PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
QBW members explore Little Nerang creek (see report p.2)
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the February newsletter.
I’ve enjoyed a relaxing break over the festive season
and I hope that all our members did too. Part of that
relaxation has of course included outdoor activities.
The closure of some parks due to fire, drought and
heat has restricted walking options, but fortunately
here in the greater Brisbane area we have relatively
accessible cool green mountain oases to retreat to.
Club walks at Springbrook, Mt Tamborine, Green
Mountains, and Mt Glorious have been popular.
It’s been a little quiet on the broader walking scene.
But thanks to Patricia hosting a walks planning meeting
on 20 January (which was well attended and included
a special bonus of home grown Bowen mangoes) more
walks have appeared on the club calendar. Have a
look at those and/or some other options into Autumn.
Walk early and walk often!
Michael H
Page 1 of 4
Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
February 2020
Photo: Michael H
Membership
Membership is on an annual basis. The fee for 2019/20
is $30. Payment by direct transfer into the club bank
account is preferred. Payment details are on page 4.
Note that you also need to fill out a membership form
(same form for new member or renewal), sign it and
either post, email or hand it to Helen. The club email is
qldbwc@yahoo.com.
General News
BWQ News
The AGM of Bushwalking Queensland was held in
early December. John Marshall is now the President of
BWQ, and Gavin Dale is the Secretary.
Gavin has also become the President of Bushwalking
Australia, and John Marshall is now the Secretary of
this national body.
Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) April 2020
10-13 Fri-Mon Mapleton Walks B/C
John Sinclair Memorial Lecture Patricia Kolarski
Dr Aila Keto AO, Founder and President of the
Australian Rainforest Preservation Society will deliver
the inaugural John Sinclair Memorial Lecture. This Proposed Events
event honours the contributions of John Sinclair
towards conservation, particularly on Fraser Island. Easter Base Camp Fri 10 to Mon 13 April
John passed away on 3 February 2019.
The event begins at 2pm Saturday 7 March at the I am organising an Easter extended weekend to
Grand Masonic Lodge, 311 Ann Street, Brisbane. Mapleton on the Sunshine Coast. Camping or limited
Cost is $25. For more information see: bunk accommodation is available at Lilyponds Holiday
Park, 26 Warruga St, Mapleton, Ph: 5445 7238.
https://fido.org.au/the-john-sinclair-memorial-
Lilyponds has a camp kitchen, free Wi-fi, pool and BBQ
lecture-2020/ facilities.
Volunteer weed clearing
FIDO is seeking volunteers for a week of weed clearing Day walks of medium length and difficulty are planned
on Fraser Island in March. People with a 4WD are in the general area. Walk suggestions are welcome.
especially welcome. Talk to Chris Breitenbach to
obtain details about this opportunity. Accommodation books up quickly in the lead up to
Binna Burra Lodge support Easter so it is essential to nominate to me ASAP,
Should you require any more information let me know
Binna Burra Kitchen is open at the Headmasters Cafe or phone Lilyponds. Also check out their website at
in Beechmont. The cafe provides meals and is https://lilyponds.com.au .
licensed, with Black Hops craft beer available. Individuals are responsible for booking their own
Proceeds from the cafe directly assist in the rebuild camping sites but anyone interested in sharing
and recovery of Binna Burra Lodge. Lodge bunk accommodation are advised to contact me
by 10 February.
Patricia Kolarski
Coming Walks
Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise Past Walks
the meeting place and car pooling and has full Purling Brook Falls Circuit 28 December
discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible This walk was originally planned to be an exploration of
provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish Little Nerang Creek led by Gerry, and ended up being a
to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans. walk around Purling Brook Falls circuit with a detour to
Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to Warringa Pool and a bonus visit to Best of All Lookout
a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before led by Helen. We are adaptable, as we have to be in
Wednesday trips. these days of drought, fire, flood and park closures.
7 of us met at Gwongorella carpark and did the usual
More details are available in the club calendar.
anti-leech preparations. It must have worked as
leeches were not a feature of the walk.
February 2020 We walked to the base of the cliff and immediately
1-4 Sat-Tues Harrys Hut (Cooloola) B/C turned left towards Warringa Pool. There were quite a
Michael Hoopmann few day trippers near the main falls but the numbers
1 Sat Thylogale Track (Sth D’Aguilar) D/W dropped noticeably as we made our way down the
Helen McAllister creek. Warringa Pool was a good place for a snack.
2 Sun Toolona Circuit (Green Mountains) D/W
Patricia Kolarski
4 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
5 Wed Bribie Island walk D/W
Helen McAllister
9 Sun Queens Park Nature Centre (Ipswich)SOC
Sandy Thomas
15 Sat West Canungra Cct (Green Mts) D/W
Aileen Elliott
16-24 Sun-Mon Blue Mountains B/C
Margie Rae

