This Year
0
Number of Walks Ticked
0.0m
Total Distance Ticked
All Time
104
Number of Walks Ticked
519.2km
Total Distance Ticked
| Name | Date | Difficulty | Distance/Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sandstone Overhang - 'The Caves' (Ravensbourne National Park) |
1 May, 2021 |
Medium |
4.8km return 2 hrs |
|
|
Palm Creek Circuit (Ravensbourne National Park) |
1 May, 2021 |
Medium |
3.6km return 75 mins |
|
|
Rainforest Circuit (Ravensbourne National Park) |
1 May, 2021 |
Medium |
1.7km return 40 mins |
|
|
The Pinnacle and Fairview Mountain via Valley Break (Springbrook National Park) |
21 Apr, 2021 |
Hard |
6km return 2.5 hrs |
|
|
Bally Mountain (Gold Coast) |
21 Apr, 2021 |
Hard |
9.5km return 4 hrs |
|
| This is now a full loop, the trail splits at a sign about 100m from the parking circle. The anticlockwise (western) half to the peak is a newer path and considerably easier than the more rugged and overgrown clockwise (eastern) half. The eastern half also takes longer to complete and includes some scrambling over minor rock ridges. If you do ascend from the western approach you’ll initially follow a fire trail the better part of a kilometre before the ascent starts from a marked trail on your left. Just before you get there the path turns squarely towards the peak so you can get a good look at it - and also be able to note how much you’ll be ascending in a comparatively short distance! It’s a good fun mountain to walk with steep but navigable trails. There’s some minor scrambling along the east side of the peak and a few sections of path at the top were a little overgrown, but navigation was easy and obvious the whole way along. The views from the top are also excellent. |
||||
|
Aquila Loop (D'Aguilar National Park) |
11 Dec, 2020 |
Hard |
21km 2 days |
|
| Perfectly manageable as a day walk for those used to longer distances. Allow between 7 - 11 hours depending on fitness level. Also worth noting that the Westside Track is currently closed between Lawton Road and Western Window, so be prepared to walk a couple of kilometres along Mount Glorious Road to close the circle. Completed this loop in a clockwise direction and recommend for others to do so - the second half is the more interesting part and personally I prefer saving the best 'til last. As regards pacing, England Creek Bush Camp (situated directly on the trail) is at the lowest point of the walk. So, you're walking downhill all the way to it and uphill all the way back. Be prepared! The vast majority of this walk is along fire trails which I personally find pretty mundane, however there's enough interesting flora and fauna and a small spattering of views to make it worthwhile. The trail from Northbrook Mountain Bush Camp to Lawton Road (via Northbrook Mountain) is a much more pleasing rugged trail along a ridge line, and from a hiking point of view the highlight of the trip. Some navigation is required there, however, as the path at times is intermittent or confused with animal trails. Westside Track is also a very pleasing trail and worth doing in itself. |
||||
|
South Kobble bush camp walk (D'Aguilar National Park) |
3 Dec, 2020 |
Very Hard |
10km 6 hrs |
|
| Did this as part of a large loop including North Kobble and Middle Kobble campsites. Enjoyable though it was it was quite a tough run doing all three in one day. The access track to South Cobble starts from the fire trail about 600m south of Middle Kobble campsite. At time of writing there is a small cairn and band of pink tape marking the spot. A small but defined path leads you eastwards about 350m up a hillock before descending to the northeast. When you crest a second hillock about another 350m along, the path splits. I took the way going southeast (directly towards the campsite). Not very far along the path becomes intermittent after which I lost it. I descended a steep slope into the valley, utilising animal trails where I could, and even an old logging trail briefly, before I intersected a path again. I followed it down a steep earthy spur but lost it once more. After this I just bush bashed into the creek. I emerged into the creek just east of the confluence of Kobble Creek and Musket Creek (it's the last confluence before the campsite, about 400m west of it). Following the creek was easy going and the campsite is marked on a small path leading off the north side of the creek. A few log benches are there if you fancy a sit down. From here there are several ways out but I chose to follow Kobble Creek west and ascend up its South Branch. This was the highlight of the trip for me and well worth doing. It's worth noting the creek was dry when I was there, and it may not be possible to do this during wetter times. Starting from the campground walk west until you get to the first confluence (Kobble and Musket). Take the branch to the right (Kobble, the more northerly) and continue on. Initially the creek is largely walkable but then becomes progressively more 'rock hoppery'. About half a kilometre west of the confluence you come to a waterfall that must either be climbed or circumvented (the creek here has steep sides so circumventing would require some forethought). The waterfall itself is not a difficult climb however reaching its base is tricky because of a large pool at its foot. I opted to shimmy along a small ledge to its left side, however it should be noted the ledge was narrow, slippery, and directly above rock filled water - an unpleasant