Paluma's K-Traverse & The Gore-Tex Shoe Debate

Welcome back to the "Take A Hike" podcast blog! In our latest episode, host Blair Woodcock is joined by Townsville Bushwalking Club legends Luen Warneke and Cherry Judge. We dive into a fiery debate over hiking footwear and unpack all the details you need to explore the historic K-Traverse in Paluma.

Is Gore-Tex Gear a Waste of Money?

Before hitting the trails, Blair sparked a controversial debate: are Gore-Tex (GTX) hiking shoes actually a waste of money?

As Blair gears up for a massive hike in three months, he shared his absolute frustration with GTX shoes. His main argument? Once you step deep into a creek and water flows over your ankle, that water is trapped. The shoes do the opposite of what you want, turning your boots into heavy water buckets.

However, Luen Warneke and Cherry Judge stepped in to defend the popular material:

• Durability and Grip: Cherry prefers GTX shoes for their toughness and superior grip, which are essential for navigating rocky, uneven terrain.
• Wear and Tear: Luen pointed out that shoes without excessive stitching tend to last longer. Often, it is the breathable mesh panels and extra seams that blow out first, inviting sand and grit into your boot.
• Budget vs. Premium: Cherry swears by the French brand Quechua from Decathlon, getting about a year and a half of solid hiking out of a $120 pair. Luen, who often clocks 600 to 1000 kilometres a year, expects to replace shoes every 12 months. The general rule of thumb? Look to swap out your hiking shoes every 500 to 800 kilometres.

Are you Team Gore-Tex or Team Breathable Mesh? Let us know!

Exploring Paluma's K-Traverse

If you are looking for a rugged, historical adventure, the K-Traverse should be on your list. This 14 to 15-kilometre trek takes about five to seven hours and is steeped in local logging and mining history.

What to Expect on the Trail The K-Traverse follows an old logging road network active from the 1930s right up to the 1970s. Because it is largely an unmaintained track, you will need a good sense of imagination, solid navigation skills, and perhaps a pair of secateurs to push through the overgrown sections.

Trail Highlights:

• The Starting Point: Head about 1.5 kilometres along the Paluma Dam Road. Look for an old, rusty gate on your left. Just 20 metres in, you will be greeted by an absolutely massive tree that survived the logging era.
• Historical Artefacts: Keep your eyes peeled for a huge boulder dump featuring old glass vials and bottles. Later on the trail, you might even spot an old sawmill site scattered with vintage Coke bottles. Please remember: leave all artefacts exactly where you find them so others can enjoy the history!
• Waterfalls and Swimming Holes: The trail offers a turn-off to the popular Forgotten Falls and Williams Creek, home to Platypus Lagoon. If you want to head off-track, Echo Creek boasts a beautiful small waterfall and great swimming opportunities.
• Changing Landscapes: The trail weaves along the ridge and dips down into Big Birthday Creek. You will cross old log bridges and witness the vegetation shift dramatically as you move between Paluma National Park and the State Forest.

Pro Tip: You can complete the K-Traverse clockwise or anti-clockwise. Just be prepared for the track to get much trickier to follow once you pass the well-maintained Forgotten Falls section.

Accessible Walks and Bikepacking

We also chatted about making the outdoors accessible for everyone. Cherry was recently challenged by her 85-year-old father-in-law to find hikes that only take 10 minutes! It is a great reminder to think outside the box. They are tackling the short walk to the Alligator Creek swimming hole, the Two Boats lookout in Paluma, and the Magnetic Island boardwalks.

Meanwhile, Luen is planning some massive 100-kilometre-plus bike rides around Hervey's Range and Mount Elliot, teasing a future combined bikepacking and hiking trip for the Townsville Bushwalking Club.

For all the details on upcoming hikes, see our events page.
Happy hiking!