Profile for Vonsnrub - Aussie Bushwalking

This Year

Number of Walks Ticked

306.3km

Total Distance Ticked

All Time

193

Number of Walks Ticked

1,830.7km

Total Distance Ticked

Ticks

Name	Date	Difficulty	Distance/Duration
Mt Karioi (North Island NZ)	11 Feb, 2019	Hard	7.4km return 5 hrs
Long but reasonably steady walk. Has amazing views pretty much the whole way! We went after a couple of weeks of sunny weather and there was still slippery mud on the track towards the top, so it would be absolutely diabolical in the wet! Took us about 4hrs return and had one of the best summit views in New Zealand! Quite popular too, would have seen about 10-15 other people doing it the day we did.
Mt Tunbubudla East (Glass House Mountains National Park)	5 Feb, 2019	Hard	4.9km return 3.5 hrs
After reading the comments I came here expecting the worst, was actually pleasantly surprised. I drove in following the transmission line road and parked where the National Park gate was. Nice well marked tracked up into the saddle between the 2 peaks. From there it was a well marked track up to the summit which was steep and slippery but no more than Mt Eerwah (not Beerwah). The view was pretty non existent and there were a lot of mosquitoes but as far as walks go it was not too bad, there was never a point where I was bush bashing.
Mt Tunbubudla West (Glass House Mountains National Park)	5 Feb, 2019	Hard	4.7km return 3.5 hrs
Definitely the pick of the 2 peaks. The hike up was about as steep as the East peak with a very small amount of scrambling. There was a very nice unobstructed view to the north (Beerwah, Coonowrin etc) but there are probably other peaks you can expel less effort on to get a better view. Very well marked (once you find the entrance to the walk), takes just over 2 hours at a reasonably casual rate to do both peaks, enjoy the view and get back to the car.
Bluff Knoll Summit (Stirling Range National Park)	2 Feb, 2019	Medium	6km return 3 hrs
Got there in the morning to discover it completely engulfed in cloud but persevered anyway. Took me 1hr to walk to the top at a brisk pace and saw many people along the way. It has a similar level of intensity to Mt Warning except without the scramble component. Sat up the top for a couple of hours waiting for the cloud to clear which it eventually did and I'm glad I waited because the views are excellent, I can see why it's known as the best mountain climb in WA!
Mt Coochin (East and West Peaks) (Glass House Mountains National Park)	26 Jan, 2019	Medium	2.8km return 2 hrs
Nice easy hike to the summit, reminded me a lot of Mt Coolum. Views from the Western (larger) summit were good, however slightly blocked by scrub. Was nice seeing all the Glasshouse Mountains from the north for once. The track is very well marked, was expecting it to be like Mt Miketeebumulgrai but was pleasantly surprised.
Spring Mountain (Angelica Ave trailhead) (White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate)	20 Jan, 2019	Hard	11km return 4 hrs
Nice gradual walk through a labyrinth of fire roads and trails, definitely pays to have a GPS just to make sure you are on the right track. Despite the relatively low elevation there are great views along the way and Spring Mountain itself has a nice 360 degree view including views of the city and Mt Cootha. There is a small aerial on the summit which serves to confirm you have indeed summitted the correct peak.
Mount Ernest (Mt Barney National Park)	16 Jan, 2019	Very Hard	11km return 9 hrs
Well the other people who have done this weren't lying, it's quite a hard climb. It's not as physically exhausting as Barney but the track is for the most part ... non existent, but as others have said so long as you follow the ridge line you should be alright. And for everyone's information if you want a direct number to call to enquire about permission for this walk it is 55441222 (Rathdowny info centre). The walk pretty much has 4 stages - Stage 1: Walk from Yellowpinch, through the private property gate (with permission) up to the base of the mountain Stage 2: Up a steep boulder covered slope where you are constantly sliding and falling over and looking for snakes (I did see one) Stage 3: Scrambling up the precarious cliffs Stage 4: About the last quarter you spend just hiking along a rough track to the summit. Recommend a GPS so you can follow the path of least resistance and also be mentally prepared for what is in store. There are a lot of false summits and it's less soul destroying when you expect them. The view at the top is alright - pretty much a direct side on view of Barney East and West. I've included photos of view from the bottom and the top.
Mt Eerwah (Sunshine Coast)	13 Jan, 2019	Hard	2.8km return 3 hrs
Very well marked yet steep track. Not so bad on the way up but I challenge anyone to go down without falling over at least once - kind of a bit like Mt Blaine. View from the top is mostly obstructed but there are a few windows offering nice views. Saw a few people out and about and 2 dogs roaming the mountain guiding people up and down.
