PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
QBW walkers at Dales Head overlooking Deloraine, Great Western Tiers, Tasmania (see report p.4) Photo: Aileen Elliott
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the May newsletter.
It's time to get thinking about Pilgrimage 2017. Our
friends in YHA Bushwalkers and Brisbane Catholic
Bushwalkers have sent an update. Lots of preparation
work has already borne fruit and the program looks
great. Details on how to register etc. are opposite.
Earlier this year a number of our members went on an
epic tour of Tasmania, complete with all the weather
extremes that state can offer. Read all about their trip.
Otherwise, make your own adventure with the variety
of day and through walks, paddles or social outings
coming up on our QBW walks calendar. Note that a
walks planning day is coming up later in May too!
Enjoy your reading and see you on the trail.
Michael H
Membership
The club currently has 50 paid up members. Annual
membership is only $30 (that's only $2.50 a month!!).
Send your payment to Patricia Kolarski or by direct
transfer into the club bank account. Details on page 6.
General News
QORF Visioning the Outdoors 5 May
Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation's (QORF)
annual film/photo competition closes on 5 May.
See www.visioningtheoutdoors.com/photo-comp/
for full details on how to enter.
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Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No 0478 239384
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
May 2017
Pilgrimage 8-10 September
YHA Bushies are now calling for pilgrims to register for
Pilgrimage on 8-10 September!
The venue is the showground in the delightful township
of Killarney on the southern Darling Downs.
Killarney is approximately 2 hours drive southwest of
Brisbane. It is close to the Qld/NSW border, Warwick,
Main Range National Park, Queen Mary Falls and
Cambanoora (Condamine) Gorge.
Obtain info and a registration form at the web page:
http://www.yhabrisbanebushwalking.org.au/Publicinfo/
Killarney-Downloads.html Cost is again $50.
YHA Bushwalkers with the assistance of Brisbane
Catholic Bushwalkers are working hard to organise an
exciting program of events. It includes some surprises.
With your registration you will get a welcome to
country, Sat night dinner and dance, and entry into the
Heritage Centre and RSL War Memorabilia Display.
The band booked for Saturday night is Ridgee Didge.
Camping sites are available at the showgrounds as
part of the fee. Powered sites are extra. There is even
the option of a cooked breakfast on Sunday for the
additional cost of $10!
Dates: Friday 8 Sept (noon) to Sunday 10 Sept (noon)
Venue: Killarney Showgrounds, Willow St, Killarney
Cost: $50.00 per person (early bird)
Registration: Email or post a completed registration
form to YHA Bushwalkers. Pay on-line or by cheque.
Please phone Lynn Docchar on 0411 811 241 for more
information.
National Park Alerts
The recent cyclone has cut a swathe through our local Fraser Island 27-31 May T/W
national parks. Tracks at Lamington National Park that Expressions of interest are invited for a 4 day
are currently closed include Albert River, Caves, throughwalk on Fraser. The plan is to do a loop via
Coomera, Illinbah, Ships Stern, Toolona, and West
Lake Mackenzie, Lake Wabby and Sheepstation
Canungra circuits. Large landslides will cause a couple
Creek. This is flexible. Rating is L T4 F4. Early
of these tracks to be closed for a considerable length
of time. bookings are preferable to assist with transport.
Leader: Patricia Kolarski Tel: 0448 526 618
A big thank you to those bush walkers who answered
the call for help and assisted the park rangers to
assess the extent of track damage.
Past Walks
If you plan to walk or camp at a National Park, check Flinders Island 5-12 Feb 2017 B/C
on the following site for the latest access, transport and
conditions: https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/ This writeup is a bit patchy as I usually rely on my
photos to indicate the sequence of walks instead of
This web page also has links to the Bureau of keeping a diary but somehow I lost most of my photos
Meterology and Queensland Transport for road info. so accuracy is doubtful.
However, only those on the walk would know and they
Coming Walks are welcome to fill in the missing or correct the
Any person wishing to come on a club walk must misplaced bits so here goes …
contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise Sunday 5 Arrive Flinders Island
the meeting place and car pooling and has full
discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible Today we flew over from Launceston on a small, small
provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish plane. We had hired a minibus and it was waiting at the
to nominate for a walk or to change your plans. airport so off we went to find our lodgings which were
two houses a street apart. Both had everything we
Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
could need except food and one even had bacon and
a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
eggs!
Wednesday trips.
More details are available in the club calendar. Whitemark is a small village: one hotel, one garage,
IGA and three coffee shops. We tried everywhere over
May 2017 the week. There is another small settlement on the far
2 Tues Club meeting 7.30pm (Buranda) south of the island but has little more than a store/
Robin Laban 0478 239 384 garage and the loading facility for barges from
7 Sun Meeting of the Waters(Springbrook)D/W Launceston.
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
13 Sat Coochie Mudlo (Victoria Point) KYK
Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
20 Sat Love & Cedar Creeks (Mt Glorious) D/W
Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
21 Sun Walks planning bbq (Holland Park) SOC
Dave Kenrick 3349 8238
27-31 Sat-Wed Fraser Island (Rainbow Beach) T/W
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
28 Sun Mt Maroon via caves (Rathdowney) D/W
Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012