combination. Beyond, the rocks in the creek grow larger and ascend more steeply, requiring an increasing amount of scrambling and in places some non technical climbing. A few hundred metres beyond, a second waterfall also needs to be ascended. It's possible you could circumvent this one more easily however I again opted to climb directly up it. Some level of climbing skill is needed to do so. Above, the creek becomes narrower and ascends more steeply until you reach a second confluence. Again, remaining to the right (the more northerly) branch, I followed Kobble Creek about another 150m where I came to a third confluence. This is where I turned southwards, taking the way on the left into the Kobble Creek South Branch. At time of writing there was a pink band on a tree marking this point. Not far into this creek there are two trails that lead up southwards (on your left) onto the ridge line above. Both points are marked by pink ribbon, at time of writing. I took the second path, about 250m from the confluence (third pink ribbon in). The initial ascent is steep and slippery but the path is easy enough to follow, albeit narrow and twisting. Eventually the ascent shallows and you intersect the Piper Comanche/Mt. D'Aguilar access trail. Turn right here and follow it westwards 1200m or so back to the car park. |
||||
|
North Kobble bush camp walk (D'Aguilar National Park) |
3 Dec, 2020 |
Medium |
20km return 8 hrs |
|
| A pleasant little seating area at the campsite. The campsite itself is signed, so easy to find. The path is a fire trail the entire way along and though that's not the kind of thing I usually go for there's certainly enough nature along the way to keep things interesting. Easy enough to do this with Middle Kobble on the way back, or even South Cobble if you're a faster walker and start early. |
||||
|
Middle Kobble bush camp walk (D'Aguilar National Park) |
3 Dec, 2020 |
Medium |
10km 5 hrs |
|
| Easy to combine with North Kobble or South Kobble. The walk to it is along fire trails the entire way. The waterfall is located about 50m north of the camp and has a small path leading to it. | ||||
|
Upper Kobble Creek South Branch (D'Aguilar National Park) |
3 Dec, 2020 |
Medium |
4.5km return 3 hrs |
|
|
Hidden Waterfall (Brisbane Forest park D'Aguilar National Park) |
3 Dec, 2020 |
Medium |
5.25km return 2.5 hrs |
|
|
Piper Comanche Wreck (D'Aguilar National Park) |
25 Nov, 2020 |
Hard |
7.5km return 2 hrs |
|
|
Keperra Bushland Lookout (Brisbane City Council Local Walks) |
6 Nov, 2020 |
Medium |
3.4km return 90 mins |
|
|
Yugar Rail Trail (South East Queensland) |
6 Nov, 2020 |
Easy |
2km return 30 mins |
|
|
Brian Burke Reserve / House Mountain (South East Queensland) |
6 Nov, 2020 |
Medium |
5km return 2 hrs |
|
| I would personally rate this as a medium, not a hard: the walk is entirely along fire trails with the majority of the walk at a comparatively easy incline, although some sections can prove to be steeper. Towards the start of the walk the trails branch multiple times. Each major junction is marked by a sign with a map, however, and as best as I could tell it appeared that almost every branch eventually connected back to the main feeder trail that runs to the top of the mountain, so being careful with navigation is not required. If in doubt just remain on the main fire trail by staying to the left of each fork. It should be noted that those who want to push themselves with some steeper tracks can explore some of the more interesting trails jutting off here. Some are much more rugged and offer a higher level of intensity. After linking back up with the main fire trail the track continues along the ridge line at a relatively easy gradient (with one or two steeper sections) until you reach the peak. Small sections of view can be glimpsed but no panorama. The fire trail continues on about another 150m after which there is a gate delineating private property. Return down the same way. |
||||
|
Spring Mt Caldera (Thornbill Drv trail head) (White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate) |
30 Oct, 2020 |
Hard |
14km return 5 hrs |
|
|
North Cliff Track (Moogerah Peaks National Park) |
21 Oct, 2020 |
Very Easy |
720m return 15 mins |
|
|
Mee-bor-rum Circuit (Moogerah Peaks National Park) |
21 Oct, 2020 |
Easy |
840m return 20 mins |
|
|
Mt Greville via Razor back ridge, waterfall Gorge, Bare rock, the ladder, the peak (Moogerah Peaks National Park) |
21 Oct, 2020 |
Very Hard |
7km return 5 hrs |
|
| I'm going to write about this walk with a high level of detail to hopefully help others navigate the way correctly and also to inform those interested in doing this as to what to expect. This walk contains at least two sections of climbing, scrambling near sheer drops and transversing several sections containing loose and unstable rocks. Please be under no illusions that this is an extremely dangerous route and should not be attempted by the inexperienced. I'd never gone this way before and took the wrong way twice but was able to return in just under 5 hours. I'd probably allow for 6 though, and suggest you've done at least one of the other walks on the mountain so you have a general understanding of it. Expect bush bashing, sun exposure and a good workout! Also note that in some sections there may be better ways of ascent than what I took. *The Razorback:* From the car park continue along the fire trail to the first fork and head to the right towards Waterfall