PO Box 2199

QUEENSLAND Sunnybank Hills

QLD 4109
BUSHWALKERS Email [email protected]
CLUB Inc. Phone No 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

Newsletter November 2020

View towards Mt Cooroora on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk Photo: MH

Club News
From the editor QBW Christmas Party Weekend 4-6 December
Welcome to the November newsletter. QBW members are invited to attend the annual club
There is important news for those keen to join in the Christmas Party on 4-6 December 2020. The venue is
fun and merriment of our annual Christmas party and Bigriggen Campground, Rathdowney where we will
for those entering the 2020 club photo competition. A have exclusive use of the hall building. Rathdowney is
variety of interesting walks were added to the calendar about one hour drive south of Brisbane on the Mt
after Patricia hosted a successful planning afternoon. Lindesay Highway via Beaudesert, and the
campground is a further 10km just off the Rathdowney-
Aileen and Margie Rae have contributed very readable Boonah road.
accounts of recent outings to Mapleton and Girraween Cost is $25 per person payable to the QBW account
respectively, accompanied by some stunning photos. to help cover the hall hire fee and party costs. Payment
Keep safe, maintain physical distancing and hygiene, by bank transfer is preferred (see p.8 for bank details)
and enjoy your walking… and please indicate your name as the reference.
Michael H You will need to book your accommodation directly
NSW Border Opening 2 November with the Bigriggen Campground (phone 5463 6190) at
Now that we are permitted to go bushwalking in NSW an additional cost of $14.50 per person per night.
just ensure that you have a completed border pass An area immediately adjacent to the hall will be
for re-entry to Queensland and also remember that cordoned off for those camping in a tent, or you can
daylight saving has begun in the southern states. bring a caravan, camper trailer or mobile home and
locate this nearby. The toilet /shower block is about

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60m away. Showers cost $1 for three minutes of hot Each entry photo needs to be titled as follows:
water (cold is free!). Name_Title_Location_Category_Image Number.jpg
All food and drink is BYO. The Saturday evening eg. John Smith_MtNorman_GirraweenNP_Nature_1.jpg
meal will be coordinated on a bring and share basis for Photos must be titled this way or the entries
those who wish to participate. cannot be identified.
The dress up theme for this year is ‘Covid Dreaming’.
This can be interpreted how you wish – maybe it’s how Hand in your entries at the November Club meeting
you would dress for that overseas destination you had 2020. The winners will be announced at the Club
planned to go to this year, or where you will go once Christmas Party. Besides the winners in each category
the pandemic is over, or represent the politicians or which will be decided by a judge, there will also be the
heroic health workers that inhabit your dreams after People's Choice award.
seeing them so often on the nightly news, or the
superheroes that you think would be most capable in Interested in Mountaineering literature?
making it all go away. It’s up to your imagination. I have a collection of over a hundred books that I would
Walks are planned for each of the days over the be happy to share with QBW members. If interested
weekend. please email [email protected] and I will
The Saturday afternoon/evening format will include the email back the list of books available for loan.
viewing, voting and awarding of prizes in the photo Michael Freemantle
competition, and award presentations for walk leaders. QBW Membership and Renewal
Activities and entertainment will include a Secret Santa
to the value of $10 (it’s not compulsory to participate). Membership is on an annual basis. The fee of $30
It is expected that we will follow the standard format for covers the 2020/21 club year from 1 July. Helen, our
the event, though this year Covid-19 protocols will membership officer, would be delighted to hear from
apply consistent with Qld Health Directions. you when you plan to sign up.
Please advise Sandy (Social Secretary) if you plan to Payment by direct transfer into the club bank account
attend. is preferred. Payment details are on page 8.
More details will be emailed to participants in due Note that you also need to fill out a membership form
course. (same form for new member or renewal), sign it and
either post, scan & email or hand it to Helen at a club
New PLB meeting. The club email is [email protected].
Following the expiry of the 5 old PLBs, the club has
recently acquired a new PLB. The committee will
monitor whether it is necessary to acquire more units General News
dependent on demand and safety assessment. Covid-19 Update
Queensland Health advice must be followed by all club
2020 QBW Photo Competition members while engaging in QBW activities including
social events and meetings. Note the Covid-19
The Queensland Bushwalkers Club Photo Competition protocol on the club website and click here for the
is on again. Entries must be digital images only taken latest Queensland Health Directions.
on a Queensland Bushwalkers Club event (except for
the Non-club category) since the 2019 November Most Queensland national parks, forests and
meeting. The photos must be as they were taken, ie recreation areas are open for visiting, camping and
not edited – if necessary minor cropping or walking. For the latest advice about what rules apply
straightening is permissable. see: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/covid-19/.
Bookings can be made at https://qld.gov.au/camping in
There are 4 categories: advance of any planned visits.
Pictorial: Photographs of any broad natural scene. Maximum camper numbers will be set for each
Pictorial photographs can include for example creeks, campground to limit risks of congestion and to aid
seascapes, waterfalls, mountains, rocky outcrops, and compliance with Qld Health Covid-19 directions.
clouds.
Nature: Photographs depicting flora or fauna, Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030
excluding domestic animals. This category should also On 3 October the Qld Minister for Environment,
exclude evidence of man. Examples of nature Leanne Enoch, announced the release of a ten year
photographs are birds, animals, native flowers, forest, strategy for the management of Protected Areas in the
fungi, reptiles, insects etc. state which include National Parks, Reserves and
Club Character: Photographs showing one or more private landholdings. The strategy includes:
people participating in a bushwalking type of activity - $28m for acquisition of property for protection
and can be humorous as well as serious. - $5.2m for the Revitalising National Parks program
Non-Club Bushwalk: Photographs taken on private - Transfer of up to 20,000 hectares of state forest to
walks that comply with the Nature or Pictorial protected area status by 2024
categories. - Doubling of indigenous rangers to 200
It is anticipated that these initiatives will enhance our
5 entries allowed per category per member (limit of 20 bushwalking experience of Queenslands National
in total) preferably submitted on a USB Memory Stick Parks and Reserves. The full media statement and ten
(named, which can be returned). Please do not email. year strategy document provide more information.

