newsletter aug 2014
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August 2014Next MeetingNext Meeting
Tuesday 9Tuesday 9thth September SeptemberCommunity Centre Wharf Street Logan VillageCommunity Centre Wharf Street Logan Village
7pm7pm
PresidentSue Simpson 5546 8781
Vice PresidentBrian Watson 5543 1261
Secretary & Publicity Officer
Heather O’Keeffe 3208 6420
Committee Members
TreasurerLynne Lucas 3287 4934
Website ManagerMark Filius 3398 8528
Equipment OfficerDavid Nickson 3287 3312
EditorLesley Shaddock 0417 704 145
General Enquiries [email protected]
www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
Minutes of General MeetingLogan & Beaudesert Bushwalkers
12th August 2014
Meeting opened at 7.15pm
Visitors: Tina Taylor and Charlie
Members: Heather O'Keeffe, Sue Simpson, Paulette & Brian Watson, Peter Rice, Bruce Ludlow, Jenny Kemp, Karen Roache, Sue & Andrew McLeod, Kathy Rouse, Bruce Gore, Denise & Ken Bouyer, Dave Nickson, Kit Cullen, Geoff Sears and Sean Grimes
Apologies: Lynne Lucas, Malcolm Hill, Regina Rosin, Monique Rotheut, Carole & Frank Peel and Alice Bennet-Alder Minutes of previous meeting:
As per July newsletter – Karen Roache accepted the minutes as being accurate. Seconded by Bruce Ludlow Business arising from the minutes:
Nil
Treasurer's Report:
Reconciled Balances for the period to 08/ 07/ 2014 1,371.18
Plus memberships received 780.00Miscellaneous 295.00
1,075.00
Less OutgoingsRent 0.00Insurance 649.20
649.20
Balance held at end of period 1,796.98
Funds made up ofAccount Balance 1,470.98Cash on Hand 326.00Unreceipted Memberships 0.00
Reconciled Balances 1,796.98
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In Lynne’s absence Brian Watson delivered the Treasurer’s Report. Brian moved that the report be received. Seconded by Peter Rice Incoming correspondence
August newsletter from Brisbane Bushwalkers August/September newsletter from Gold Coast Bushwalkers – emailed to everyone Letter and certificate from GCAM and request for invoice
Outgoing correspondence
Our newsletter Cover letter and application to Scenic Rim Regional Council applying for a
grant to upgrade CPR for 10 people and for the purchase of 20 snakebite kits
Heather moved that the correspondence be approved. Seconded by Paulette Watson
General Business
Sue thanked the people who helped at the Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings:
Banked 1,427.05Cash on Hand 48.85
1,475.90
ExpensesSausages / Onions / Serviettes 273.83Bread 35.8Sauces / Oil / Paper Towel 35.95Hand Cleaner / Ice
345.58
SAUSAGE SIZZLE
Sue advised that Bunnings had contacted her about holding another sausage sizzle – we will do another one, probably in 2015
The Pilgrimage will be held at Lake Moogerah from the 5th – 7th September and will be hosted by the Gold Coast Club. Walks are not listed on the internet yet
The date for the Gibraltar/Washpool walk will be around 18th-19th October, give or take a few days. A 4 day thru walk or day walks. Those attending so far are: Jan & Rob Sammons, Sue, Regina Harvey and Kit & Mary
Brian asked for the money for the Pizza Walk
A trip to Canberra for Floriade is still on offer for anyone interested. It’s on from Mid September to Mid October. Please contact Sue
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The walk for Saturday 23rd of August is Cainbable. We are meeting at Canungra at 7am. We hope to learn some navigational skills
Heather has a grey fleecy jumper that was left at the BBQ after the Plunkett Reserve walk
Future Walks
Hinchinbrook, possibly June or July 2015. A 6 nights 5 days thru walk. Please let Sue know if you are interested. Bookings have to be made soon
