Murrumbingles, The Undraped Virgins
Climb the Murrambingles, dubbed “The Undraped Virgins,” one of Townsville’s finest peaks. With sweeping ridge-top views from Mt Spec to Cape Bowling Green, rough granite slabs, and camera-worthy vistas, this 1980s bushwalk rivals Fredericks Peak as North Queensland’s most striking climb.
The route description is so simple and short, that I am sure the Editor will allow me space to eulogize on this mountain. Without doubt, this is the finest hill in the Townsville area, even surpassing our beloved Frederick Peak. For, from the road, one walks across only 3 metres of grass to tread on long "boiler plates", that, for most of the way, lead up the broad ridges to the southern summit. Only on the short saddles does one need to part the obstructing bush; no need to skulk along rocky creeks, (how's that, Lou?) or wait until the "too many trees" diminish to allow one to see direction: hence, no zig-zagging following creek beds or finding the thinnest scrub. The route is straight forward, in scrutiny for nearly all the way, reminding me of big brother Barney, on granite so rough that one can crab-walk, on its surface, at a crazy angle. Because it is a ridge, one has continual views on both sides, and, as one gets higher, the more camera-tempting they are. The white, silver and grey of Townsville, nestling besides its orange Rock; the sleeping warrior of the Elliott, trying to shed its pale grey shroud; the green scimitar of Cape Bowling Green, thrusting out into the ribbed blue sea; but, above all, the enfolding of the coast, from the crinkles of Upstart to the dark bulk of Mt. Spec, a long, protracted and wonderful view. The final "bump" would give many happy rope-lengths to the avid rock-climber; for the "scamper", this is only the southern of many more rocky outcrops before the ridge plunges into the sea near Laun's Beach. My first design, years ago, was to canoe across the Bay and climb it from its northern end.
All this prompts two questions. Why had not the early stalwarts found such a delectable hill - perhaps it was the proximity of its bigger sister, Mt. Cleveland, fully clothed in mottled green - or, perhaps its bare slopes betokened sun-heat, away from the shady green cover?
The second question is, where the heck have I, years ago, in the deep recesses of the Club's Archives, found the name of the lovely Murrambingles, for I have not been able to locate it since?
Map 1:50,000 Cape Bowling Green. South Peak 1,514 ft.
Take water.
Approach - about 15 kms down "Aims road" from Storch, a sandy track turns off towards Laun's Beach. Only 200 m along this, long fingers of slanting granite almost reach the track's edge. The first summit of Murrambingles is at the top of these.
Harry Kershaw