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New Walking Track Proposed Walks
A recent social media post by Somerset Regional
Council announced the purchase of property on Mount Mapleton Base Camp 19-22 November
Glen Rock near Esk in the Brisbane Valley. The land Join us for a day walk, or book in to the Mapleton
comprises part of the Mount Glen Rock Recreation and Cabins & Caravan Park for a night or more to enjoy
Nature Park. The two year development plan for this several walks. See the calendar online for details
park includes a 3km summit walking trail and an 800m Bibbulmun Track WA September 2021
creek-side trail. At the beginning of September 2021 I am planning to
walk the 1000km Bibbulmun track from Perth to
Lamington NP Updates Albany. The walk should take about 50 days with food
The Queensland National Parks website advises that drops along the way. There are three sided huts with
only two walks (Gwongorool and Lower Bellbird) in the water and drop toilets.
Binna Burra section remain closed. Part of the Caves If you are interested please let me know.
Circuit is also closed due to road construction work. Mary Sherlock
There will be delays of up to 15 minutes due to
roadworks.
Past Walks
All walking tracks in the Green Mountains area are
open. It is recommended to contact the information Coochiemudlo 24 October
centre prior to making plans in the park.

Coming Walks
With the update of Covid-19 pandemic
restrictions applying from 1 October 2020,
QBW continues to provide walks and
activities under specific conditions.
Updates are posted on QBW’s website.
Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
the meeting place and car arrangements and has full
discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
Wednesday trips.
More details are available in the club calendar.
November 2020
1 Sun Waterfall Creek (Springbrook) B/C
View from Coochiemudlo South Beach Photo:MH
Richard Kolarski Fourteen people met at the Victoria Point ferry terminal
despite a forecast of storms. The crossing went
3 Tues Club meeting 7:30pm
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 smoothly and the group soon made its way up the
centre of the island to the northern beach. It was quite
7 Sat Roma St Parkland (Brisbane) SOC
Sandy Thomas
windy but became calmer as we walked around the
eastern side of the island. There were plenty of photo
14 Sat Little Nerang Creek (Springbrook) D/W
opportunities as the group proceeded at a leisurely
Richard Kolarski
pace. A pause for morning tea allowed Margie her first
15 Sun Enoggera Creek D/W dip in the water.
Aileen Elliot
The group then proceeded around the southeastern
19-22 Thur-Sun Mapleton walks B/C point and completed the circuit. Taking note of Covid-
Patricia Kolarski
19, Sandy had pre-booked tables for 14 at the Red
22 Sun Mapleton walk D/W Rock cafe where we enjoyed a coffee and lunch,
John Brunott
though the high number of orders seemed to slow
29 Sun Toolona Cct (Green Mountains) D/W down the table service.
Patricia Kolarski A refreshing post lunch swim at the lifesaver patrolled
December 2020 beach rounded out our island activities. Although
1 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7:30pm further exploring was considered, we chose to return
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 on the next ferry back to the mainland, which proved a
4-6 Fri-Sun QBW Christmas Party (Bigriggen) SOC good decision as the rain came in. A big thanks to all
Sandy Thomas members who shared the fun day and to Sandy for
organising. Michael H

