Escape Magazine – September 1987

In September 1987, Townsville Bushwalking Club members were reading the latest edition of Escape, our club’s own magazine. Edited by Mary-Jae, the issue brought together trip reports, upcoming walks, puzzles, and even some natural history observations from around North Queensland and beyond.

Meetings and Walks – Spring 1987

The schedule for the final months of 1987 shows just how active the club was. Meetings were held fortnightly, alternating between the Environment Centre and the homes of members Peter and Wendy. Walks took place nearly every weekend, with destinations including:

• Tully Gorge (17–18 October)
• Crystal Creek (1 November)
• Upper Star River (14–15 November)
• Five Mile Creek (5–6 December)
• A final club picnic (12–13 December)**

It’s a reminder of how strong the club’s walking tradition has been across the decades — the same places we enjoy today were also the favourites of our members in the 1980s.

Trip Report – Godwin’s Peak

One highlight in this edition was Bill Kinsey’s write-up of a cold winter’s day climb of Godwin’s Peak. Fourteen walkers set out from Rollingstone and tackled the steep 600 m ascent. Bill described the walk as tough but rewarding, with expansive views across to Mount Halifax, Mount Elliot, and north to Ingham. Despite the chill at the summit, the group enjoyed lunch in good spirits. Bill gave the walk a solid rating of 8 out of 10, calling it a “must” for anyone fit enough to make the climb.

The Untold Story of Yaminie Falls

Another feature came from Dave Whyte, who shared a humorous and lively account of an expedition to Yaminie Falls. His story described river crossings, “interesting” techniques for keeping shorts dry, endless cups of tea, and the challenges of negotiating slippery rocks on the way to the pool beneath the falls. The adventure continued with exploration further upstream, where pristine pools and cascades provided both beauty and challenges for camping. Dave concluded with reflections on keeping pace as a group, learning from setbacks, and always pushing a little further into the unknown.

Natural History – Townsville’s White Ibis

Wendy contributed an in-depth natural history article about the white ibis colony at the mouth of the Ross River. At the time, Townsville was home to one of the largest breeding colonies of sacred ibis in northern Queensland, with over 150 breeding pairs. Wendy described the breeding cycle, nesting behaviour in the mangroves, and the challenges faced by young ibis — from predation to falling out of nests. Her field notes also included the practical challenges of banding and wing-tagging fledglings while contending with ibis “displeasure” and clouds of sandflies.

Kata Tjuta Walk

G. Lee contributed a piece from further afield: a walk through Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) in Central Australia. The account described climbing domes, exploring off the tourist track, discovering wildflowers, and negotiating boulder scrambles in the Valley of the Winds and Olga Gorge. Though unable to scale one of the steeper drops, the author finished the day with a deep appreciation for the red ochre domes, colourful vegetation, and expansive desert views.

Club Life

The September 1987 edition also included lighter touches: puzzles, rumours of kayaks and rafts for sale, flatmate notices, monthly pub nights at the Metropole Hotel, and calls for volunteers to host BBQs. Together, these snippets capture the strong sense of community that has always been at the heart of the Townsville Bushwalking Club.

Looking Back

Revisiting Escape from September 1987 shows how much continuity there is in our club’s activities. We’re still climbing Godwin’s Peak, swimming in Crystal Creek, camping at Star River, and laughing at the misadventures that come with exploring North Queensland’s wilder places. What’s changed is how we share those stories — once typed and photocopied in newsletters, now shared instantly on our website and social media.

But the spirit remains the same: adventure, camaraderie, and an enduring love for the outdoors.

See the full Escape Magazine Sep 87: