

Thank you for your enquiry, and for Walking SA’s interest in supporting the education of bushwalkers about biosecurity.

A major issue for the protection of native vegetation and primary production is the transport of seeds of weedy plants on clothing including footwear, and even coats or backpacks. All these items should be checked for any burrs, grass seeds etc. When camping out, it is also advisable to check swags and tents for seeds that get attached.

High risk declared weeds that may be transported in this way include caltrop, Noogoora burr and khaki weed; and, in the arid zone, buffel grass.

Walkers are advised to check their trousers, shoes and socks after walking through a weedy area, then take a moment to get all weed seeds out of their clothes. Staying on established walking trails can make it easier to avoid picking up this plant debris.

Walkers should also consider the potential for their vehicles to carry weeds on roadsides and car parks adjoining the walking trail.

Risk of vehicles spreading pests and diseases can be lessened by washing down using a hose, high pressure cleaner or spray tank and pump. Be sure to clean all potential seed collection points, and move the vehicle forward to ensure tyres are clean all around the tread. Sweep or vacuum inside the cab to remove seeds and plant debris.

Where no wash-down facilities are available be sure to physically remove all clods of mud and visible plant material in addition to cleaning the foot-well and cabin of the vehicle. Use a brush or scraping implement to remove contaminants such as burrs and clods of mud from tyres, mud guards, ledges and crevices where they could lodge.

Removed seeds should be bagged and taken to where they can be disposed of safely, for example by putting the bags in the ‘red’ garbage bin.

Soil pathogens such as phytophthora may also be carried in soil on footwear, particularly in the winter-spring wet months. Walkers should observe any signs marking known phytophthora infestations. The presence of shrubs that have died with all their dry brown foliage in place, especially yakkas and banksia, may indicate the presence of phytophthora.

Further to the above, the Invasive Species Council has produced a useful brochure on minimizing biosecurity risks when visiting natural areas: https://invasives.org.au/how-to-help/keep-gear-clean-wild/

Kangaroo Island is in the fortunate position of being free from many weeds and pests that are established on the mainland, and visitors have a responsibility to protect the island’s biosecurity. In particular, honey and unwashed potatoes must not be taken to Kangaroo Island. More information can be found at the Biosecurity SA website.

The SA Weed Control App may be useful to walkers. It illustrates all the plants declared in SA under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, and enables a user to report infestations to regional weeds officers with GPS co-ordinates and a photo. The app can be downloaded from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website at https://pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animals/weeds_in_sa/weed_contr ol_app

Volunteer groups who are installing trails should obtain advice from regional Landscape board staff and land managers regarding biosecurity signage, as part of the approval process for the on-ground works.

Thanks again for your interest in biosecurity issues.

Yours sincerely,
Dr John Virtue
General Manager Strategy, Policy & Invasive Species

Showcasing a Walking Club: Gawler Bushwalkers

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Gawler Bushwalkers on a hike

The Gawler Bushwalkers club has been going for over 20 years with many long-standing members and well qualified walk leaders. Members come from a wide range of backgrounds and ages and enjoy bushwalking and as well as walking for fitness and friendship. Many take a keen interest in native plants, trees and orchids, and walk locations often reflect this. The walk program is compiled at the AGM each year in February, and then walks are held every second Sunday from April to October. Members meet a carpark in Gawler for an 8am departure, often with car-pooling, to the walk start point. Most walks are held in the northern areas out from Gawler generally in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley or Kapunda area and have included the Lavender Federation and Heysen Trail and the new Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail. Most Sunday walks are 5 to 6 hours in duration with stops for morning tea and lunch, after which some members will have a coffee and cake as a reward.

The walks cover a distance of 16 to 20km. Occasionally there is a shorter walk where available, and new, or less-experienced walkers’ needs are always accommodated, as the group aims to offer a welcoming, safe walking experience.

The club also runs a summer walk program on a Thursday afternoon/evening around the Gawler area from November to March, weather permitting.

There is a group of members currently walking the Walk the York trail which they should complete in 2022. A group is also holding a camp in Victor Harbor in October this year.

The club presently has 70 members with 20 to 25 who walk regularly.

The first walk with the walk is free and if people decide to continue, the membership fee is $20 per year. There is no charge for each walk.

You can find out more at:

You can find a walking club at walkingsa.org.au/walk/list-of-walking-clubs-south-australia.

Congratulations to our latest BLSA Day Walk Leader graduate – Roxanne Crook

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Roxanne Crook has recently graduated as a Day Walk LeaderRoxanne Crook has recently graduated as a Day Walk Leader. Roxanne is a member of Adelaide Bushwalkers and the Friends of the Heysen Trail, and well regarded in the SA bushwalking community.

The Day Walk Leader Certificate equips people to lead single day group bushwalking trips.