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Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk 18-21 September
One thing COVID 19 has done I think, is make us focus on walks in our own backyard. The Sunshine Coast
Hinterland walk is one that has been on my bucket list but because it is there, I have always put it off till
some nebulous date in the future. Not being able to do our planned trips to Europe has made me focus on
what else can be done both in the short term and hopefully if the borders open up what I can do in other
areas of Australia in the next year.
The walk starts at Baroon Pocket Dam and ends in Mapleton and initially I thought transport would be an
issue. I rang the Montville Visitor Information Centre and they were very helpful with providing names of
transport companies that could provide transport. I rang Mystic Mountains Tours and Lynn informed me they
could provide transfers from Mapleton to Baroon Pocket Dam for $15 per person. She also suggested the
safest place for us to park our cars.
Seven intrepid walkers met in Mapleton at 8am on
Friday 18th September to grab a coffee and head off to
the start of the walk over 4 days. The first day involves
walking just on 16.5kms to Flaxton Walkers Camp. The
track is well maintained with a height gain of about
200m with a number of relatively easy hill climbs. The
walk takes you initially through lush rain forest and we
took time to detour to vantage points along the way
including Obi Obi Gorge. Noelene informed us years
ago the club did a swim through of the gorge and this
sounds like a great
summer activity for
the future. The light
through the piccabeen
palms was wonderful and we stopped to ponder what tree produced a
large red fruit we found on the forest floor. I think it is the fruit of Acmena
ingens or Red Apple a member of the Myrtaceae family. There was a
magnificent strangler fig growing beside the creek just before we started
the climb up past Kondalilla Falls to the picnic area. There was very little
water flowing over the falls but quite a few visitors were enjoying a swim in
the plunge pool at the head of the falls. We stopped for lunch in a shelter
shed and enjoyed the spectacle of fellow visitors being attacked by
kookaburras as they tried to eat their lunch. The birds were so quick and
obviously very practiced in the art of kamikaze missions aimed at robbing
visitors of their goodies.
The walk then took up a steep road and onto the main Montville to
Mapleton Road. We had already decided we were going to The Barn for
our last coffee for a few days. This was a wise decision as the rain that
had been threatening came whilst we were there. As we walked towards
The Barn, I felt an itch on my shoulder and on doffing my pack found a
good size tick had decided I was fair game. Luckily, I always carry Medi-
Freeze but my reaction to tick bites is getting worse and I still have redness at the site after nearly 2 weeks.
After coffee and cake we headed back onto the road for the short walk to Flaxton Walkers Camp. I enjoyed
the road walk as I had never seen that area and some of the houses and gardens were stunning. Flaxton
Walkers Camp had well-spaced camp sites with a toilet and water tank set amongst tall blackbutts but space
was at a premium.
After a restful night we woke to the sound of wonderful bird songs which is always a delight on these
adventures. We packed up camp and started off at about 8am on the 13km trek to Ubajee Walkers Camp.
The rain had disappeared during the night and it
promised to be a lovely day for a walk in the park. The
walk started with a downhill section through sunlit ferns
and sclerophyll forest. The track was slippery underfoot
with a covering of dry leaves from the dry weather and
care was needed. We made a detour in to Baxter Falls
which would have been stunning had more water been
flowing. It was time to cross the swing bridge and head
off towards Mapleton Falls where we enjoyed the views
of the falls and across to Kenilworth from the viewing
platform and stopped for lunch in the picnic area. Our
entertainment today was a bush turkey building an
incredibly high mound of leaves to add to his already