Falls Creek to Mt Hotham. This is a 2 nights 3 days thru walk. It is a guided walk with the cost of $995. Andrew suggested that Nov/Dec is the appropriate time to do this walk. Let Sue know if you are interested
Andrew gave a brief report on the Kokoda Challenge. The 4 members of the team completed the walk in 29 hours and 22 minutes. Due to bush fires the walk started and finished at Nerang. A full report will be in the newsletter
Meeting closed at 8:05pm
Happy birthday and best wishes to our club members celebrating their birthday in August:
Betty Laird, Brian Watson, Sue McLeodMary Cullen, Shirley Verriest
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Future WalksNotes for Saturday walkers
If possible, please email or sms your intention to walk to the walk coordinator instead of phoning. The walk coordinator will always reply to confirm that you are listed for the walk and provide you with any necessary details. Please sms at a respectful hour
Alternatively, please phone the walk coordinator between the hours of 6pm to 8pm on the Thursday before the walk
Please check the walks list to see when you have been nominated to coordinate a walk
The weekly walks will also be on the Facebook page which is updated every Wednesday night www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
August 2014When Outing Typ
eGrad
e Coordinator PhoneSaturday
23rdCainbable – O’ReillysMeet at Canungra – 7:00am D.W. L-4-4 Heather 0432 197
577Sunday 24th
Saturday 30th
Mt MayMeet at Beaudesert – 7:00am D.W. L-4-4 Dave 3287 3312
Sunday 31st
September 2014When Outing Typ
eGrad
e Coordinator PhoneFriday 5th
Saturday 6th
Sunday 7th
PilgrimageAt Lake Moogerah - hosted by the Gold Coast Club
B.C. Sue5546 87810414 575
509Sunday 7th
Saturday 13th
Albert River Circuit – O’ReillysMeet at Canungra – 7:00am D.W. L-4-4 Lesley
email or 0417 704
145(6pm – 7pm)
Sunday 14th
Saturday 20th
Mt Cordeaux – Cunningham’s GapsMeet at Beaudesert – 7:00am D.W. M-3-3 Heather 0432 197
577Sunday 21st Upper Portals D.W. L-4-4 Dave 3287 3312
Saturday 27th Springbrook Maintenance Weekend Heather 0432 197
577 Sunday 28th
October 2014When Outing Typ
eGrad
e Coordinator Phone
Saturday 4th Moreton Island B.C. Sue5546 87810414 575
509
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Sunday 5th
Saturday 11th
Mt Mitchell – Cunningham’s GapsMeet at Beaudesert – 7:00am D.W. M-3-3 Peter
5543 21080400 260
639
Sunday 12thWalking & Rope ClimbingKarawatha or Flinders Peak or elsewhere - TBA
D.W. Dave 3287 3312
Saturday 18th
Golden Staircase - RathdownyMeet at Beaudesert – 7:00amorGibraltar / Washpool - through walk
D.W.
T.W.
M-3-3 Heather
Sue
0432 197 577
5546 87810414 575
509Sunday 19th
Saturday 25th Mt Barney D.W. L-6-6 Heather 0432 197
577Sunday 26th
Phone numbers for Park Rangers and the web address for park alerts
Binna Burra - 5533 3996Boonah - 5463 5041
Main Range - 4666 1133O'Reillys - 5544 0634
Park alerts can be found on the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing web site
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/index.php
Emergency Numbersif you are unable to get through to 000 use 112 on your mobile phone
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Walk Grading’sWalkers Guide: Participants are required to read and understand the Grading System for activities as listed. They should ensure that they are able to complete the listed walk. New members will normally start with two shorter and easier walks with the Club, such as easy terrain, easy fitness, and or short to medium length and progress by one grading step per activity.
