PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
View from the Stern
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the October newsletter.
Our feature article this month looks at a Main Range
circuit walk, and there are several other walk reports
from all points of the compass. A social outing to the
Gold Coast featured a paddle on the Broadwater.
Upcoming walks on the club calendar include base
camps at Glen Rock, Girraween and Mapleton.
There are several planned outings to visit the recently
re-opened Binna Burra. It’s also time to sift through
your bush walking photos from the past year for the
annual QBW photo competition. QBW’s Annual
General Meeting held on 1 September resulted in a
largely unchanged committee. Details are inside.
Keep safe, maintain physical distancing and hygiene,
and enjoy your walking…
Michael H
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Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
October 2020
Photo:MH
QBW Christmas Party Weekend 4-6 December
This is a heads up to reserve the date on your calendar
for the QBW Christmas Party on 4-6 December 2020.
The venue is Bigriggen Campground, Rathdowney.
It is expected that we will follow the standard format for
the event, though this year Covid-19 conditions will
apply. More details will be provided in due course.
Annual General Meeting
The club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on
Tuesday 1 September 2020 with a healthy roll-up of
members.
The election of office bearers resulted in little change
from the previous committee. Michael Freemantle
retired from the position of vice-president and we thank
him for his services over the last year. The 2020-21
management committee is comprised of:
President Michael Hoopmann Interested in Mountaineering literature?
Vice President John Brunott I have a collection of over a hundred books that I would
Secretary Lynn Nicol be happy to share with QBW members. If interested
Treasurer Aileen Elliott please email mjfreemantle@yahoo.com.au and I will
Membership Officer Helen McAllister email back the list of books available for loan.
Training Officer Vacant Michael Freemantle
Editor Michael Hoopmann QBW Membership and Renewal
Social Secretary Sandra Thomas
Outings Officer Richard Kolarski Membership is on an annual basis. The fee of $30
covers the 2020/21 club year from 1 July. Helen, our
The following important roles were accepted by: membership officer, would be delighted to hear from
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock you when you plan to sign up.
Equipment Officer John Brunott
BWQ Delegates Ralph Hales Payment by direct transfer into the club bank account
Richard Kolarski. is preferred. Payment details are on page X.
Note that you also need to fill out a membership form
(same form for new member or renewal), sign it and
either post, scan & email or hand it to Helen at a club
meeting. The club email is qldbwc@yahoo.com.
Social Event - Paradise Point Paddle 13 September
Four paddlers, Sandy, Mary, Michael and Anna, one
sailor, Margie, and an academic (Bernard) met at
Paradise Point Sailing Club at 8am on a falling tide.

2020 Photo Competition

The Queensland Bushwalkers Club Photo Competition
is on again. Entries must be digital images only taken
on a Queensland Bushwalkers Club event (except for
the Non-club category) since the 2019 November
meeting.

There are 4 categories:

Pictorial: Photographs of any broad natural scene.
Pictorial photographs can include for example creeks,
seascapes, waterfalls, mountains, rocky outcrops, and
clouds
Nature: Photographs depicting flora or fauna,
excluding domestic animals. This category should also
exclude evidence of man. Examples of nature
photographs are birds, animals, native flowers, forest,
fungi, reptiles, insects etc
Club Character: Photographs showing one or more
people participating in a bushwalking type of activity
and can be humorous as well as serious.
Non-Club Bushwalk: Photographs taken on private
walks that comply with the Nature or Pictorial
categories.
Readying for launch Photo: Sandy
5 entries allowed per category per member (limit of 20 Our intent was to circumnavigate Sovereign and
in total) preferably submitted on a USB Memory Stick Ephraim islands located in the Broadwater (northern
(named, which can be returned). Please do not email. Gold Coast) The tide and wind did not work in favour of
everyone, so four paddlers and one sailor circled
Each entry photo needs to be titled as follows: Ephraim Island and three paddled the extra loop
Name_Title_Location_Category_Image Number.jpg around Sovereign Island. We all met later for a coffee
eg. John Smith_MtNorman_GirraweenNP_Nature_1.jpg in the park with Bernard who had ably assisted with the
Photos must be titled this way or the entries launch and later reloading of water craft onto vehicles.
cannot be identified. After a chat and departure of two, the remaining four
Hand in your entries at the November Club meeting did the mangrove boardwalk where we were rewarded
2020. The winners will be announced at the Club by a display of rainbow bee-eaters. We returned along
Christmas Party. Besides the winners in each category the sandy beach. All agreed it was a successful outing.
which will be decided by a judge, there will also be the Thanks to my fellow attendees. Sandy T
People's Choice award.

