10-01-09

Coomera Circuit - Leaders Peter & Sara

Seven walkers left the mountain on time at 7.30 am and were met by Julie Cullen at Binna Burra for an 8.30 am start on the 17.5 km walk. The track was a bit damp from rain but still in good condition. We had smoko at the Coomera Gorge lookout. Due to the recent rain the waterfalls were in full flow. As Jeanette had not walked for awhile she decided to return to the car park from here instead of doing the full circuit. Sue accompanied her back. There had been a landslide not long after the second creek crossing which had taken out a section of the track. This resulted in having to cross the Coomera River another two times. Lunch was at the base of the last waterfall just before where the track joins the Border Track. Both Julie and Denise slipped on wet rocks here. Fortunately no broken bones but both could have been nasty accidents. They are experienced walkers which show that an accident can happen to anyone at anytime. This is why it is very important that the club always carries the PLB (EPIRB) and first aid kit on walks. We were back at the Binna Burra car park just before 3 pm. No coffee stop today as Peter and Sara drove Denise to Robina Hospital for a check up, fortunately all was well. The last of the walkers were back on the mountain by 5.30 pm.

Weekend 27th and 28th February 09

Minyon Falls - Leaders Peter & Sara.

Five members camped overnight at Rummery Park, and eight walkers did the Peate's Mountain walk on Friday afternoon. The walk began at 2.30pm. We set off through the flooded gum plantation just next to the campsite. After crossing an old bridge, which was constructed from a flattened tree trunk, we soon found that the walk was totally unmaintained. There were tree trunks strewn across the path everywhere. Thus the walk turned out to be more difficult than we expected and actually took a lot longer than we had planned for. However, we all persevered and finally reached the top of the mountain. The fire tower, as described in one of the books had been totally removed. Also, because we were so late, we had to retrace our steps back to Rummery Park as quick as possible, due to failing light. The next day, six of us walked down Boggy creek to meet the day walkers at Minyon Falls. From there, twelve of us set off at 9.30am to do the Minyon Falls loop, in a clockwise direction. We stopped for morning coffee at the base of the falls, then crossed over the creek and ascended the escarpment to the top of the valley. We stopped for lunch at a small bubbling creek which flows over the side of the canyon. We left the day walkers at the lookout over the falls, and the rest of us made our way back up Boggy Creek to Rummery Park. A good day was had by all.

14/03/09

Mt Matheson circuit - Leader Peter Foster.

Ten walkers gathered at the Pioneer grave site car park. We then set off on the 8.1 kms circuit, crossing over the summit of Mt Matheson, at 752m. We continued up the ridge to a small patch of forest where we saw a Cat bird and a Rufous Fantail. The views of Mt Cordeaux and Mt Mitchell are splendid throughout the first part of the walk. Further on we passed the old Jinker which was used for drawing logs out of the forest, then over a meadow filled with yellow paper daisies and on down the track to where we met the old Spicer’s Gap road. Here we turned left and followed the wide road to Governor's Chair. We stopped here for lunch and to enjoy some of the best views in Queensland. The final part of the walk is down the road back to the car park, passing Moss's Well on the way. Everyone enjoyed the walk very much and agreed that we should do it more often.

28/03/09

Gap Creek Fall Track, near Mt Cordeau – Leader Max Reindl

At stroke -730, seven of us left the VIC, in spite of looming rain, heading for Cunninghams Gap. It was an uneventful, pleasant and dry journey, which included 2 stops. The first one to welcome Julie in Beaudesert; the 2^nd the obligatory pit-stop in Aratula.

Starting out on our walk the rain again seemed only minutes away; however it cleared into overcast/cool conditions. Thus on both occasions when we saw snakes (small green snake and a large spotted) they were lethargic, coiled up and asleep.

Halfway point saw us at approx 1030 and the falls at 1130. Nevertheless we had a really good lunch break, all the while thinking, “will it”, or “will it not”, rain.

At going home time the sun finally came out to warm us on our way up to the gap. Finally at the top lookout (about 10 minutes to go) it started to rain! Most of it however was absorbed by the dense foliage above us, so that only the last 100mts or so – dashing to the cars – drenched us.

4/4/09

Mt Goolman - Leader Denise Merrin

8 walkers set off at 0830 heading for Goolmans Lookout and aiming to escape the constant rain on Tamborine Mountain.

The party arrived at Hardings Paddock at 1000 and decided it was time for morning tea. (Must get our priorities right).

At 1030 we made our way up Goolmans Lookout track, which was mostly up hill. The temperature was about 28 and all in the group felt hot and sweaty. At Goolmans lookout lunch was eaten looking out over the very nice view. (Pity about only having one bench).

18/04/09

Mt Glorious, Greens Fall & Westside Track – Peter Foster

Ten walkers arrived for morning coffee at Jooly’s Lookout. We had a superb view over the Samford Valley and out towards Brisbane.

