Day 144 Killarney

Wednesday 8th September, 2021 31.3km

The road up the range

2851.5 / 2247.4km

I woke up early. The guidebook has the walk to Killarney split into two days. The distance is about 33 kilometres with the climb up the range a tough start to the day. In the end I managed to climb the hill in short order. Yesterday there was a lot of traffic but today a Monday I didn't see a vehicle until about 10am.

The light up top

Had a quick stop to take a shot of Teviot Falls. Then the view opens up into a valley where the Condamine River begins it journey. It's a magnificent view down the valley, in the crisp morning air it was a wonderful day to walk.

The border with NSW comes right next to the road so I did have a cheeky look over the fence. It's amazing that the rabbit proof fence keeps the zombie hordes at bay.

Half way up

Teviout falls

The Gorge road was open and I started down it. After the walk through the valley it was getting a little disappointing to be confronted by lots of signs. The land here is in private hands and of course the people driving through must have their share of assholes. But the agressive signage and fencing makes the walk less than satisfying. Still lovely spot. 14 Creek crossings, although 1 is a concrete causeway so no problem. I have a depth marker on my pole so I can see how deep it is and avoid spots that go over a height that fills the boots. In the end with a few little diversions I got across with dry feet.

Then it's a long slog along the last bit into Killarney. Today I had 4 cars stopping to have a chat. 2 photos taken. Might be famous on someone's else's page. Didn't have my tooth in though, whiskers hide a lot.

Then finally Killarney. Bitter-sweet. I've done as much as I can. Time to meet the family but a feeling of wanting to go on and finish this bloody thing.

Over the top. Start of the Condamine River

The town of Killarney closes early, 3pm and no Cafe, only the food works store. The town is stretched and I still had 850m to go to the motel/caravan park. I dropped in at the pub to look at the menu for an idea of whether I would walk back tonight. Decided against it and took some refreshments with me instead. The motel was $90 but deserves a mention because it was cheap, clean, and maintained well. The lady running it was a pleasure and offered me some lasagne for dinner. One of the best places I've stayed and a bowl of complimentary snacks like 2 packets of chips and 3 or 4 Cadbury favourite type chocolates. I've paid a lot more for lot less.

Horses enjoying the sun

Time to clean up and I will be picked up tomorrow. Train arranged Thursday out of Brisbane to get me up to Hervey Bay to my car.

The border with NSW

My head made it into NSW!

Canbanorra Gorge

The local neighbourhood watch

14 crossings of the Condamne River achieved
without getting my feet wet

Turnoff to Killarney

Town of Killarney

Killarney Heritage Centre

Day 144

Qld done! 

Day 142 Scenic Rim end / back to BNT

Sunday 5th September, 2021

Dark and gloomy

I was up early so I could get going at first light. Having a platform to set up on made it easier to keep a track of everything in the dim light. I had some rubbish in an empty peanut butter jar which was now missing. Whatever took it must have been a lot bigger than a mouse. I looked around as far as I dared without annoying my fellow campers and came up with a lightweight MSR tent peg from under the platform.

The light makes patterns in the gloom

So the track continues on a firetrail which makes it easy as the light gets better. Then it turns back into the unmaintained trail that takes me deep into the forest along the escarpment. I still have very little luck with any sort of views as the cloud keeps rolling over. The track in the dim light is sometimes hard to trace. I had to stop and take a good look a couple of times to discern it across rocky areas and the more open areas covered in leaf litter. Overall it didn't prove that difficult. The problem though was the wet and slippery roots and rocks, only one minor fall today no damage done.

The mist keeps it damp

The track brings me out at Bare Rock where it meets up with the maintained track from the Cunningham gap car park.

I stopped for breakfast and received a call from Isabelle. Apparently it's father's day. She had made a gift which I will see eventually. I still have a lot of gifts and cards from all my children that I have received. I like the hand made ones.

some bare rock

I get joined by a day walker and as it is Sunday expect to see a few more on the track.

Different layers of cloud

This is the case as I wind back down to Cunningham's gap. The car park is full and there are a lot of cars parked beside the road. On any other day this would be the end of my walk but I've got to get down the range to meet the National Trail. Looking at it later I should have gone further west may be and come a different way. But I headed down the highway. Not recommended at all but with a couple of road crossings I eventually made it to the windsock at the turnoff.

Towards the coast

I crossed the road and I'm back on the trail. The directions through the property that take me to Spicers Gap Rd are confusing and in the end, I believe, wrong. I'm sure there is a 1km hole in the book. You also take the second gate not the first. The first gate in the fence is a wire gate. The second, pipe gate further on seems more logical. A paragraph seems to describe a 1.5 km section where distances would help. A trail sign might also come in handy.

Stopped to appreciate the view

Ah the trail. Not 5 minutes on it and it reminds me it's not a walk trail. The last 3 days seem so far away.

The time after is a straight plod to pick up 10 or so kilometres to a camp site where the creek is running and there is a at area for a tent. I've got to get my trail head back on.

Cunninghams Gap. Cloud rolling through

The windsock which marks the trail crossing

Day 141 Scenic Rim Trail - Banshee

Sun up

Saturday 4th September, 2021 6.5km

2767.5 / 2331.4km

Spotted a bush rat last night as it was attacking my rubbish bag. I ended up throwing it further from the tent to give me some peace.

The other campers

It rained last night and there is still fog this morning, looks like it's clearing though. The trail winds down to Mount Castle lookout then begins its cross country trek.

Into the jungle

The trail is now just a cleared patch through the bush. Lots of tree roots and rocks coupled with

slimy dirt, I expected a couple of falls. I didn't disappoint myself and had two. Both times was when I kept stepping whilst looking at something else, I've got to remember to stop.

