Townsville N.F.C. Bushwalkers Club "Newsletter" July 1962
Godwins Peak, July 1962: Townsville NFC Bushwalkers tackled steep slopes to stunning summit views over Halifax, ridges, islands, and coastline. A cramped camp, clouds rolling through gullies, and sunrise over thousands of square miles made this classic North Queensland hike unforgettable.
SEVEN UP GODWINS PEAK.
There were two parties and two days. 'Early' was formed by Shirley, Gwenda, Harry and Leo, 'Noon' sailed under Neil's flag with Val and Les. Early left home at nine on the dot, Noon left at noon in Neil's car. Graciously Early allowed Noon to catch up with them halfway up the steep slope, since it is not in the nature of an Early to be hard on a Noon.
Godwins Peak is a fascinating place to be. While climbing, slowly a lovely landscape developes into thousand cubic miles of mountains, ridges, beaches, islands and ocean. On the very top eerie cloud shreds enter forbidding looking gullies, and the practically unknown hinterland loomes up massively. A clear view was obtained of challenging Mount Halifax, and possible approach-ing routes discussed. Tired, but satisfied the party settled down for camp, a complicated affair since there was only 15 x 15 ft. space to hold seven Bushwalkers and their campfire; we heard stories of far away places and huddled close to the fire out of reach of the clouds which started to soar up from the depths below. Les had managed to climb up with one hand permanently engaged in nursing a full billycan of water, and certainly deserved his cuppa' that night. Sunday morning was leisurely spent just looking at our thousand cubic miles of sunrise, and sipping precious cuppa's. The whole coastline between Townsville and Ingham layed at our feet and it was hard to part with it. However, time ran out and reluctantly we clambered down to our cars. Leo collected some rocks for Dr. Jon, and on the way home a short visit was made to Beryl, who seemed to have recovered from her illness.
Another succesfull trip was ended.
