THE BILL LINDSAY LINK
(Link between Mt Bold and WBT)
Introduction
The Bill Lindsay Link is the initiative of Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW) to honour the founder of the club and prominent figure for conservation and the environment in South Australia.
Lindsay, Harold Arthur (Bill) (1900–1969) by Kerrie Round
Bill Lindsay loved hiking in the area of Mt Bold Reservoir and long desired to make a safe trail connecting the Heysen Trail (Rocky Creek) to Onkaparinga River National Park (Pink Gum Campground). This trail is now possible with the completion of a link trail between the Wedgetail Trail (Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve) and the Willunga Basin Trail at Kangarilla.
The link received approval from the City of Onkaparinga for use of unmade road reserves and as a spur off the WBT, in 2024. During this process approval to label the link after Bill Lindsay was not given. The link has been built by Willunga Basin Trail Inc with cooperation and practical help from Adelaide Bushwalkers using funds raised at the second hand stall of the Hiking Expo in 2023.
The link enables the Bill Lindsay Circuit Trail and also increases other walking options including multi-day hikes using the WBT, Mt Bold trails, the Heysen Trail, and trails in Kuitpo Forest where there is overnight camping at Rocky Creek and Pink Gum Camp Campgrounds.
The Link: Mt Bold to WBT section 7 at Sand Rd, Kangarilla (Bill Lindsay Link).
3 kilometer, Class 3, Moderate Hike through road reserves connecting the Wedgetail Trail (WT), Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve to the Willunga Basin Trail (WBT), at Kangarilla.
Rocky Creek Camp to Pink Gum Camp
24.5 kilometer, class 4, Hard hike from Rocky Creek campground (Heysen Trail, Kuitpo Forest) to Pink Gum Campground, Onkaparinga River National Park.
The Bill Lindsay Circuit Hike
2 Day pack walk, 28 kilometer, class 4-5, Moderate to Hard hike from Kangarilla to Rocky Creek Camp and return. Suitable for beginners, school groups and other outdoor education programmes.
Other features to incorporate during this hike are the Eucalypts DIY Orienteering Courses at Rocky Creek and the Kangarilla Tree Trail.
The Link: Mt Bold to WBT (Bill Lindsay Link-BLL)
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Track Notes:
Grade 3
Distance 3km
45 Minutes
Beginning from the trail head Wedgetail Trail, Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve, the first marker post is on the western side of Golder Rd, opposite the pedestrian gate and is marked “Link to Willunga Basin Tail” . Continue south along Golder Rd, cross over Mt Bold Rd and continue on Golder Unmade Road Reserve (URR). Cross over Saddlebags Rd and continue on Road Reserve that may appear to be a private driveway, continue south westerly along this road, passing the farm gate on your left and continue south along URR for about 220 metres. Pass a large fallen tree, and after a few meters turn westerly onto a foot pad heading south west and follow the line of sight markers to Yaroona Road. Continue in a westerly direction, cross Kangarilla Rd and head west along Fairlane Rd until you come to a stile. Enter the fenced property by the stile and continue to head westerly following the fence on your left to reach another stile at Sand Rd. Cross over Sand Rd to meet the Willunga Basin Trail.
Rocky Creek Campground to Pink Gum Camp Ground
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Track Notes:
Grade 4
Distance 24.5km
Allow 6 -7Hours Moderate to Hard
From the Rocky Creek Camp Ground head north westerly following the Heysen Trail to Razorback Road. Follow the fence in a north westerly then westerly direction for 700m to a pedestrian gate, cross over Razorback Road to enter Water SA land through another pedestrian gate which brings you to the trail head for the Wedgetail Trail.
Follow the entire Wedgetail Trail, check the Walking SA website for opening times, restrictions, maps and Gpx file. The Wedgetail Trail ends at the corner of Scenic Road and Golder Road where the link trail begins, “Link to Willunga Basin Trail”, located on the western verge of Golder Road opposite the pedestrian gate. Follow the Willunga Basin Trail markers southwards crossing over Mt Bold Road and continue on Golder unmade road reserve to Saddlebags Rd. Cross over Saddlebags Rd and continue on a road reserve that may appear to be a private driveway, continue south westerly along this road, passing the farm gate on your left and continue south along URR for about 220 metres. Pass a large fallen tree, and after a few meters turn westerly onto a foot pad heading southwest and follow the line of sight markers to Yaroona Road. Cross Kangarilla Rd onto Fairlane Road. Continue along Fairlane Rd to a stile, enter the fenced property and follow the fence on the left to the next stile. Cross Sand Road to meet up with the Willunga Basin Trail (Section 7) and continue westward for a short distance along Jackson Road before turning north. Follow the Willunga Basin Trail (10.4km) to Pink Gum Campground – Bookings can be made made through National Parks and Wild Life Service.
