QUEENSLAND

BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.

PO Box 2199
Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No (07) 3341 7509
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

Newsletter

December 2013

A happy group on the Neglected Mountain walk

Photo: M Hoopmann

Club News
Christmas Party Weekend

7-8 December 2013

Last chance to register for what could be your Best Weekend of

2012 - don't miss out.
Grooms Cottage - Binna Burra is the host venue for our
"South Pacific" themed weekend long Christmas party.
Kitchen facilities available - fridge, microwave, wash up facilities
but otherwise you must self cater. You need to bring linen,
crockery and cutlery, including cooking utensils (large strong
storage containers are best for food items).
Choice of bunkhouse or dormitory accommodation.
* $50 for the whole weekend (flat rate for 1 or 2 nights)
*Walks, fun and jokes, dress up, free Saturday night BBQ
*prizes for annual photo competition and best dressed "in
character" Saturday night
*slide shows/videos of great sights from Australia and overseas
Payment
Pay $50 by direct bank transfer to:
Account name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club Inc
Account number: 20421276
BSB:
124057
Reference:
Surname of person making payment
or by cash to Treasurer Helen McAllister.
Program
Friday night - arrive, choose room/dorm. Self catered supper.
Saturday variety of walks, hard, easy (see below)
Saturday Night - dress up and photo competition, BBQ
Sunday - recovery and drive home - disappointed it's
12 months til the next one.

Also, the Lamington Teahouse cafe serves pizza and pasta on

Friday nights to the sounds of live acoustic music from 5-8pm.
Mobile reception at Binna Burra can be patchy, so if there is an
emergency need for people at home to ring you and your
mobile isn't working, an alternate number is the Binna Burra
Lodge administration on 1300246622.
This information was obtained from the Binna Burra lodge
website. More detail can be obtained from this link http://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/Binna-Burra/ExploringBinna-Burra/Walking-at-Binna-Burra/Lamington-National-Park
Walk leaders
QBW will acknowledge the efforts of walk leaders from 1/7/2012
to 30/6/2013 on the weekend. All members are appreciative of
the time and effort leaders put in. Numbers of walks led were:
Richard Kolarski
John Morris
David Kenrick
Peter Weallans
John Brunott
Neil Douglas
Marion Laban
Anne Kemp
Steve Pritchett

>20
10
7
5
5
4
4
1
1

Patricia Kolarski
Helen McAllister
David Haliczer
Julie Shera
Margie Rae
Aileen Elliott
Norm Johnston
Gerry Burton

11
7
6
5
5
4
2
1

Binna Burra Bushwalking - groups can be organised for those

people capable on the day. Some walk options are listed on
page 5.

Page 1 of 5

Become a National Parks volunteer

Membership

National Parks are appreciative of the valuable help they receive

from volunteers. Bushwalkers have a long tradition of providing
services in this way. John Marshall is the Bushwalking
Queensland volunteer coordinator. Contact John for more
information or to volunteer by emailing:
secretary@bushwalkingqueensland.org.au.

Probationary Membership

Bushwalking Australia Annual Conference

16-17 November 2013

A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member

on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member.
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying
the membership fee.
Ordinary Membership

Bushwalking Queensland hosted the Bushwalking Australia (BA)

Annual Conference recently. All states were represented and a
number of Queensland bushwalking clubs sent observors.
Richard Kolarski attended from Queensland Bushwalkers Club.
The conference agenda addressed several interesting issues.
Sessions included :

Insurance

Minimum Impact Bushwalking Policy

Training for Bushwalkers and Leadership

Development of a Bushwalking Australia values

statement, and

'Membership is dead'.
The last session addressed the concern of many clubs that their
member numbers are declining, and quite a few good ideas
were presented to reverse that trend.

A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and

signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form
and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee
member or walk leader.
The proposer may be a friend who is a member of the club, a
QBW walk leader, the Membership Officer or one of the
committee members.
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.

For more information contact Richard Kolarski on 3341 7509.

Club Equipment

Members

Compasses

Topo Maps

As at 30 November we have 61 financial members.

UHF Radios

Emergency Lights

New members are very welcome. Why not introduce a friend to

the club? Membership renewals are also acceptable. Fees are
still only $30.00. Download a form from:
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/membership

Steripen

First Aid Kits

Robin Laban

Garmin GPS
QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre
contour topo map of the whole of Australia included.
PLBs with inbuilt GPS
QBW has 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS.
The PLBs will be made available at each club meeting and will
need to be returned at the following club meeting.

