Walking Trails Support Group

06/04/2025

Leaflet re-stocking in the central Flinders Ranges...
WTSG Volunteers recently spent a few days checking walks brochure supplies in the leaflet boxes at the trail-heads of the six central Flinders walks. Below some photos of this magnificent environment - Mt Billy Creek Trailhead at the start of Wilkawillina Gorge walk, the Brachina Gorge Trail Info Booth, and Bunkers Trailhead.
Now that the heat of summer is gone, it's a great time to be out walking and there's so much to discover in the central Flinders!
Volunteers stayed at the comfprtable and convenient Oraparinna Shearer's Quarters, thanks to National Parks and Wildlife SA.
The brochures and more information about these walks are available on the website https://wtsg.au/flindersindex.htm
and don't forget the -free- Flinders Ranges Walks app, available for iOS and Android.. see QR code below.

17/03/2025

Once again, WTSG is very grateful for the support of Friends of Parks and Nature, this time in the form of a grant that will be very helpful in allowing our volunteers to continue their work of track maintenance in the Flinders Ranges and Barossa Region.

More than $779,000 in grants is heading to 71 conservation and heritage projects across SA—supporting everything from protecting endangered flora and shorebirds to restoring fire-affected areas and preserving historic sites.

This is the biggest annual funding boost yet, empowering over 5000 volunteers in 148 Friends of Parks and Nature groups to continue their incredible work caring for our environment.

03/02/2025

Looking back in time... WTSG achievements in *2015*
Ten years ago, in January 2105, faded interpretation panels at the Mt Brown summit lookout were replaced. Here are some of the panels arriving at the summit tower. Supplied by DEWNR Northern and Yorke.
Other photos include pics of the panels taken at the opening of the Mt Brown summit tower in 2002, and then photos - courtesy of WTSG Volunteer Steve Delve - of the newer replaced panels, taken in 2023.

07/01/2025

Happy New Year, one hopefully full of opportunities for walking in South Australia's beautiful natural environment!

The WTSG program for 2025 is available with all details on the website https://wtsg.au/NextYearActivitiesReport.htm

Southern Flinders
- 28 April to 9 May - Mount Brown and Dutchman's Stern Conservation Parks

Central Flinders
- 16 June to 27 June - six walks in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Wilcolo Circuit, Bunyeroo Gorge, Yuluna Circuit, Aroona to Youngoona, Trezona Circuit, Wilkawillina

Northern Flinders
- 21 July to 22 July, Oraparinna Shearers Quarters - Central Flinders leaflets
- 23 July to 27 July, Moolawatana Homestead - Terrapinna Tors, Neville Alley's glacial geology, assessing Mount Babbage access
- 28 July to 8 August, Balcanoona Shearers Quarters - Italowie Walk, Balcanoona Creek, Monarch Mine,Oppaminda Nudlamutana, Mawson Spriggina, Acacia Ridge, Kingsmill Gorge, Bararranna Circuit

Barossa Country Walks
- October to March, often once a week, weather/fire bans permitting

To express interest, please contact Rob at contact @ wtsg.au

05/12/2024

There are well-graded walking trails awaiting you in National Parks very close to Adelaide and beyond! Whether your interest is flora, fauna, views, geology, exercise or simply fresh air, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 🙂

New research puts a dollar value on the health benefits of visits to national parks within reach of the city. It works out to almost $100 worth of savings to the health budget for every visit.

17/08/2024

Can you spot the blue poles?
Walking on hard, rocky terrain like granite, foot-pads are difficult to see and so clearly visible 'line-of-sight' track-markers are very important.
WTSG tracks have way-markers placed every 200 m and one of the maintenance tasks is clearing overgrown vegetation at the pole so that there is a clear line-of-sight both looking forward and backward.
Also, clearing the walking track of overgrown Rock Sida, which can grow to 1 m tall, and other dense veg prevents nasty surprises stepping on any wildlife!!

