Mount Schank Walking Track - Wildlife Donation - FNPW

Mt Schank

Walking Trail

  • YEAR: 2014
  • STATE: South Australia
  • FOCUS AREAS: Growing Parks/SDG 15: Life on Land

Thanks to your support, when you visit South Australia’s Mount Schank State Heritage Area you can enjoy a new stone path to the volcano rim. Before this new track, the existing stairs did not meet Australian Standards and visitors often climbed beside the stairs instead, which led to erosion and a slipping hazard. Now, the 12,000 or so visitors to Mount Schank each year have a safer, easier walk to experience the incredible 360-degree views at the top.

FNPW support

This project was funded through generous donations from FNPW supporters across Australia and beyond.

Project overview

The project has been developed to reduce the environmental impacts of visitors to the heritage values of the site and improve visitor safety, and reduce the maintenance requirement for the Mount Schank trail from the carpark to the crater rim at this state heritage listed site.  The current stairs did not meet Australian Standards and from observations are not always used by visitors.  The stairs themselves are a problem due to their varying heights and widths and continual soil washout, however with visitors taking the option to climb beside the stairs this has created a slipping hazard as well as an erosion problem.

To reduce the environmental impacts of visitors to the state heritage values of the site and improve visitor safety, and reduce the maintenance requirement for the Mount Schank trail from the carpark to the crater rim at this state heritage listed site.  The current stairs do not meet Australian Standards and from observations are not always used by visitors.  The stairs themselves are a problem due to their varying heights and widths and continual soil washout, however with visitors taking the option to climb beside the stairs this has created a slipping hazard as well as an erosion problem.

The outcome for this entire project is to have a safe and easier walking trail from the carpark to the crater rim to allow people with varying degrees of fitness to access the 360 degree views at the rim of the volcano. It is estimated the site as 12,000 visitors per year.

In recent months our Community Engagement Team have worked with Yahl Primary School children undertaking bridal creeper rust and leafhopper release.  We may be utilising the SE Migrant Centre to undertake similar work.  There are more volunteer activities scheduled for Mount Schank.

Mount Schank Walking Track - Wildlife Conservation Grants NSW - FNPW

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

FNPW supports projects across Australia. In the spirit of reconciliation the we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT

The project was completed in 2015.

This project was funded by FNPW in 2014.

PROJECT PARTNERS

SA Department of Environment and Water is the lead organisation for this project.

Further information about our project partner can be found on their website:

www.environment.sa.gov.au

Related Projects

Gogerly's Point Heritage Precinct

The Friends of Royal organisation planned and implemented a track restoration program to restore a heritage path from Gogerly’s Point at Hill Top House to join with the Warrumbul walking track and picnic area. A directional totem was produced and installed at the track junction to direct walkers.

Mount Field National Park

FNPW provided funding to improve access to Mount Field National Park in Tasmania. The alpine area of this popular park attracts a large number of visitors; however, this has led over the years to a degraded track prone to flooding.

Kukundi Nature Playspace

To coincide with National Tree Day, Kukundi Nature Playspace was unveiled at a launch event in Lane Cove National Park on Friday, 28 July 2017. The outdoor space features a range of new Nature Play equipment that aims to reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors.