QUEENSLANDBUSHWALKERS

CLUB Inc.

PO Box 2199Sunnybank Hills

QLD 4109Email qldbwc@yahoo.com

Phone No 0478 239384http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

Newsletter July 2015

View of Cape Raoul, Tasmania (see walk report p.2,3) Photo: Patricia K

Club NewsFrom the editor Welcome to the July newsletter.I have received a flurry of walk reports. Evidently the cool winter evenings are keeping people indoors a littlemore which means they have more time to write up thewalks!? The wealth of reading this month covers walks in Tassie, NSW and around Brissie. Pilgrimage is coming up next month so keep alert for advice or requests around how members can help to host the event. Our esteemed president Robin is currently somewhere in the Red Centre enjoying sub-zero temperatures. After that experience he should be ready for anything, though it might explain why he was so keen to have a hot soup supper on the Pilgrimage menu.It is also nearing the time of year to renew our memberships and for the club annual general meeting. More details about that next month, but do consider what talents you may be able to offer the club as part of the committee. It can be almost as much fun as a good bush walk. Just ask us. Meanwhile, enjoy your reading!

Michael H

Pilgrimage UpdateIt's only 38 more sleeps to Pilgrimage 2015! (14-16 August at Kalbar Showgrounds)Cost is $50.00 if paid before 31 July. ($55.00 after). Pay by cheque or electronically.Registration Forms can be downloaded from the web: https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/pilgrimage-2015. There will be at least a dozen walks on the Saturday, ranging from very easy to hard. There are still opportunities to lead a walk if you wish to volunteer. Contact Richard Kolarski for information about walks.The Pilgrimage committee is asking for attendees to please bring a plate of savoury food for the Saturday evening supper. Gluten free options are helpful too. Contact Mary Sherlock for other ways you may help.A base camp is planned for Kalbar on the weekend of 1 August so that QBW members can do a pre-outing oftheir walk or familiarise themselves with the layout and facilities of the Pilgrimage venue. All club members arewelcome to participate in this base camp.If you are a member of another walking club, please doyour best to spread the word to them.

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Membership DueIt's hard to believe another year has passed already but it has. That means it is time for all of us to renew our club membership. Please fill in the form from the website or obtain one at the club meeting and give it to Margie Rae with $30 before the AGM. Camper Trailer for SaleTrek Kudu Camper Trailer with heavy duty ALCO suspension and queen size bed.4 years old. Very good condition. Sell with LED lighting,solar panel, Coleman gas hot water system.$6,500.00 Phone: David Kenrick (07) 3349-8238

General NewsNew Grampians Walking TrackAn article in the Melbourne Age recently reported that the Victorian government plans to develop a 144 kilometre walking track to showcase the highlights of the Grampians. The walk will reach from Mt Zero in thenorth to Dunkeld in the south. View the entire article at:http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/144kilometre-walking-track-to-showcase-the-highlights-of-the-grampians-20150622-ghuis0.htmlQld NPWS Photo CollectionQld National Parks and Wildlife Service is asking the general public to provide them with photos of specific places in National Parks to be displayed on their website. For image guidelines and more details see www.nprsr.gld.gov.au/experiences/passionforparks.Otago TrustThe Otago Youth Adventure Trust has advised there are only 200 places left to join some of their escorted group tramps in New Zealand in 2016. To view the remaining choices and book your trip see their website.

Shepherds Walk 2015Registration for the Shepherd's Walk is due on 15 July. Phone 5541 3740 between 10am 2pm. See the JuneQBW newsletter for more details.

Coming WalksAny person wishing to come on a club walk must contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise the meeting place and car pooling and has full discretion on who can come on the walk. Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to a weekend trip or by 9.00pm two days prior for others.More walks are coming up than can be included here so check full details in the club calendar.

July 20151 Wed Glenrock Exploratory (Gatton) D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 429 7174 Sat Wilsons Peak (Boonah) D/W

Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 0175 Sun Pages Pinnacle short (Springbrook) D/W

Patricia Kolarski 3341 75095 Sun Pages Pinnacle long (Springbrook) D/W

Mary Sherlock 0457 990 0678 Wed Little Flaggy Falls (Gatton) D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 429 71711 Sat Venman Bushland Circuit (Mt Cotton)D/W

Sandy Thomas 0403 821 52512 Sun Mt Ernest viaOrganPipes(Rathdowney)D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 429 71715 Wed Paradise Creek & White Mt (Gatton) D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 429 71718-19 Sat-Sun Huntley Saddle (Main Range) T/W