March 2020
3 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
8 Sun Mt Glorious D/W
Peter Pendle At Warringa Pool Photo: Michael H

Page 2 of 4

Purling Brook Falls Photo: Michael H
We retraced our steps to Purling Brook Falls and joined
a large group of daytrippers admiring the slim stream
of water plunging over the dramatic cliff-line. By now
the weather had changed from overcast and misty to
bright sunshine. A steady walk up the incline on the
east side of the creek brought us back above the cliffs.
Our return to the carpark and cafe was perfectly timed
to beat the lunchtime rush. With plenty of time left in
the day we decided to visit Best of All Lookout.
Best of All view Photo: Michael H
An easy 600 metre return walk led us to a view that
lived up to it’s name. The Tweed Caldera was laid out
below us and even the Byron Bay lighthouse was
visible on the far horizon. It was a fitting climax to an
enjoyable day of walking on Springbrook Mountain.
Thanks to Helen (for leading), Gerry, Dave, Margie,
Sandy, and Mary for your good company.
Michael H
Page 3 of 4
Mt Tamborine walks 25 January
Sometimes it takes a disruption like the drought / fires
situation to force a change. The restriction of walk
options has encouraged us to have another look at
some of the overlooked destinations that are quite
close to home. Mt Tamborine is one.
John B led a group of 11 enthusiastic walkers on two
walks. The first was the Jenyns Circuit in the Palm
Grove section of Tamborine National Park. This track is
approximately 5km long, and passes through rainforest
and palms. Although it goes down the side of the
mountain, the track is well graded and there are no
steep sections. The track used to lead to Jenyns Falls,
but this access is now closed off. It is unlikely the falls
would have been running anyway, despite the recent
rain. The forest was quite moist though. We saw a
leech on the information map at the start of the walk,
which didn’t bode well, but thankfully it was the last
leech we saw.
On the Lower Creek circuit Photo: Michael H
The second walk was the Curtis Falls Lower Creek
circuit, about a 3km return walk in Joalah section. This
leads down Cedar Creek from near Curtis Falls, with a
loop section at the end. There are some steeper
sections to get down to creek level, but steps take care
of that. Most of the track is sheltered by rainforest, and
palm groves are prominent. We spotted a colony of
flying foxes. A small bit of rock hopping was involved
but the creek was low so there weren’t any problems.
Quite a few day trippers were out to enjoy the cooler
conditions in the rainforest, though some of them found
that white sandals or thongs were not appropriate wear
to deal with the mud and slipperiness underfoot!
On the return walk we took a side path that leads to
Curtis Falls. The falls were not up to their usual
strength but they were running. It was pleasant to
experience the natural cool air conditioning in the
green forest environment.
We retreated to an excellent cafe for lunch where there
was a lot of conversation to catch up on. Thanks to
John B for leading these walks, and Dave, Gerry, Jim,
Julie, Marion, Sandy, Helen, Belinda and Lynn for your
enjoyable company. Michael H
 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
Garmin GPS First Aid Kits
President Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Vice President Michael Freemantle 0427 198 496
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Secretary Lynn Nicol 0400 705 041
of Australia included.
Treasurer Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
PLBs with inbuilt GPS
Outings Officer Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
3 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at
Membership Officer Helen McAllister 0419 684 319 each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 club meeting.
Training Officer Vacant Contact John Brunott on 0448 761 097 to book these items.
Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Other Voluntary Positions
Equipment Officer John Brunott 0448 761 097 Redland Bushwalkers Club
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
BWQ Rep Ralph Hales 0422 205 120
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980 walks per calendar year. This will be with the agreement of the
Meeting Place activity leader. Members of BOSQ have priority for nominations.
Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. YHA Bushwalkers
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
A coin donation is appreciated.
Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
Membership financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
Probationary Membership This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
the membership fee. Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
Ordinary Membership
A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and Feature Pic
signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form
and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee
member or walk leader.
The proposer may be any current member of the club.
An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be
elected to a committee position.
Members of Another Bushwalking Club
Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with
Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and
who are covered by the same insurance do not need to become
a member of our club to go on our walks. However QBW
members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.
Payments
Pay fees or other items direct to the QBW club account at:
BSB: 124-057
Account No: 20421276
Account Name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club
Reference: Include your name and what the payment is for –
eg “RSmith member fee”. Lake Rotoiti, NZ – start of the Travers - Sabine track
Website Nov 2019..
Additional information is available on the club website at URL: Photo: Michael H
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

Page 4 of 4