April Newsletter 2026
This newsletter rounds up wet-season adventures, trip reports, upcoming walks, club history, safety tips, conservation notes, and community news from across North Queensland. Catch the latest events, stories, and ways to get involved.
G'day outdoor enthusiasts,
Here's this month's Newsletter. We've had a busy month with lots of events – short and long – bringing many smiles and laughs. In honour of the ESCAPE Magazine the Club used to publish, this email newsletter is a little longer. Feel free to skip to the parts you are interested in, like the Upcoming Walks. Just scroll down to 🔗Upcoming Walks or visit our Events Calendar.
Previous walks trip reports
What a month! We have been back out and in the full swing of things again this month. The weather is cooling down, and the waterfalls are flowing well.
01/03/26 Remembrance Falls delivered a classic wet-season adventure - navigating misty ridgelines, slippery granite, and a multi-tiered waterfall in full flow cascading down and surging through a mini gorge. Fifteen walkers tackled the moody, character-building 14 km off-track loop, with rope-assisted climbs showcasing Paluma at its wild best. Are we expecting any more drizzle, mist-draped ridgelines trips this year? Time will tell...
Townsville Bushwalking Club
06/03/26 Ladies Track Stroll and Sip on Castle Hill turned out to be a great little event, even though it was rainy and very windy. After a few weather-related no-shows, ten of us still met Friday at 5:30 pm on Castle Hill Road and made our way up Ladies Track to the summit, where we enjoyed a cool, windswept drink under shelter before strolling back down the road. A fun and slightly wild evening out – proof that a bit of weather does not always ruin the adventure.
07/03/26 Dick Creek Falls served up another proper wet-season mission, with steep off-track ridges, creek crossings, hidden waterfalls, and a refreshing swim tucked into the folds of Mt Stuart. The group explored Florence's Gorge and the Stoney Creek tributary in classic North Queensland style – humid, adventurous, slippery in places, and absolutely worth it.
Townsville Bushwalking Club
10/03/26 The early morning Mount Stuart fitness walk with Wilfred delivered premium conditions and a solid start to the day. Five of us set off in the dark, climbed the road in the cool air, and reached mistier conditions near the top, at times walking through the clouds. Along the way, we spotted several wallabies, and, true to form, Wilfred and team cleared branches from the road – fitness, fresh air, and caring for the place can all go hand in hand. For those that don't know, Wilfred's been walking Mt Stuart pretty much every Tuesday for over 20 years - That's over 1000 times he's walked to the summit!!! Let that sink in...
15/03/26 Gorge, Rope, and Loop Falls turned into a rewarding 'Plan B' after the closure of Jourama Falls, with nine walkers enjoying flowing creeks, rainforest scenery, swims, and a few slippery surprises along the way. Wet rock and light rain made the return trip slow and cautious, but the day still delivered plenty of magic - including a white-lipped green tree frog and some classic Paluma atmosphere.
Townsville Bushwalking Club
17/03/26 Wilfred did another walk up Mt Stuart the next Tuesday as well, but only had Sue with him this time. But they saw Al Jefferson riding his bike, training for the RAAM. 18/03/26 No one signed up for the ride up Mt Stuart with Luen & Jodie the next day – not surprising...
22/03/26 Crystal Lagoon was wild, beautiful, and flowing hard as 11 walkers headed in via Wilfred's Lookout and Torsten's Rock Garden for a shorter but no less memorable adventure. High water and strong current meant the group made the wise call to turn back before the Blue Lagoons, but misty rainforest, icy swims, first-time visitors to the Rock Garden, and the sheer power of Crystal Creek made it a standout day.
Townsville Bushwalking Club
Events still coming are the Ladies Track and Wallaman Escarpment walks.
Quotes of the Month
"The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn't even think to ask."
- Jeff Johnson
That line captures the strange alchemy of wandering. You head out thinking the objective is a waterfall, a summit, or a gorge, and somewhere along the way, the real purpose quietly mutates.
Other quotes from club members this month:
"Do you think I can do this walk with sandals?"
- Cherry
"Was there a track here???"