Marion Laban 3805 330018 Sat Shepherds Walk (Beaudesert) D/W

Beaudesert Historical Society 5541 374019 Sun White Rock Walk (Ipswich) D/W

Helen McAllister 3844 486622 Wed Obi Obi Creek Explore (Maleny) D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 42971725 Sat Mt Mitchell Circuit (Boonah) D/W

Richard Kolarski 0422 429 71726 Sun Mt Glennie Explore (Rathdowney) D/W

Aileen Elliott 5427 9369 a/h29-30 Wed-Thu Steamers and Lower Panorama Point

(Main Range) D/WRichard Kolarski 0422 429 717

Proposed OutingsSA/VICNeil Douglas (tel: 3875 1090) is offering two one-weeklong outings to the Flinders Ranges (SA) in Septemberand the Grampians (Vic) in November. See the March QBW newsletter for more details.

Past Walks Cape Raoul D/W 3 May 2015As part of our road trip to Tasmania, we did a day walk to this lovely spot on the southern end of the Tasman Peninsular in the south east of Tasmania. The walk is 14km return and has some magnificent views of the

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dolerite cliffs of the peninsular as well as views across to Bruny Island.

On a cool, overcast day we set out from the carpark and headed up a wet, slippery track through rainforest to the cliff edge. From here we had a view across to Shipstern Bluff. Although it is possible to take a side track to the bluff, we rejected that idea and headed east across the top of the cliffs.

What comes up must go down so we carefully made our way downhill to traverse a small inlet and again had the cliffs in sight. On the way down we met anexhausted dad with his two-year-old in a backpack.

The she-oak forest we then entered was eerily quiet except for the occasional sound of waves on the little sandy beaches beside the track.

Another sudden change in terrain and we came to an open rocky area beside a small lake. From here we could see the Cape Raoul headland ahead and the rock columns of the cliff face.

Banksia scrub tightly surrounded us as we covered theremaining kilometre to the lookout and our lunch spot. Sounds from the seal colony below could be heard but only the very brave leaned out over the cliff edge and caught a glimpse of the seals almost directly below us.

A light shower of rain encouraged us to finish lunch quickly and begin the return journey. The slippery track as we approached the car was nearly the undoing of more than one of us. My lovely new car was incredibly dirty on the outside but we were all keen not to spread clay mud onto the inside, especially from dirty bums.

A special thank you to Lynn, Helen and Christine for coming on this walk with me and indeed, for keeping me company on the whole Grand Tassie Road Trip.

PatriciaDrawing Room Rocks D/W 6 May 2015Here is another walk from the Great Tasmanian Road Trip that Lynn, Helen, Christine and I did in April/May. While it was a short walk, 4.5km return, the views down to the coast including Jervis Bay were fabulous.

We had been staying at a lovely property owned by Helen's sister and partner in Kangaroo Valley south of Sydney. Helen had done this walk many times before and was keen to show us how great it was. Well, she was so right.

After driving along winding narrow roads for a half-houror so we came to a deadend with a small parking area and turnaround. We had reached the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve at the north east boundary of Kanga-roo Valley. A clear track began uphill and continued up-hill for a 350m ascent, but it was very gradual and no huffing and puffing needed. Towards the end the terrainflattened out and we had an easy stroll to the cliffline.

While the beginning of the walk was heavy forest, the plateau was banksia heathland. The rock formation, Hawkesbury Sandstone, is amazing. It really has weathered to look like little stools and tables. Of course, we had lunch sitting on the seating provided and enjoying a slightly cloudy view east to the coast.

Superb lyrebirds could be heard in the distance; the best sequence of birdsong imitations that I have ever heard. Unfortunately, we didn't catch a glimpse even though we were so close at times.

We retraced our steps to the car, stopping at a few lookouts to glimpse views down into Kangaroo Valley. This was a very enjoyable half-day walk and I thank Helen for leading the way.

PatriciaJollys Lookout D/W 30 MayJollys Lookout is about a 15 minute drive from The Gap. Walks dont get much easier than this, especiallywith perfect weather and recently cleared & maintainedtracks. We were not the only group doing this walk on the day & while the other group was getting organised we quickly took off to get a head start on them, and did notsee them again until we returned back to the car park at the end of the walk.There are three tracks from the lookout: Egernia Circuit, Thylogale Track and Pitta Circuit through open eucalypt forest and rainforest, with some great views and lots of time for chatting along the way.The halfway point was at Boombana Caf, where we had a very civilised morning coffee break before retracing our steps back to the lookout, past the big fig tree on the way.Some of us lingered for lunch at the lookout before heading our separate ways. Thanks to visitor Lee, Jim & Julie, John & Lyn & John M for joining me on this walk.

