Profile for Michael D - Aussie Bushwalking

This Year

Number of Walks Ticked

16.0km

Total Distance Ticked

All Time

Number of Walks Ticked

143.5km

Total Distance Ticked

Ticks

Name	Date	Difficulty	Distance/Duration
Mount Ernest (Mt Barney National Park)	21 Sep, 2024	Very Hard	11km return 9 hrs
We did a variation of this walk that didn't involve crossing private property (apart from the road from Yellowpinch to the Logan River). After crossing at the ford, we followed the road to the first campsite, then left the road and headed south, crossing Cronan Creek, then over a couple of low ridges before reaching the base of Mt Ernest towards its northeastern end. Then it was a matter of heading straight up the steep, loose slope (watching out for rock falls from your companions). As we approached a small saddle we found a break in the cliff line and came onto the main ridge just beneath the first of the false summits on the northeastern approach (described above). Then it was a case of following the ridge to the summit, sticking closely to the northern cliffs. There were areas of mild exposure and there were footpads in places, but as has been suggested, taking a navigational aid was a good idea, as there were a couple of ridges that can lead you astray. Unfortunately, following the bushfires of 2019, there has been a lot of regrowth, so views from the summit were limited (though there were views on the way up). We returned by retracing our steps, with the loose slope coming down from the saddle the most difficult section. Make no mistake, this was a difficult walk, I thought it more difficult than Mt Barney, because of the steep loose sections and false summits. Don't attempt this walk in summer!
Mt Blaine Summit Trail (Ipswich - Flinders Goolman Conservation Estate)	13 Jul, 2024	Hard	5km return 3 hrs
We did the circuit in two and a quarter hours (including Mt Catherine). Its' a good steep climb with no exposure to speak of. Coming down on the southeast track, you have to be careful on the scree (gloves are good to protect your hands in case you slip over). Once the trail levels out in the eucalypt forest, the trail is quite indistinct, but keep heading downhill and you should eventually find the Sandy Creek track.
The Cream Track (Springbrook National Park)	27 Sep, 2023	Hard	11.5km return 4.5 hrs
Nice and dry today, but also quite hot for September. The track doesn't seem to cross the paddocks of Serenity Farm anymore (as seen in one of the photos). All of the track is in forest. Perhaps the route has been changed, and this is why permits aren't necessary?
Mt Greville: Waterfall Gorge/Palm Gorge circuit (Moogerah Peaks National Park)	16 Apr, 2023	Hard	6.5km return 4 hrs
As described by other walkers, when you come to the (usually dry) waterfall about two thirds of the way up Waterfall Gorge, keep left. We went right (it seemed like a track to me!) and after about 15 steeper and steeper minutes we came to a point where there were cliffs each side, so had to backtrack. I wish I'd read these comments before the walk, not afterwards!
Waterfall Creek Trail (Springbrook National Park)	28 Dec, 2022	Medium	13km return 5 hrs
Plenty of water in the creek, so make sure you bring your towel. It's great fun going through the gorges, not unlike Northbook. PS: I updated the earlier walk description to provide a few more details.
Sandy Creek to Cameron Falls, Mt Tamborine (Tamborine National Park)	6 Nov, 2022	Hard	5.4km return 4 hrs
A beautiful creek walk, with enough water to make it pretty, but not enough to make creek crossings difficult.
Bohgaban Falls (Lamington National Park)	15 Oct, 2022	Hard	10km return 4 hrs
These are very pretty falls with a nice waterhole to swim in. They clearly don't get visited very often but it's worth the effort of walking up the creek. Thankfully, it's not all rock hopping as there are plenty of places along the banks to walk through the bush. There is a lot of crossing back and forth finding the best route though, so be extra careful. And I was very pleased to see there were virtually no Gympie Gympies!
Mt Beau Brummell (South East Queensland)	2 Apr, 2022	Hard	6.5km return 4 hrs
We did this walk with Bushwalkers of Southern Qld. After the rains, there was a fair bit of grass and weeds (I'd recommend gaiters), but bashing through was worth the effort for the view at the top. There isn't much shade, and it's steep in parts, so I wouldn't recommend trying it in summer without a lot of water!
Mt Barney West Peak from Rum Jungle (Mt Barney Summit)	6 Nov, 2021	Hard	2km return 90 mins
