Looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors before the winter fully kicks in? Next weekend on May 21, 2023, experience the history and beauty of Adelaide’s surrounds firsthand by participating in the Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk event. (Image: Jessica Dempster)
By Jessica Dempster | @dempsterjess_
On May 21, 2023, up to hundreds of participants will gather at various starting points within the Adelaide Hills to embark on a journey first established by the Prussian migrant women of Hahndorf in the 1800s.
The Pioneer Women’s Trail is a 22-kilometre walking track that stretches between Hahndorf and Adelaide. The trail commemorates the pioneer women of Hahndorf who used the track to transport fresh produce to Adelaide on foot during the early days of settlement.
From the 1830s to the 1850s, any Hahndorf woman or girl capable of carrying produce would make the journey along the trail. They left the village at midnight to avoid their dairy, fruits, and vegetables spoiling in the heat of the day and caried their supplies in baskets balanced across their shoulders. By dawn, they would reach Beaumont House and rest for a while by the nearby creek before tidying themselves up and continuing their journey to the markets. After selling their produce, the women would refill their baskets for the journey home and make the trip back the very same day.
The trail was rediscovered and mapped by the National Trust of South Australia and Walking SA in the 1980s. Then, in 2009 the annual walking event was established, and thousands of registered walkers have since undertaken the trek.
Lyndell Davidge, a Hahndorf local who was part of the original group whom rediscovered and mapped the trail we know today in the 1970s, has dedicated decades of her life working with the National Trust to promote and improve the trail. She says the blue signs along the track are designed to symbolise the journey of the pioneer women.
“The trail has such an interesting background, but it’s one that’s often overlooked,” Davidge says.
“We’d really love for more people to learn about its history, not only stories about the women walkers and the original settlers, but about the Peramangk people as well,” she says.
The Peramangk
The Peramangk people are the original custodians of the land now known as Hahndorf. Before the Lutherans immigrated in the 1800s, the area was called “Bukartillia” which translates to “deep pool” or “wash place”, referring to the reliable supply of water in the area. The Peramangk people were very resourceful, utilising the land’s rich resources while simultaneously preserving the beauty and wellbeing of the area.
“According to all accounts, the relationship between the Peramangk people was a rather amicable one,” Davidge says. “They were very helpful to the Lutherans, showing them what plants and animals to eat and how to utilise natural resources in the area.”
“They probably didn’t expect the Lutherans to settle permanently on their land, though. Over time they’d seen plenty of Europeans pass through, but no one ever stayed for long.”
“Unfortunately, after that, like a lot of Indigenous groups, the Peramangk were decimated by disease,” Davidge’s friend Anni Luur Fox says. Luur Fox was also part of the group who rediscovered the trail, and has family ties to the original settlers of Hahndorf. She has written a book based off Hahndorf’s history entitled Early Hahndorf and the Pioneer Women’s Trail. Like Davidge, Luur Fox has worked tirelessly for decades with the National Trust to share its story.
“Sadly, there’s not many people left around Hahndorf who know whether they descend from the Peramangk or not,” Luur Fox says.
Recently, Luur Fox and Davidge, on behalf of the National Trust, submitted a proposal to the South Australian Tourism Commission requesting more signs commemorating the history of the pioneer women and the Peramangk people to be erected along the trail.
“The thing about the Pioneer Women’s Trail that makes it so valuable is that it’s an intersection of three different histories: the Pioneer Women, the European settlers of Adelaide, and the Peramangk people.” – Lyndell Davidge
The trail today
People wishing to attend the annual walk on May 21 can register online via the event’s page on the National Trust’s website. The full walk starts from 7.30am from the Hahndorf Academy, located on 68 Main Street, Hahndorf, and finishes at Beaumont House, located on 631 Glynburn Road, Beaumont. However, participants can choose to begin their walk at Hahndorf and complete a 26km walk, Bridgewater for a 19km walk, or at Stirling for a 12km walk, based on their preferences and abilities.
Walking SA board member Jim McLean encourages anyone interested to get out and explore the trail.
“The history of the trail is its selling point, for sure. But it’s also a great walking location through genuine scrub, a bit out of the way so it’s very peaceful and scenic, and it’s got some amazing views,” McLean says.
Walking SA describes the Pioneer Women’s Trail as a challenging walk over undulating terrain that should take between 5 to 10 hours to complete when starting at Hahndorf. However, McLean, Davidge and Luur Fox all say anyone with reasonable walking experience and adequate preparation should be able to complete and enjoy the walk.
The trail traverses through native bushland, national parks and historic townships, passing through Bridgewater, Stirling, and Crafers before descending into Adelaide.
Upon arriving at the finishing point of Beaumont House, participants can enjoy stunning views, food vans, live music, and conversations with fellow walkers.
Important information
Starting locations and times:
Hahndorf check-in: 7.30-8.30am, The Hahndorf Academy, 68 Main Street, Hahndorf.
Bridgewater check-in: 9.00-9.30am, Bridgewater Lions Park (Corner of Mount Barker & Bridgewater Road)
Stirling check-in: 10.00-10.30am, Stirling Steamroller Park (corner of Mount Barker Road and Avenue Road)
Parking:
There is no reserved or guaranteed parking at any of the starting locations. Pre-arranged drop-offs and pick-ups are encouraged.
Buses:
Multiple buses will be departing from Beaumont House to drop participants off at starting locations. Return tickets can also be purchased to get back to your car from Beaumont House after the walk.
Buses to Hahndorf departing from 7.15am – 7.45am
Buses to Bridgewater departing from 8.45am – 9.00am
Buses to Stirling departing from 9.45am – 10.15am
Returning buses departing at 1.00pm & 2.30pm
Further information and registration details concerning the trail and the event can be found online. Any general enquiries can be directed to 0429 349 843.
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