Heysen Trail Flinders Ranges Challenge for eviDent

Walk the final five days of the famous Heysen Trail and support the eviDent Foundation in their vital health through dental based research

Challenge Highlights

  • Join the eviDent Foundation team and like-minded supporters
  • Soak up the beauty and grandeur of the scenic Wilpena Pound
  • Wilderness camping under the milky way
  • Animal spotting for yellow-footed rock wallaby, euro and emu plus much more local wildlife
  • Relax each evening with all scrumptious meals provided
  • Gain an understanding of the rich history of Australia's traditional owners and the Indigenous culture
  • Complete the final five days of the famous Heysen Trail - Australia's longest dedicated walking trail

Overview

Join the eviDent Foundation on an unforgettable adventure and be part of a community of like-minded supporters raising vital funds for research into dental, oral, and general health for all Australians.

The North Flinders Ranges offers some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as well as some of the most attractive outback properties. This vehicle supported trek explores the final five days of the northern Heysen Trail pack free. The Flinders Ranges offer a rolling range of majestic peaks and rugged ridges, deep gorges and endemic plants and animals.

The world class trails combine exceptional views and achievable challenges to create unforgettable walking experiences. The forests of cypress pines create an almost alpine ambiance in these semi-arid ranges with the dry climate creating ideal conditions for walking. This trip is fully supported so you can enjoy walking with just a day pack. Each evening, we’ll camp in stunning remote locations, experiencing the true essence of the outback. Our professional support crew will transport group camping gear to each site, so you can trek freely with just a daypack, focus on your journey, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow adventurers.

This is more than just a trek—it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, support vital health research, and experience one of Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes.

Challenge Grade

To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the walking terrain, altitude and the length of the trek. The Heysen Trail trek is a 6 day trek graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves 6 – 8 hours walking each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trails are characterised as rocky, stony and mountainous terrain requiring you to be walking each day over rugged sometimes narrow terrain with some steep ascents and descents. Some days will be quite active involving steep walks for most of the day.

In order to complete this trek we advise that you undertake regular three or four times a week for at least three months prior to your departure. Hill walking with a daypack is recommended. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. You will need to be prepared to use your upper body to climb, scramble and push along ledges. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a rough narrow bush track, even just your local park or sports field, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots.

Itinerary

After all your fundraising and preparation the adventure finally begins! We pick you up from the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, 55 Frome Street, Adelaide at 6.30am and with a couple of coffee/snacks stops along the way we drive north to the small township of Hawker. We’ll have lunch at the start of our walk which is just outside of Hawker. We walk along a ridgeline that surveys the surrounding landscape and supplies incredible views of both the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound Range in the distance. Tonight, we stay at a remote private station campground where we enjoy a scrumptious dinner prepared by our guides and hear a briefing about the exciting adventures on the itinerary for tomorrow. We have our first opportunity to marvel at the incredible outback stars that will follow us throughout our trip. Walking Distances: 9.5km | Walking Time: 3-4 hours | Driving Time: 5-6 hours. *You will need to arrive in Adelaide the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 3:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  L,D