DistanceS Short - Under 10kmM Medium - 10 – 15 kmL Long - 15 – 20 kmX Extra Long - 20+ km
Fitness1 – 3 Easy - suitable for beginners4 – 6 Medium - reasonable level of fitness required7 – 9 Hard - strenuous, fit walkers only
Terrain1 – 3 Graded or open terrain, no scrub on track4 – 6 Minor scrub, rainforest, rock hopping, scrambling, off or part track7 – 9 Thick scrub, rock scrambling, using hands or ropes, off track
ActivityDW Day WalkBC Base CampTW Through WalkSOC Social ActivityS&T Safety and TrainingBush Qld Bush Walking QldFMR Federation Mountain Rescue
Please NoteTHURSDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for through walks, base camps and Saturday walks
FRIDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for Sunday walks
Some walks may be changed at the last minute due to weather or other conditions
PLEASE ensure you contact the coordinator before your chosen walk or check the Facebook page
When car pooling passengers are to pay $7 petrol money to the driver
Make sure these are in your pack Every Week & Every Walk
Hat First-aid Kit Torch Food 1-2ltr Water Watch
Jumper Paper & Pencil Whistle7
Raincoat Map & Compass Lighter / Matches
Sunscreen Insect Repellent
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Walk Reports
Camino de Santiago
I returned home on the 9th of July and it seems like such a long time ago...
My trip was amazing; too many experiences to recall and the people I met were extraordinary, like family. I met people from California, Quebec, Belgian, UK, Paris, all of which we have exchanged email address and will visit if either of us get to visit the place of residence, I also met 4 from Australia. I am yet to go through all the photos and put them all in some sort of order but as you can imagine I took lots; I took my Nikon SLR and I am so glad I did.
I ended up walking to Mixua, another 3 days so I walked for a total of 43 days with 5 rest days that is a total of 38 walking days some as little as 16 km's and others as much as 35 km's (they were hards days...).
Some highlights: met a lady Valerie that lives in St. Jean Pied de Port and went to her place and had a wonderful dinner her husband cooked, snow walking over the
Pyrenees, no accommodation in Logrono as the Albergues full so I stayed in the Church on a mattress on the floor (a true Pilgrim experience; we were given a meal and a private mass and then breakfast the next morning all for a donation), stayed in a place and met the owner who was in the movie 'The Way' with Michael Douglas, had my 51st birthday in Leon; had lunch with wonderful friends in
the Benedictine monastery (a pilgrim meal) and then dinner with a couple of Australian friends in San Marcos (a 5 star Parador Hotel), oh and I ate bread nearly everyday; if I didn't I would have starved... :) :) (it didn't disagree with me once) and walking to Muxia on the Atlantic ocean; the full length of Spain...
Here are a couple of photos that cover off some of the points above. I am going to write up my memoirs of the trip, not sure how long that will take, you never know I might get it in a book one day... :) :)
Carrin Allan
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Dave’s Creek Circuit12 July 2014 With the weekend away to Kenilworth having been called off as a result of the cold weather and the lack of interest, the powers that be exercised great will power in their efforts to come upon a walk that was in keeping with the conditions and that old favourite, Dave’s Creek Circuit, was the ultimate decision.
There were only seven takers who met at Canungra at 8.00 a.m. on the Saturday morning with Sue going with Kathy and short Bruce, Kit going by himself and Denise and tall Bruce going with me. At the Binna Burra car park, walkers, predominantly women, from Brisbane Bushwalkers were also readying themselves for a walk around Coomera Circuit.
It was 8.50 a.m. when we took our first steps into the forest, passed the boot-washing station - cordoned off and needing repair - and started the steady 1.9 kilometre climb to the first junction, the right hand track diverting from the Border Track and leading off to Coomera Gorge - but we weren’t taking it.
The forest floor was very dry with the verges of the track strewn with windfall from the bad weather of the past couple of years. It had been collected and stacked away from the track. Then there was that forest giant which had thoughtfully plunged parallel to the track and not across it, to the relief of anyone who would have to have wielded the chainsaw that would be needed to cut it up into manageable portions. In areas that had been cleared as a result of the windfall, new growth from those trees that quickly take advantage of the open canopy to establish themselves in their quest for pride of place in the canopy kingdom were wending their way slowly upwards.