Mt Barney West Peak (Mt Barney National Park)	10 Jan, 2019	Very Hard	17km return 8 hrs
Always felt cheated that I missed climbing it back when I did the East peak so came back to set things right. South Ridge was very easy to follow with frequent arrows (still recommend GPS to be safe). May as well pocket said GPS when you head up the West Peak because it's a maze of tracks that all lead to the summit. The top is a lot less open than the east peak, but has plenty of little outlooks to check out the view. No harder or easier than the eastern peak in my opinion. I believe it's only 3 meters taller! Took me 6.5hrs from carpark to carpark with some time at the summit. Saw a lot of skink like creatures, most likely skinks. And saw a snake as well (slipped underneath a log and I wasn't game to pull it out to identify it). Very quiet today, didn't see a single person.
Mt Cougal (Springbrook National Park)	5 Jan, 2019	Hard	10km 5 hrs
One of my favourite mountains so far! Starts with a steep uphill section then flattens out for the majority of the walk...that is until you reach the summit climb which was reasonably steep. Following the track away from the border fence you will see the massive rock face ahead of you and hidden behind some boulders you will find the cave. We went pretty far in, found some little bats in there too. If we were a little more ambitious we may have been able to squeeze through the little hole at the end which looks to lead to a nice window in the side of the mountain. Continuing on the walk it maintains its steepness until the summit of the East Peak. Excellent views, I wasn't quite fulfilled so I made a quick diversion over to the west peak. Decent track marked by ribbons, was pretty easy to follow. Took 20 minutes to get from one peak to the other. At the top there is a little campsite if you walk off to the right, if you walk to the left you get an AMAZING view of the Gold Coast hinterland. Don't know what people are talking about, the west peak was way better! Only thing is be very careful, there is a very real chance of falling if you're not and it's a looong drop to the bottom. Getting back to the east peak was a bit trickier, lost the track and had to bush bash (don't know how I screwed it up, it seemed so instinctive on the way up). Track back down from the east peak was pleasant with some nice views along the way. Saw a couple of people there but for the most part it was just us.
Mt Tibberoowuccum (Glass House Mountains National Park)	4 Jan, 2019	Medium	1.7km return 1 hr
I would say that this is a surprisingly underrated mountain. Not terribly high, can get to the top in under 20 minutes, however the view is excellent. The track is easy to follow (so long as you can find the entrance to it), with piles of rocks to mark the way. There is a little fake summit with a view then a track to the actual summit which as people have mentioned, involves a slight scramble (like a mini version of the Mt Warning scramble, so not hard). At the top you are greeted with a commanding view of all the Glasshouse mountains. I would consider it a good quiet alternative to Mt Ngungun, didn't see a single person up there.
Mt Walsh (Mount Walsh National Park)	26 Dec, 2018	Hard	4km return 3 hrs
If anyone has done Spicers Peak then you will know what you are in for because this was VERY similar. Up hill the whole way so mentally prepare yourself for that beforehand (no levelling out for a break). Starts with a steepish ascent then some easy scrambling to the summit (the most enjoyable part in my opinion). Nothing overly dangerous, Beewah is still the most intense scrambling I've done. Very well tracked, some possible opportunities to go astray but so long as you follow the biggest track and the ribbons on the scrambling parts, GPS won't be required. At the top I was a bit surprised to see other minor peaks in the ranges higher than Mt Walsh, including one a few hundred meters away. Went to go try my luck getting to the top of it but there is dense vegetation and no track and didn't look like there was any view there. Unlike the top of Mt Walsh which had an excellent 270 degree view. Took about 3 and a half hours to drive there from Brisbane and less time to climb it, enjoy the view and head back down, but still worth it!
Mount May (Mt Barney National Park)	19 Dec, 2018	Hard	9km return 5.5 hrs
As others have said start it in the carpark and follow a long dirt road until you reach a fence running perpendicular to the road with no gate . That is your sign to look to the left and follow that track up the spine of the mountain to the peak. Nice climb, reminded me of Flinders peak with great views at/near the top. Now heed my warning, go back the way you came, the round trip is perilous and exceedingly difficult to follow. We got shot off onto the wrong ridge and had a hell of a time getting back down. Lots of rock hopping, lantana, cliff faces. Nothing appears to be attached to the side of that mountain, it's all just hanging their precariously, everything you use to steady yourself disintegrates or collapses, or slides down the cliff with you attached to it. There was no pleasure in it at all, 10/10 would not attempt that track again, gets used too infrequently to be obvious.
