Explore the epic 1962 circumnavigation and bushwalks on Magnetic Island. Club members paddled 25 miles by canoe, trekked 10+ miles on foot, and tackled caves, surfing canoes, and rugged terrain. A strenuous adventure of rock-hopping, crossings, and coastal exploration near Townsville.
Lost in the rugged Zig Zag Creek near Ewan, RAAF man Kenneth Neilson survived with little more than swim trunks, thongs, and a rifle. Townsville Bushwalkers assisted police and RAAF in the April 1962 search, highlighting the dangers and resilience in North Queensland’s wild speargrass country.
Townsville Bushwalkers’ third attempt to locate the Kennedy Caves near Boggy Camp Creek, Kennedy, NQ, was a success in April 1962. The party discovered Aboriginal rock art galleries, faint cave paintings, and historic timber tracks, making this an easy but rewarding discovery walk.
Hinchinbrook Island's Mt Straloch offered a gruelling 24-hour amphibious challenge in March 1962. The Townsville Bushwalking Club combined canoeing, trekking, and climbing through creeks, mangroves, and rocky slopes, uncovering plane wreckage and enduring crocodiles, tides, and tough terrain.
This adventurous hike to Mt Cook combined rock hopping, hill climbing, and bushwalking, with caves, snakes, and stunning summit views. A classic North Queensland bushwalking story rich in history and challenge.
In March 1962, Townsville Bushwalkers made their second attempt to find the Kennedy Caves near Boggy Camp Creek, Kennedy, NQ. Despite trekking 10 miles and following maps, the Aboriginal art gallery remained elusive, setting the stage for their eventual discovery a month later.
Date 16 & 17 Feb. 1962 Location of search entrance to Murray Creek gorge Party Paul Stephenson, Clarry Brewer, Ray Lane. Grading medium bushwalk Transport Land Rover and foot. 110 miles each way by vehicle. We did not find the caves, in which the art gallery was reported to be,
Experience the power of Wallaman Falls with Townsville Bushwalking Club’s 1962 walk report. Despite heavy rains, the group reached Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall, witnessing roaring cascades, swirling clouds, and luminous spray. A classic North Queensland bushwalking adventure.
Explore Hinchinbrook Island with the Townsville Bushwalking Club’s 1962 canoe and walking trip. Covering 32 miles by canoe and 5 miles on foot, the party discovered crystal-clear springs, Zoe Bay’s tropical beauty, and rugged mountain backdrops—a classic North Queensland adventure.
The 1962 Herbert River canoe trip saw Graham Muller and Roy Lane paddle 40 miles from Long Pocket Bridge to Herbert Vale and back. A gruelling but rewarding journey, featuring kingfishers, egrets, pelicans, wallabies, and wild river scenery - an epic North Queensland adventure.
In 1961, Townsville Bushwalking Club members paddled a dugout canoe 40 miles up the Herbert River Gorge, navigating rapids, camping on riverbanks, and exploring steep rainforest cliffs. A classic North Queensland canoe adventure into Herbert Gorge's wild beauty.
The 1961 trip to Running River and Puzzle Creek. Featuring rock hopping, challenging climbs, swimming in deep pools, and discovering Peter’s Gate, this adventurous outing near Paluma highlights the rugged beauty and rich history of North Queensland.