The clear sky was visible through the lacy canopy with shafts of sunlight making bee lines for the forest floor. The forest is actually beautiful to walk through with its forest giants some of which are being slowly enveloped by the intricate root formations of the Strangler Figs. Others are bedecked with staghorns and elkhorns and birds nest ferns whilst vines dangle from the uppermost branches of the tallest trees and wrap themselves around any trunk that will lend them support. Smaller ferns and cordylines were scattered about the bases of the larger trees with Bangalow Palms constituting the mid-storey. There was the occasional bird call from some hidden songster while cicadas chirped, not annoyingly, in the distance.
We passed the Coomera Gorge turn-off, eventually made our way off the Border Track, continued along the leaf-littered past the first Antarctic Beech multi-trunked trees, over the first deep, dry gully with the sun’s rays catching the gossamer threads strung between the trees. We crossed the second smaller gully but there was a slight trickle of water making its way sluggishly to a pool just down from the track.
We branched off onto the Upper Ballanjui Falls track, passed the grove of stream lilies and the stream that led to the top of the falls was flowing. We had no intention of going to the falls, just to a smaller fall above. Again the sides of the track were lined with the cut-up sections of large trees that had to be relocated after the strong winds and heavy rains at the tail end of the previous cyclone when the winds made easy work of toppling such trees in waterlogged soil. Continuing on we noticed a clearing that we could not recollect. It was Nagarigoon Clearing, a large area that
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had served some purpose in the distant past. There were the concrete remains of a small hut and possibly a fireplace. It was a “no camping” area because of the possibility of falling dead limbs from the eucalypt that encircled the clearing. Just beyond lay Nagarigoon Falls set in a lovely glade with stream lilies above, ferns clinging to the walls and water trickling down the face to gather in a cool, clear pond below.
Turning around, we resumed the main track, passed Neubani Rock and reached the lookout beside Surprise Rock at 10.45 a.m. We went to the usual spot for lunch then decided to move to the level above. Kit tried to climb up using the tree as aid but gave up and joined the rest of us who had returned and walked up the steep, rocky course until we reached our lunch spot which provided us with almost panoramic views that were magnificent, not Swiss Alps/Himalaya magnificent but what we have learned to appreciate in the Lamington area. Springbrook was just across the valley and the Gold Coast was most evident through the smoky haze. A single bird jumped from branch to branch in the trees above awaiting the occasional crumb that was intentionally thrown in his direction. Atop Surprise Rock it was lovely and quiet and still. We descended Surprise Rock at 11.22 a.m. and moved on.
Usually we do Dave’s Creek Circuit anti-clockwise but this time we had decided to do the reverse so, after having waked through the Leptospermum/Casuarina forest with its array of pretend bird nests formed by falling Casuarina needles nestling in the forks of trees, we reached Numinbah Lookout which always gives great views over Numinbah Valley and beyond. There are some great properties below with small groves of fruit-bearing trees – possibly olives - but it is difficult to tell whether these orchards are languishing as a result of the dry weather or not.
We left Numinbah Lookout and continued clockwise through the heathland dominated by mid-sized Casuarinas, Leptospermum, Callistemons and the occasional Banksia still in bloom. The understorey comprised the usual ferns as well as several varieties of native grass. We reached Picnic Creek which was not obviously running but which had several small pools below the crossing. Continuing, we moved out into the clear sky and passed Molongolee Caves where we had another bite to eat. Araucaria Lookout and Mt Hobwee were distantly adjacent. Leaving Molongolee Caves we zigzagged through the heathland under a clear sky and then reached that section where the tall shrubs on either side of the track meet to form an arched thoroughfare. This is a very pleasant part of the track before returning to the rainforest.
The rain forest is very attractive. It is not too thick and provides for a pleasant walk. It was very dry, as mentioned, very dry, anticipating rain as most of us in and adjacent to the Scenic Rim are. As we got closer to the entrance, the track was almost overwhelmed by sightseers who must have come up en masse just to walk such a short distance into one of our beautiful forests. None was equipped for the walk and there wasn’t much English being spoken by any.