At 1015 we set off from Miala picnic area, down the track to Greens Falls. The creek was flowing well and the falls themselves were looking great. We reversed our steps to pick up the track, which climbs up the ridge and then followed the old logging track down to the next valley where we crossed the creek and then climbed the steep hill up to the road.

From here we crossed over the main road to pick up the Westside Track. This we followed back to the car park.

We stopped at a nearby café, which had a lovely deck overlooking the valley below.

9/05/09

Mt Cordeaux & Bald Rock – Leader Paul Biggs

Ten walkers met at Beaudesert for the drive to Cunningham Gap.

We all set off from the eastern end of the car park on route to Fassifern Valley Lookout, with views out to Mt Edwards and Greville.

The path climbs through ferns and trees covered in moss, until reaching Mt Cordeaux top. Then it was on to Bald Rock for lunch. The track back down was easy and all had great fun on this walk.

23/05/09

Daves Creek – Leader Peter Foster

5 walkers turned up at Binna Burra for the Illanbah Circuit. The weather conditions were atrocious, so we decided to do Daves Creek. We got to the Coomera Seat and then did the Rainforest Circuit back to the car park.

After smoko we did the Caves Circuit; plenty of water. We came back up the road to the café; pouring rain and high winds.

We enjoyed ourselves.

13/06/09

Venman Bushland – Leaders Peter Foster & Sara Henwood

13 walkers arrived ready for an easy 10km walk. We ended up doing 12 km and everyone felt reasonably tired.

We had morning coffee before we started. The first part of the walk took us along the creek and then up the fence line to where the park meets the next reserve. We decided to do a 4 km loop walk around the flooded quarry. We had lunch sitting beside the water watching Moorhens and Coots; a great spot in the sun.

The walk back to the car park was fairly relaxed and not very difficult.

We then went to Neilson’s Nursery for refreshments.

It was a good days walking.

27/6/09

Ship Stern Circuit – Denise Merrin

No report

11/7/09

Nundah to Boondall – Leader John Leisten

The 13 walkers reached Nundah Station by different routes, mostly car to Coomera and thence by train. We started walking at 10:15 after examining the station murals. We soon stopped for a drink, etc, at 32 Vernon Rd. The “etc” was important in this instance because the next toilets were 14 km distant.

We then set out in earnest, reaching the Kedron cycle track, near the Nundah Heritage Cemetery, which we looked over for a few minutes. We walked steadily, on a pleasant dry day, never too hot. We went under a new bridge, which will soon have heavy traffic over it as the new alternative motorway for the Gateway Bridge comes into use. Lunch was at the corner of the Nundah Golf Course, where the track turns a right angle to the left.

Reaching the Nundah to Nudgee Beach Rd we soon turned off towards the wetlands. We climbed “The hill” and continued on to the boardwalk and across Nudgee Creek to the Environmental Centre.

We caught the train at Bundall Station at 3:50pm for a later than usual return.

Most enjoyable.

25/7/09

Mt Greville – Leader Steve Armbrust

4 walkers met Julie at Beaudesert for the trip out to walk up Mt Greville via the Waterfall Gorge. The bottom section of the gorge still had a trickle of water running from the rain last month.

We took our time rock-hopping up the gorge admiring the impressive rock walls and plants. We had morning coffee in the gorge and then slowly made our way to the top. The wildflowers were in bloom; from here we veered to the right and walked out onto a large rocky outcrop, just below the main peak. The views from here are so much better than from the peak of Mt Greville itself.

As this was John’s first ascent via Waterfall Gorge he requested that we have lunch on this outcrop before proceeding back towards Palm Gorge to descent via the ridge. This is never a pleasant way down. Someone has taken it upon themselves to mark the route down with yellow spray paint; indiscriminately sprayed wherever they saw fit. Sometimes not even on the track. Not good.

It had been a warm day so we called into the ever popular “Flavours Café” in Boonah for a cols drink on the way home and to stock up on fruit & vegies, from across the road. What better way to spend a wonderful, warm, clear, winters day than to trek up one of the loveliest mountains in the Scenic Rim.

8/8/09

Laheys Tabletop – Leaders Peter Foster & Sara Henwood

Tamborine Mountain Bushwalkers were delighted to be given permission to visit Laheys Tabletop, an exposed promontory high above the Illingbah Valley, which supports a small Homestead and Cattle yards.

Thirteen walkers set off in beautiful weather across the paddocks and followed a farm track down to the edge of the National Park, where we came to the Park signs and even an old bench seat. Many years ago this was planned to be a major access point into Lamington NP, but was finally abandoned through a lack of funds.

We set off on a southerly bearing into the forest and generally kept to the ridge top, with a sharp drop off to our left. After a short while we arrived at, what is known as, Wangerriburra Lookout, a small rocky knoll, which precedes a small drop down into a saddle. From there we continued on until we finally reached the old graded track system, complete with an array of interesting, old wooden signposts.

