The Lavender Federation Walking Trail

The opening of a new section of the Lavender Federation Trail was an event that didn’t come to my attention until I read about it this week in our local paper, The Murray Valley Standard. This is of particular interest to me because a part of the trail goes past about 500 metres north of our home. I walked about 20km of this trail in my preparations for trekking the Himalayas in January of this year. (To read about my adventures trekking in Nepal, go to the Archives section on the right and then scroll down to the January 2006 entries.)

Terry Lavender

This walking trail is called the Lavender trail after Terry Lavender, founder of the South Australian Recreation Trails Incorporated (SARTI). Terry was instrumental in forging the establishment of many walking trails throughout South Australia. His untiring efforts are being continued by many who have grasped his vision of a countryside criss-crossed with walking trails.

New Section

The section from here in Murray Bridge to Mount Beevor was opened in 2002. The second stage from there to Tungkillo was opened in 2004. The latest section to Springton was opened recently by Terry Lavender’s widow, Ann. This brings the total length of the trail to 105 kilometres. The current secretary of SARTI estimates it would take four days of comfortable walking to complete the walk. Eventually, it is hoped that this walk will reach as far as Clare in the mid-north of South Australia. The fourth stage from Springton to Truro is in the planning stage.

More information

For more information about the Lavender Federation Trail click here.