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 General News Coming Walks
Covid-19 Update
Queensland Health advice must be followed by all club With the update of Covid-19 pandemic
members while engaging in QBW activities including restrictions applying from 3 July 2020,
social events and meetings. Note the Covid-19 QBW continues to provide walks and
protocol on the club website and click here for the
latest Queensland Health Directions. activities under specific conditions.
Updates are posted on QBW’s website.
Qld Health recently forwarded this advice regarding car Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
pooling - ‘There are no restrictions on the number of contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
people you can travel with in a car or the distance you the meeting place and car arrangements and has full
can travel ... Passengers should practice good hygiene discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
before, during and after travelling in a vehicle.’ provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
Most Queensland national parks, forests and
recreation areas are open for visiting, camping and Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
walking. For the latest advice about what rules apply a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
see: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/covid-19/. Wednesday trips.
Bookings can be made at https://qld.gov.au/camping in More details are available in the club calendar.
advance of any planned visits.
Maximum camper numbers will be set for each October 2020
campground to limit risks of congestion and to aid 3-5 Sat-Mon Glen Rock (Gatton) B/C
compliance with Qld Health Covid19 directions. Richard Kolarski
5 Mon Dave’s Creek Circuit (Binna Burra) D/W
Message from Biosecurity Queensland Helen McAllister
6 Tues Club meeting 7:30pm
Planning to go bush these holidays? Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
By ensuring that your shoes and clothes are clean 8-12 Thu-Tues Girraween (Stanthorpe) B/C
before you go hiking or mountain biking, you can Margie Rae
protect our precious native bushland from plant 10 Sat Split Rock (Binna Burra) D/W
diseases such as Phytophthora dieback and myrtle Richard Kolarski
rust. Both diseases can result in death of our 11 Sun Walks planning & BBQ SOC
susceptible native plants. Patricia Kolarski
Help protect our bushland from invasive species, come 17 Sat Spring Mt & Balancing Rocks (Ipswich)D/W
clean and leave clean. Richard Kolarski
Don’t destroy what you have come to enjoy! 18 Sun Ships Stern (Binna Burra) D/W
Aileen Elliott
Lamington NP Updates 24 Sat Coochiemudlo Island walk SOC
Sandy Thomas
The Queensland National Parks website advises that
only two walks (Gwongorool and Lower Bellbird) in the November 2020
3 Tues Club meeting 7:30pm
Binna Burra section remain closed. Part of the Caves
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Circuit is also closed due to road construction work
until 31 October. There will be delays of up to 15
minutes due to roadworks during October. Proposed Walks
All walking tracks in the Green Mountains area are Glen Rock State Forest Base Camp 3-5 October
open. It is recommended to contact the information Saturday – Mt Hennessy 20+km walk 675m elevation
centre prior to making plans in the park. Sunday – Red Rock (with Mt Philp option) 7.3km walk
The revitalised Green Mountains Camping Area has 630m elevation
opened for bookings from 18 September 2020.
Bookings for campsites must be done with O’Reilly’s Monday – Glen Rock or Point Townson
Rainforest Retreat (not National Parks). If you wish to join this base camp please contact
Pricing is set by O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Richard by phone on 0455 879 785.
varies depending on whether you book mid-week,
weekend or peak. The least expensive option is a
basic unpowered camping site at $30 per night for 4 Bibbulmun Track WA September 2021
people. It is necessary when booking to provide the At the beginning of September 2021 I am planning to
dimensions of your tent(s). Powered sites and safari walk the 1000km Bibbulmun track from Perth to
tents (glamping) are also available. For info see: Albany. The walk should take about 50 days with food
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/tourism/ecotourism/green- drops along the way. There are three sided huts with
mountains/ water and drop toilets.
If you are interested please let me know.
Mary Sherlock

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 Past Walks
Bally Mountain Walk 12 September
Richard, Mary, Ralph and Chris arrived in good time at
738 Bonogin Rd, Bonogin. Sounds like a place, well it
is, a couple of dwellings with an off-grid feel and a big
steel gate, beside which is a pedestrian entry to a road.
As Richard described, it was a road, a good one at
that, initially alongside Bonogin Creek, undulating
through a Texas ranch style archway with the name
“Rose Gum”. The property upon which we were about
to walk into was previously private property purchased
by Gold Coast City Council for conservation purposes.
We passed the “do not enter” straight up the hill track
before turning left off the road and over a concrete
culvert across the creek and continued the walk up the
road and hill till at long last the road ceased and it was
off-track and up a steeper hill till we arrived at a single
track going east–west on top of the ridge
We continued eastward, with several ups and downs till
coming upon a family group of 4 who had come up the
shorter steep route and were breakfasting and ready to
chat, especially with Chris! Onward before a short
scrambly section prior to the top of Bally Mountain.