Today we start early to walk section 57 of the famous, 1200km Heysen Trail. Beginning at scenic Black Gap Lookout, the trail takes us north-east to Bridle Gap. From here we have views across the expansive Wilpena Pound, and back towards the Elder Range. We descend into the Pound itself and follow the trail straight through the middle – an unforgettable walking experience. A variety of mallee, native pine and heath habitats within provide excellent opportunities to observe interesting local birds including wrens, robins, parrots, and raptors. In the early afternoon, after walking into our Wilpena Pound camp we enjoy a cultural tour. Tonight, we enjoy another hearty meal with our group. Walking Distance: 14km | Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Walking out of Wilpena today we continue our walk further north through the Flinders Ranges on section 58 of the Heysen trail. This morning’s walk gradually takes us away from the Wilpena Pound Range that we have spent the last few days exploring and heads into more remote areas of the National Park. During the morning we walk along the multi-use fire trail that is shared with the famous Mawson Cycling Route. The trail explores the foothills of the range and offers towering views of St Marys Peak and other surrounding mountains above. In our final sections of today’s walk we continue onto a trail exclusively for Heysen trailer walkers that will climb to some viewpoints that offer 360 degree views of jaw dropping scenery before meeting our vehicle at Yanyanna Hut for a short transfer to tonight’s campsite. Walking Distance: 22.5km | Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we finish section 59 of the Heysen trail which we started yesterday and complete section 60. We walk along the foothills away from the Wilpena Pound Range and towards the ABC, Trezona and Heysen Range with contrasting rock formations. We explore local bushland with local plant communities and low gullies surrounded by the magical birdlife. Keep an eye out you might spot the striking colours of the Mallee ringneck parrot or beautiful rainbow bee-eater. Learn the pastoral heritage of the area, following the footsteps of early shepherds and witnessing the ruins of some of the first pastoral runs. Tonight, we camp in the peaceful Aroona Valley and enjoy another night around the campfire with friends. Walking Distance: 24.5km | Walking Time: 7-9 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we walk the official final leg of the Heysen Trail – section 61. After breakfast we walk out of our campsite in Aroona Valley heading off into the middle of the wilderness around us. We set off for a full day on the trail, walking along the valley between ABC Range and Heysen Range. The day’s walk is gently undulating, taking us through bird life filled vegetation and past numerous abandoned mine sites. Reaching the trail head at Parachilna Gorge. Tonight, we set up camp near Parachilna Gorge and celebrate completing the most northern sections of the Heysen Trail. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we leave the Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park and head to Quorn, a small township further south. Today’s challenge is to climb Devils Peak a short but sweet climb that overlooks the surrounding agricultural lands. During our ascent we get unique views of the rock face ahead of us before rising to the top and being rewarded with our final sweeping view of the Flinders Ranges landscape. On our descent be sure to keep an eye out for local reptiles and echidnas as it is a favourite spot of theirs. We return via the same track where we transfer to a local cafe to enjoy our final meal together as a group. After lunch we make our way back to Adelaide. Our journey concludes when we drop you at your Adelaide accommodation by 6pm. Walking Distances: 2.5km | Walking Time: 1-2 hours | Driving Time: 6 -7 hours

Meals:  B,L

What's Included

  • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Snacks and hot drinks
  • Professional wilderness guide and support staff
  • Vehicle supported camping throughout
  • Tents and mats for sleeping (but not sleeping bags)
  • All entrance and national park fees
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Transport during the trip
  • Catering and eating utensils

What's Not Included

  • Airfares
  • Accommodation in Adelaide prior and post trip
  • Items of personal nature such as laundry and postage
  • Backpacks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Sleeping bags

What You Carry

  • This walk is fully vehicle supported. You will carry just a day pack containing the following items:
  • -Water for the day's walk (3-4L, amount is dependent on the day)
  • -Sunhat, sunglasses & sunscreen
  • -Snacks for the day, provided by your guides
  • -Waterproof and warm layers
  • -Camera and any other personal items
  • -Sometimes your pre-packed lunch
  • Your luggage will be transferred by the support vehicle.

Fundraising Impact

Oral disorders have the lowest and most inequitable amount of Australian government support in relation to disease burden. Help us to prevent and control dental and oral diseases through innovative research.

Your support will help eviDent to:

• understand the risk of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid) transmission in the dental setting to better inform public policy decisions that impact on oral health

• determine whether music therapy is effective and could be used as an additional intervention to manage anxiety in the dental setting

• improve the ability of dentists to appropriately screen patients and refer patients for penicillin allergy testing

• underpin the efforts of dental teams in supporting adolescent patients reduce their sugars intake

• normalise oral health care as part of alcohol and other drugs recovery at First Step, an addiction treatment centre in St Kilda; and so much more!

You can help us to continue to turn ‘we think, we’re not sure, we don’t know’ into evidence-based practice.

Australia Challenge Reviews

Travel Dates

Other Challenge Costs

Fundraising target:USD$1330 

Videos

What's it like trekking the Heysen Trail in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia?

Fast Facts

Trip Dates: DepartReturn
Duration:6 Days
Activities:Day walks
Grade:Moderate to Challenging  Click for more information
Trip Code:EHF
Registration Fee:USD$130
Travel Cost:USD$130
Fundraising target:USD$1330Â