UPCOMING WALKS

SAT, 15 OCT-16 OCT Hidden Gorges

FRI, 21 OCT-23 OCT Stoney Creek & Wrights Lookout

SAT, 29 OCT AT 07:00 Paluma to Ollera Creek

Please read ‘Walker Guidelines’ and ‘What to Bring’ at these links:

Walker Guidelines - https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/about/walker-guidelines
Walk Together - https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/about/walk-together
What to Bring? - https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/equipment/what-to-bring

Hello fellow bushwalkers!

We have a podcast for your listening pleasure. Hit FM Townsville contacted us to do a regular segment on hiking in our area and, while it felt a bit awkward at first in the studio, it turns out it’s easy to talk about the things you love — bushwalking in and around the Townsville region!

Listen here: Take a Hike – podcast

We’d love your feedback and ideas for topics you’d like to hear.

Meet & greet at our clubhouse

Monday, 10 October, 6:00–6:30 pm
Where: Blessed Mary MacKillop Parish meeting room (building behind the church), 43 Ross River Road, Mundingburra

Come along to meet the Bushwalking Club, share a yarn, and chat about upcoming walks.

Extra meet & greet – evening picnic

Thursday, 27 October, 6:00–7:30 pm
Where: Douglas Hills Summit

Bring a plate to share as we settle in for the evening, and bring a head torch for the way back.

Directions: When you get to the JCU stairs car park, follow the track to the JCU summit, then continue along to the Douglas Hills Summit. We’ll meet you there.
Parking: Best parking along Endeavour Drive behind JCU’s Western Campus.
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/KmvJaDYds16K3p1A6
Note: No need to register — just let us know you’re coming: [email protected]

“Leave the road, take the trails.”

Please read before you join a walk

• Walker guidelines: https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/about/walker-guidelines
• Walk together: https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/about/walk-together
• What to bring?: https://www.townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/equipment/what-to-bring

Upcoming walks — October 2022

Sat–Sun, 15–16 October 2022

Hidden Gorges, Mt Zero

Leaders: Wilfred Karnoll, Keith Dyson
Rated: Hard. Creek-based off-track, rugged terrain, steep climbs.
Vehicles: High-clearance vehicles required — please indicate if you have one.

Description:
Exploratory trip through private property in the vicinity of Mt Zero, Taravale. We’ll travel to and camp at the top of Return Creek Falls, checking out Narke Falls on the way in. Places on the wish list include Hellhole Gorge and Button Rock. Pack up camp and return to Paluma on Sunday evening.

There are still places available if you’re keen to join.

What to bring:

• Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag, mat, cooking kit, day pack
• Water and meals
• Firewood (if you want a fire)

Note: This is a restricted wildlife sanctuary. Property owners require minimum two COVID vaccinations. Please bring proof of vaccination.

Fees: Non-members $5

Interested? Email [email protected] to:
a) indicate your interest, and
b) let us know if you have a high-clearance 4WD and how many passengers you can take.

Fri 21 – Sun 23 October 2022

Barron Gorge National Park (weekend adventure)

Leader: Roxana

Rated: 1–5 across the weekend — easy to difficult. Expect well-formed track through to uneven terrain, stairs, creek crossings, rock hopping and scrambling; at times unstable, steep and slippery.

Meeting: Location and time will be emailed. Likely start 6:30 am.

Duration: Three days — ~1 h walking Friday, ~7 h Saturday, ~6 h Sunday.
Distance: ~1 km Friday; 9–10 km Saturday; 7.5 km Sunday.

Description:
A long weekend packed with bushwalking at Barron Gorge NP. You’ll need to be self-sufficient for camping and fit for the walks. Please book your campsite at Speewah ASAP:
https://qpws.usedirect.com/QPWS/Facilities/SearchView.aspx

Itinerary

Day one – Friday 21 October

• Drive ~380 km (~5 h) from Townsville to Speewah camping area with a detour to Stoney Creek for a walk and a dip.
• Optional social stop: 9:00 am at the Cardwell pool for coffee/brunch and a walk along the jetty.
• Otherwise meet 1:00 pm at Stoney Creek car park (easy 1 km to the weir + swim).
• ~3:00 pm leave Stoney Creek; set car shuttle(s) at Smiths trailhead; car-pool ~30 km to Speewah to set up camp and relax.

Day two – Saturday 22 October

• Walk from Speewah camping area trailhead to Smiths trailhead.
• Option A: Djina-Wu → Smith tracks (8.25 km, 6–7 h, easy–difficult)
• Option B: Djina-Wu → Smith → Yalbogie → Smith (9.8 km, 6–7 h, easy–difficult)
• Aim to leave camp 7:00 am, finish ~2:00 pm, then drive ~30 km back to Speewah.