General Information
QBW Management Committee
President

The above are for use by members at nil cost.

0417 991 149

Back Pack for Hire

$5.00 charge
$3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Vice President

Mary Sherlock

3209 8514

Bivy Bags For Sale

Secretary

Marion Laban

0405 536 718

Treasurer

Helen McAllister

0419 684 319

These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright
orange in colour. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag.

Outings Officer

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Membership Officer

Margie Rae

3395 1838 (H)

Editor

Michael Hoopmann

0401 527 017

Training Officer

John Shera

5546 0381 (H)

Social Secretary

Sandy Thomas

3711 4134 (H)

Space Blankets For Sale

$2.50 each.

Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers!

Contact Richard on 3341 7509 for any of the above.

Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Redlands Bushwalking Club

Other Voluntary Positions

Only stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority

over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html

Equipment Officer

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Supper Convenor

Noelene McCay

3889 0264 (H)

Librarian

Mary Sherlock

3209 8514

BWQ Rep

Anne Kemp

3371 2707

Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)

BWQ Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs

affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ
activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay
visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader.
Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations.
Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/

Meeting Place
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January.
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St.
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street.
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting.
A coin donation would be appreciated.

YHA Bushwalkers
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings

Page 2 of 5

Family Bushwalkers

Neglected Mountain

There is a $5 temporary membership fee per adult.

Phone: (07) 3878 3293

Gold Coast Bushwalkers

Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
financial members of bushwalking clubs which are affiliated with
BWQ. This dispensation will be at the discretion of the
Management Committee.

Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc

Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.

Past Walks

8 September 2013

D/W

We had lovely weather for this walk. I started by advising to

take the climb easy, with the weather starting to warm up
(September) there being no sense in going too hard and fast
and overheating ourselves.
We were eight happy walkers, John, Mary, Sandy, Michael,
Norm, Gerry, Bob and myself. The fast walkers stopped
regularly to give those at the back a chance to catch up. This
walk is up, up and up. The track that crosses across from the
ridge to the saddle leading to the stretcher track has a little
landslide area, so it is best to cut across a little higher and drop
down to the track. Once on the saddle we found little flowering
plants of interest etc.

Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au

Special Coming Events

Tasmania's Tarkine Wilderness

February 2014

Leader: Patricia Kolarski Tel: 33417509

For further details refer August QBW newsletter.

Otago Rotary Trust New Zealand Tramps

2014

Details of the Otago Rotary Trust 2014 event calendar are

available at www.otagorotarytrusttramps.org.nz .

Coming Walks
Any person wishing to come on a walk must contact the leader
of the walk first. The leader will organise the meeting place and
the car pooling. The leader has full discretion on who can come
on the walk.
Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to a
weekend trip. For Wednesday walks, nominations close 9.00pm
on the Monday before.
More detailed information is available on the club calendar.

December 2013
1

Sun

Boyds Butte (Springbrook)

D/W
Norm Johnston 5541 2755 / 5541 2873(a/h)

6-8

Fri-Sun

Christmas Party and walks (Binna Burra)

Sandy Thomas 3711 4134 / 0403 821 525
Northbrook Gorge (Mt Glorious) D/W
Helen McAllister 3844 4866

14

Sat

15

Sun

Bohgaban Falls Survey (Binna Burra) D/W

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

21

Sat

Albert River Circuit (O'Reilly's) D/W

Margie Rae
0431 379979

22

Sun

Raining Cliffs exploratory (O'Reilly's) D/W

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

28

Sat

Cronans Cascades (Rathdowney) D/W

Patricia Kolarski 3341 750922

29

Sun

Cabbage Tree Creek (D'Aguilar NP) D/W

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

Photo: Marion Laban

We progressed away from the stretcher track in the opposite

direction noting the grass trees in magnificent flower. Once over
a little rock scramble etc we were on the top of the plateau area.
Here we found a spot to sit in some shade for a morning tea
break. Next we headed down to the magnificent razorback
which leads to Neglected Mountain.

January 2014
12
19

Sun
Sun

Westray's Grave/Larapinta Falls D/W

Aileen Elliot after 7pm 5427 9369
Upper to Lower Portals (Rathdowney) D/W
Marion Laban after 6.30pm 3805 3300

We sat on top of Neglected Mountain having an early lunch

enjoying each others company etc. It looked different to how I
remember, as the stubby grass was all mown short by the cows
that are now grazing up there.

