PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
Richard discovers Keyhole Falls, Koreelah NP (see report p.3)
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the February newsletter.
The summer heat has certainly made itself felt this
year, with January being reported as the third hottest
on record. Despite this, club members have been
walking enthusiastically in many parts, with the QLD /
NSW border area getting a thorough workout.
There are interstate excursions to Tasmania planned
as well, which could encounter anything from
heatwaves to snow conditions if recent weather reports
are anything to go by. Good luck to those adventurers!
The committee has given notice of a general meeting
required to ratify a change to club rules.
There are details of walks past and planned, and social
opportunities to meet others in the club.
Enjoy your reading and see you on the trail.
Michael H
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Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No 0478 239384
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
February 2018
Photo: Michael H
Walks Planning & BBQ 25 February
A walks planning social BBQ meeting is planned for
25 February at 62A Sewell Road, Tanah Merah.
Bring along a plate to share and ideas for walks.
See QBW's website for the downloadable calendar.
QBW proposed change to Club Rules
A bit of bureaucratic red tape has meant that the club
has to vote again on a proposed change to club rules
to include life membership. A notice has been emailed
to members and a special meeting will be held with the
regular meeting this Tuesday, 6 February, 7.30pm to
resolve the matter.
Please consider attending – mainly for social reasons
of course as there's a lot to catch up on after the
summer recess – but if you can't attend, you may vote
by proxy vote.
 Proposed Walks
Christmas Party 2018 Carnarvon Gorge NP 29 Mar – 2 April 2018
The club committee is hoping to lock in the QBW Patricia is planning an excursion to Carnarvon Gorge
Christmas party venue as soon as possible. If anyone National Park for Easter 2018. Camping will be at
has good suggestions about possible venues please Takarakka Bush Resort just outside the park. Site costs
contact Lynn (Social Secretary) on 0419 686 559. for 2 adults are: Unpowered $38pn/powered $46pn.
Book early if you can and mention QBW so that we can
Wynnum Manly Social Evening 1 March 2018 be together. People with large tents who are willing to
A social evening is planned for Thursday 1 March. share them are very welcome as this will bring down
Organisers envisage a leisurely stroll along the the average cost. To discuss or to let Patricia know you
waterside esplanade from Manly to Wynnum as the have booked please phone her on 0448 526 618.
day surrenders to a glorious sunset, silhouettes of
graceful palms swaying gently in the balmy tropical air,
sibilant sounds of the sea, seafoood, wine and the Coming Walks
merriment of familiar company, dancing and romancing Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
- oops, and then a walk back. Interested? Please contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
contact Lynn (Social Secretary) on 0419 686 559. The the meeting place and car pooling and has full
walk starts at 5.30pm at the Manly Boat Club and goes discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
to Pelican's Nest at Wynnum (a flat 3km return walk). provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
First Aid Training January 2018 to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
Thanks to those members who recently attended First Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
Aid training days. Helen, Patricia, Aileen, Gerry and a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
Mary updated their certificates. Other members are Wednesday trips.
also encouraged to book a day with St Johns to gain or More details are available in the club calendar.
refresh these skills. QBW may offer a rebate of costs.
February 2018
Membership
3 Sat Upper Byron Creek (Mt Glorious) D/W
We welcome Lindsay Forsyth to the club. Lindsay has Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
already joined a few walks (see photo on page 3) and 4 Sun Currumbin Creek Kayak (Currumbin)KYK
we look forward to your company on many more. Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
The club currently has 46 members. The annual fee is 6 Tues Club meeting 7.30pm (Buranda)
$30. Payment can be given or sent to Helen McAllister Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
or directly transferred into the club bank account. 7-8 Wed-Thu Nungulba Falls (Rathdowney) T/W
Payment details are on page 8. Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Note that you also need to fill out a membership 10 Sat Mt Hobwee (Green Mountains) D/W
renewal form, sign it and either post, email or hand it to Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
Helen. The club email is qldbwc@yahoo.com. 11 Sun Boghaban Falls via Moonjooroora Crk
(Numinbah Valley) D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
General News 13 Tues Somerset Trail (Mt Mee) D/W
Pilgrimage 2018 Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
Note your diaries for Pilgrimage 2018 – it will be held 17-18 Sat-Sun Goomburra Walks with Gold Coast BWC
on September 28-30 at Jimna (near Kilcoy). (Goomburra) B/C
John & Lyn Daly 0417 611 810
Larapinta Trek for Melanoma Research
Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) is organising a fund 18 Sun Larapinta Falls (Christmas Creek) D/W
Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
raising trek along the Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory
on 17-23 September 2018. For details see 21 Wed Wednesday Wander D/W
www.melanoma.org.au or phone 02 9911 7339. Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
24-3 Sat-Sat Tasmania South Coast Track T/W
Tips from the Institute when walking outdoors are: Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
1. Overexposure to sun UV radiation is the most 24 Sat Coomera Circuit (Binna Burra) D/W
common cause of melanoma. Helen McAllister 0419 684 319
2. Avoid sun exposure between 11am and 3pm. 25 Sun Tallebudgera Crk & Burleigh NP D/W
Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
3. Seek shade and wear protective clothing.
25 Sun Walks Planning Meeting & BBQ 3pmSOC
4. Wear a floppy hat and use SPF 50+ sunscreen. 62A Sewell Road, Tanah Merah
Great Noosa Trail Walk 29 September Michael 0417 527 017
The Great Noosa Trail Walk is being held on the March 2018
Queens Birthday long weekend 29 Sept – 1 October
1 Thur Wynnum Manly foreshore walk SOC
2018. This event was cancelled last year due to the Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
weather. Bookings are limited to 150 people and tickets
6 Tues Club meeting 7.30pm (Buranda)
go on sale on 1 July 2018. For more details see: Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
www.greatnoosatrailwalk.com.au .

