July Adventures with the Club
July with Townsville Bushwalking Club: membership renewals, community stories, and four great hikes—Forgotten Falls loop, rugged Cockatoo Rock, Paluma Dam to Jourama Falls, and Insulator Creek Falls. Adventure, camaraderie, and nature at its best in North Queensland.
July Journey
Happy July , Townsville Bushwalkers!
Story time....... I was sorting our club email archives and I found a gem from an old member.
Here is an excerpt:
“Years ago, as a young member of the Townsville Bushwalking Club, I eagerly ventured into the wilderness of North Qld alongside seasoned companions whose stories and wisdom shaped my journey. They taught me more than reading maps & survival; they instilled in me a deep reverence for nature, patience in adversity, and the joy of forging lasting bonds under the open sky. Now in my 80s, those lessons still guide every step I take, both on the trail and in life”.
How beautiful is this! This note reminded me of why our club exists - to foster camaraderie through shared outdoor adventures and to help share knowledge of our trails and environmental stewardship amongst it’s members.
On that philosophical little note, welcome to July and all the adventures the following pages bring!
Happy Adventuring
Cherry Judge
Secretary, TBWC
TBWC Member Update
It is that time of the year again where we send out reminders to renew your $40 club membership.
All financial club members should have received a “Notice to Renew Membership” email.
Please let me know if you have not received this and I can resend it. Thank you for your support of the club. Your $40 a year goes a long way to keep this little club running.
For those interested in joining the Townsville Bushwalking Club as a member, simply join us for three walks as a visitor. After those 3 walks, reach out to us to receive the necessary details for membership application.
Cheers,
Cherry Judge
Secretary
Townsville Bushwalking Club
[email protected]
Forgotten Falls & the K-Traverse
Sunday, 7 th July 2024
Leader: Ian Wallace
Rated: 3. On the Moderate side of Easy. Uneven track, short scramble, creek crossing.
About:
We will keep to a steady pace.
Duration: 4 - 5 hrs hours
Description: This undulating track leads through lush rainforest leads ultimately to Forgotten Falls, which is our ultimate destination. It will be a loop walk with car shuttle involved. The terrain is steep in places and there is a very steep climb on the side of the waterfall closer to the at the end of the walk.
Meeting Point and Time: 6 : 30 am
Location will be emailed closer to the time. We will need to drive to the end point first - leave a few cars there and then head down the Paluma dam road to start the walk.
Duration: 4 - 5 hr hike incl. breaks.
Cockatoo Rock
Sunday, 21 st July 2024
❕ Please note date change. Was originally on 14 th July ❕
Leader: Molly & Graeme
Rated: 5 . hard. Off track. Experienced bushwalkers
About:
The walk involves a lot of rock hopping and boulder clambering up the creek.
Likely there will be slippery rocks. One or two sections we may get blocked by cascades and this may present a challenge to pass through, and get feet wet. After morning tea at the waterfall, we go up the creek a bit more to the fig tree, then leave the creek and climb a steep rugged break in the cliffline. Then scrub bash (long grass, tangled vines, uneven underfoot etc), for a short while to Cockatoo Rock.
At the rock great views, and admire Joy’s Cliff in the distance and dream of doing that one day. The return route is to be decided on the day
Duration: Full day 8 + hours.
Paluma Dam to Jourama Falls
Sunday, 21 st July 2024 Leader: Wilfred Karnoll
Rated: Hard. On-trail. Hard because it is a long day and you need to keep to a pace. We need to finish within daylight hours. Very steep in places.
Meeting place & time: 7 am. Will be emailed to Rsvp’ d participants
Walk Description:
This is full day bushwalk to Waterfall Creek's top section and it is spectacular! Car shuttles will be required at both Jourama and Paluma dam ends. After the car shuttle, the walk will commence at Paluma Dam. Walking through the lush World-Heritage Wet Tropics rainforest along an old logging road and down on a rough single track to Jourama Falls. Will the group turn off and visit The Black Hole? We’ll make our decision based on how we are tracking for time. Admire the views from the top of Jourama Falls ( and possibly a swim for those who dare) before heading steeply down to Jourama Falls carpark. The walk finishes at Jourama Falls car park.
How long: Full day walk. Estimate back at the dam car park around 5 pm, for the car shuttle and drive back to Townsville. Aim for an approximately 8 - 10 hr day.
Insulator Creek Falls
Hosted again due to popular demand|
Sunday, 28 th July
Leader: Cherry Judge
Rated: Medium - rough terrain, steep climbs and some creek based walking
Meeting: 7:00.
Location will be emailed to participants.
Walk Description: This is a one day bushwalk along the Bambaroo Track to Insulator Creek canyon. What we will see are amazing giant fig trees as we walk towards Insulator Creek Falls.
How long: I am estimating this to be a 6 - 7 ish hour day.