- Wilfred, after 10 people in front of him trampled a path
Appreciation to Cherry
Cherry is one of those people in our Club who works quietly in the background, making sure everything keeps ticking along smoothly. As our Secretary, she handles the behind-the-scenes organisation that most of us never see (or even know about) – the emails, coordination, and compliance that keep a volunteer club operational and moving forward. On top of that, she regularly leads and joins walks – often multiple times per month – sharing her time, energy, and local knowledge with the rest of us.
Cherry also runs her own business, Vet Education, and runs Let's Walk Townsville on the side while juggling family life and everything that comes with it. That balance alone is impressive. The commitment she brings to both her professional world and our outdoor community is admirable.
So next time you are on one of Cherry's walks, take a moment to say thank you. Volunteer effort is the backbone of this Club, and her work truly does not go unnoticed.
Upcoming Walks
Weekly Trail Maintenance
Dates – email Wilfred
Leader: Wilfred | Grade 3 | RSVP: [email protected].
Our club regularly helps with track and hut maintenance in our local area - a normal and important part of bushwalking club culture across Australia. Wilfred (& co.) have been doing this work for decades, quietly giving back to the bush and the wider outdoor community through countless hours of volunteer effort. These working bees are organised periodically, often weekly or even more frequently, depending on conditions and what needs doing. Tasks may include clearing vegetation, removing fallen branches, improving access, checking routes, and helping keep our local walking infrastructure usable and safer for everyone.
If you would like to lend a hand, learn a bit more about the tracks we use, or simply give back to the places we enjoy, get in touch with Wilfred for details. It is practical, meaningful work - and a good way to be part of the Club beyond the walk itself.
Easter Long Weekend - Cape Cleveland to Paradise Beach
Friday to Sunday, 3rd to 5th April
Leader: Wilfred | Grade 5 | RSVP: [email protected].
Wilfred will lead a two-night Easter long weekend hike from Cape Cleveland to Paradise Beach, including a traverse up to the saddle and across to Long Beach (Bedwell Bay), before returning via Castle Rock for expansive coastal views. Camp will be set near the freshwater creek at Paradise Beach, where water is available, so participants only need to carry water for each day's walk. This intermediate trip includes off-track travel, beach sections and carrying a full overnight pack in warm conditions. Expressions of interest are now open for this remote coastal adventure in Bowling Green Bay National Park.
Original Scramble Track
Friday, 10th April
Leader: Luen | Grade 3/4 | RSVP: [email protected].
A short, steep, and adventurous Castle Hill outing following one of the hill's old historical summit routes. This off-track climb heads up the gully between the bluffs, past faded white arrows and an old rusty ladder, offering a rough little taste of Castle Hill's lesser-known past.
Little Birthday to Big Birthday Loop
Saturday, 11th April
Leader: Luen | Grade 3/4 | RSVP: [email protected].
A half-day off-track creek adventure connecting Little Birthday Creek and Big Birthday Creek in the Mount Spec area of Paluma Range National Park. This Grade 4 walk includes extended creek walking, rock hopping, slippery granite and stretches of in-water travel through shaded rainforest corridors. Expect roughly 2-4 hours on foot in moderate off-track terrain, with possible swims and route-finding along the way. A solid level of fitness and confidence on uneven, wet ground is essential.
Bikepacking Hervey Range / Fanning River / Mingela
Saturday to Sunday, 18th to 19th April
Leader: Jodie/Luen | RSVP Jodie: [email protected]
Bikepacking Hervey Range is a weekend cycling adventure with two ways to join: a full bikepacking ride from Townsville for those keen to pedal the whole route, or a more relaxed option for those who prefer to drive out, camp, and enjoy day rides around the Fanning River area. Led by Jodie and Luen, this trip offers a rewarding mix of gravel roads, remote North Queensland scenery, camping, and self-sufficient travel, with riders needing to carry their own gear, food, plenty of water, and be prepared for long distances and warm conditions.
Top of Jourama - Picnic and Swim
Sunday, 26th April
Leader: Brent | Grade 3/4 | RSVP: [email protected]
A relaxed but adventurous day out to the top of Jourama Falls. Led by the amazing Brent, this walk heads into Paluma Range National Park for a swim, picnic, and a rewarding climb to the top of the falls. The plan is to follow the lookout track, tackle the steady climb from the lookout, and continue on for about 50 minutes to the top, where there will be time to enjoy the pools, cascades, granite scenery, lunch, and a swim. Brent has been a long-time club member and has led many walks for us over the years.