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luxurious nest. The track then led through a forest of piccabeen palms and tall flooded gums. The evidence
of past logging days with decaying notched tree stumps was visible as we meandered across the forest floor
marvelling at the sheer size and beauty of some of the remaining trees including stringy barks, brush box,
scribbly gums and forest red gums.
We then broke out of the forest into an open area where multiple multi-use tracks join. There were many
sign boards indicating where each track led and after a short uphill climb we were back in the forest at our
camp site. Luckily, we weren’t too late into camp as space was at a premium. After setting up camp we took
time to go to a lookout not far from the campsite with views over the forest floor below.
The next morning, we again woke to birdsong and set off for
Thilba Thalba Walkers Camp early. The track took us
downhill through open sclerophyll forest to a track junction
where we dropped our packs and took the short detour to
visit Gheerulla Falls. We met walkers from the Sunshine
Coast Bushwalkers and had a brief chat before proceeding
to the base of the falls which again would have been
spectacular in
wetter weather.
Returning to our
packs we
proceeded to follow
the undulating track
beside Gheerulla Creek. Magnificent grass trees grew amongst the
towering trees as we negotiated the dry rough terrain and crossed
the creek a number of times. We stopped beside the creek for
morning tea and enjoyed the shade as the day was relatively hot for
the time of year. It was then time for the longest climb of the walk up
a zig zag track to Thilba Thalba Viewpoint. The track was well
graded and we stopped in a relatively shady spot for lunch before
continuing slowly to the top. We took time to go to the viewpoint to
enjoy views north to Mount Cooroora before continuing on to our last camp.
Water at the last camp was of concern. The tank was low on water and I think we had all nearly run out by
the time we reached camp. We all took turns at the slow running tap to fill our water bladders and ensure we
had enough water to last overnight and the next day. Once again camp sites seemed to be at a premium
and we wondered how many campers hadn’t taken the time to book.
Thilba Thalba camp has the best lookout of the walkers
camps. It is a well-constructed cement and stone
configuration that sits out on the edge of the escarpment. It
was very relaxing sitting enjoying the view over the valley
and engaging in conversation with fellow walkers. It was a
bit disappointing that we didn’t have any really spectacular
sunsets at any of our camp sites but the rewards were in the
companionship and shared experiences of each other.
It was up and off bright and early the last morning as
Mapleton coffee was calling. The walk was relatively easy
and our packs were light. The track led us downhill through
casuarinas and stringybark trees and we took time to take a
detour to
Gheerulla Valley Lookout for views over the valley floor and
back to Thilba Thalba Walkers Camp. It was then down
through a rainforest area with flooded gums and coachwood
before coming out at Delicia Road. The walk along the road
back to the cars was unavoidable as we were concerned
about leaving our cars unattended in an isolated spot.
But we broke the walk by taking time out to visit the local
cemetery and it wasn’t long before the cars were in sight.

A big thank you to Bert, Gail, Michael F, Noelene, Sandy

and Michael H for joining me on the walk.
The companionship and caring support of everyone for
everyone made this a very enjoyable walk.
Aileen
(Photos by Aileen)

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Girraween Basecamp (8th to 12th October)
This national park certainly lived up to it’s name as it translates to “place of flowers”. The variety and colour of the
myriad of wildflowers provided added aesthetics to the rugged, boulder-laden landscape. Due to COVID, National
Parks have limited numbers staying in the park. So, although it seemed that the campgrounds were fully booked
on their website, they were actually blissfully uncrowded.

Eager to get out and about, on Thursday afternoon after setting up camp, Dave and I introduced John and
Soraya to two nearby points of interest - Bushrangers Cave which is a short cross country walk from the camp-
ground and then we ventured on the well beaten track to the imposing Castle Rock. From the summit there were
360 degree views of the rock strewn ridges, including our planned destinations of Mt Norman, Turtle Rock and
the Pyramids.

