Transport to the Heysen Trail

Many points along the Trail are accessible by 2WD passenger car, although there are fewer road access points the further north you travel. The roads to more remote parts of the Trail can be challenging in wet weather and you may need a 4WD. 

Car parking is available at various points along the Trail, generally in towns, public car parks or on roadsides.

Contact the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, relevant councils or the National Parks and Wildlife Service for information about road conditions.

While you can use public transport to get to some parts of the Trail, much of the Trail passes through areas that are not close to metropolitan and regional centres, making access more difficult.

Adelaide Metro public transport

You can use Adelaide Metro bus services to get to and from a number of places that are close to the Trail, including:

• Mylor
• Bridgewater
• Hahndorf 
• Cleland Wildlife Park 
• Crafers via Mount Lofty Summit, with connections between Crafers and Adelaide
• Morialta Falls 

Visit Adelaide Metro or contact the Adelaide Metro InfoLine on 1300 311 108 (or freecall 1800 182 160) for more information about timetables. 

• Cudlee Creek can be reached by catching an Adelaide Metro O’Bahn bus to Tea Tree Plaza. These connect with a bus operated by LinkSA. 

Visit LinkSA or call 08 8562 1999 for information about timetables.

You can travel to a number of regional centres on or near the Trail by public transport or community bus. Some offer only weekly services which are subject to change so it’s important to check timetables before you travel. For some services you may need to buy your ticket before you travel. 

Some country towns have taxi and Uber services which can take you to the Trail. 

Contact a Visitor Information Centre to find out about taxi and Uber services in regional centres. 

You can get to the following regional centres by public transport: 

• Mount Compass – LinkSA daily service
• Victor Harbor – LinkSA daily service 
• Tanunda – Adelaide Metro daily trains to Gawler, then LinkSA buses between Gawler and Angaston stopping at Tanunda 
• Kapunda – LinkSA daily service

Visit LinkSA or call 08 8562 1999 for information about timetables.

York Peninsula Coaches operates services to the following towns, though these are infrequent:

• Burra 
• Hallett
• Riverton
• Spalding
• Georgetown

Stateliner offers a daily service to:

• Crystal Brook 

A number of regional councils support the Northern Passenger Transport Network which operates a weekly community bus between Peterborough and Port Pirie, stopping at points along the Trail, including:

• Laura
• Wirrabara
• Wilmington
• Melrose
• Murray Town
• Quorn

Call 1300 132 932 to find out more about the Northern Passenger Transport Service. Regional Visitor Information Centres may be able to provide you with more information about transport services in their areas.

You may be able to use a private operator to take you to and from Wilpena Pound and to some of the more remote parts of the Trail.

Angorachina (Flinders Ranges) Connections provides a service every Wednesday, travelling from Port Augusta or Wilpena Pound to Angorichina Village or the Heysen Trailhead. They also provide 4WD or bus pick up and drop off services between other locations in the region. Phone 08 8648 4842 or email ango1@westnet.com.au

Alpana Station operates a shuttle service for individuals or groups staying in the area between Port Augusta and Blinman. They will take you to access points along the northern part of the Trail, including the Northern Trailhead. Self-contained accommodation is also available. Phone 08 8648 4626 or email alpanastation42@gmail.com

Wallaby Tracks Adventure Tours operates private tours and transfer services around Quorn and the Flinders Ranges area. They will pick up groups of walkers from Adelaide at a vehicle and driver day rate. Phone 0466 079 499 or email headbush@bigpond.com

Paul Drake from Flinders Ranges Motel in Quorn is a registered driver for drop off and pick up locations on the Trail between Crystal Brook and Parachilna and throughout the Flinders. Visit flindersrangesmotel.com.au or contact Paul on 0488 782 352 or Kylie on 0418 250 646 for more details. Discounts apply for Friends of the Heysen Trail members.

Operating from the Clare Valley in the Mid North, Piping Shrike Trackwork provides transport for individuals and groups along the Heysen Trail, as well as supply drops to remote parts of the Trail. Visit trackwork.com.au, contact Sam Reed on 0458666259 or enquiries@trackwork.com.au. Discounts apply for Friends of the Heysen Trail members.

Northern Trailhead near Angorichina

The Northern Trailhead is in Parachilna Gorge, about 3 km west of Angorichina along the Parachilna to Blinman Road. The Trailhead can be accessed from Parachilna or Blinman on unsealed roads. You can check the road conditions click here.

Stateliner operates a bus service from Adelaide to Port Augusta. Angorachina (Flinders Ranges) Connections provides a service between Port Augusta and Angorichina Village or the Heysen Trailhead every Wednesday. Phone 08 8648 4842 or email ango1@westnet.com.au

Alpana Station operates a shuttle service to the Northern Trailhead for individuals or groups staying anywhere from Port Augusta to Blinman. Phone 08 8648 4626 or email alpanastation42@gmail.com

Paul Drake from Flinders Ranges Motel in Quorn is a registered driver for drop off and pick up locations on the Trail between Crystal Brook and Parachilna and throughout the Flinders. Visit flindersrangesmotel.com.au or contact Paul on 0488 782 352 or Kylie on 0418 250 646 for more details. Discounts apply for Friends of the Heysen Trail members.

Southern Trailhead at Cape Jervis

Link SA provides a daily public bus service to Cape Jervis from Adelaide and the transport hubs at Seaford, Colonnades and Marion. They also provide services to Victor Harbor. Phone (08) 8555 2500.

Visit LinkSA or call 08 8562 1999 for information about LinkSA timetables.