Gorge. At the next fork (splitting between the Southeast Ridge and Waterfall Gorge) turn right once again towards Waterfall Gorge. The path heads upwards towards a small crest before descending quickly down into a creek crossing. Just before it starts heading down into the creek, the eagle-eyed may spot a small trail to the right heading down along the side of a rock embankment. At the bottom there is a nice little plunge pool (water dependant on season). This is the place I started my ascent onto the razorback. If you miss the side trail, just follow the creek downstream from the main path for about 50m, but bear in mind you will have to descend a small waterfall section if you do so. There are probably several different routes of ascent up to the razorback, but I started ascending the rock face directly above the plunge pool. The first climb is short but has a reasonable level of difficulty to it and I'd recommend going this way because if you can't do this first section you probably shouldn't continue upwards! Above the initial rock wall is a short scramble through bush before you come to the main rock face leading to the top of the razorback. The rock here is very crumbly, and many of the handholds are set at a slight decline, which increases the difficulty. The 'triangular front' of the razorback should be just to your left. I have no doubt there are multiple routes from this point on, but I personally did not like the decline of the handholds, so instead I made my way about 30m to the right towards a small gully. I climbed the gully (again, some sections were reasonably challenging, especially near the bottom) which took me to the top of the razorback. From the top it appeared that the ground further along to the right (northeast side) was relatively shallow and could possibly offer an easier way up for those who didn't want the steeper climb (and were willing to bush bash another 150-odd metres along to get to it). The rocks at the top of the razorback are extremely unstable, many being quite loose, and often quite crumbly. Handholds and footholds can not be trusted. Extreme care is required here. The drop on the western side is sheer and, frankly, would be fatal, though the drop on the eastern side is more forgiving. The razorback itself is rugged, uneven, and in places very narrow. I was constricted at least once into sidling along the western precipice. The razorback continues for about 150m or so and then widens into a nice easy series of broad rocky slopes. The suggestion for this walk is to descend back down into Waterfall Gorge (be careful as to your route as if you go too early you'll come out above the sheer drop of the gorge itself) but this is unnecessary. Instead you can follow the slope uphill (mainly along rock, though later also including some light bush bashing) until you reach the top of Waterfall Gorge and intersect the path leading to the lookout at Slab Rock. Those concerned about having to climb down off the razorback need not fear - no descent required! *Northern Gorge:* From the lookout at Slab Rock, the Northern Gorge can be accessed by descending the first slope immediately on its western side (to your left, as you look at the peak). In the distance you should see two rock stacks with trees in between. This is where you're eventually going to head for. The slope down into the gorge is earthy and stony and extremely slippery. There is a small path here and though there are no actual drops the way is steep and care is still needed so as not to sprain an ankle. At the bottom stay to the left and immediately start ascending a slope filled with large loose rocks. (Again, no drops here, for those concerned about heights.) The way starts off with loose rocks but soon the foliage thickens and bush bashing becomes increasingly needed. I believe I could see at least two intermittent paths in the gully, the one I was on was to the right and started ascending towards the first of the rock stacks. It skirted under the left side of it and then continued on to the second rock stack. When you reach the second rock stack stay to the left side of it (west side, closest to the main mountain). If you do not the trail will crest a small ridge and then start leading you down another gully and off the mountain - this is wrong, you should only be heading up by now. Stay to the left of the second rock stack and you will start ascending a steep stony gully. This continues up and up to the top of the gully where there is a short rocky scramble into a bushy area below a semi-circle of cliff. From here there were multiple routes up but a short climb up a rock face is required to get to a cave used by climbers (you can see their anchors set into the rock). About 15m to the left of the cave is the ladder. The ladder is set about 2m up the cliff face and is narrow so that only one hand or one foot can be on each rung at a time. It ascends a vertical section of cliff but fortunately the rock offers enough handholds to help you along. You are, however, going to have to trust that whoever installed the ladder did it right! At the top there is a tiny section of climb/scramble over a rocky buttress before a small path zigzags you up through the bush and along gentle slopes to the summit of Mt. Greville (can see it on your left). Descend along the southeast ridge or one of the other main paths. |
||||
|
Mount Edwards (Moogerah Peaks National Park) |
15 Oct, 2020 |
Hard |
6km return 3 hrs |
|