A small group who had arrived on Thursday ventured to the

Underground Creek and Dr Roberts Waterhole on Friday, both easy
walks from the car park. One of the aspects of Girraween which
makes it a favourite destination of mine is the endless exploration
you can do beyond the marked tracks. Very excited to be in this
enticing landscape we agreed to go cross country to find the Aztec
Temple which we surmised was only a kilometre away. And what a
find! Magnificent majestic rock edifices which conjure a feeling of
being within an ancient holy shrine.

With more arrivals on Friday, we had a group of ten for Saturday and
Sunday walks. We set out for Pyramid One on Saturday with the
thought that perhaps we could find another way down and then walk
around Pyramid Two. Having decided that this posed too much risk,
we returned on the main path, turned left and bush bashed our way
to Pyramid Two. Dave was happy to find the run-up rock, situated at
the base of Pyramid Two. Having done this before he put out a
challenge of who can scramble up the highest? A little lunch time
entertainment! Probably not the wisest thing to do when one’s knee
is a bit wonky!

We continued in our anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Pyramid One

which involved continual scrutiny of the landscape with decisions
whether to go on the slabs or through the bush?

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Sunday was certainly not a day of rest. First destinations were the Sphinx and Turtle Rock which are only 200
metres apart. Again, both enticing for further exploration of dark, cool spaces within the boulder landscape. From
Turtle Rock it is two kilometres as the crow flies to Mt Norman. Decision time - to go to Mt Norman via 5.2km
track or 2km of undulating cross country? It was fortuitous that we could offer either to group members and,
although there was a vague plan of maybe meeting at Mt Norman we were somewhat surprised that we ended up
at the base of the summit at the same time!

After a well deserved lunch in the cool of a rocky overhang, overlooking the stark landscape, there was a
tentative suggestion - anyone going to the top? This involves ‘rock climbing’ and exposure for which there was
only one taker - Michael.

Each day walkers were back at

camp early afternoon which pro-
vided free time for a lazy lunch,
coffee, exploring the beautiful Junction, the Bald Rock circuit or indeed,
a nap!

The wild flowers were most prolific on the walk to the Junction, making this a must do walk for all. Although water
levels were low, walking along the meandering creek and taking in the sparkling rock pools and the endless dry
rocky slabs in the warm late afternoon sunshine lifted the soul. Such was the delight of exploring these land-
scapes, that we didn’t start happy hour till after 5.30 on two of the days! Of course, our reward for Mt Norman was
to start earlier that day!

Thank you to all who made

this a wonderful four days:

From Redland Bushwalkers Club: Betty, John, Soraya, Heather, Hilary, David, Merryl, Gerry, David

From Queensland Bushwalkers Club: Ralph, Helen, Michael H, Sandy, Denise, and Margie R

Margie Rae
(photos by Margie)

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 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps PLB
Garmin GPS First Aid Kits
President Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Vice President John Brunott 0448 761 097
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Secretary Lynn Nicol 0400 705 041
of Australia included.
Treasurer Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
PLB with inbuilt GPS
Outings Officer Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
1 PLB with inbuilt GPS. The PLB may be made available at
Membership Officer Helen McAllister 0419 684 319 each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 club meeting.
Training Officer Vacant Contact John Brunott on 0448 761 097 to book these items.
Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Other Voluntary Positions
Equipment Officer John Brunott 0448 761 097 Redland Bushwalkers Club
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
BWQ Rep Ralph Hales 0422 205 120
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980 walks per calendar year. This will be with the agreement of the
Meeting Place activity leader. Members of BOSQ have priority for nominations.
Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. Bushwalking Adventures Queensland
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl (formerly YHA Bushwalkers)
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. https://bushies.org.au
A coin donation is appreciated. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Membership Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
Probationary Membership financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
the membership fee. and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
Ordinary Membership
A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and
signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form Feature Pic
and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee
member or walk leader.
The proposer may be any current member of the club.
An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be
elected to a committee position.
Members of Another Bushwalking Club
Members 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.
Payments
Pay fees or other items direct to the QBW club account at:
BSB: 124-057
Account No: 20421276
Account Name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club
Reference: Include your name and what the payment is for –
eg “RSmith member fee”.
Photo: MH
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL: There’s no roll’n this rock…
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/ Pyramid One, Girraween

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