At 2.25 p.m. I stepped back onto the sealed road near the kiosk into which we entered and partook of another hour or so of friendly interaction.
Dave’s Creek Circuit is a good walk for first-timers to test themselves on with only reasonable fitness being required. It is not too difficult and possessed of enough variations in features, be they the forests or ferns, the cave or the rock walls, the
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lianas or the lookouts to keep them interested. I’ve probably walked it a dozen times or more in recent times and never get tired of doing so.
Randolph Runsaround
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Illinbah Circuit19 July 2014
I almost wish that it was going to rain and the walk was called off as it had been a long week with so much time having to be spent in preparing paper work for a forthcoming Orchid and Foliage Show but I didn’t baulk at dawn when I could easily have rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. The call cancelling the walk didn’t eventuate so by 6.30 a.m. I was on the way to Canungra with heavy fog accompanying me most of the way and experience shows that such fog heralds, on most occasions, a glorious day.
The on-site co-ordinator, by default, arrived last, as usual, and by the time we left Canungra there were twelve of us. Five vehicles travelled up from Canungra - Ken and Denise with two passengers, Phillip and Virginia from Kooralbyn; Paulette and Brian; Dave and Karen and myself with tall Bruce, Lynne Loney and a returning walker, Yvonne. We met Lesley at the lower carpark at Binna Burra and were ready to walk at 7.55 a.m.
We started down the track that led to Gwongoorool Pool, a track that was extremely dry and it remained so for most of the walk. With the tall cliff face on our left hand side and the usual array of tall trees on our right and an abundance of wild ginger beneath we eventually started to descend the rocky steps, some hewn in the rock. At the first junction we decided that we would do Illinbah Circuit clockwise, something that most hadn’t done before. {Will we ever do it again that way???]
We had walked gingerly down the stairs, over the rock with the stairs hewn therein and off onto the Illinbah track when we reached it. Eventually we could hear the rushing of water to our left from the creek below and soon reached the first creek crossing. By rock-hopping we crossed with nary a wet shoe or sock being experienced. Even though it was another cool morning, it was starting to become humid beneath the forest’s canopy.
We crossed the second creek and the sum total of wet feet was two. We entered an area thick with lantana on the edges of the track and giant stinging tree leaves just waiting for any bare part of our body to brush there against. We all passed unscathed and found the rocks covered with moss and some trees almost smothered by staghorns and elkhorns and, of course, there were the ubiquitous strangler figs.
We entered an open palm forest with Piccabeen Palms aplenty with their fallen fronds covering the track thickly – it could have been appropriate for Palm Sunday. In places, as with the walk to Shipstern, numerous palm plantlets bordered the track, more than sufficient to replace the parent palms when they eventually succumbed. Scattered throughout this forest was an occasional Eucalypt tree. Some of these were huge, straight, knot free - a sawmiller’s delight - but protected for their lifetime in this floral
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treasure trove. Bracken fern dotted the forest floor as did numerous dead staghorn ferns, the reason for this being something of a secret. Similarly, we did come across a goodly number of huge trees that had fallen across, the track, resulting in easements having to be cut through them using a chainsaw. Others had fallen across the creek while others were adjacent to the track but not impeding our progress. Some had grotesquely massive root systems at the end of which were those pointed digits waiting to poke in the eye the unwary who got too close.
Thus it was. Across one creek after another, easy enough to mistake this one with no water in it for one of the nine – or is it twelve – that walkers have to cross on this circuit. Most of the creeks could be crossed easily as there had been no significant rain in the region over the late autumn, winter seasons. Some required just a modicum of care whilst attempting to keep feet dry. Occasionally there were good examples of Strangler Figs, great examples of trees with huge buttress roots, more of those huge, straight gum trees that inhabited these regions before a change of climate caused a change of vegetation – from sclerophyll forest to sub-tropical rain forest. Occasionally we’d pass an Araucaria cunninghamiana, hoop pine, in layman’s terms. There is a reason for everything. I had never heard as to why such trees were called hoop pines and we were enlightened by Phillip of Kooralbyn. If you have a trunk or a limb or a branch of such a tree from which the wood has rotted or been removed without damaging the bark, then the bark can be divided into hoops a la hula hoops or serviette rings, etc. Very interesting!! Whether these hoops were ever used for such a purpose, or something similar, I do not know. Even bushman, Dave, was not aware of this.
