Department for Environment and Water

The state government has purchased almost one kilometre of the Heysen Trail, which previously crossed private land at Cudlee Creek and was closed by its former owner.

The trail closure forced walkers on to narrow, winding Tippett and Gorge roads, creating safety risks. The 5.97-hectare site will be added to Cudlee Creek Conservation Park, ensuring public access along this highly popular section of the trail and providing walkers a safe, permanent route through the Adelaide Hills.

The purchase is funded through the state government’s election commitment to invest $1.2 million in nature-based tourism at the Heysen Trail and Admirals Arch on Kangaroo Island.

Staff from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and volunteer group Friends of the Heysen Trail upgraded the route, installing signage and markers along the stretch of trail, which runs between Cudlee Creek and Kersbrook.

The 1,200km Heysen Trail, which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually, runs from Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It traverses private and public land, including 23 national and conservation parks such as Ikara–Flinders Ranges and Mount Remarkable.

The state government has also created a dedicated Heysen Trail Coordinator position. Senior Ranger Genki Kondo has been appointed to the new role which is responsible for delivering projects along the trail to enhance visitor experience, support landholders where the trail traverses their properties and manage funding for maintenance works.

Heysen Trail Coordinator Genki Kondo said it was an honour to be entrusted with the crucial work, and his motivation was to increase connection and access to the incredible breadth of nature the trail offers to all Australians and international visitors alike.

“I acknowledge and pay my respects to the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral lands that the trail traverses and embrace their input in this work,” Mr Kondo said.

“I look forward to working with a team of experienced DEW staff and building relationships to support the passionate Friends of the Heysen trail towards expanding the enduring legacy of wilderness immersion in Australia’s longest dedicated walking trail,” he said.

Friends of Heysen Trail President Neil Hendry said they appreciated the work done to achieve a solution that improves walker safety at Cudlee Creek.

“Actions like this and the creation of a dedicated coordinator position reinforce the importance of the Heysen Trail as an asset for the state and help secure its future,” Mr Hendry said.

Additionally, a new $55,000 annual funding pool will be allocated by the new Heysen Trail coordinator for maintenance and upgrades works to the trail.