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QBW walkers at the South Coast Track trailhead (see report p.3) Gerry Burton
Club News
From the editor Membership
Welcome to the April newsletter. The annual fee is $30. Payment can be given or
Tasmanian weather is known to be quite variable, even posted to Helen McAllister qldbwc@yahoo.com or paid
in the same day. Queensland is known for its sunshine. directly into the club bank account. See page 6.
But in late February / early March a number of QBW Manly - Wynnum Walk/Dinner 1 March 2018
walkers enjoyed an extended period of almost perfect
weather conditions in Tasmania whilst Queensland
copped one inundation after another. Not quite what
you normally expect! Despite some rainy days, most of
the walks scheduled on the QBW calendar were
completed. New walks have recently been added to
the calendar so make sure you check the latest edition.
Social events continue – the recent Manly - Wynnum
bayside walk and dinner under a full moon turned out
to be just as atmospheric as the advertising suggested
it might. There will be more opportunities to bush walk
and/or socialise ... details are inside the newsletter. June, Noelene, Lynn S and Michael H recently enjoyed
a 3km twilight stroll along the Wynnum waterfront and
Enjoy your reading and see you on the trail. a fish 'n chips meal as the full moon rose. Perfect!
Michael H
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General News Fort Lytton – Sunday QBW Social Outing
Fort Lytton is the birthplace of Queensland military
BWQ Summit and Party 17-18 March history. Entry is free and you can do a self guided walk
Helen attended the Saturday morning and Sunday around the site or join a tour group. The large museum,
sessions of the BWQ summit. The legendary BWQ cafe and tours are run by volunteers and there is a
cake was unveiled and eaten. Ask Helen and/or see picnic area on grassland adjacent to the river.
the BWQ Facebook page for photo and details.
Daisy Hill Conservation Park upgrade
A Queensland Government $3.3m investment has
seen an upgrade to the Koala Centre, paths, and picnic
facilities at the Daisy Hill park. The upgrades were
opened to the public on 1 April 2018. The park features
a number of multi use trails. The Paperbark Trail, which
has received an extensive upgrade, is promoted as an
ideal walk to introduce children to the fun of bushwalks.
FMR Training Exercise
Federated Mountain Rescue plans to conduct a
navigational training exercise on 22 April. Members of
bushwalking clubs are invited to participate. Contact
Richard if you would like more details.
Lamington NP track closures An 1800's cannon with an extraordinary history...
Illinbah and Caves circuits remain closed due to
landslides. West Canungra Creek circuit is closed, Coming Walks
though access is possible to Yerralahla (Blue Pool)
provided you return via the same way. Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
Duck Creek Road is also closed. The next update from contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
National Parks is due in mid-June. the meeting place and car pooling and has full
discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
QORF Visioning the Outdoors Photo Competition provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
Entries for the annual Visioning the Outdoors photo to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
and video competition close on 22 May. To enter see: Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
http://www.visioningtheoutdoors.com. a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
Winners are announced 22 June. There are prizes. Wednesday trips.
More details are available in the club calendar.
Proposed Walks April 2018
Lizard Point 28-29 April 2018 (29)-2 Thu-Mon Carnarvon Gorge (Injune) B/C
An overnight camp on the ridge to enjoy a sunset, near
3 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
full moonrise and sunrise. The walk is mostly on
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
ungraded trails across steep, heavily forested terrain.
It is necessary to book the campsites in advance. As a 4 Wed BVRT Wulkaraka section (Ipswich) D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
result, there may be a limit to the number of walkers.
Michael H – 0401 527 017. 7 Sat The Tooth exploratory (Flinders Peak)D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Fraser Island lakes 12-18 May 2018 14 Sat Jackys Creek explore (Mt Mee) D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
This excursion may be done as a base camp or a
through walk subject to transport and participant 15 Sun Fort Lytton (Wynnum) SOC
numbers. 4WD vehicles would be helpful. Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
John Brunott – 0448 761 097. 21 Sat Paddys Peak (Rathdowney) D/W
Helen McAllister 0419 684 319
Lets be merry in Mt Perry! 4-7 May 2018 25-26 Wed-Thu Panic Button Pinnacle (Rathdowney)T/W
Bundaberg Bushwalkers Club is hosting the Central Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Qld 2018 Combined Camp at Mt Perry Showgrounds. 28-29 Sat-Sun Lizard Point (Boonah) T/W
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Walks are planned on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. May 2018
Facilities include showers, toilets, powered and
unpowered campsites. Cabins are available nearby. 1 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Mt Perry is approximately a four and a quarter hour 2 Wed Widgee Creek (Rathdowney) D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
(4.1/4hr) drive from the Brisbane GPO.
Please book through the Bundaberg Bushwalkers club. 4-7 Fri-Mon Central Qld Campout (Mt Perry) B/C
Bundaberg Bushwalkers
Email is bundabergbushwalkers@gmail.com .
Registrations close on 20 April. 12-18 Sat-Fri Fraser Island lakes T/W
John Brunott 0448 761 097
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Past Walks
South Coast Track - Tasmania 24 Feb – 3 March
The 85 kilometre South Coast Track is a strenuous, rugged walk that follows the coast line of the South West
National Park in Tasmania, part of the Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Track had its origins in providing
access for tin miners who worked at Cox Bight and Melaleuca, and its present alignment was cut in 1966. Along
the way it passes across button grass plains, climbs steeply up and down the Iron Bound and South Cape
Ranges, traverses muddy moors, follows pristine sandy beaches and dunes, and crosses many creeks.
Along the way, those of our group who had previously walked the track were pleasantly surprised by the
upgraded facilities, so that there were no more open-air loos, although the old wooden hole-in-the ground variety
were still inside the new structures as a reminder. New boardwalks, steps and bridges had been installed in parts
that made the going a little bit easier.