15/08/2024

Working in these remote areas, we are very conscious of the safety of our volunteers. In the past, we relied on personal Epirbs and Garmins. This year we bought 3 Zoleo satellite communications devices and we've been very happy with their performance this trip.
Each device is lightweight, the battery lasts up to 3 days (?) but we charge them every night after work. There is an App that 'connects' to the Zoleo device that allows you to message other people when out of mobile range.
At a minimum, for those volunteers who aren't so App savvy, just turning on the device and carrying it in a position (say on the back of your pack) that enables it to 'see' clear sky (satellites) enables others to track its location. In a dire emergency, a press of the SOS Button will invoke emergency procedures.
For those who are happy using Apps, they can communicate via an SMS (sent via satellite) to let us know they will be late back to base, or whatever...
We have also found that the Garmin devices can communicate with the Zoleos - another benefit!
The Zoleo has many features we are still figuring out, but on this trip we have all felt much safer carrying them and being able to report in.

11/08/2024

Besides leaflet replenishment, another of our maintenance tasks is ensuring the walking track is safe -AND- enjoyable. So much better to be able to enjoy the scenery of our beautiful National Parks than having to constantly watch the path for tripping hazards.
Track scraping is important to clear away (1) loose stones that can roll under-foot and (2) larger rocks that can trip you up.
Here are some before and after photos of a small section of track being cleared of rocks. And then some photos of the amazing track scraping tool invented by Rob - a light-weight pole about 1 metre long attached to a base with one pointy end for digging up a rock and a flat end for scooping rocks off the track. (It can also be used as a walking stick!)

10/08/2024

Walking through our beautiful National Parks is a boost for the spirit, but knowing -what- you are walking on and through and what you are looking at is a boost for the brain.
WTSG volunteers work hard at making the walking trails safe but also at providing accurate interpretation. All our country has stories whether about geology, Aboriginal occupation, flora and fauna or European settlement. It all adds to the experience.
This interpretation is conveyed in a number of ways. (1) Free coloured leaflets with maps and information at trailheads, (2) Free Apps that can be used out of internet range, and (3) POI (Point of Interest) markers on site with brief information on decals.
WTSG volunteers are now in the spectacular Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, staying at Balcanoona, on our annual walking trail maintenance trip. One of the jobs is refreshing leaflet dispensers. We first count the number of leaflets used, then tidy the dispenser (yes - with a small dust buster!) and then top up.
Note that the leaflets are also available to download and print before leaving home - see our website wtsg.au

09/08/2024

Great working environment!! This untouched photo was taken from just outside the kitchen door of the Balcanoona Shearers Quarters very early yesterday morning. The volunteers have been very lucky with the weather and are managing to tick off many maintenance jobs - replacing worn decals, checking way-marker posts, installing new map plates and topograms, clearing tracks of overgrown veg and tripping hazards like rocks and fallen trees. Hard physical work, but in a very beautiful natural environment.
There are 9 walks up here that need checking and maintaining, each with its own views and unique features, like the reedy pools in Balcanoona Creek and the gibber plain on the Italowie walk.

05/08/2024

WTSG Northern Flinders maintenance work is under way! On the way to Balcanoona, we stopped overnight at Oraparinna so we could re-stock leaflets at Bunyeroo Gorge, Aroona and Trezona campgrounds in Brachina Gorge. At the entrance to Brachina Gorge Geological Trail in the Information Bay is a beautiful new panel acknowledging the work of Walking Trails Support Group. Thank you National Parks and Wildlife Service!

30/07/2024

THANK YOU DIZZI DECALS!
WTSG volunteers are about to embark on their annual Northern Flinders Ranges working bee, based at Balcanoona. As usual, there are new topograms and map plates to install as well as replacing old and damaged decals. We always go straight to Spyro at Dizzi Decals in Glynde who is so helpful and produces the highest quality decals, AND so fast! Thank you Spyro.