At 9.50 a.m. we stopped for a break on the banks of the fifth creek – or was it the sixth? All the while it had been downhill, flat going with an occasional uphill pinch that was far from demanding. The track had been dry, surprisingly dry except adjacent to the creeks. It had been easy going in most parts but there were those sections of the track where exposed roots required care in avoiding their potential for mishap. In many areas there had been scratching at the side of the track, the cause of which could have been scrub turkeys or lyre birds or something of unknown identity. [Any suggestions?] After the early morning fog with its expected fine day, condition had changed and it was overcast above, but not threatening.
We continued and came to a huge bi-trunked tree with huge buttress roots from which dangled lianas of great girth. It was possibly a Ficus benjamanii, according to Dave. Phillip informed us that the lianas started as small vines that grew up the trunks of the trees and as they got bigger broke away from the trees and thus dangled. We again crossed creeks and came across more huge gum trees that had shed their old bark which lay at their bases but there were several that had not done this completely and thus
their trunks were adorned with frilled bark, just like hula skirts, for several metres above the ground. On we continued walking along the flat track through the Piccabeen Palm forest and came to another creek with bracken and native grasses
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and persecaria at its edge. It had a lovely little pool just down from its crossing so some spent time skimming rocks, with little success, across its smooth surface. Then there was something strange that happened. Even though we were in the middle of nowhere, a dog started to BARK. It did not howl, it BARKED. It was most audible and was not put off by the calling of some stupid walker with a loud voice who tried to coax it from its whereabouts. It could almost have been a “Come and get me!” request.
We crossed another creek and came to a nominated camping ground, although there did not appear enough space to position too many tents. We crossed yet another creek – by which time – the count had become meaningless – and had lunch on its bank. When all had eaten, we climbed the steep bank and, before long, came to a sign, a telling sign. We had travelled 8.4 kilometres and had only [?] 8.2 kilometres to go before reaching Binna Burra. We crossed a deep, dry, rocky gully and then it was upwards, ever upwards, but a gradual upwards. By this time, some of the fitter walkers had gone ahead. Then there was a second group comprising Ken and Denise, Paulette, Yvonne, Karen and myself who sat and talked and waited for Dave and Brian and Karen. And such funny riddles were posed by Ken. Why do ducks have big feet? Why do elephants have bigger feet? [If you want to know the answers then ask Ken.] Karen decided to walk back towards Dave and Brian and walked back with them.
So it was! In three different groups we made our way back to Binna Burra’s lower car park. The walk seemed to be never ending. It just seemed to go on and on and on and the walkers behind hung out for the sign that indicated that there were only 700 metres to go but it took such a long time to reach. I knew we didn’t have much further to go when we reached the narrow, precipitous track which I just dread and then the even narrower track with the steep, rock wall to my left. While walking this section all I could hear was a voice from of an angel in front of me saying, “Look straight ahead!! Look straight ahead!!” And this I did. The concern is not as real as it was a year ago but I do become tentative in my approach. We reached the steps, climbed them, got back onto the path again and were there. It was about 3.30 p.m. The lead group were sitting at the table adjacent to the toilets so all gathered there awaiting the arrival of Dave, Brian and Karen.
As usual, we had to find a place to fraternise after the walk so most of us headed up to the kiosk [?] at Binna Burra and enjoyed each other’s company for about an hour when the rain started, to the relief of many stressed plants in the forest. I dropped Lynne, Yvonne and Bruce back to the car park at Canungra and drove home alone. The rain continued heavily but with small drops until part way along Mundoolun Road and lighter after that. I found that I had only 4 mm at my property when I would like to have measured the rainfall in inches.