I had been watching the weather forecast for the weeks leading up to our departure, and although at first it
seemed as if we would be walking in rain, just before we left the weather forecast changed so that fine weather
was predicted for most of the trip. Fortunately, for once, BOM was correct and we had only one day of real rain,
and apart from the first day, I walked in shorts and t-shirt.
We started with a flight in a small aircraft from Hobart to the gravel airstrip Melaleuca, passing over Tasmania’s
most southerly point, South East Cape, and sighting landmarks which we would encounter on the walk: Cockle
Creek, New River, the ranges, and Cox Bight. On the brilliantly clear day, we could see the rugged, fluted cliffs
and headlands eroded over time by the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean.
On arrival we made our way to the jetty where we boarded a boat for a short cruise down the tannin-stained
Melaleuca Inlet towards Bathurst Harbour, twice the size of Sydney Harbour, passing the Celery Top Islands to
our turnaround point near Mt Rugby. On our return, we quickly visited the mine workers corrugated tin shelters
before having lunch at the Deny King Bird Hide, while we watched the rare and endangered Orange-Bellied
Parrots and other birds.
We had planned a 7 day, 6 night trek. However, there were 3 shorter half days in that: the first day from
Melaleuca to Point Eric was on a well-defined track and boardwalks across the muddy button grass plains; the
last day from Granite Beach to Cockle Creek and the day of the Prion Boat Crossing. We were all aiming to keep
the weight of our packs low, and they ranged from 15kg – 18kg, including food and water. I kept telling myself that
this was the maximum we would carry for the trip, that the weight would be going down each day, and that on
average we would be only carrying 3 days food. Despite thinking I had it right, I could have managed with less
food as I still had some soups and biscuits left over at the end. There was water along the way, and though most
of the streams were tannin stained, there was not an unpleasant taste. The water at Grotto Creek on the way to
the Prion Boat Crossing, was the clearest we had but the expected top-up point at South Coast Rivulet was dry.
There were several creek crossings, where we took our boots off, but none were more than knee deep and they
didn't cause any safety concerns. We were fortunate that there had not been a lot of rain or the situation may
have been very different. On some crossings, there were ropes set up to hold. Likewise, the beach walks did not
present any difficulties as we were lucky enough to arrive at “problem” spots such as Black Cliff at low tide. Most
beaches were strewn with large clumps of leathery seaweed. Some had large stones that made walking
awkward, but mostly the flat stretches of beach were a welcome contrast to the inland ups and downs. The most
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challenging day was of course the infamous Ironbound Range on day 3, but we took our time up the 910m stony
track, and even though we had quite a few rest and fuel breaks, we reached the summit in 4.5 hours. The
weather was ideal: a beautiful sunny day with stunning panoramic views back to Melaleuca and Louisa Plains,
and to the rugged peaks of the Western Arthurs and Federation Peak.
I found the way down more gruelling than the climb up. This was through alpine scrub and forest, so there were
few views to distract us from the relentless steep descent, along the root-bound, muddy track, swinging from
trees and branches and often just sitting and sliding down the larger steps. This was a mentally and physically
tiring exercise as we had to watch every step and found few dry places to stop and rest along the way. After a 10
hour day, we did eventually reach the sheltered cove of Deadman’s Bay, our camp site for the night. My boots
and gaiters were caked in mud, although my clothes were not too bad.
When we arrived at the Granite, the next campsite, after scrambling up the rocks past the waterfall to the top, we
found many others had already arrived. The place looked like a colourful Chinese laundry as everyone draped
tents and clothes over every available log, tree, rope and patch of ground, trying to dry them out. Surprisingly, this
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was achievable, and I was ecstatic not to have to sleep in a damp tent that night. Mary was keen enough to go
down to the waterfall for a wash, but the rest of us were happy just to go back to the creek.
The penultimate day of our trek involved many climbs up and down across the South Cape Range. The slippery
track meandered and deviated around muddy bogs, and at times it seemed to lead us in circles to avoid the mud.
Once again this was mentally as well as physically tiring and by the end of the 8 hour day, even the smaller knolls
seemed more like mountains than molehills.
We eventually reached our last campsite for the night on the beach at South Cape Rivulet. This was my favourite
site, and Mary and I set up our tents on the sunny beach with views to the creek and beach, while the others
camped in the scrub. The next morning dawned warm and sunny, and I had my breakfast watching the sunrise
from my tent.
It was then on to the last day, with an early start to ensure we arrived in time for our taxi back to Hobart. We were
able to make good time as it was a flat walk with many boardwalks. At Coal Bluff we had one last look back at
South Cape Bay and the Southern Ocean, before heading inland and finally reaching our last destination at
Cockle Bay.
We were glad to be at the end of our journey, without having sustained any injuries, and with only a few aches
and pains. Others were not so fortunate, and at least one person had to be flown out because of a septic foot.
I am pleased I did the walk and enjoyed the remoteness, spectacular scenery, and variety in landscape
immensely. Having done it in such perfect weather conditions, I do not feel I would do it again, especially as there
are so many other adventures to be had ...
Gerry Burton
All photos by Gerry Burton
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General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
Steripen First Aid Kits
President Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Garmin GPS
Vice President Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
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
PLBs with inbuilt GPS
Outings Officer Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will 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 Gerry Burton on 0408 793 715 to book these items.
Social Secretary Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Other Voluntary Positions
Equipment Officer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715 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 Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980 affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ
Meeting Place activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay
visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader.
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at
Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations.
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January.
Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
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. YHA Bushwalkers
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
A coin donation is appreciated. http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings
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