Click here for my Trip Report Week 1.
Day 15 and 16 were rest days in the town of Quorn. I was in some wonderful accommodation at Elizabeth House (Update – might be closed now). I had one of the original main bedrooms, complete with fireplace and the lady running it was a wonderful host. I just took it easy. Resting, cleaning and restocking, my belly and pack. I had the one of the best milkshakes ever at Teas on the Terrace.
Day 17 was a pretty routine day of 26km. I had an early start and made it to camp at a reasonable time.
Please keep in mind that I am writing this update almost three years after the event. Just take it as general information and hopefully entertainment.

Dianella revoluta (Black anther flax-lily)

Catninga Shed campsite.
Today was a bit of a frustrating day. It seemed the trail was taking some pretty big detours to find Heysen Trail friendly property owners. I didn’t plan to stop in Wilmington but I had just about finished my 4.5 litres of water, and it was closer than the next official campsite.
I did have a nice meal at the pub as I walked through town to the caravan park, on the other side of town. And there were some ladies that had just finished Australian Rules football practice, having a drink of Canadian Club that was on tap. It looked refreshing. It was a little sweet, but sweet can be ideal after a long hot walk. I floated down the road to the caravan park and got a cabin for the night.
7am start for today’s 20km. After a 6km hike out of town, I reached the campsite I had originally aimed for. It ended up I was kind of lucky, as there were a dozen year 9 school boys and their teachers there last night. They went off somewhere else, not on my trail. I haven’t seen anyone hiking the trail in at least a week.
The first hour after that was good, as I climbed up into the National park.
But then, apart from a nice stretch down a creek, I found myself trudging up and down hills through weed covered paddocks. The country is changing and I do miss the northern Flinders Ranges beauty and ruggedness.

Soup for breakfast this morning, I am over the my powdered milk muesli I pre-made and had posted to me. Two minute noodles for dinner last night. I do need to work out something better for trail food.
Today was a really nice day. A steep climb up to about 900m and then a pleasant stroll over and around Mount Remarkable. It was fantastic to be in a pristine national park again. The flora photos all came from the park.
I was in Melrose by noon and checked into a cabin in the caravan park. Found a delicious lunch and then did my washing. It would have been nice to stay another night but it was a Friday and I was too late. Melrose is a pretty town.
Today’s walk to Murray Town was 16km of easy terrain, so I decided to have a sleep in and make the most of my Melrose cabin. Plus it was a chance to wait for Over The Edge Cafe and Bike Shop to open. So I had a yummy breakfast, bought some snacks and then left town about 10am.
I think I’ve got over my northern Flinders Ranges withdrawals. Today I was happy to just accept there will be times when I will just be walking to get somewhere else. My body felt better today too. All my ailments are settling.
A photo of someone’s ambitious renovation project.
The Murray Town campground. It was a good set up with hot showers and a kitchen around the other side of the building.
I’m not sure where the time went this morning. I was up early but it was 8am by the time I was walking out of Murray Town. The weather wasn’t kind. It was cold and the hills were covered in a misty drizzle that stayed around all morning.
I had 26km to cover. Around the 15km I made the decision to stop my walk. I was now well and truly out of the Flinders Ranges terrain and had seen the section that I set out to cover. I am curious about the area south of Adelaide to Cape Jervis and maybe will have a crack at that one day.
So after deciding to stop I found the closest town which was Port Germain. It was a 24km walk, downhill at least. There wasn’t much open when I arrived but the Bowling Club had a sausage sizzle going, so that was pretty good after a long day.
My brother generously offered to collect me the next day. I was very much looking forward to a soft bed and enjoying fresh food. I can’t remember weighing myself but I guess I lost about 5 kilograms which is a fair bit for me.
Thanks for reading about my Heysen Trail adventures, I hope you enjoyed them.
My last photo of the trip below.
Hiking The Heysen Trail Mayo Hut to Quorn
Week 2 – October 2020
Australia to Puerto Varas, South America
Update 1 (late November 2022)