View towards razorback & coast Photo: Ralph

The down hill road was good but steep until it came to
a flattish area where dwellings had been close to the
creek. It added a couple of more k’s to the walk but
very happy we did this. The walk took approx. 3.5
hours with breaks and was thoroughly enjoyable with a
cooling breeze and lush vegetation all round. The café
stop has to be mentioned – just down the Bonogin
Road on our return leg called “The Little Corner Store”
made great coffee, coffee milk shakes and a terrific
croissant twirl muffin with cream and raspberry on top.
What a way to finish a great bushwalk.
Thankyou Richard. Mary

Mt Joyce 26 September
Mt Joyce is situated in the Wyaralong Dam recreation
area between Boonah and Beaudesert. There are
40km of shared trails and 25km of dedicated mountain
bike trails. 8 club members met in the carpark near the
dam wall.
On top of Bally Mountain Photo: Ralph
We watched a number of mountain bike riders head off
Great views to Gold Coast, Burleigh, Coolangatta as to test their skills on the designated and challenging
well as Tallebudgera Mountain, Boyds Butte and Mount bike paths, before shouldering our packs and heading
Warning, the Cougals and the razorback to Little Bally along the
Mountain and its ridge back to Bonogin road via some Shoreline Trail
private property (I believe). Lunch with a view before next to the water.
the family of 4 joined us on the peak. Dam capacity
On heading back it was decided to continue along the was at 93% so
single track to just before the next gate (continued onto the water views
Mt Gannon) where we went off-track for a bit before the were very
down hill hike out on the outward and return road with picturesque.
some assistance from the GPS. However, it has to be
This section of
mentioned that we discovered at least two more
the track was
marked tracks (pink tape) or was it 3? (ask Richard) for
just over 5km.
Richard to explore. We suspected one may have taken
us back to Tallebudgera Creek Road and two were off Shoreline Trail water views Photo: MH
to the north roughly in the direction whence we came.

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On reaching the Ngumbi campsite at the houses we
had morning tea on the verandah, after which we
strolled down to the kayak landing inlet. Feeling rested
and refuelled we retraced our steps to begin our climb
to the summit of Mt Joyce along the Ridgeline Trail.
The track was very steep but the windy conditions
quickly dried our perspiration on the 400m ascent.
We found a few places to pause and enjoy the views.
Reaching the top gave splendid views of the dam, the
campsite, and the mountains from Mt Lindesay and Mt
Barney across to the Main Range escarpment.

Scenic Rim views Photo: MH

After a quick change of shirts we headed to the

Overflow Estate 1895 Winery for coffee, live music and
a chat with the owners. The staff were very friendly and
welcoming and were also impressed when we pointed
out the mountain across the lake where we had
lunched a short time ago on the summit.
Thanks to all participants on the day.
Sandy
Pages Pinnacle 19 September

Heading up Photo: Sandy T

Lunch was enjoyed at the top while we pondered the
winery near the shoreline on the other side of the lake.
The route back to the cars was via the Grasstree Trail
which then rejoined the Shoreline Trail back to the
carpark to complete our 16km walk.

Pages Pinnacle Perambulators Photo: Mary

On Saturday19th five of us set out to conquer Pages

Ngumbi view from Mt Joyce
Pinnacle. We started from Pine Creek Rd, walking up a
rough rocky and often quite steep track until we turned
off on to a well worn trail which was easy to find as
someone had marked the tree with the word “Pinnacle”
running vertically up the trunk.
We decided to go the lower route which looked like it
had had a lot of traffic making it a well defined trail.
Pages Pinnacle overlooks the Hinze Dam and has
good views of Egg Rock, Binna Burra and Springbrook
After descending the track back to the cars we went to
the cafe at Hinze Dam for coffee and for a view of
where we had just walked.
Thanks to Patricia for co-leading the walk and to
Helen, Jim, and Bill for making it an enjoyable day.
Photo: Sandy T Mary

