HEYSEN HIGHLIGHTS ( Walks 1 and 5 )

What to expect

Join Heather and Suzanne as we revisit some of our favourite sections of the Southern Half of the Heysen Trail over a weekend of hiking.

We will be leading two hikes in close vicinity over a weekend and encourage you to stay overnight nearby and join us for dinner on the Saturday night.  We will book a table for those interested.  Please advise when you register if you will be joining us for dinner.

We have arranged for a bus to pick us up each morning at the end point to take us to the beginning of the hike.

There is no back up vehicle for these hikes.  You will need to assess your capabilities and only attempt these hikes if you feel you can comfortably complete the hike.

Saturday: 16th May 2026 – Walk 1

Cape Jervis Trailhead to Cobblers Hill Campground.

Grading: Hard. Approx. 15km

Terrain: Farmland, National or Conservation Park, Native scrub, Undulating and hilly, Walking trail

Leaving the Southern Trailhead at Cape Jervis you’ll walk along sandy coastal tracks and exposed coastal hillsides, with spectacular views over Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.

You might be lucky and see seals and dolphins.

At Blowhole Beach the Trail enters Deep Creek National Park where you’ll begin a long climb over 2km through native bushland to Cobbler Hill.

Walk duration: 4.5 – 5.5hrs.

Sunday: 17th May 2026 – Walk 5

Waitpinga to The Bluff

Grading: Moderate. Approx. 16km

Terrain: National or Conservation Park, Native scrub, Vegetation corridor, Walking trail

One of the most spectacular sections of the Trail, you’ll follow sandy tracks through the coastal scrub of Newland Head Conservation Park before you reach dramatic clifftops.

You may see whales, seals, dolphins and the endangered white bellied sea eagle.

Taking the spur trail you continue to follow the coast and head towards The Bluff, Encounter Bay.

Walk duration: 4.5 – 5.5hrs.

 

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.

Registrations close: 5:00pm 14 May 2026

Cost

Adults: $24.00

Golden Boots Pass accepted

Bus: $50.00

Optional meal Saturday 16th May 2026, 6.00pm at Victor Harbor. Venue to be confirmed.

Dates

Saturday 16 May 2026 – Sunday 17 May 2026

Walk difficulty: Extended Walks 1

Walk over a number of days, usually staying in a town or at central location near walks.

Walk details

Start time:
8.30am

Finish time:
All day walk

Walking from:
Cape Jervis Trailhead

Walking to:
Cobbler Hill Campground

Distance:
15km

Hazards

Some tricky, steep sections climbing into and out of gullies before Cobbler Hill.

Requirements

Bring snacks and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker experience preferred.

Start time:
8.30am

Finish time:
All day walk

Walking from:
Waitpinga

Walking to:
The Bluff, Encounter Bay

Distance:
16km

Hazards

Some tricky sections as you get close to the cliffs.

Requirements

Bring snacks and lunch.

Experience

Trailwalker experience preferred.

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

If the forecast temperature for Adelaide is equal or higher than 32C, walks are cancelled. For simplicity, this can be determined the night prior to the walk from the 7.00 pm ABC News Adelaide weather forecast, based upon the Bureau of Meteorology’s routine 4pm forecast.

Your Walk Leader will send an email to all walkers advising the walk is cancelled. We suggest you check your emails before leaving to join the walk. Even if the forecast temperature is later revised, the walk remains cancelled. In such a case walk fees will be refunded.

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

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