Bare Rock track and Morgan's Walk (Main Range National Park)	16 Jul, 2018	Medium	13km 4.5 hrs
A friend and i took the hike up to Bare Rock via Mt Cordeaux. Very similar in intensity to the adjacent Mt Mitchell i.e. very cruisy hike, barely know you're climbing a mountain. Was a little outlook NEAR the summit of Mt Cordeaux, was disappointed to find you can't actually reach the actual top short of scrambling up lose steep cliffs. Bare Rock was worth the extra walk, expansive views, really awe inspiring. If I had to chose I'd probably do the Mt Mitchell walk again over the Bare Rock hike just because the view at the top is that little bit better.
Spicer's peak (Main Range National Park)	9 Jun, 2018	Very Hard	6km return 4 hrs
The viewing point at the Governors chair was excellent, from there you have a fairly well marked track all the way to the summit. Had my GPS with me but barely used it. Is a fairly consistent climb and once you get to the cliffs the scrambling begins. The climbing component isn't too extreme and you don't have a lot of exposure (except if like us you have to descend in the rain when all the rocks are wet). The mountain reminded me of a slightly more difficult version of Flinders Peak. Once you get to the top bear left and you can see the summit view which probably isn't quite as good as the views you get when climbing the cliffline. That being said you can see all the Moogerah peaks, the steamers, Barney and beyond from the top. We got a little cocky and decided to duck over to the West summit. Quick tip, don't do that haha It's a lot more effort than we anticipated and there is nothing to see there anyway!
Spicers Peak West (Main Range National Park)	9 Jun, 2018	Hard	18km 2 days
Never again West Peak. Decided to make a detour from the East Peak to see what the West Peak had to offer, and after around an hour of bushbashing, prickles, falling over, constantly losing the track and having to use the GPS we discovered it had very little to offer. There may be views from the cliffline but from the actual summit it's just scrub. Reminded me of Mount Samson only Mt Samson almost had a proper track.
Mt Greville (Moogerah Peaks National Park)	3 Jun, 2018	Hard	6km return 3 hrs
We went up Palm Gorge and came back the SE Ridge. Track was fairly easy to follow, particularly up Palm Gorge where the only way you could really go wrong is if you try to traverse the sheer cliffs on either side of you. View at the top isn't as spectacular as Edwards, but coming back via SE ridge you are treated to an excellent view half way down with a panoramic 180 degree view. The walk wasn't overly difficult, took just over an hour to reach the top.
Mt Miketeebumulgrai (Glass House Mountains National Park)	15 May, 2018	Medium	1.2km return 75 mins
It may not be the most difficult to climb but it sure is the most difficult to pronounce. Similar in intensity to Mt Beerburrum except with a less graded track and a very obstructed view at the top. Like others have said it's pretty easy to lose the track, partly due to people like me who follow someone elses incorrect track then have to bushbash back to the real track thereby creating another false track. That being said it's all pretty straight forward, one way or another you'll get to the top and back to the bottom even if you don't start or end in exactly the right place. Takes about 30 minutes return at a medium pace.
Mt Blaine Summit Trail (Ipswich - Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate)	12 May, 2018	Hard	5km return 3 hrs
Nice shortish walk (around 90 minutes return). Starts from the same carpark as Flinders and tracks along a dirt road. There will be an information sign on your right for Mt Blaine with a faint track, be sure to take that one. You can still climb the mountain from the track found a bit further on at the barbed wire fence, but it gets a little ... spidery. Short but steep and slippery track to the summit with loose rocks galore and a lot of opportunities to fall over. At the top there is a nice clearing with a 360 degree view and a book you can sign, and also a snap lock bag with some fairly suspiscious looking items (like the spoon and the lighter...). Wouldn't say this walk is very hard, more medium than anything.
Mt Warning Summit Trail (Wollumbin National Park)	7 May, 2018	Hard	8.3km return 5 hrs
Very busy mountain, heaps of people coming up with climbers of all ages. The walk was actually not dissimilar from Mt Mitchell for the most part, very easy and gradual climb apart from the last 400m being a steep rock staircase. Plenty of things to hang onto (including a chain) and was quite do-able even in the wet. Which was just as well because the moment we got to the top it bucketed down, didn't see any view unfortunately. If the forecast says anything other than 'clear and sunny', you'll probably experience the same. Took about 80 minutes on the way up and slightly less on the way down.