No view once we reached the summit because of low cloud, but there were views once we got a bit lower on the way back down. This is a good walk and seemed shorter and more straightforward than East Peak, perhaps because the summit area is not as spread out, with less chance of getting lost on descent. Unfortunately, one of our party slipped on the slabs about 60 metres short of Rum Jungle. He ended up dislocating his shoulder and had to be choppered out!
Northern Scenic Rim Trail to Mt Mistake Campsite Day walk (Main Range National Park)	23 Jul, 2021	Hard	18km return 7 hrs
I did this walk in about 6 hours (return) today. The first hour or so is the toughest, gaining a lot of altitude quickly. It was a wet day, so some of the rocks were slippery (made worse by my boot treads caked in mud)! The views really opened up at the top of the ridge, and it was a nice walk through open woodland. Be careful not to miss the track marker at the start of the walk, turning left and crossing the road from the carpark. I somehow missed the marker and followed the road for a while, before realising I was on the wrong track!
Gap Creek Falls (Main Range National Park)	13 Mar, 2021	Medium	9.5km return 3.5 hrs
I did this walk today, and while it was good to see the track was reopened after the bushfires, it was virtually completely overgrown for about 90% of the walk - the weeds love the lack of canopy. They were over my head in places and it was very difficult to see where I was going. Nonetheless, at least after the recent rains the waterfalls were running nicely. Just before getting to Gap Creek, over to the left there is a very pretty, unnamed waterfall. You get a much better view of this than the actual Gap Creek Falls. Now I'm going to email National Parks and tell them to get the whipper-snipper out! In the meantime, wear gaiters or tough long pants.
Montserrat Lookout and Upper Portals Circuit (Mt Barney National Park)	12 Sep, 2020	Hard	10.5km return 5 hrs
I got the Mazda CX9 to within about 500 metres of the carpark before I lost my nerve, parked on the side of the road and walked the rest of the way. This saved me about an hour's walk up a steep from the Waterfall Creek Campground. The tracks have been recently slashed, which makes finding the start of the track up to the lookout (near the cattleyards) much easier. The walk was a solid slog but the view of Mt Barney was fantastic - I could hardly believe I was in Qld! The track down to the creek was a bit tricky wear the dirt was loose, but my feet went out from me only once! The Upper Portals were great to see (though not the swimming holes that the Lower Portals have).
Mt Greville: Waterfall Gorge/Palm Gorge circuit (Moogerah Peaks National Park)	16 Aug, 2020	Hard	6.5km return 4 hrs
So far, this is my favourite circuit on Mt Greville. Water was running in Waterfall Gorge after rain the day before, but it wasn't too slippery. Next time, I plan to try this circuit going clockwise, ascending via Palm Gorge and descending via Waterfall Gorge.
Westray's Grave from Christmas Creek (Lamington National Park)	17 Apr, 2020	Medium	7.5km return 3.5 hrs
This is a very enjoyable walk, never boring with a few navigational challenges, especially when crossing gullies (it can be difficult to find the track on the other side). As others have commented, don't rely on the pink/orange tape. If you lose the track, walk back towards the creek, not uphill. Take your togs. Regrettably, I didn't and there were some very inviting looking rock pools. Who would have believed we'd get a 34 degree day in mid-April?!
Mt. Mathieson Circuit (Main Range National Park)	15 Apr, 2020	Medium	10.5km 3 hrs
I concur with mjorn's comments. Fires had affected large areas, but there were encouraging signs of forest regrowth. However, the grasses and shrubs growing back meant I spent half an hour picking seeds out of my (and my children's) socks when we got back to Brisbane! They also made finding the track difficult as we approached the summit of Mt Mathieson. Overall, enjoyable with some nice variety. We particularly enjoyed walking along the ridge south from Mt Mathieson.
Mt Clunie (Mt Barney National Park)	9 Jul, 2019	Hard	10.1km return 5 hrs
I did this walk today. According to Google Maps it's about 5km from the border gate to the summit. It took about two hours each way, without stops. The Bushpeople's Guide described "interesting views" but I didn't see too many. The prettiest part of the walk is in the montane rainforest near the summit. Given the steepness of the climb this one is definitely for the cooler months.