Day three – Sunday 23 October

• Pack up by 7:00 am and drive 15 km to Wrights Lookout to leave shuttle(s).
• Drive ~25 km to Stoney Creek trailhead and walk back to Wrights Lookout (7.3 km, 4–6 h, easy–moderate).
• Aim to be at shuttles by 2:00 pm, return drivers to Stoney Creek, then head to Townsville (ETA ~8:00 pm).

What to bring

• Sufficient food and water for three days (suggest 3–4 L per day)
• Water treatment/filtration system
• Electrolytes (if needed)
• Sleeping system (tent/hammock, bag, mat, clothes)
• Wood for campfire
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, long-sleeve clothing
• Insect & leech repellent (we recommend Mosiguard)
• Shoes for uneven terrain + dry clothes/footwear for after walks and car-pooling
• Headlight (headtorch) and whistle
• Any required medication
• First-aid kit/snake-bite kit & PLB (if available)
• Optional: camera

Meeting time & location

• 1:00 pm Friday at the Stoney Creek car park
• Optional: 9:00 am Friday in front of the Cardwell pool

Notes

• Group size limited to 15. Because we’ll need to organise car shuttles both Saturday and Sunday, please let us know how many people in your car and if you’re willing to use it as a shuttle.
• Treat all natural water sources before drinking.
• Fee is $5 for non-members.
• Participants must be 18+.
• The walk leader accepts registrations at their discretion; club members may be prioritised.
• More info: [email protected]

RSVP: https://forms.gle/w4iHL8JYjmJNkv1U6

Sat–Sun, 29–30 October 2022

Paluma to Ollera Creek (weekend camping adventure)

Leader: Graeme Taylor
Rated: Hard — rough terrain, steep trails. Off-track, remote bushwalk. Experienced bushwalkers only.

Meeting: Location and time will be emailed (likely 6:30 am start).

Walk description:
Group size limited to 6. Exploratory walk with bush-bashing, rock hopping and scrambling over ~30 km across two days (start Saturday morning, finish ~5–6 pm Sunday).

Equipment list:

• Food for two full days (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner)
• Water treatment tablets (for creek refills)
• Camping gear — hammock recommended (ground may not suit tents)
• Sleep system (mat, bag, etc.)
• Appropriate footwear, long sleeves and long pants, gloves
• Headlight (headtorch) & whistle
• Any required medication
• First-aid kit/snake-bite kit & PLB (if available)
• Optional: camera

Meeting time & location:

• 1:00 pm Friday at the Stoney Creek car park
• Optional: 9:00 am Friday in front of the Cardwell pool

Notes:

• Group size limited to 6.
• Fee is $5 for non-members.
• Participants must be 18+.
• The leader accepts registrations at their discretion; club members may be prioritised.
• More info: [email protected]

RSVP: https://forms.gle/EqCcniGk4M15qs2H8

PREVIOUS WALKS

SUN, 24 JUL Ladies Route, Castle Hill

Luen led a small group of 5 walk up Castle Hill following a long-forgotten overgrown route. According to rumour, it's aptly named The Ladies' Track by one of our club members because it was the track that 'female friends' took to visit the soldiers manning the Pillar Boxes on the top of Castle Hill during WWII. Although this un-signposted trail is now overgrown, especially in the wet season, the footpad can be made out in places as it was well-formed with stone stairs and retaining walls.

SAT, 30 JUL Bluewater Gorge

The club has done this walk several times over the years. The Townsville Bushwalking Club walked from Keelbottom Creek to Bluewater Gorge in 2010. We have also done the Twin Gorges Walk which links up Bluewater Gorge and Patterson Gorge.

This time, Luen led a group of 4 people following this recently cut trail. This made it much easier than in the past. The terrain is tough and the bush bashing hard with bits of lantana, vines, native ginger, long guinea grass, and fallen trees/branches on the rough route.

FRI, 5 AUG Cape Cleveland Lighthouse

A three day hike over Cape Cleveland. Whale watching from the light house and kayaking with turtles. Magical place.

SUN, 14 AUG Insulator Creek Falls

The Bambaroo Track starts near the highway and climbs steeply up the range spurs to the top of the Paluma range. This time, we only went halfway up. The first hour is a hot steep road climb to get the heart pumping and sweat flowing. Then we entered the rainforest and continued climbing along a rainforest track, which was less steep, to reach the start of the giant fig trees. These trees are amazing.

After exploring one of the giant trees (there are at least 9 giant figs in the area), we continue to more fascinating trees of different types. Then more track climbing up the range, to reach the Insulator Creek track sidewalk. It was a steep rough track descending to the creek to amazing scenes.