Thanks to grant support from Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Walking SA partnered with Bushwalking Leadership SA to strengthen bushwalking leadership within our clubs.

The next Bushwalking Leadership SA Day Walk Leader Certificate course is in September. The Training Day is Saturday 4th September 2021, with the Workshop on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September 2021. Book via www.bushwalkingleadership.org.au.

You can find out more about upcoming training dates by contacting us or visiting bushwalkingleadership.org.au.

Helen Jensen completes the BLSA Day Walk Leader Certificate

Posted on by Walking SA

We’ve been offering training to members of our hiking clubs to complete Bushwalking Leadership SA’s Day Walk Leader Certificate. We’ve been able to provide this with grant support from the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Heather JensenLast month one of our first group of students, Heather Jensen, graduated. Heather is a member of Adelaide Bushwalkers and the Friends of the Heysen Trail.

The Day Walk Leader Certificate equips people to lead single day bushwalking trips.

Heather found the planning elements tedious, but has been surprised to learn it to be the most critical aspect of preparing for the hike. It has allowed her to be prepared and confident when leading a hike – and indeed enjoy the experience – knowing when to proceed or pull the pin, and understand the potential hazards and how mitigate those with contingency plans.

Through the course Heather has realised that she has been overly reliant on easy and accessible smartphone and devices to work out where she is in the bush. The course has equipped her with the knowledge to navigate via the “old school compass and map” method. Having seen that sometimes technology can fail or fall short, her approach now is a mix of both methods. Technology can interfere with the walk and enjoyment of it and is not necessary to get out there.

“I found when I only had the paper map to follow, I took a lot more notice of my surroundings and although this takes longer to stop and check where I am on the map, it is much more satisfying.”

On her practical trip when she led a small group on a hike she had planned, one of the hikers had a fall.

“The course taught me how to handle a variety of emergency situations, and with my First Aid skills, gave me the confidence to be calm with the injured hiker and the rest of the group, so as to best help the person and group.”

The course is delivered over multiple sessions with a five-hour practical, which as a bonus gives students time to take in what they are learning, explore the issues more and raise questions.

“I believe the course provides a good grounding in how to be a good day hike bushwalking leader and all groups should be sending their leaders on the course to ensure the safety of those in their care.  Experience and practice will help me to continue to understand and maintain what I have learned.”

You can find out more about upcoming training dates by contacting us.

Showcasing a Walking Organisation: the Friends of the Heysen Trail celebrates 35 years

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Celebrating 35 years of volunteering to keep the Heysen Trail Alive!

For the past 35 years members of the Friends of the Heysen Trail (the Friends) have worked to develop and support the Heysen Trail, South Australia’s 1200km adventure hike. The continued existence and access for walkers on the Heysen Trail depends upon the work done by volunteers.

Formed in 1986 to provide volunteer support for the initial planning and construction of the Heysen Trail, the Friends has continued to work closely with relevant state government departments, currently the Department for Environment and Water, to maintain and develop the Trail. Since that time, the Friends has vigorously advocated for and contributed to construction of additional campsites and facilities. During the past 10 years our volunteers have built and installed major improvements including:

  • Water tanks: 15
  • Pit toilets: 8
  • Campsite platforms: 18
  • Cabins with bunks: 1
  • Huts refurbished: 6

The Friends are fortunate to have a large group of volunteers (we are all volunteers) involved in the office, administration, trail development works, promotions, our ‘Trailwalker’ magazine, and the extensive walk programme. The large range of activities ensures there’s a place for all those who would like to help support Australia’s 1200km adventure hike, the Heysen Trail.

Walking – The Friends deliver a comprehensive program of bushwalks, TrailStarters and TrailWalkers, are day walks accessible from Adelaide. TrailStarter walks are shorter walks, with a walk time of about 3 to 4 hours and are not too physically demanding. TrailWalker walks are reasonably demanding for walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain. With a walking time of about 5 to 6 hours they require a higher degree of physical fitness. Summer Walks are generally shorter walks held over summer, many at evening twilight time with a sociable meal after, to keep up fitness and friendships.

The End to End walk program is for those wishing to walk some or all of the Heysen Trail. To hike the 1200km involves approximately sixty day walks, spread over six seasons. The southern walks, from Cape Jervis to Kapunda, are held on one Saturday or Sunday per month during the walk season. Due to the greater travelling distances involved, from Kapunda northwards, the walks are held over one weekend a month. The Friends organise many of the logistics making it a safe and supported way to hike the entire trail. With walking times of about 5 to 6 hours these hikes are for those who have walked regularly in various terrain and have a high degree of physical fitness. In 2021 there will be 7 groups walking separate sections on the Heysen Trail.

The Friends membership fee is $25 per year. A charge of $10 per walk applies for most walks, with $5 for Summer Walks. A Golden Boots card provides 12 months of walks for the one $75 fee. After two walks, guest members need to join as members. Proceeds from the walks are returned to support and promote the Heysen Trail. Currently the Friends has around 1,200 members.