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Mt Superbus and Lincoln Wreck Circuit 4-6 September
The title of this walk is a little misleading, since it involved a lot more than just getting to the Lincoln wreck via
Mt Superbus. In fact some may agree that that was a relatively ‘easy’ part of the overall experience. Whatever -
it was an awesome walk over three days through some of SE Queensland’s most spectacular scenery.
Participants met at Boonah and made their way to Teviot Gap to commence the three day epic. There were some
last minute queries – did we really need to carry 4 litres of water? All the way up Superbus?? Well yes – just
think of it as character building and possibly life saving.
The path up Mt Superbus is well trodden and direct
with just a few tree falls. A few steeper sections would
be quite challenging in wet conditions but fortunately
we had fine weather. 550 metres of relentless up later
we stood on the north summit. The views are minimal
with just a small window through the trees to the north.
After a break and chat with other hikers we set off
along the ridge to the south summit. Due to drought the
vegetation is not as lush as it once was so the route
was relatively easy to find. Care had to be taken at a
couple of places where paths diverged off the main
track but we maintained a true course with the help of
Aileen’s trusty GPS.
The south summit hikers campsite was achieved
around 2pm. This allowed plenty of time to erect tents
and visit the wreck site of the Lincoln plane located
about 80 metres down the hillside from the camp.
Again it was difficult to obtain a broad view out over the Fuselage of Lincoln wreck Photo: MH
surrounding terrain due to the thickness of the trees but
it was sufficient to affirm that we were on the highest mountain in south east Queensland. The group used the last
light of the day to prepare dinner, and it was an early
night for all.
Next day everyone turned out early and we hit the trail at
7am, an hour earlier than anticipated. Talk about a keen
group of hikers! Maybe it was the fact that the next part
was all downhill? Retracing our steps to the wreck site,
we traversed to the right to locate a gully that runs
straight down the mountain side. Very steeply. And with
very little to hold on to to slow the descent. Very
carefully we descended until we came across one of the
motors from the Lincoln half buried in the base of the
creek. This provided a few minutes to have a rest.
From this point the path leaves the base of the creek
and becomes a little less steep. After over 320 metres of
vertical down the track turns right and traverses along
an old logging road past a waterfall and over a saddle
towards Emu Creek South Branch. The walking along
Photo opportunity Photo: MH this section should be easy but is made more difficult by
constant diversions necessary due to numerous tree

falls. Many of these have occurred following fires which

have devastated the forest north of the saddle. So the
anticipated 2 hours descent took closer to 4 hours. It was
fortunate we’d made an early start.
Very importantly the water in Emu Creek was flowing and
we were able to replenish our water supplies while we
had a welcome rest at a shady waterhole. This rest was
needed as the remainder of the days walk required us to
regain all of the altitude we had just lost, to get back up to
Lizard Point – nearly 600m vertical.
After a half kilometre rock hop along South Branch Ck,
Amanda used her experience from a recent walk to locate
the departure point. Here we commenced climbing the
ridge towards the saddle between the mast and funnel on
the Steamer Formation. Although this route is fairly
Fire impact near Cryptocarya Creek Photo: MH

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 regularly walked and we had a GPS
track, the recent fires and treefalls
had obliterated any sign of a pad.
Progress was slow and the midday
heat sapped our energy. A light
breeze once we gained the ridgeline
revived our spirits. The path
alongside the cliffs was then easy to
follow but the relentless ups and
downs on the hot northern side of the
ridge made a rest break at a large
cave essential. Another short but
tough ascent got us to the top of the
Stern. Several members then chose
to divert 700m back to the end of the
Stern to gain the dramatic view of the
full Steamer Formation and
surrounding valleys.(see page 1)
Yet another climb around the summit
of Mt Steamer finally led us along a
narrow ridge to the eastern
escarpment. The relatively level path
Following the creek Photo: MH was appreciated almost as much as
the stunning views right across the
Scenic Rim in the later afternoon sunlight. This was certainly a highlight of the overall walk. However the views
also revealed the full extent of the final climb to Lizard Point. We all took a collective deep breath and knuckled
down for the last big push up the hill. First of all there were a couple of tricky cliffs to skirt around, but then it just
became an uphill walk, straightforward and always with those exceptional views out to the north and east. A
python curled up on the path provided a brief distraction.
Lizard Point south campsite is located in dense bush and the rapidly receding daylight encouraged us to focus on
setting up camp and cooking dinner. A sprinkle of rain sent us to our tents and it was lights out early again. Most
walkers made it out to the point in the morning to enjoy the sunrise, but it wasn’t a classic. Instead we were
treated to swirling clouds with occasional glimpses into the valleys – a scene every bit as dramatic.
We broke camp by 8am. The walk back over Mt Roberts in the cloud was atmospheric, especially through the
moss laden trees. Then it was the long downhill back to the cars. I must have lagged a little at this stage and by
the time we got back Mary had a table set up with morning tea for us all - complete with home made fruit cake.
What a treat! It was a delightful end to what was an epic and memorable experience with a great team of hikers.
And it was a team effort. Particular thanks is due to Aileen for her GPS tracking skills, Amanda for providing
valuable track knowledge based on previous experience, and Ralph for co-leadership and planning of the walk.
Thank you to Aileen, Amanda, Bert, Mary, Michael F and Ralph for your excellent company and support.
Michael H

View north along Main Range escarpment Photo: MH

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 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. Bushwalking Adventures Queensland
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl (formerly YHA Bushwalkers)
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. https://bushies.org.au
A coin donation is appreciated. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Membership Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
Probationary Membership financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
the membership fee. and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
Ordinary Membership
A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and
signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form Feature Pic
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”.
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL:
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

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Reader competition – can you suggest a caption?

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