Gerry

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Mt Joyce Base Camp 6 June long weekendSeven club members meet at 8am at Wyaralong Dam car park for the trip into Ngumbie Camp which is situ-ated 7.2 kms from the dam wall. Mathew, Yvette and Robin travelled via kayak/canoe, Marion walked and Mary, Bobby and I rode our mountain bikes into the oldhouse. The track is easily accessible and this year we didnt have to ride down the steep hill and up the other side to the start of the trail as they have now con-structed a car park closer to the dam wall.

Riding a bike while balancing a back pack with week-end supplies is quite a challenge. After lifting our bikes over the barriers that restrict vehicle access we mounted them and rode the short distance along the road to the first hill. We didnt get far as the hill is rela-tively steep with loose gravel. Getting off we pushed the bikes up the hill to a flat area where the lakeside track leaves the road where we again mounted our bikes. Saying goodbye to Marion we ventured forth with a promise to wait for her at Secret Valley. The three of us made it safely to our first rest stop without accident. Secret Valley is a lovely grassed area beside the lake where various mountain bike trails converge and competitions are held. Marion arrived within no time and after a brief chat we set off again. Along the second section of track we encountered sandy sec-tions, hills with some steep up and down and loose gravel. One hill is a very steep down with very loose gravel and discretion being the better part of valour I got off and wheeled the bike to the bottom. Within a hundred metres there is a steep windy hill which is ok to walk up but when you are carrying a backpack and pushing a bike it slows you down. Before tackling the hill we waited for Marion and then started the climb. Once at the top the track levels out and it is an easy ride to the house. Rounding the corner and seeing the old Queenslanders is a welcoming sight. Having spent a couple of relaxing weekends here in the past it was great to be back. We parked the bikes, dropped our packs and headed back along the track to walk the lastsection in with Marion.

After putting our gear in the various rooms we followed the track down to the lake to wait for the boat crews to arrive. Saturday was a windy day and the water on the surface of the dam was very rough. Finding the small cove below the house was difficult as the white marker buoy is small and the choppy water made visibility poor. After about 30 minutes Mathew appeared in the distance in his kayak and there was much yelling to gain his attention and relief when he turned in our di-rection. Text messages were sent back and forth be-

tween Marion and Robin and eventually we spotted two figures on the far side of the lake heading towards Boonah. We put Bobby in his red shirt on a high point and hoped vigorous arm waving would gain their atten-tion but this didnt work. After a few good laughs Mathew got back in his kayak and took off across the lake.

Eventually Robin and Yvette turned and they all came ashore. It was amazing how much food and gear was stored in the kayak/canoe. We all chipped in and car-ried it up the hill to the house and then set about hav-ing lunch at the large table on the verandah. A couple of friendly butcher birds thought they would help them-selves if food was left unattended.

Norm was due to walk in late in the afternoon and four of us decided to walk out and meet him. Walking along the track chatting away we didnt realise that we had missed a turnoff and arrived at the car park via a gravelroad and not via the track we had taken in that morn-ing. We settled down to wait for Norm and became concerned that we didnt have a headlight as evening crept in. After about an hour of waiting we got a phone call from Robin to say that Norm had contacted him concerned he had not met us on the track. We quickly hightailed it back to the house and realised that as we were walking to the car park along the gravel road Norm was walking to the house via the lakeside track. Arriving back at the house as the dark of night closed in around us we settled in for a relaxing evening of shared laughter over our various evening meals.

After a leisurely breakfast we gathered our packs and headed off for a day walk to the top of Mt Joyce via the grass tree track. Access to the track is about 3 km from the house back towards the dam wall. The track isa steady climb up a graded road until a junction is reached between the road and an off track path which is signposted. A mountain bike track runs close to the walking track as you near the junction. It was exciting to see mountain bikers hurtling down the switchback bends and rocks and I think we were all amazed at their daring. After taking the off track path we continuedwalking along a ridge line which leads to the top of the mountain. The view is always spectacular and we took the time to have morning tea and cake while enjoying the surroundings.

We then returned to the house taking a steep path down a ridge line which leads off to the right and is marked by red reflective disks. While up the mountain Robin road tested the various mountain bikes. After a late lunch we had good intentions of going for a bike

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ride towards the western trail head, but found our sur-roundings conducive to sitting on the sunny verandah and relaxing in good company.