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Walking clockwise seemed to make for such a long drawn out return. The downhill stretch was straight forward and reasonably effortless but the return was something of a challenge. The creeks were reasonably easy to cross as a result of the dry conditions that have prevailed for months now. There is a good variety of plant life both large and small then there is the occasional sighting of a small bird or two. The floor of the forest is just so dry, probably as dry as it’s been for many a year. However, the environment is most pleasant and varied.
After having been home a few days I got an e-mail from Lesley. She had two ticks on her back and had a slight reaction from their presence. Tall Bruce reported that he, too, had found three ticks on his front. It was reported that Brian had one on his clothing, discovered on the way home. [?]
Percival Penhalligon
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Plunkett Reserve02 August 2014
Gee, the year goes quickly. We’ve started the eighth month after having had Christmas lunch just last weekend – or so it seems.
Today’s walk was to be different. We were going on a guided walk through part of Plunkett Reserve with two National Park rangers, Andre and Paul, accompanied by a National Park volunteer from Beenleigh. This walk is promoted by National Parks and open to the public. We assembled just off Quinzeh Creek Road, Logan Village, the same place we had met when Kit led us on a similar walk last year. [?] There was certainly a large number in attendance for this walk which is an annual event conducted by National Parks to introduce walkers to the delight of this area which shares a common boundary, in part, with the burgeoning Yarrabilba development which will have more than 50 000 residents when fully developed.
Not only were there about seventeen current members of LBBW but three possible members and another two probable members from Munruben who stood and listened as Andre gave us an introduction to the Plunkett Reserve Conservation Park which is now under the watchful eye of the National Parks. As a result of its isolation, it has become an area that had been abused by all sorts of odds and sods. It had been used for illegal dumping of all sort of rubbish. Old tyres had been dumped there. It was the centre of a car stealing racket where cars were stripped and burnt. Attempts to deny entry to 4WDs and motor bikes were always being thwarted, regardless of the obstructions put in the path of these miscreants who went out of their way to find another way around any obstacle. There was much vandalism and wilful damage to property. Huge amounts of rubbish had to be removed, over thirty-five tonne being removed in one year. The area was able to be used legitimately by walkers, trail bike riders and horse riders but there was the potential for special permission to be given certain 4Wd drivers under certain circumstances.
All having been briefed, we followed Andre down Quinzeh Road for a distance, past the quarry in to the east and the aftermath of the recent controlled burn, its grey ash dotted with a multitude of stubbies thrown out of passing cars. We left the road and up into the sclerophyll forest on the western side of the road via an old 4WD track, stopping at the burnt out remains of what was once a Mercedes sedan, most of which had been removed in a clean-up. The rest was reduced to a pile of molten and twisted bits and pieces.
Continuing up the rough track we passed outcrops of sandstone which was the dominant rock in the area. The first outcrop had a large clump of Drynaria rigidula – basket fern – growing on it, a fern that doesn’t mind rough, harsh, dry conditions. To our right were many self-sown pine trees, leftovers from when the Yarrabilba area was used by Hancock Brothers to grow pine trees used in the manufacture of plywood at their factory when we manufactured such a wood-based product. Nearby was a spring, not that there was much water evident, just wet sand where the water oozed from the ground and gave sustenance to the sort of grass often found at the edges of small dams. There were the occasional Xanthorrhoea – grass trees – and Leptospermum with their buds forming. Some small wattle were in partial bloom, others their buds forming. The area was dry, so dry!!!