We chose to have our morning tea here and enjoy the ambience of a place, which once must have seen many bushwalkers.

The group then proceeded to follow the track, which eventually would lead to East Canungra Creek. However the track was in a bad state with several small landslides, which made progress slow, so we returned to the previous track junction and decided to explore down the hillside towards Gwoongoorool Pool. We followed this for an hour before taking our lunch stop. After lunch we retraced our steps to the junction and enjoyed a relaxed walk back to Laheys Tabletop.

A week later 3 members returned and followed the track towards Fountain Falls and succeeded in getting to Noowongbill Lookout. The track down to East Canungra Creek looked very overgrown, but we will return at some time in the future to explore it further.

22/8/09

Araucaria Lookout – Leader Max Reindl

Having to cope with 13 walkers, it took some time to sort out who would be ferried by whom. (Julie was meeting us there. To Binna Burra! A green light as we arrived at the Goat Track was most welcome.

On arrival at Binna Burra Graham & Helen found some friends. We found Julie and there was joy all round. Eventually however some serious walking commenced.

Morning tea was at Joalah Lookout, where I spotted a Blue Tongue Lizard and Peter noticed a snake nearby, but neither of them showed much interest in us.

Orchid Bower we had to enjoy without any orchids and in stages only some of us enjoyed the view. Similarly at Araucaria we barely found places for all of us to sit; at least the orchids were in profusion. We had just finished eating when another group turned up; so we vacated.

On the way home a smaller group overtook us, only to take possession of the Joalah bench, so we moved on. At the 19km bench again we found another group occupying the facility.

Eventually returning to Binna Burra we got rewarded with a milkshake, coffee and muffins.

I.E. in spite of the crowded conditions a good time was had by all - - - I hope.

12/09/09

Coombabah Lakeland- Leader Julie Cullen

14 walkers.

We parked on The Esplanade, off Turana St and set off about 8.30am. We walked along the path beside the water, low tide and turned off at Tarni St towards the start of the Lakelands. We went along the boardwalk and then along behind the houses , beside the water, until we reached the tracks; large kangaroos hopped away. There are lots of varied tracks.

Morning tea was taken on the Melaleuca Boardwalk which is over near the River Tree Glen entry. Although there were no Green Tree frogs, someone spotted a little tree snake wrapped around the reeds, but it soon moved off as we came along. It's a nice spot to stop and take in the atmosphere. Everyone was very talkative, so this walk was great as there's no hurry; not to long to walk, or travel.

We then walked along to the Koala Track, stopping along the way trying to spot any, but no luck today. We then turned off on to the Slash Pine track, which had a really nice feel to it with the pine needles underfoot. We walked down the last bit of the Mangrove track, into the mangroves and along amongst them for a while, before cutting back onto the track. Abain back onto the Koala track, where Sally and Gunta spied one in a tree. How lucky we were that it wasn't very high up and we were able to photograph it. More kangaroos were seen along with a Kingfisher.

We stopped at a large fallen tree for lunch, where Sally & Gunta had to leave us. They hadn't mentioned needing to leave early before, but it explained why Gunta had been trying to hurry everyone up. After lunch and looking at Max's photos, we walked back to the cars; high tide now.

Coffee was had at Paradice Point, with an unpleasant waitress. Regardless we enjoyed the refreshments. All in all we'd had good weather, not too hot, a good walk, a good talk in pleasant company. What more can you ask for.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

26/09/09

Mt Mitchell - Leader Steve Armbrust

After collecting Julie in Beaudesert, we managed to cram 10 walkers into 2 cars for our trip out to Cunninghams Gap. As is usual with a walk from here, the most dangerous part is managing to cross the road, to the start of the walk, without being run down by a truck, or car; no quarter is given here.

We'd been warned by Peter & Sara to beware of snakes and they were right. Paul narrowly missed stepping onto one; it was as keen to get out of his way, as he with it. The walk up was very hoton the exposed sections, but cool once we were in the shelter of the forest.

The views from the top were not as spectacular as expected, but this was due to a dust storm blowing in from the west. it was too hot and exposed at the top lookout, so we retreated to the moss garden for lunch; it was a welcome relief from the sun. We later found out it had got to 33 degrees. A lively discussion on the positives etc of living in a unit; I think I'll stay in my single dwelling.

Coffe at the Aratula Bakehouse wa staken on the way home and a few couldn't resist the trays of mangos in the fruit shop.

A good enjoyable walk apart from the heat and dust storm.

______________________________________________________________

10/10/09

Burleigh Hds & Tallebudgera to Currumbin Creek

A select small group of walkers assembled at the busy Burleigh Heads headland and carpark where we met Julie and Joy and where we saw some amusing organisational activity with car shuffling and parking. We used the top track over the headland hoping to see some whale action, but we weren't in luck this time.