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 Past Walks
Keyhole Falls Walk 6 December 2017
Richard, Mary and myself met up with Gerry at
Boonah and we arrived at Koreelah National Park
campground on schedule. We did a brief warm-up
side walk to look at Koreelah Falls and were greeted
by the shrill cacophony of thousands of cicadas.
Thankfully this racket eventually eased off, otherwise
we would have all come home deaf.
Walking along Trough Creek Photo: Michael H
We set off along a gazetted road that crosses private
property for a couple kilometres, then entered the
National Park again. We picked up Trough Creek at
this point and followed it easily along the rocky
slabs. A reasonable flow was coming down the creek
which created many pleasant falls and pools.
We admired one pool/waterfall combination as we
approached but then realised that it would prove
difficult to get around it due to steep cliffs on either
side. Richard went left while I went right. Gerry and
Mary followed Richard. At least Gerry did, as Mary
slipped off the cliff into the pool. Suitably refreshed
from her swim, Mary then joined us for morning tea.
Mary's favourite swimming hole Photo: Michael H
More strolling along the delightful creek led us to the
main (key?) objective, a 40m high series of rocky
cascades with Keyhole Falls near the top. We picked
a way up the cliff to the right with some difficulty but
the sight of the unique falls – formed by a round hole
in a solid rock wall – was due reward (see page 1).
After a few photos we continued up the creek until
we found an old logging track, badly overgrown. We
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roughly followed this until we located the road, then
followed that back down the hill, effectively looping
back on the direction we had come. A stone cairn at
the side of the road marks the spot where a pad
leads down about 200m to the top of Keyhole Falls.
We returned to the falls for more photos.
At Keyhole Falls Photo: Richard/Mary
Then it was back up the hill to the cairn, and a walk
of several kilometres along the road to the car. The
total walk was approximately 12 kilometres and took
about 5 hours. It was definitely worth it and I would
like to do it again. Thanks to Richard for driving and
Mary and Gerry for your good company.
Postscript:
On 6 January Richard led another walk to Keyhole
Falls, this time starting from Acacia Plateau. The
group arrived at the same pool where Mary had
taken an unexpected swim on the earlier walk. After
successfully negotiating the cliff, Aileen sat down
above the waterfall to photograph Bobby making his
way across the rocks. A March fly attacked her and
in the altercation her camera fell into the pool. Sadly
it could not be retrieved, despite the heroic efforts of
Mary and Richard to search for it on the bottom.
Aileen was most thankful for their efforts and
concern. Thanks to insurance she now has a new
camera. It seems Mary just can't get enough of
swimming in that pool!
Michael H
Richard, Mary & Lindsay cool off Photo: Aileen
Border Ranges B/C 26 – 28 January 2018
Camping spots are usually hard to find on long
weekends but three members of our group were
able to head off on the Thursday afternoon and
found plenty of space for all of us at Forest Tops, my
preferred camping site. We had grassy spots for our
tents, toilets, and a cooking shelter.
A remarkable feature when driving up to Forest Tops
was the number of White-headed Pigeons found just
standing in the middle of the road. They let the cars
get very close before ambling off to the side of the
road or flying away.
On the Booyong walk Photo: Patricia
Our walk on Friday was the Booyong Track from
Forest Tops to Sheepstation Creek campground, a
distance of 9km plus the 2km Rosewood Circuit.
We were in no hurry and wandered along enjoying
the rainforest. It was a hot, humid day but we were
much cooler up in the Ranges and forest shade.
A car shuttle earlier in the day saved us the long
road walk back uphill to our camp in the afternoon.
The rest of our group arrived early afternoon.
A buttressed tree Photo: Patricia
In the late afternoon a fine misty rain started to fall
before a full-blown storm arrived. Aileen, Helen and
Robin and Marion had separate shelters for us
where we could be as a group for Happy Hour away
from the other campers.
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Saturday’s walk was Brindle Creek Track for Helen,
Gerry and I while Richard and Aileen went exploring
along Gradys Creek, Marion and Margie did the
Booyong Track walk they’d missed out on the day
before. Robin did a drive around to all the lookouts
towards Barr Mountain.
Again in the evening the misty rain started. Helen
left us after our walk and Richard decided to bail out
and head for home and dry weather. The rest of us
eventually had an early night listening to the rain on
our tents.
Sunday and everything was wet. No walking today.
Gerry left straight after breakfast and Aileen and I
went soon after to do a drive to the lookouts but we
were in cloud so no views.
A coffee at MacDonalds in Beaudesert finished off
the weekend. Thanks to all who came. It was good
to get away from the Brisbane heat and enjoy a rare
basecamping weekend.
Patricia K
Westray’s Grave D/W Sunday 7 January 2018
Hot, hot, hot everywhere and definitely not the time
to do the scheduled Cronan’s Cascades so a
forested walk beside Christmas Creek seemed the
perfect substitute.
The initial creek crossing was OK with not a lot of
water coming down the creek. Most of the track is
taped though it’s not possible to get lost with the
creek on one side and the cliffs on the other. There
are quite a few tree falls since Cyclone Debbie last
year so there was a bit of scrambling over, under,
around and through.
Thankful for shade Photo: Patricia
This is not a long walk so there was plenty of time
for those keen to cool off in the creek to enjoy the
very cold water. Not my cup of tea at all!!!
All up I think there was nine of us on this walk.
Thanks to the drivers.
Patricia K
Coast to Coast Walk (England) – July/Aug 2017