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We moved into lovely heathland with its profusion of low growing shrubs limited in their spread by the sandstone boundaries and moved up the sandstone slope to the highest point in this section of the conservation park. There were the Leptospermum, the grass trees, low-growing wattle, native grasses and Hardenbergias, plants that are ground cover plants with purple flowers and found growing even in my region, to our sides. At the top, there was not the lounge chair there that occupied pride of place last time that we visited. Its fate was the same as much of the unwanted rubbish removed since then. We could see clearly the result of the recent backburning on the eastern side of the main road, with vestiges of smoke rising in small clouds from smouldering remains. To the west we could see clearly the fledgling satellite city, Yarrabilba, spreading before our eyes with Flinders Peak apparent further westward. Southwards, Mt Lindesay, through the haze, rose above all else in that area.
Here’s where we had morning tea but our peace was disturbed by trail bikes that were getting closer and closer. Both rangers’ eyes lit up as two trail bike riders in full attire raced towards our resting place as the rangers walked gleefully towards them. They had been sprung and there are substantial fines for such trespass. Words were exchanged but the rangers took no particulars and the two trail bike riders took off. I was surprised at this because of the penalty but was told that there are security cameras hidden that take photos of such riders. They are then analysed, checked and the riders then experience a knock at the door by a policeman who presents the culprits with traffic tickets.
We finished snacking and we were then off, back the same way initially. We passed through lovely heathland with its predominance of low-growing shrubs where dodda vine was encasing some of the shrubs over which it grew. There were the paw prints of wild dogs and then patches of Leucopogun [?] with its tiny, delicate white flowers. Along the track were the traps on many ant lions awaiting the disturbance of their carefully made trap by some unsuspecting ant? Then it was along Vandals’ Way up to the top of the sandstone escarpment with its split rock, vines and bracken from which we again had a widespread lookout.
We left the heathland and entered open forest again with the gum reaching heights of about thirty metres. Here there was an abundance of termite nests high above ground level. We reached the border between the Plunkett Reserve Conservation Area and the Yarrabilba development where heavy bollards had been concreted into the ground to prevent vehicular entry but those eager always find a way around. Here was a shared trail which was the able to be shared by walkers, horse riders and bike riders but there was still evidence of unauthorised motorised vehicle activity. We moved back into predominantly heathland punctuated by its occasional tall gum and then back to the high point from which we had a choice of return routes.
Here we split up into two groups, each group led by a different ranger. Some chose the harder, longer, steeper route whilst others wanted to get back to the cars more quickly. Something wrong happened with the calculations as those accepting the challenge of the more arduous walk got back to the cars before those choosing the so-called easier walk got to cross the road. At 12.15 p.m. we were all back to the cars.
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This walk’s socialising was to be done back at Logan Village’s Community Centre at the public barbecue where all gathered apart from Dave, the rangers and volunteer. All participated in the “sausage sizzle” and cake except for three visiting women who did stay around for a while. Carol and Frank came all of the way from Eagleby to join us. The cake and biscuits provided by the bakers were also well received.
Just towards the end of our gathering, “she who must be obeyed” called an unofficial meeting where we brainstormed trying to work out what we could spend some money on, all to no avail. However, apart from our indecision, another enjoyable afternoon was spent by the members who probably look forward more to the after walk aspect more than the walk itself.
Winston Wobbleon 111
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Upcoming Events
Gourmet in Gundy –13th & 14th Septemberhttp://goondiwindi.qld.au/?page_id=62
Maleny Food Festival –13th & 14th Septemberhttp://realfoodfestivals.com.au/
Australian Camp Oven Festival, Millmerran – Saturday 4th October (Labour Day weekend)http://www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au/
Dingo Creek Jazz Festival (Gympie) - Saturday 25th Octoberhttp://www.dingocreekfestival.com.au/
MarketsFernvale – Every Sunday – 6am-1pm
Laidley Village Markets – every Friday
Mt Mee – 1st Sunday – 8am-1pm
Mulgowie Farmers Markets – 1st Saturday of the month – 8am-11am
North Pine – Every Sunday – 8am-1pm
Plainland Markets – Every Sunday
Stanthorpe – 2nd and 4th Sunday
Withcott Community Markets – 3rd Sunday of the month – 9am-2pm
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