Hilltop Happy Hour - Greet & Meet Picnic
Friday, 1st May
Leader: Cherry/Luen | Grade 3 | RSVP: [email protected]
This meet & greet picnic is a relaxed Friday evening social walk up Castle Hill, perfect for anyone keen to meet fellow adventurers, enjoy an easy stroll, and share some food in a scenic setting above Townsville. Led by Cherry and Luen, the plan is to walk up the Blue Spot Track (a.k.a. White Arrow Track) with a drink, a plate to share, and a head torch, then settle in on a rocky outcrop for a quiet picnic before wandering back down to the cars.
Cockatoo Creek
Saturday, 2nd May
Leader: Molly | Grade 3 | RSVP: [email protected]
Cockatoo Creek is an introductory, off-track day walk in Bowling Green Bay National Park for bushwalkers who enjoy rock hopping and boulder scrambling. Led by Molly, this walk follows the national park track before heading up Cockatoo Creek through beautiful pools, cascades, and rocky sections, with slow progress and possible detours around obstacles along the way. It is a rewarding adventure in a wild and scenic part of the park.
The F You Wait
How many of you have heard of the "F You Wait"? I dare say most of us have experienced it at some point – that awkward little gap when the group rolls on and you are just close enough to see them, but far enough back to feel it. The Wanderstories article takes a deep dive into this idea: how getting dropped can sting in the moment but also serve as powerful feedback. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, sharpen your pacing, resilience, and grit. If you have ever described a day as "character building", this one will resonate. Have a read before your next climb, creek bash, or long ridge line.
Slides from Professor Euan Ritchie presentation
The wild is not guaranteed
A recent guest lecture by Professor Euan Ritchie of Deakin University was given in Professor Jodie Rummer's class at JCU.
When we head out to places like Paluma, the granite country out near Hidden Valley, or further north, it is easy to feel like we are stepping into something ancient and unchanging. The ridgelines look timeless. The rainforest feels permanent. But the wildlife story beneath our boots tells a different story.
Since 1788, Australia has recorded 404 mammal species. Around 40 are now thought to be extinct, and more than 100 are threatened with extinction. Australia leads the world in mammal extinctions. Globally, wild mammals now make up just 4 percent of total mammal biomass, with humans and livestock accounting for the rest. In the past 50 years alone, vertebrate populations worldwide have declined by around 60 percent. These are big numbers, but they translate into small, local realities – fewer gliders in the canopy, fewer small marsupials in creek lines, quieter nights in the bush.
As bushwalkers, we are privileged to experience these landscapes up close. That also places us in a unique position of responsibility. Respecting sensitive habitats, controlling biosecurity risks, supporting conservation efforts, and Indigenous land management – these are not abstract ideas. There are practical ways we help protect the places we love. The forests and ranges in Queensland are extraordinary. Keeping them alive and functioning for future generations is part of the journey, too.
On another note, work has begun to save one of Australia's rarest frogs on a mountain top in regional Queensland. Conservationists and Indigenous Rangers are working together to protect the tiny amphibian from two threats, feral pigs, and climate change. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1626449551729357
Throwback to Our Club History
This archive gem takes us back to New Year's 1961, when two Townsville Bushwalking Club members paddled a dugout canoe 65 kilometres up the Herbert River and into the Gorge. No carbon paddles. No dry bags. Just a Land Rover, a hand-assembled outrigger canoe, strong tea, and a willingness to portage rapids in slippery water while lashing extra braces onto the canoe in anticipation of hitting rocks on the way back down. This dugout canoe and the adventures it made are famous in our history books.
They navigated long rapids, steep 600 metre gorge walls, clouds spilling over mountain tops, and the constant roar of the river at night. On the return leg, they shot most of the rapids and covered 30 metres downstream in just 4 1/2 hours. The report ends with a classic line: "I wonder if anyone will do it this year."
More than 60 years later, that spirit of exploration still feels familiar. If you enjoy reading about the grit, creativity, and quiet ambition that shaped this Club, jump onto the website and explore the historical trip reports. They are a reminder that adventure in North Queensland has always been bold, muddy, and just a little bit improvised.