For some years, I had been contemplating walking both the West Highland Way in Scotland and the Coast
to Coast in England, so finally I decided that 2017 was the year and that I would combine the two walks in
one trip. We started the West Highland Way in July, and completed the Coast to Coast during August.
Although this was in the middle of the British summer, and their peak holiday and tourist season, we ran into
surprisingly few on the walk, so that a lot of the time we were on our own. Eighteen days of walking 190
miles/300 kilometres seemed daunting, but I thought that doing it over a few extra days would make each
day’s distance a little less, with the average being 16 kilometres, the longest day being about 26. This would
allow it to be done at a more relaxed and comfortable pace. Initially, my intention was to travel solo, but Mary
then Aileen asked if they could come along, and Alison from RBW made up the fourth. We stayed at B&Bs
and local inns, carrying only our daypacks, and having our other luggage transported daily to the next night’s
lodgings. Our evening meals were mostly at pubs and sometimes Indian restaurants.

The Coast to Coast is not an officially designated “National Trail” and as such is not as well signposted,
particularly in the Lakes District, but further east local authorities and some helpful landowners have erected
some signage. This means that one cannot rely on signs for navigation, so as well as the guide books and
maps, I took along a compass & my GPS with a borrowed UK SD card, showing topo and land marks, and
downloaded tracks and waypoints from the internet.