Caution: Section 7 of the Willunga Basin Trail involves a seasonal crossing of Peters Creek, check the website for updates, maps and GPX file.
The Bill Lindsay Circuit – overnight pack walk
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The Link has enabled a two day, one night pack walk for beginners called the Bill Lindsay Circuit. The circuit is an unmarked loop walk, incorporating four existing marked trails, that begins at Fairlane Road Kangarilla, an over night camp at Rocky Creek and return to Kangarilla. The circuit is moderate to hard, class 4 walking except for the class 5 Wedgetail Trail which incorporates some short, steep hills.
Park on Fairlane Road to start the walk. If parking on Kangarilla Recreation Ground please contact the Booking Officer (so.gb@bigpond.com) who will advise where to park so as not to clash with sporting events: Toilets on the southern side of the oval are open 24/7 and water is available.
There are two camps at Rocky Creek, please check Forestry website, restrictions apply.
- Walk in Hikers Camp takes 8 campers at $7.50 per person
- Rocky Creek Hut sleeps 5 people. Maximum occupancy for this area is 10 people (can be flexible) at $99 per night.
- Bookings can only be made by contacting Forestry SA, Phone: (08) 8391 8800
Track Notes:
Grade 4-5
Distance 28km
Day 1 – 14 km: Allow 5-6 Hours, Moderate to Hard
Head east along Fairlane Rd, cross over Kangarilla Rd heading easterly then north easterly along Yaroona Rd until it meets a private driveway. Follow the Willunga Basin Trail markers to the right of the private property beginning with some steps onto the unmade road reserve, continue in a north easterly direction for about 250 meters to meet a track junction. Turn left and continue along the track to Saddlebags Rd. Cross Saddlebags Rd and continue north along Golder URR to cross Mt Bold Rd and continue along Golder Rd until it meets Scenic Rd, the pedestrian gate to Mt Bold Reservoir Reserve is on the right. Enter here and start the Wedgetail Trail (WT).
Note: Check Walking SA website for restrictions, opening times, maps and Gpx file.
Follow the Wedgetail Trail (9.6km) for about 850M, cross Mt Bold Road and continue along Wedgetail Trail for another 340M, crossing a creek line before starting a very steep climb of 290M ascent over 650M, This is the hardest part of the trail and is recommend to go up rather than down. At the track junction turn right in an easterly direction for 400M to another track junction to a very scenic lookout, 340M return. Retrace your steps from the lookout and continue on the Wedgetail Trail. Within 1km there is the main carpark and toilet facilities. Follow the Wedgetail trail through undulating native forest and pine forest areas until it reaches a pedestrian gate on Razorback Rd.
Cross Razorback Rd and through the second pedestrian gate into Kuitpo Forest (Rocky Creek), Follow the fence in an easterly direction for 700M to the Heysen Trail then follow the Heysen Trail markers to Rocky Creek camp. Alternatively take a more scenic route to camp through the forest tracks.
Water (untreated-bring own water treatment ), Shelter, Picnic Table, Toilet facilities, Fire Pit and camping area.
Note: Further Navigation training while in camp is possible by incorporating the Eucalypts DIY Orienteering Courses at Rocky Creek, Easy or Moderate
Day 2 – 14 km: Undulating Allow 4-5hours, Moderate to Easy
Follow the Heysen Trail in in a south westerly direction through Kuitpo Forest and back roads, crossing over Dashwood Gully Rd onto Wicks Rd and Stagecoach Road until you reach Kuitpo Forest (Ironbarks picnic area). Follow the Heysen Trail, the Willunga Basin Trail (Section 8) and the Onkeeta Trail and soon just the WBT in a westerly direction along the northern perimeter of Kuitpo Forest and Mt Panorama Native Forest. Cross the fence at the stile next to a gate onto an unmade road reserve then after about 250M cross a fence at a stile again into Kuitpo Forest (Bone Gully). Head in a north westerly direction toward Mt Panorama for about 600M (No access to summit) then turn northerly following the perimeter track for about 900M to a stile, on the left, next to a gate. Head in a north westerly direction along a fenced road reserve down to Old Coach Road in Kangarilla. Coffee, cold drinks and hot food is available from the General Store, Ph: (08) 8383 7020. Continue following the Willunga Basin Trail along McLaren Flat Road to Sand Road. Turn right at the junction and continue past Recreation Road junction for another 250m to a trail post directing you to a stile over a farm fence. Follow the fence in an easterly direction to the next stile bringing you onto Fairlane Road and the finish of the circuit.
Note: Check Willunga Basin Trail Website for alerts and re-route on Section 8.