Townsville Bushwalking Club
Gympie Gympie - The Stinging Tree You Do Not Want to Meet
A fact of bushwalking in North Queensland is the Gympie Gympie stinging tree (Dendrocnide moroides). It is one of the most toxic stinging plants in Australia, covered in fine hairs that act like tiny hypodermic needles, delivering a powerful neurotoxin when touched. Even light contact can result in intense, long-lasting pain – sometimes for months.
On a recent adventure, I had a mate take the lead for the first time that day and walk straight into a patch of stinging trees. Perfect timing (for me), I'd say. It was just a minor touch on the hand, but they will be thinking about it for a month. Lesson learned.
The Club recommends long sleeves, long pants, and fingerless gloves on off-track walks to help protect again this. Protective clothing greatly reduces the severity of stings (and helps with scratches, sun exposure, and rough vegetation overall generally).
You do not want to join the "stinging tree club" – once stung, never forgotten.
Knot of the Month - Scott's Locked Bowline
One of my favourite knots is the Scott's Locked Bowline. It looks like a classic bowline at first glance, but it adds a simple locking mechanism that makes it far more secure under load. For those who joined the Remembrance Falls walk, this is the exact knot we used on the rope handline during the steep, slippery ascent.
The traditional bowline is quick and useful, but it can loosen with cyclic loading or slack shaking. Scott's Locked Bowline solves that problem by trapping the working end back through the structure, creating a far more stable loop that resists movement while still being relatively easy to untie after loading. It's also simple and fast to tie as well as easy to check. A small upgrade on a classic bowline – and well worth having in your knot toolkit. If you're wanting to get into climbing, your best bet is to join the local rock climbing club's (RANQ) Facebook group.
Luen Warneke
Doco of the month - La Niña Is Doing Something It Shouldn't
This month's documentary pick is an interesting explainer on how the current La Niña pattern is behaving a little differently from what scientists would normally expect. It is a good reminder that big climate systems are complex, and even familiar patterns like La Niña can still surprise us. For bushwalkers and outdoor adventurers, these shifts help explain why some seasons bring heavier rain, stronger storms, or unusually dry conditions.
TBWC Quiz
Quiz 1 - How many bushwalking track junction markers are in the Paluma / Mt Spec 'secret' track network? And, what do the lines & numbers on a marker indicate?
Quiz 2 - Mt Cook on Magnetic Island, the highest peak, near the summit, has a plaque that is significant to the bushwalking club. What does the plaque face? By the way, there is all off-track bushwalking; And is it a long way to get to the pub!
Quiz 3 - How old is the Club? And what month is its birthday?
Quiz 4 - What's the minimum age limit to join us for Club walks?
Quiz 5 - How many lifetime members does our Club have?
Bring your answers on the Easter weekend walk. The reward will be ……………………
If you can answer (during the next walk) the quizzes in this newsletter, you MAY get a reward. Find the answers in the new newsletter. Or, if you've been a long-time member, you can look up an ancient newsletter from Keith (I stole the quiz from him). Email us your answers at [email protected].
Love Where You Live - one month of action
North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) is running a month-long community fundraiser from 28 March to 30 April inviting locals to celebrate and care for the places that make North Queensland special – the reef, the hills, the rivers, and the wildlife. At the heart of it is a Nature Bingo card filled with simple actions like spending time in nature, joining a clean-up, planting, weeding, learning about wildlife care, or switching to a reusable household item. Participants can complete actions at their own pace, set up a fundraising page, and invite friends or family to sponsor their efforts, with prizes on offer for top fundraisers. It is a nice fit for our Club values – getting outside, caring for the place, and giving back to the landscapes we love. https://love-where-you-live.raiselysite.com/ // https://www.facebook.com/share/1E5t2JpFc1/
Hope you liked this long ESCAPE-styled newsletter and our newish website. Even though we have a new website, DakTech still hosts our email server. Keep up to date with our trips via our newsletter, Facebook page, or the Club's events calendar page.
Happy walking, stay fit, and stay safe.
Luen Warneke
Townsville Bushwalking Club