We returned via the same route but it was downhill most of the way.

SUN, 21 AUG Killymoon Creek

Killymoon Creek, in the dry season, is a fantastic spot for rock-hopping enthusiasts. This walk started on a fire trail on private property with a few good hills to get everyone warmed up. We then started hiking over a series of small rocky gullies which soon open up into a spectacular gorge. We had lunch at the swimming hole and turnaround. We follow the same route back down the creek.

SAT, 27 AUG Bottom of Cowley Falls

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AKDRikMWMCM

Today, the Townsville Bushwalking Club went to explore part of Wooroonooran National Park in North Queensland Australia. With Luen as our guide, our aim was to visit this stunning waterfall. The first part of the circuit involved hiking steeply down a ridgeline into a river and then upstream to a tributary. From the junction, we rock-hopped upstream to the base of this massive waterfall. This impressive waterfall has these cool overhangs of basalt rock and interesting rock formations. We finished the hike by ascending another spur to the top of the falls and then back into civilisation.

THU, 1 SEP Cann's Camp Canyon

What a magic part of this world. Keith let a small group of hikers through the Cann’s Camp Canyon where we explored the stunning water-eroded slot canyons. It was 4 days of exploring. Canyons, canyons and more canyons! White Mountains NP is a stunning place.
Mother nature is beautiful.

SAT, 3 SEP Crystal Creek Falls & Gold Creek Falls

Ian led a walk to Crystal Creek Falls and Gold Creek Falls. It was a great introductory walk for new hikers and also for those wanting some on-trail hikes with the Townsville Bushwalking Club crew.

SUN, 4 SEP Hidden Gorges & Waterfalls

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AxQUdbYEdOY

Due to the recent rains making the roads throughout our intended adventure quite boggy, we went with plan B. Instead of checking out some remote, hidden gorges, as we initially intended, Luen led a trip to this tiered granite waterfall instead. We first obtained the appropriate permission from the landholders, and then we set off on our way, cross-country. The bushland was open and sparse, full of bright yellow wattles and other plants that were in full bloom. We hiked along the ridge line to the top of the falls, and then we scrambled down a bit to see them from the bottom and to enjoy a refreshing swim. We returned back to the cars, and took our four-wheel drive adventure back out of the area to head home. What a gorgeous way to spend a Sunday!

SAT, 10 SEP Smith Creek Falls

Graeme led a walk from Paluma to Smith Creek Falls. A small yet secluded waterfall deep within the wet tropic rainforest.

SUN, 11 SEP Bluegum Creek Walk

Cherry led a walk on the Bluegum Circuit in a clockwise direction. We started along the H-Track and then on the Bluegum track taking the detour to Triple Falls. We then continued along the main track till we come to the Campsite Lagoon [on Star River] and then continue along to Miner Creek Falls. From here, we ascended out of the valley back up to Paluma Village.

MON, 12 SEP Greet & Meet Picnic

A few long-time club members and a few new faces turn up at this sunset picnic event.
We spend the evening all alone on a cliff with views across Townsville. The Blue Spot is such a great trail. Thanks Luen and Cherry!

SUN, 18 SEP Mt Cook and Peaks - A Longer Walk to the (Wrong) Pub

with Keith, Mark, Janice, Ildiko, Charmain, & Marjolein.

A Longer Walk to the (Wrong) Pub

Mount Cook bushwalk on Magnetic Island: steep climbs, overgrown tracks, stinging trees, and creek descents. A long adventure that ended at the wrong pub—but with the right cold drinks after 12 hours on the trail.

Townsville Bushwalking ClubTownsville Bushwalking Club

THU, 22 SEP Mt Spec Orchids

At this time of year, native orchids are in flower, and golden-bower birds bowers are active. So it was a great time for a rainforest walk in Mt Spec area. We went to Buttercup lookout and view orchids and a golden-bower bird bower along the way. We then went to Mt Spec, and through the old tin mining area at Gardes, towards Foxlee’s Lookout as well.

SUN, 25 SEP Mt Storth

Mount Storth forms part of Bowling Green Bay National Park and reaches a height of 632 meters above sea level. We began this walk on private property with the initial part winding through a series of creek beds and acts as a nice warm up before the climbing begins!

We followed the ‘Traditional route’ and reach the summit via the prominent ridge line. After having lunch at the top, we then descend back to the cars.

SAT, 1 OCT White Mountains - Canns Creek Section

We spent three days exploring in the White Mountain National Park. Words honestly don't describe how sureal-ly beautiful this place is. From scaling sheer rock faces with just adrenaline and faith in the grips in your shoes to crawling through cave squeezes on knees and elbows.  Magical place.