The walk was popularised by Alfred Wainwright, who traversed the country in 1972, and has been slightly
amended to avoid private land where there is no right of way. It passes through three National Parks: the
Lakes District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors and at time shares paths with the Pennine Way,
Lyke Wake Walk and the Cleveland Way. It leads walkers from village to village; down country lanes and
roads; along bridleways and paths; follows disused railway lines; through fields and woodlands; up and
down mountains and fells; through bogs and across numerous rivers and streams.

The traditional starting point is the west coast village of St Bee’s. After travelling there by train from Fort
William, the end point of the West Highland Way, we had a “rest” day scheduled. As the local general store
did not have much to offer, we walked over the headland, with its spectacular views and red sandstone cliffs,
to the nearby town of Whitehaven to stock up on supplies. Mile Zero is marked by a monument and on the
way we followed custom, dipped our toes in the Irish Sea and collected our pebbles from the stony beach to
carry across the country. The weather was perfect and we had hazy views across the sea to the Isle of Man
and to Dent Hill and the fells of the Lake District.

Next day was our first day of the actual walk

from St Bee’s to Ennerdale Bridge, through
the villages of Moor Row and Cleator, and
having walked the headland the day before,
we were able to have a shorter day. Moor
Row is marked with a monument to the
Coast to Coast and leads to the country lane
of Wainwright Passage. This was a bit of a
rainy day, and as we climbed Dent Hill, it was
shrouded in mist and so unfortunately we
missed out on the views. The large rock cairn
indicated we had reached the top but we did
not linger as the winds picked up. After a
false turn at a five way junction, with no
signposts, we eventually were on the steep
track down through the forest to the
picturesque, trickling Nannycatch Beck. Here
the rain and wind began in earnest and we
Rock cairn on Dent Hill had a short and wet stop for lunch before
hurrying to our lodgings at Ennerdale Bridge.

The next day was one of the wettest days on our trip, unsurprisingly, as this area records the highest rainfall
in Britain. As we followed the rocky path along the bank of Ennerdale Water, the mist gradually turned to
rain, and so by the time we reach the YHA Black Sail Hut, I was drenched through and cold, despite wearing
a raincoat and pants. This was when I lost my faith in Zpack raincoats. We were very grateful to be able to
sit inside the hut while we ate lunch and warmed up, and by the time we were ready to leave, the weather
had cleared and the rest of the day was warm and sunny.

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After a false start in the wrong direction, we climbed a steep ascent up Loft Beck, the high point of the day,
and then followed the path into Borrowdale Valley, passing the ruins of railways used in the former times in
the slate mining industry. It was then a bit of a slog along the road to our destination of Stonethwaite.
The following day was beautiful and sunny as we climbed up Greenup Gill, with its torrents and waterfalls, to
Lining Crag and took a break to admire the stunning view back to where we had begun. After meandering
around the cairns and bogs at the top, we followed the high route across the undulating peaks of Calf Crag,
Gibson Knot, Helm Crag, and the Lion & the Lamb. We were rewarded with breathtaking views down to
Grasmere, once the home of Wordsworth, where we spent the night, but unfortunately, time did not permit
us to visit Dove Cottage, his home.
From Grasmere, we followed the low route
along Tongue Gill over the pass to the pretty
mountain lake of Grisedale Tarn and although
it was a misty and drizzly climb up, it started
to fine up as we descended through sheep
fields, with views to Ullswater. After crossing
the picturesque stone bridge over the
Grisedale Beck, we continued on to the village
of Patterdale.

The next day began with a steep walk close to

Village of Patterdale
down the steep descent towards Haweswater.
Luckily the squall did not last long, as there
was some hail and we all were a bit cold by
the time it passed.
Satura Crag and after a few more ups and
downs we began our final climb up Kidsty
Pike. At 780m, this is the highest point on the
route, and with the ups and downs of the day,
we climbed over 1300m. From here we could
see across the Lake District and the Pennine
Mountains. We took some photos, but with a
storm cloud rapidly approaching, we quickly
put on our raincoats and began scurrying

The walk along Haweswater reservoir was

scenic but seemed interminable and then we
had an extra few kilometres to our destination
of Bampton. It was then on to Kirkby Stephen,
passing through the village of Shap, with its
ruins of Shap Abbey by the River Lowther.

