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Great South West Walk

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What to expect

Come and join us for a week of hiking the interesting bits of the Great South West Walk. Saturday 16th to Saturday the 23rd March 2024

Two days of travel and 6 days of hiking fun. Plus a rest day with a planned adventurous/fun activity.

Travel to Portland is in your own vehicle, but we will be transported to and from each walk from the NRMA Portland Bay Holiday Park (cliff-top caravan park). Phone 03 5523 1487

Once you have booked onto the walk if you contact this caravan park and mention you are a part of  Friends of the Heysen Trail group walking the GSWW They are offering us 7 nights for the price of 6. Also they are placing a hold on cabins for a short time, to assist us. The park has a camp kitchen plus a regular evening fire pit.

On the final Saturday morning as you drive home you may like to join us to see some additional sites in Mount Gambier.

Contact Bill on 0466981945  Paul on 040878772 if you have any queries.

11klms A1 loSome of what we might encounter are – The Blowhole Lookout, Petrified Forest, Bridgewater Bay, Seals, Whales, Dolphins, Cape Nelson – coastal cliffs, diverse birdlife, picturesque walks, Gannets, Cape Nelson Lightstation, Soap Mallee, Rufous Bristlebirds. See Victoria’s floral emblem – pink or white heath, Old timber milling history signs, colourful fungi (autumn and winter growing), Surry River, Rufous Fantail, Rose and Pink & Robins.

A much needed, fun-rest day. Then, a one day walk in Rain forest where you will likely come across animal scats and scratching (Echidna & Potoroo) in the soil along the track edge, Powerful Owls roosting in Blackwood trees, Potoroo (dusk to dawn), Bleeding trees with scratched sap patches – feed posts for gliders. Signs of past fires: Silver Banksia – older woody cones burnt and open/closed, Different seed pods and how they may have responded to bushfire, Blackened bark and fresh green growth of forests regenerating from bushfire, Older trees and burnt bark, Hollows burnt out to create homes for wildlife to shelter or breed in.

Cost is $180 per person. Be quick to book as numbers are limited due to coach size.

A private Facebook group “GSWW with the F.O.H.T” has been created to enable photos to be shared after the walk. This group can also be used before the walk by people wanting to share accommodation, cars, etc.

SPECIAL CANCELLATION POLICY – If you cancel less than 60 days prior to the walk you will not receive any refund unless the vacancy is filled by another. If you are not happy with this policy then please do not book this walk.

Walk Difficulty – The GSWW 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.

SPECIAL RISK – a risk we do not encounter in South Australia that you will have on the GSWW is leeches. Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also.

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.

Walk leaders: Bill Van riet
Peter Clark
Paul Delaine
Registrations close: 2:00pm 14 March 2024

Cost

Bus: $180.00

Dates

Saturday 16 March 2024 – Saturday 23 March 2024

Walk difficulty: Extended Walks 2

Extended Walks 2 used if we have more than one extended walk open for booking to allow separation of financial information

These are multi-day walks, usually a long weekend or a week long trip. Sometimes a few hours drive from Adelaide, sometimes interstate or overseas.

These trips often involve overnight stays in accommodation organised and paid for by the participant.

Walk details

Start time:
Travel To Portland Victoria

Finish time:
Travel Ends when you arrive in Portland Victoria – Welcome BBQ that evening. please advise special diet requirements

Walking from:
Your Home

Walking to:
Portland Victoria

Distance:
550kms (approximately 6.5 hour drive from Adelaide)

Start time:
7:30am

Finish time:
3:30pm approx

Walking from:
The Springs

Walking to:
Trewalla

Distance:
17.5kms

Hazards

Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also. Trails have some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc as you need per forecast weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including:- band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker Level – Good Fitness Levels Required For These Walks

Start time:
7:30am

Finish time:
3:30pm approx

Walking from:
Shelley Beach

Walking to:
Mallee

Distance:
18kms

Hazards

Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also. Trails have some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc as you need per forecast weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including:- band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker Level – Good Fitness Levels Required For These Walks

Start time:
8.30 Departure utilising our vehicles for an adventurous, but optional, rest day

Finish time:
3 – 3.30 pm back at camp.

Start time:
7:30am

Finish time:
3:30pm approx

Walking from:
Mallee

Walking to:
Portland

Distance:
22kms

Hazards

Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also. Trails have some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc as you need per forecast weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including:- band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker Level – Good Fitness Levels Required For These Walks

Start time:
7:30am

Finish time:
3:30pm approx

Walking from:
Surrey Ridge

Walking to:
Jackass Fern gulley

Distance:
Approximately 20klms

Hazards

Leeches are abundant in the forest sections. An application of insect repellent that contains DEET is also a handy way of warding off the parasites or if you avoid DEET products then a eucalyptus or tea tree based spray will be good protection also. Trails have some steep inclines/declines, irregular surface with loose uneven, slippery base.

Requirements

Wear appropriate hiking clothing, hiking footwear, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket etc as you need per forecast weather conditions.

Carry at least 2 litres of water, hand sanitiser, a personal first aid kit including:- band-aids, blister packs, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and electrolytes, your regular medications and anything else you think you might need.

Bring food and snacks for morning tea and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker Level – Good Fitness Levels Required For These Walks

Start time:
7.45 am for our magical mystery bus tour

Finish time:
4.30 – 5pm

Start time:
7.30 am for a Crater walk and sight seeing in Mt Gambier

Finish time:
1:00pm approx

Walking from:
Mt Gambier, Crater hike – Sight Seeing

Walking to:
Mt Gambier Sight – Seeing

Registration terms and conditions

All walks are subject to you wearing appropriate clothing. Prime considerations are warmth and weather protection. Your safety and the safety of the walking group can be jeopardised by you wearing inappropriate clothing. In an emergency situation it can take hours to evacuate a sick or injured walker. Leaders may not accept people for a walk who have not come appropriately dressed or prepared.

View details of appropriate clothing at heysentrail.asn.au/appropriate-clothing

In the event of hot weather, the decision to proceed with or cancel a walk is made by the Walk Leader(s), having regard to risk factors such as local weather conditions, trail accessibility, vehicle support, and the physical capabilities of walkers in the group. In some circumstances, the Walk Leader may decide to amend, modify or shorten a scheduled walk. If a single-day End-to-End walk is cancelled, walk fees will be refunded. Refunds do not apply to weekend-away walks and multi-day events.

If unforeseen circumstances arise and you are no longer able to participate in the walk, please cancel your registration as soon as possible using the Manage Walk Registrations facility on your Account page.

Alternatively you can notify the office by 2.15pm on the last business day before the walk. Walk leaders do not have access to messages left on the answering machine after this time. If your Walk Leader has provided their mobile phone number you may be able to contact them prior to the walk (subject to phone service availability).

View the full details of our Cancellation & Refund Policy at heysentrail.asn.au/cancellations

You must be aware of our privacy policy – heysentrail.asn.au/privacy

Memberships, walk and event registrations and Golden Boots passes are tickets. If you purchase a Golden Boots pass details of your pass purchase will be recorded. If the Golden Boots pass has expired when you register for walk events, you will be prompted to purchase another pass.

View full details of our Shipping & Delivery Policy at heysentrail.asn.au/shipping

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