Heysen Trail

A state-spanning Australian thru-hike from the coast to the outback edge.

Time to Hike: Most end to end walkers take about 60 days, but many people tackle it as weekend and one-week sections.

Best Time to Go: The core walking season is roughly April to November, with many sections closed annually from December through to April due to bushfire risk.

Getting there: The trail connects Cape Jervis (south coast) and Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. Most walkers start at Cape Jervis and head north; transport is easiest at the southern end.

Costs: Costs vary widely depending on how often you use paid accommodation and shuttles. Budget for food drops, transport between sections, and occasional nights in towns.

Difficulty: Moderate overall: the walking is not technical, but the distance, heat exposure in the north, and logistics across remote stretches can make it feel more demanding.

The Heysen Trail runs the length of South Australia, from Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges south through the Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula, a journey of about 1,200 km. In between, it links a long chain of landmarks and towns including Flinders Ranges National Park, Hawker, Quorn, Mount Remarkable National Park, Melrose, Crystal Brook, Spalding, Burra, Kapunda and Deep Creek Conservation Park.

It is a landscape sampler: coastal heath and cliffs near the sea, forest and farms through the ranges, vineyards and grazing country, then progressively drier country as you cross Goyder’s Line toward the arid north. This variety is a big part of the trail’s appeal, especially for walkers who like seeing ecological change day by day.

The trail was first suggested by Warren Bonython in 1969, with early construction starting in 1978 after responsibility passed to the Department of Recreation and Sport. Designed largely under the supervision of Terry Lavender, it was completed in 1992 and named after Sir Hans Heysen; it is maintained and promoted with strong volunteer involvement from the Friends of the Heysen Trail.

• Stage 1: Cape coast and conservation parks (km 0-150) - Start at Cape Jervis and walk through the southern Fleurieu landscapes including Deep Creek Conservation Park. Expect coastal weather, scrubby tracks and a classic “ocean to bush” feel.
• Stage 2: Adelaide Hills (km 150-350) - Rolling hills and cooler, greener walking through the Adelaide Hills, with a mix of natural bushland and settled country.
• Stage 3: Farming belt and towns (km 350-600) - A patchwork of farmland and grazing land with regular access to small towns such as Kapunda and Burra, useful for resupply and breaking the walk into manageable blocks.
• Stage 4: Mid-north ranges and valleys (km 600-800) - From areas around Spalding and Crystal Brook, the trail begins to feel more spacious and less suburban, with longer days between services depending on your plan.
• Stage 5: Mount Remarkable area (km 800-950) - A highlight section around Mount Remarkable National Park and Melrose, with more pronounced hills and a stronger “ranges” character.
• Stage 6: Southern Flinders towns (km 950-1100) - Through classic Flinders country via places like Quorn and Hawker, with increasingly dry conditions and bigger skies.
• Stage 7: Flinders Ranges finish (km 1100-1200) - The final approach to Parachilna Gorge and the Flinders Ranges, where rocky terrain and arid landscapes deliver a memorable northern finale.

Large sections of the Heysen Trail are closed annually from December through to April due to bushfire risk, so the practical season is typically autumn through spring. Shoulder months can be especially pleasant in the south, while the northern sections are best timed to avoid heat.

Conditions vary hugely along the route: expect cooler, wetter weather near the coast and in the Adelaide Hills, and drier, more exposed days as you approach the Flinders Ranges. Always check current closures and fire conditions before committing to a section.

Southern access is simplest: Cape Jervis sits on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is the usual starting point for an end to end walk (heading north to Parachilna Gorge). Most people organise transport from Adelaide to reach the southern trailhead.

At the northern end, the finish at Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges is more remote, so plan ahead for a pick-up, lift with other walkers, or staged transport through nearby centres such as Hawker and Quorn. Many walkers choose to complete the trail as sections, using towns along the route to reset logistics.

Some parks along the trail may require entry fees or permits; check with park authorities for the sections you plan to walk. However, because the route passes through multiple parks and different land tenures, it is important to check whether any specific park entry fees, temporary closures, or local rules apply to the sections you plan to walk.

In practice, the key “permission” issue is seasonal closure for bushfire risk - large sections are closed from December through to April. Confirm official updates for your dates and be prepared to reroute or postpone if closures are in place.

Most hikers mix accommodation types: towns along the corridor (for example around Kapunda, Burra, Quorn and Hawker) are natural places to sleep indoors and resupply, while more remote stretches often require self-sufficient planning.

Because many people walk the Heysen Trail in sections, availability and booking needs depend on your exact itinerary and season. If you are attempting the end to end route, plan your overnights early, especially where options are limited, and be ready to carry extra water and food for longer gaps in the north.