walk #3

Some days are diamonds and this was one of them. It was all we had hoped for, 19 degrees and calm with sunshine and blue skies from time to time thought-out the day. Despite my rather poor instructions, not helped by the lack of sign-posting, we all eventually found Kings Head Road. We took two cars to Waitpinga Beach where we were going to commence the walk and left two at the bottom of Kings Head Road for the car shuttle at the end.

After the usual preparation, photos and loo stop for some, we made our way through the sand dunes heading towards the Newland Head camping ground where the Cliff Top walk begins. We discovered later that you could do a 4 hour loop back to the camping ground which would be a good alternative if you were walking on your own or didn’t have the necessary transport to walk end to end. Should note however that the very best scenery is at the latter part of the walk so walking through to Kings Head Beach is a must.

Everyone was in good spirits and walking with great enthusiasm. After nearly an hour I sensed some were beginning to wonder if the ocean and cliff tops would ever eventuate. But eventuate it did.

Once the cliff top is reached the walk winds its way though several small gullies, in and out of patches of eucalypt and native vegetation and boarders farmland on several occasions. The eucalypts in this area remind me of snow gums having been twisted and contorted by the ferocious winds that ply the coast.

No one was disappointed with the views, they are truly glorious and continued to improve as we got closer to our destination. The many small islands off the coast looming larger, the bluff gradually taking its rightful position in the landscape and the beautifully formed coves delicately edging the base of the cliffs. We stopped many a time to take in the views and to wait for Ken! It was worth it, the views were fantastic and the photos are great.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Sticks2u



We found an elevated spot for lunch were we had a good view along the coast so that we could sit down, relax and absorb it all. All inspired, there was soon talk of an over-night walk, perhaps the Barossa with its obvious attractions. That will be something to look forward to!

It was a great day. The distance walked (12.5kms) didn’t test anyone and I don’t think anyone even missed the coffee!

Next walk at Trial Hill on Sunday, 16 September. Not called ‘Trial Hill’ for nothing, expect a climb!!!

walk #3 notes

Having been away for a few weeks, our third walk on Sunday, 19th August had to be one I knew well as there has been limited time for preparation.

So, subject to interest, I decided to offer a walk on the South Coast between Waitpinga Beach and Kings Head Beach adjacent to Victor Harbor. I love this walk.

I put some feelers out during the Kuitpo-Mylor walk and as interest seemed high thought I would run with it. The walk, which extends the one Chris and I did on the June long week-end, follows the Heysen Trial from the Waitpinga Beach car park inland to the Waitpinga camping ground, through the native scrub of Newland Head Conservation Park and along the cliff top all the way to Kings Head Beach. The views are to die for! I hope it will be a calm, sunny day so that everyone can see it at its absolute best.

Now that you've come this far, if you are interested in enjoying the pursuits of a fellow hiker who is well on his way to completing the Heysen Trail with The Friends by mid 2008, check out his blog - Jez-Heysen

walk #2

Well, despite my best intentions and though I swear I was not late, I was firmly put in place by being the very last to arrive at the meeting place for our walk. Next time!

It was a grand day, fine, still and lots of blue sky that held much promise. We all met at the Mylor Oval and then organised two cars to take us to Rocky Creek Hut in the Kuitpo Forest where we were to commence the walk. There were some concerned faces as we put some distance between us and Mylor, travelling by car over hills and gravel roads, and I could see some asking though not many verbalising "how far are we walking?". Everyone was being far too polite.

We arrived at Rocky Creek Hut to be greeted by a large group of walkers who were taking a break. They had started out from Dashwood Gully, some 4 kms south and were part of the 'End to End Walk' group (one of three!!) lead by The Friends of the Heysen Trail. So, rather than investigate the area first to get our bearings, we high-tailed it out of there to try to get some distance between us, only to run into another group on the trail (two of three!!). It was like Rundle Street in the High Country! Obviously lots of people are doing the 'End to End' walks with The Friends which is great to see.

The walk for the first four kilometres is along the perimeter of the forest reserve and there are some undulating sections before the trail meets Pocock Road. It is there that we nearly lost them! We detoured onto Pocock Road as planned to avoid a logged section of the forest which, on a prior visit, had proved rather uninspiring. The first photo of the group, minus Ken who has the camera, is taken at the point where we re-enter the forestry area. The trail eventually meets up with the Heysen Trail about a kilometre further on. As we approached the Jupiter Creek area, the vegetation changes to native bushland. We found a nice quiet spot in the sun, away from the Indians, to enjoy our lunch. And once we left there, that was it, we never saw them again. No explanation, they just seemed to vanish!

With the Indians out of sight, we journeyed on through some very picturesque farmland, over fields and board-walks, down gravel and bitumen roads. Were we 'nearly there yet'? "Nearly, just a bit further to go!" We all arrived safely having put 14+ kms behind us. It was a good effort and the coffee was great.



Many thanks to Ken for all the photos. You can view the larger images by clicking on the following link - http://picasaweb.google.com/Sticks2u

The next walk on Sunday, 19th August will be on the South Coast between Waitpinga and Kings Head Beach. Expect fantastic vistas.