Page 3 of 5

views & the breezes.

After a brief attempt to explore up the creek, we soon turned
back and began the climb back up the track to the top. This took
a little longer than the descent, and although we were not in any
hurry, we soon arrived back at the lookout.

We left to return the way we came, even seeing king orchids

that wed passed on the way up and not noticed. Half of us
chose to go down the steep ridge and half went on about 100
metres further towards the gate into Lamington NP and the
stretcher track before taking a hard left turn along the more level
track back to the ridge.
Then it was off for a short stroll around Palm Grove Circuit: only
3.5 klm, on a relatively flat contour. This circuit takes you
through more eucalypt forest & rainforest . Along the way there
was evidence of the damage caused by ex-cyclone Oswald. At
the far end, there are views to Bare Rock & Morgans Walk and
of course the palm grove, where we stopped for lunch on some
convenient, newly-sawn logs.
The lunch time entertainment was provided by John (our
esteemed training officer) who demonstrated how not to pack
lunch for a day walk.
First, if bringing cans of food, read the label on the can so you
bring apricot fruit, and not just juice.
Second, when bringing cans, remember to also bring a can
opener, or bring cans with a ring top. Even ex-dentists cannot
open cans with their teeth!
We had another rest at the picnic table by the hut and posed for
some funny pictures outside the old dunny! We were a happy
bunch and when we got back to the cars, Sandy suggested we
cool off in Christmas Creek as we were quite hot from the walk.
What a good idea to cool off in the creek. Thanks to everyone
who came and participated in the walk.
Marion Laban
Gap Creek Falls & Palm Grove Circuit

8 Sept 2013

Third, if possible walk with someone who always carries a

Swiss army knife.
Fourth, when all else fails, have a pie for afternoon tea.
Thanks to all who joined me on this walk: Helen, Marion, Mary,
John S, David, John M, and Bob.
Gerry Burton

What Walk is This??

D/W

As Gap Creek Falls at Cunninghams Gap is a relatively easy

track walk, only about 9.5 klm return, I thought I would tag the
Palm Grove Circuit (in the same vicinity) on at end, although the
name seemed to confuse some people (who shall rename
nameless) who thought I was crazy/adventurous/fit enough to
combine Gap Greek Falls with Palm Gorge at Mt Greville.
In any event, eight of us met at Aratula, including both new
comers & some experienced walkers who had never walked this
track before.
Although there were tentative plans to go down to the bottom of
the falls for a swim, the chill in the air at Cunninghams Gap
soon changed our minds. But hopefully we can do that later in
the summer after we have had some good rainfall.
On the way down, we stopped briefly at the Fassifern Valley
Lookout to Mt Greville, Mt May, Mt French, but the view was
somewhat obscured by the fog.
Our descent to Gap Creek Falls took us through the eucalypt
forest, with the usual chorus of bellbirds heard in this area. On
the way, those at the rear were stopped in their tracks by a
snake which apparently the lead walkers, who were obviously
too busy chatting, had not seen.
We made good time and reached the top of the falls in just over
an hour, passing numerous grass trees on the way. Despite the
lack of rain, there was still some water in the creek , where we
enjoyed a leisurely morning tea on the rocky slabs, taking in the

Answer to last month's puzzle: Killarney Glen

Page 4 of 5

Walks at Binna Burra

Groups may be organised during the weekend of the QBW Christmas party.
Binna Burra has lots of interesting graded walks including:
Name
Length
Time
Level*
Point of interest
Rainforest circuit 1.km
30mins
easy
Rainforest
Bellbird circuit
2km
1-2hrs
easy
Bellbirds
Caves circuit
5km
2-3hrs
easy
Caves
Tallawallal
5km
2-3hrs
easy
Antarctic beeches
Gwongorool
6km
3-4hrs
moderate Rockpool
Lower Ballanjui
11km
4-5hrs
moderate Waterfall
Daves Creek
13km
5-6hrs
moderate Vegetation/dyke
Wagawn
18km
5-6hrs
moderate Rainforest
Auracauria
19km
5-8hrs
moderate Hoop pines
Coomera circuit 17.5km
5-8hrs
easy
Waterfalls
*This information was obtained from the Binna Burra lodge website. More detail can be
obtained from this link - http://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/Binna-Burra/Exploring-Binna-Burra/

Grooms Cottage

We wish
everyone a

Photo: M Hoopmann

very merry
Christmas
from the editorial team.
Page 5 of 5