We left the Lakes District behind and the

landscape eased to the rolling farmlands.
Supposedly the route passes Robin Hood’s
unmarked grave, although we did not find it,
but we did pass and find some concentric
stone circles dating back 6000 years.
Crossing the bogs near Nine Standards
On the way to Keld from Kirkby Stephen, we
crossed the Pennines, the watershed of the British Isles and as we approached the summit of the Nine
Standards, a sudden storm came up from behind us so that we had to shelter from the blustering winds and
rains on the leeward side of these huge ancient cairns. When it had eased slightly, we set off across the peat
bogs, following the blue (summer) route, trying to avoid stepping into the mud, until finally the rain stopped
just as we reached the large flagstones that marked our way across the worst of it. We then had a bit of a
laugh going down the hill, jumping, and zig zagging to avoid falling in the bogs, not with complete success.
Our descent followed the River Swale, passing the ruins of defunct smelting mills to Reeth.

We then were onto the Pennine Moors, and the start of the Yorkshire Dales, leaving behind Cumbria as we
entered North Yorkshire. We took the low route to Reeth, a typical Yorkshire village ringed by drystone walls,
and used as a location for the television show 'All Creatures Great & Small', passing the ruins of Marrick
Priory, up the Nuns’ Steps then through the villages of Marrick and Marske before descending to Richmond.
This Norman market town is dominated by its ancient castle ruins dating back to the 11th century. Here we

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had a “rest” day and enjoyed the luxury of staying two nights in one place, although we ambled around the
town taking in its sights.

The path to Dansby Wiske is the flattest stage

of the walk and along the way we visited the
church graveyard in Bolton on Swale and
visited the grave of Henry Jenkins, who died in
1670 at the alleged age of 169.

We then left the Dales and were into the

Yorkshire Moors, with its purple heather clad
hills stretching out before us. The days and
villages passed by: Ingleby Cross,
Osmotherly, Arncliffe Wood, Blakey Ridge,
crossing the Cleveland Hills and North York
Moors, and partly following the Cleveland Way
before leaving it to follow a disused railway
line across desolate moors. We stopped at
Lordstones Café, originally built into the
hillside, but now sadly very touristy.

Purple heather on the moors We crossed the River Esk at Egton Bridge and
followed the toll road to Grosmont Station.
Here we watched the steam train used in the Harry Potter movie, before climbing up to Sleights Moor, and
here we had our first glimpse of the North Sea: confirmation that we were coming to the end of our trek.

As this was a short day, and we reached the main road into Whitby by mid-morning, we made an impromptu
decision to catch the bus into the town. As we soon found out, it seemed that most of Britain had also
decided to visit Whitby on this sunny Sunday and the streets and lanes were crowded with jostling hordes: a
bit of a shock to the system after the solitude of the moors and dales.
Nevertheless we walked out to the pier to the statue of Captain Cook, and the site of the Abbey before
catching a taxi to our lodgings.

On our last day, we followed a woodland trail through Little Beck Wood to the Falling Foss Waterfall.
Eventually we reached the coastal trail, with its high rugged cliffs, to Robin Hoods Bay, our final destination.
This village is a very picturesque fishing village and reputed smugglers haunt. Here we followed the final
steep descent down to the sea, threw in our pebbles, which we had carried across England, and dipped our
boots in the sea.

Then, being in England, we stopped at the pub on the way back to our final B&B, to celebrate with a beer
and ice cream, and a final meal of fish and chips.

Gerry Burton

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 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
Steripen First Aid Kits
President Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Garmin GPS
Vice President Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
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 Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
5 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 Gerry Burton on 0408 793 715 to book these items.
Social Secretary Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Other Voluntary Positions Redland Bushwalkers Club
Equipment Officer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715 The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
BWQ Rep Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785 affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980 activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay
visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader.
Meeting Place Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations.
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
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.
A coin donation is appreciated. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
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
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 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
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 – Kookaburra at Mt Nimmel Lodge, December 2017
eg “RSmith member fee”. Photo: Michael H
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL:
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

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