You can find out more, including the walk program and guidelines for walkers at heysentrail.asn.au.

 

You can view all our walking clubs at walkingsa.org.au/walk/list-of-walking-clubs-south-australia.

Are you planning a walking group in Kuitpo or Mount Crawford forests?

Posted on by Walking SA

The number of people and groups visiting our forests has been increasing, particularly since COVID.

For all small group day activities, including those run by walking clubs, ForestrySA requests the organiser confirms they can proceed as planned, and are not impacted by forest operations and other events in the vicinity.

At least two weeks prior, please send an email to recreation@forestrysa.com.au with the following details:

  1. Event Organiser name + contact details
  2. Expected number of attendees
  3. Dates/s and timing of arrival and departure to forest
  4. Map or route, and itinerary for proposed activities

Showcasing a Walking Club: WEA Ramblers

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The WEA Ramblers is the oldest walking club in South Australia. In 2020 they celebrated the 95th anniversary of the club’s first walk at Hallett Cove in August 1925.

For most of those years Ramblers has conducted day walks of between 12 to 18 km fortnightly on Sundays throughout the year. This year, half day walks are also being included in the program. These will be from 6 to 9km, once a month on a Tuesday.

Day walks are held in Conservation Parks and reserves up to 70km from Adelaide. Summer walks and half day walks are closer to the City.

On the June and October long weekends, trips are made to more distant locations in South Australia with accommodation, from Friday to Monday, organized in holiday houses or hostels. Day walks are conducted on the Saturday and Sunday, and a half day walk on the Monday morning, before the trip home.

The membership fee is $20 per year. A charge of $5 per walk applies for Sunday walks, but there is no charge for Tuesday walks. After three walks, new walkers become eligible to join as members. Currently the club has 25 members.

You can find out more, including the walk program and guidelines for walkers on their website at sites.google.com/view/wea-ramblers-sa. Photos and maps of recent walks are displayed on the Photo Gallery page.

You can find a walking club at walkingsa.org.au/walk/list-of-walking-clubs-south-australia.

Walking SA Club Presidents’ Summit, Friday November 13, 2020

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Walking SA Club Presidents' Summit, Friday November 13, 2020A get together of the key people from walking clubs and organizations of South Australia was held to develop a more cohesive and relevant strategy going forward. We had nine clubs in attendance, representing over 2,600 members from around the state, however mostly Adelaide based.

The feedback seems to indicate a clear mandate to take the lead on issues and to be bolder and more coherent with our strategic vision.

There was an acknowledgement that most clubs were not seeing the benefits of stay-at-home tourists bar the bigger groups and all agreed we needed to find a way to get walkers to try out clubs. Volunteer leaders/maintenance teams were also identified as a finite resource.

The Leadership Training program has to date proven to be very popular with clubs, we still have some spots left for clubs who did not take up the offer first time around, so get in touch with the office.

Our guest speaker from National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia, who was to speak on getting clubs involved in park of the month promotions had a covid scare and could not attend. The proposal was presented to group, but without a calendar of parks, no actions could be made.

The importance of walking trail development and maintaining walking trails was iterated and it was great to see so many passionate people keen to keep these assets both in place and also being established.

Generally, all agreed this was a useful get together, if not lacking some strong vision on getting more people bushwalking.

Thankyou to all who took part. We hope to build from this and link up the thinking, resources and knowledge of the greater South Australia walking community to benefit all.

The next Summit will be in six months time. We are planning a First Nations training workshop in February 2021 – details to follow when finalised.

Walking SA Leadership Development

Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA, as the peak body for recreational walking in South Australia, has received funding from The Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing to assist clubs in capacity building over this financial year.

We are embarking on a program to help you develop your club leadership skills base to maintain and grow your club walks program. Essentially – to get more people walking more often.

This project is being delivered in the following ways:

  1. Survey to determine need, complete the survey
  2. Leadership Development Workshop April, 2021 – tailored to recognised needs based on survey responses and club consultation
  3. Heavily subsidised places in Bushwalking Leadership SA courses for 2020/2021

For club members interested in participating, applications are through your club committee.  You can either go directly to the club, or get in touch with us indicating which club you belong to, and we will notify the club of your expression of interest.

Each club has a minimum of one 97% subsidised place on the Day Walk Course ($15 investment saving $495 discount), with limited spots available on the extensive Bushwalking Leadership Certificate ($50 investment saving a whopping $1370 – over 97% subsidised).  preference given to clubs running, or intending to run, overnight bushwalking events.

For individual members: The leadership project is for you too!  There are limited discounted places available on the leadership courses for individual members.  We also welcome your input on other aspects of the program. Please get in touch with project officer Rod: rod.quintrell@walkingsa.org.au to express your interest.