Garrawalt Falls Weekend
Garrawalt Falls bushwalk, July 1962: a 260-mile drive and 18-mile trek from Mt Fox through scrub, ridges, and creeks. The Townsville Bushwalking Club explored tin mines, camped in rain, rock-hopped streams, and spotted wildlife. A rewarding North Queensland hiking adventure near Wallaman Falls.
13/14 July 1962.
Outing: Easy bushwalk, some scrub.
Party members:
Shirley McDonald
Dorothy Greenway
Pat Meagher
Beryl Harris
Peter Evans
Les Bird
Clarrie Bower
Leo Pieters (Leader)
Driving Distance: ca. 260 mile
Walking Distance: ca. 18 mile
Road: From Rin Tin Tin turnoff bushtrack, not bad. The track over the ridge should be accessible for 4-wheel drive vehicles, right down to the flat if dry weather conditions.
Waterposition: unreliable till creek.
Weather: Saturday overnight showers
Rescue: Police Ingham informed.
Remarks: Outing is well worth while. It must be possible to reach the Falls by Saturday evening early; however, no time is to be lost, since the last part along the Creek might offer surprises. Rockhopping there. Very early start from Mt. Fox is necessary. The mine can better be visited when a base camp at Wallaman Falls is held. The mine is quite interesting and the owners are willing enough to show a group around.
Strict leaving time seems to work.
Friday night found nine club members at the Courthouse, at 7.30. There were 3 cars, so the travelling was comfortable. Cecil stayed at Ingham, where the traditional coffee-stop was held, and police informed. The camping spot on Mt. Fox was reached, and camp made. During the night a drizzle started.
After breakfast - the weather was still rainy and overcast, the Rin Tin Tin turnoff was found, and the prospect visited. One of the proprietors, Mr. Schnall, showed the party the workings, and presented tin samples. Considerable time - although very interesting - was lost before the right track was found, and the cars were left just before the first creek crossing. The ridge was found, and the track was easy to follow. On a former occasion pigs were seen here, but no trace this time. Where the prominent ridge dissolves into hilly open scrub country, the creek was reached, and camp made. After a cup and a bite the party went downstream and looked around. At night it rained and everybody was in sleeping bags early.
Sunday morning the creek was found without difficulty, and partly followed. Clarrie caught a python and put him (or her?) in a bag, and moved it all the way home. Time ran out, and the party returned to camp.
It must be possible to reach the falls in 5 hours walk from the place where the cars were left.
Leo A. Pieters