The forest gets real thick and this day's walk whilst hard, is the most pleasant. The trail intersects another trail that goes to Mount Castle and it's here I meet some people out for a weekend walk. One fellow mentions Brisbane is talking lockdown again. Please stop, just till I can get out of here.

A peek through the clouds

The forest is inspiring and I pass through different stages. Thick rainforest then more open forest where it looks like fire has killed some big trees opening the canopy. Then an area where some larger gum trees have taken hold which changes the dynamic of the undergrowth.

Got a shot where I could

The trail again leaves the more established walks and drops down and down and down to a creek. Here it picks up the Cascade walk and then onto the Ridge walk before it leaves that to climb a hill to the Banshee Walkers Camp under an old plantation of hoop pines. The camp sites are raised platforms. At least they are level.

The board tells me I should be able to see

Today has been one of the better days walking. Loved every minute of it. Including the falls. I learnt quickly and where the trail meets the creek there is about 50 metres to walk down to get to the cascade circuit track. Most of that 50 metres I did sliding on my butt. This saved me from falling over which was on the cards on the slippery rock.

The path gets tricky at times

My companions on this walk was a couple from Brisbane Liz and Pete. It was a pleasure to meet and share camps and stories with them.

Birds Nest growing on an Elkhorn

The trail crossed just above this little waterfall

Cascade Falls

Banshee walkers camp

Day 140 Scenic Rim Trail

Looking at Mt Castle

Friday 3rd September, 2021 13km

2761/2337.9km

I was up early, but was visited in the night by bush rats. My food was up in a pouch like the mezzanine floor of the tent. They climbed the inner tent and chewed holes in the mesh. More repairs needed and must hang foodbag from now on.

The road

I met a walker from the lodge. They are walking the same way but turn off up different trails to get to their next stop. Last night they were met with drinks and hot towels to wash the sweat off. I found out it's only $2750 per person 4 day 3 night trek.

Fog rolls in

The walk today starts through a rainforest area that gets thicker as I climb. The trail is following an old logging road, so it's fairly easy to walk and look around. I walked past a couple of pig traps and met the ranger coming down to check them before the weekend.

The wind has been howling all day and it looks like rain, it spoils the views somewhat. I'm not having much luck with these Ridge views in Qld.

The forest embraces your senses

I stopped for breakfast at an old winch used in the timber cutting days. This is apparently the end of the maintained trail section coming from the south.

I follow the road and all to soon I was at the camp site. I didn't take much notice of the distances when booking. I'm only taking about 5 hours so far between first and second campsites. 4 hours day 1.

More forest

Magical

The camp has room for 4 tents only 2 sites were reasonably level and not under trees. Surprisingly the wind is still howling and the edge of the Ridge is only 20 metres away and you only get a slight breeze. I'm looking at Mount Castle and as the sun goes down the lights of the valley show with a huge glow of Brisbane I presume. Would be good for a clear view.

I saw a Lyre bird today. A lot of rifle birds and all day the Skippy Whistle. I tried to take a photo of some birds but take too long just pointing the phone in the right direction. I need Gavin, my neighbourly bird watcher with me. Good track for him.

Textures and patterns

I feel at home

Day 139 Back on track - Scenic Rim

The National Trail I came down a week ago

Thursday 2nd September, 2021 8.8km

2748 / 2350.9km

I was excited to get going this morning. Janet was out of bed. I had packed the backpack last night and we were ready to go by 7.30am.

A quick stop for a Macca's breakfast then the drive out to Thornton which was about an hour from Janet's place. We had rain last night and the final bit of dirt road to the trailhead was a little bit muddy and the little red car bottomed out a couple of times. A quick goodbye for now to Janet and a prayer that she will listen to Siri and take the correct turns back home safely.

The sign

The track was wet and mud quickly built up in the boots. There was a lot of cloud cover and as I climbed it was getting thicker and thicker. I was expecting a view like I had at Kroombit. Which was none. But it cleared enough in patches that I was rewarded.

The walk trail

There are a couple of tricky bits where you climb small rock faces in a creek. This was where the boots and the harder soles are at a small disadvantage. The rocks are slippery and a softer shoe and sole work well, but the wet mud and grass would have made its way through and the boots kept me dry. Trade off's and I think I'm happier walking with dry feet. I just had to concentrate and make sure my foot was planted and steady.

Climb the creek

Just the walk up the hill put me in a good mood as the track climbed in a series of switchbacks. It was good to be back on a dedicated walking trail. This walk apparently is a partnership with a private operator and the National Parks. This section on private land was made available to the public and the private operator got a couple of sites within the National Park for some huts. From what I can see you pay this operator about $1000 per day but you get gourmet food and accomodation each day, or do it my way and pay $6.50 per day and carry everything. The trail has to be booked and is limited to 4 couples a day. The $6 camp sites have room for 4 or so tents and a drop toilet and water tank (so far).

I was looking for these in Kroombit where they
got a mention on the rainforest walk. But there
was a lot out on the track up.

I climb the escarpment and then go over a stile into the National Park. Today was only about 8 kilometres and it took me about 3 hours to reach the camp, with a few stops to look at the view.

One other couple have come into camp and we will camp with each other over the next 3 days. I'll have to remember to not piss them off on day 1.

So far Belinda has picked the 19th September to meet somewhere in the Northern Territory so that gives me the 7 days to finish this then 9 days to collect the car and get wher ever.

Felt good to be back out on trail. In no small part as it is actually a walk trail.

I did get a view

more views

The $1000 accomodation

The $6 accomodation