Monday morning came around all too soon and after a relaxing breakfast we packed up ready to return to the hurly burly of everyday life. We all helped carry the gear and supplies down to the kayak/canoe and were pleased to see that the lake surface was like glass. After waving Robin, Matthew and Yvette off Mary, Bob, Marion and I returned to the house and started the walk / ride back to the dam wall. It is amazing how overtime your confidence with riding a mountain bike and your response time improves. However, the death grip I had on the handle bars as I rode down the steepest section made steering around the rocky sections very difficult and I straddled the bike as I walked in short sections until I felt safe enough to remount and con-tinue on a downhill trajectory.

On arrival back at the dam wall the boat crews had ar-rived and had started loading the boats and gear. We then departed and headed to Beaudesert Maccas for morning tea before departing for home. Thank you all for a very enjoyable week end I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. AileenNorthbrook Mountain & Eagles Nest D/W 13 JuneWhen I last did this walk with the club back in 2007, theviews were obscured by the mountains mists, and it seemed that history would be repeating itself as the preceding days this time were again rainy & overcast.However, the other six walkers who joined me on the day were not put off and we set off down Lawton Road,through the subtropical rainforest and into the wet sclerophyll forest, past the two apiary sites to the point where we left the road & started the short but steepish climb up the walking pad to the first knoll.We stayed only briefly there to regroup & catch our breath before following the walking pad for about 10 minutes to the second knoll, overlooking Kipper Creek. Luck was with us and the mists & clouds parted sporadically to let us take in the views to the bay & mountains in the north while we had morning tea.

We followed the path as it wound its way around the rocky outcrops on the mountain to the summit of Northbrook, marked by the survey mark, with views looking south across the England Creek catchments.

We left the peak & followed the track, which turns into an old logging trail, to the remote Northbrook Mountain bush camp on the ridge overlooking Kipper Creek where we met a (much younger) group from another club sitting around on the logs, including John & Julies son Justin. They were doing the walk in the opposite direction to us, so we stopped for a brief chat before we headed off in opposite directions.

From the camp, it is a short walk to England Creek road, which meets up again with Lawton Road at the water tank. Another few kilometres on, we reached the turn-off to Eagle Nest, above Northbrook Gorge & Creek. It is a short 15 minute walk out to where we stopped for lunch. Again we were fortunate to have some views despite the weather. After lunch it was back on the road again for the hour long walk up the hill to the cars. We just made it back in time as the rain started to fall, then down to Samfordfor coffee.Thanks to Helen, Sandy, Michael, Lee, John & Julie forcoming.

GerryLong Creek Falls D/W 21 JuneThis walk was largely a repeat of an earlier walk on Sunday 12 August 2012. How time flies! This time we had ten hardy souls. Some of the same bunch from last time, now a couple of years older!

Those attending: Sandy Thomas, John Hinton, Dave Kenrick, Jim and Julie Woodyatt, Matthew Brown, Gerry Burton, Aileen Elliott, Gil Gunthorpe and Norm Johnston.

We achieved less than we had on our previous walk because we did not drop into Long Creek at the right point and needed to back-track to the head of the falls. That cost us an hour, give or take.

The walk started at 8.00 am after an hour of travel down Lions Road, right into Tartars Creek Road and left into Philp Mountain Road. It was a relaxed and chatty walk down along the fence for views of Long Creek Falls.

After piccies of the falls, we rested for morning tea. The day was quite cold so that we started back along the fence fairly quickly. There was some disagreement as to how best to drop into the head of Long Creek Falls, so that the leader deferred in the interests of har-mony and discovering a new way in.

Once we dropped into the creek, we struggled down to the top of the falls. Some rested on their laurels. (Been there, done that.) However, it was an entirely new ex-

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perience for Matthew Brown.

The hardest part of the day was the first one hundred meters from the falls back to our point of entry to the creek. Having re-grouped we set off up-creek following Daves compass and Matthews fitness. Ably tracked on GPS by both Gerry and Aileen.

The walking was very slow due to the constant creek crossings required. A couple of spills at, but no serious dunkings in, the creek. A couple of stings from nettles and the odd brush with a stinging tree but again, noth-ing too serious. Lunch was at around 12.30 1.00 pm.

References to the trusty map and GPS made it clear that the head of Long Creek was beyond our reach on this day (Dave Kenrick dissenting). More steady scrub-patting it was not thick enough to bash and sundry trippings on vines sapped the gallant team of the will to go the distance and, at around 2.30 pm your leader made his only firm decision for the day and pointed us to the border fence and home.

For the record this walk can be terminated at any time by simply turning due north from the westerly direction of the creek, climbing the hill to the main ridge and crossing the border fence.

For the record also, David was so disappointed that theleader wimped it that it has been decided to pick up from where we exited the creek, and finish the walk as planned. Well pick a longer day! Thanks all for your company.

Norm JohnstonMount May D/W 27 June 2015Mt May is one of my favourite places because of the spectacular views that reward you from multiple vantage points during the journey. This was reinforced when a group of eleven walkers met at Beaudesert for this most recent walk. The walk starts with a short steady uphill climb for about 150 metres to a rocky outcrop overlooking the MtMay campground. The track then continues steeply uphill over a loose gravel track though open forest and a scramble up a broken cliff line to a grassy knoll. Sandy and I recalled the first time we completed this walk and the feeling of excitement we experienced at being able to conquer our fears and how with time our experience has led to more challenging walks. We agreed that the challenge and sense of achievement

we experience on these walks impacts on our appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us, far greaterthan if we were just standing at a lookout with no effort involved. From the knoll the track continues steadily uphillto the South Peak where we stopped for morning tea. You then follow a track whichis close to the cliff line and leads steeply downhill to a

saddle with an open grassy area before leading uphill to the base of a cliff line. Time and care needs to be taken to ensure everyone is safe clambering up the short steep cliff line before continuing. Once everyone is up, the track then continues sharply uphill over loosegravel and tree roots to the base of another cliff line. From here the track veers right and it is a short uphill climb to the junction of a ridgeline track where a left turn takes you to spectacular 360 degree views of Mt Barney and the valley floor below. This is a great lunch spot and allows one to look back at South Peak and wonder how you actually walked down to the saddle. Clouds and mist werelooming over Mount Barneyand the sprinkles of rain andwind on Mt May resulted inus leaving quickly. The walkdown takes a different trackover a rugged ridgeline witha steep drop off down acolumnar chute with well-placed foot holds. Careneeds to be taken to avoidinjury. The track dropssteeply downhill over a looserocky surface with a fewfallen trees to be navigated and there is evidence of new growth in the plant foliage from recent fires. The track down ends at the road leading to Cleared Ridge and it was then a short walk to return to the cars and coffee at The Shed.

Thank you to Bobby, Sandy and Michael, Margie and Dave, Gerry, Matthew, Gail, Arif and Ron Owen for your company.

Aileen

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General InformationQBW Management Committee

President Robin Laban 0478 239 384Vice President Mary Sherlock 3209 8514Secretary Marion Laban 0405 536 718Treasurer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715Outings Officer Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717Membership Officer Margie Rae 3395 1838 (H)Editor Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017Training Officer Chris Breitenbach 0420 237 808Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525

Other Voluntary PositionsEquipment Officer Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717Supper Convenor Noelene McCay 3889 0264 (H)Librarian Mary Sherlock 3209 8514BWQ Rep Anne Kemp 3371 2707BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717

Insurance Hotline 1300 723180Meeting PlaceClub meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January.Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street.Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated.MembershipProbationary MembershipA non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member.A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and payingthe membership fee.Ordinary MembershipA person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee member or walk leader.The proposer may be a friend who is a member of the club, a QBW walk leader, the Membership Officer or one of the committee members.An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be elected to a committee position. Members of Another Bushwalking ClubMembers of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and who are covered by the same insurance do not need to become a member of our club to go on our walks. However QBW members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.

Club Equipment

Compasses Topo Maps UHF RadiosEmergency Lights Steripen First Aid KitsThe above are for use by members at nil cost.Garmin GPS QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole of Australia included.

PLBs with inbuilt GPS QBW has 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following club meeting. Back Pack for Hire $5.00 chargeBivy Bags For Sale $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag.Space Blankets For Sale $2.50 each. Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers!Contact Richard on 0422 429717 for any of the above.

Reciprocal Walks with Other ClubsRedlands Bushwalking ClubOnly stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority over visitors. Calendar is available at:http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html

Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader.Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations.Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/

YHA BushwalkersMembers of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at: http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outingsGold Coast BushwalkersGold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members financial members of bushwalking clubs which are affiliated with BWQ. This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.Ipswich Bushwalkers IncIntending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers. Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au

Did you know?

The meanings of the following Indigenous names(with language group) are:

Coomera (Yugambeh) a species of wattle tree

Coonowrin (Kabi Kabi ) - crooked neck

Coorparoo (Yuggera) mosquitoes or gentle dove

Cooroy (Kabi Kabi) grey forest possum

Doomben (Yuggera) a tree fern

Dugandan (Yugarabul) a place on rising ground

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