June 2017
4 Sun Mt Wagawn lookouts (Binna Burra) D/W
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
6 Tues Club meeting 7.30pm (Buranda)
Robin Laban 0478 239 384
10 Sat Beginners session (Meadowbrook) SOC Stanley Point rock hopping Photo: Patricia K
Robin Laban 0433 268 390
17 Sat Rosewood Bike Ride (Rosewood) B/R Monday 6 Trousers Point to Fothingale Bay
Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
For our first walk we drove south a short way and
headed towards the west coast in Strzelecki National
Proposed Walks Park. There is a campground with the walk starting
from there and following the coastline north with some
Flinders Ranges 3-9 September 2017 X/T walking on lovely granite slabs. A side track led to
(Mt Remarkable NP and Wilpena Pound) Fotheringale Bay, just a beautiful scenic place.
Leader: Neil Douglas Tel: 3875 1090 In the afternoon we explored the village and, of course,
Varied itinerary with full details in the March newsletter. tried one of the coffee shops.

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Tuesday 7 Mt Strzelecki
Today was to be our biggest walk, not a long one at 3-
4kms, but steep. The walk started as a gradual up at
first but, after crossing a lovely fern lined creek, it
became rocky and very steep.
Strzelecki on the way up Photo: Patricia K
For some of us progress was slow but we plodded on
and all made it to the top. I confess to not going to the
actual top as it was quite open with a little exposure
and the wind was howling across the top of the
mountain. Mary and Richard did a side trip to another
nearby peak as well.
Wednesday 8 NE River to Stanley Point
Today was very windy and driving the minibus was no
fun, especially on the damp dirt roads but we managed
to head up to the north eastern area of the island to do
a coastal circuit walk. Once again the granite slabs
were fabulous to walk on and it was great fun trying to
find a way across the big slabs.
The return section of the walk went inland a little so
was protected from the wind.
Thursday 9 Furneau Lookout, Patriarch Inlet, Patriarch
Wildlife Sanctuary
Today we went across the middle of the island to the
east coast stopping off at Furneau Lookout and getting
a 360 degree view of the centre of the island.
At Patriarch Inlet it was high tide so walking was
restricted but we did manage to wander through some
sea foam blown in by the tide.
Nearby Patriarch Wildlife Sanctuary has a large 'A'
frame shelter providing rough accommodation for bird
watchers and naturalists who come to bird watch.
Cape Barren geese are found here at times and the
wallabies are exceptionally friendly, even prepared to
be hand fed.
This evening we went to the hotel for dinner and
everyone enjoyed the food and ambience.
Friday 10 Sawyers Bay
I think this was the rainy day because we only did a
short walk in the afternoon. Sawyers Bay involved a
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beach walk with some interesting granite outcrops. We
also visited Wybalenna Chapel and cemetery. This is
where the Tasmanian aborigines were transported to
from the big island.
Somewhere along the way we also visited a naval
museum. This had some very interesting information
about shipwrecks in the area and a good video of early
farming activities on some of the smaller islands.
Saturday 11 Pilligers Peak
Today was a walk to a rocky outcrop. The track
gradually climbed through some scrub along a sandy
trail. Up on the exposed ridgeline it was quite windy.
Aileen's hat will never be seen again!
Only Mary and Richard braved the extreme wind to
reach the top but for the rest of us it was still a very
pleasant walk.
Somewhere along the way we also did a walk from
Castle Rock to Emita but I'm not sure which day.
Castle Rock is a huge granite block sitting on the
beach all by itself. The walk starts off along the beach
but then there is quite a bit of rocky coastline to
scramble around.
I also think it was this night that most of the group
returned to the hotel and enjoyed a tasty meal.
Sunday 12 Whitemark to Bluff Road and airport.
Depart Flinders Island
This morning was our last chance to walk on the island
so most of the group did a short walk along the beach
north of Whitemark up to the airport and return.
Our flight left early in the afternoon, and what a flight it
was. Probably the roughest flight I have experienced
because of the strong winds but we all made it back to
Launceston in one piece.
Interspersed with these walks were several visits to the
coffee shops (several as in much more than three!).
A big Thank You to Noelene, Gail, Mary, Aileen, Lynn,
Helen, and Richard for coming on this adventure with
me.
Patricia K
Patriarch Wildlife Sanctuary Photo: Patricia K
Tasmania 2017 (Part 1)
After spending a relaxing week on Flinders Island we arrived back in Launceston with the aim of travelling to
Scott’s Peak Dam to commence our planned walk in the Western Arthurs. Patricia, Richard, Bert, Mary and I got
up early so that we could get an early start for the drive which we anticipated could take over 3 hours. Richard
had expressed concerns about the weather the previous evening, but we all voted to go to the Western Arthurs
rather than consider another walk he and Patricia had discovered in their travels. Patricia was to drive us to the
start of the walk then come back later to pick us up.

The further south we travelled the more it rained. When we arrived at the Scott’s Peak Dam car park we alighted
from the car planning to have a quick bite to eat and then start walking. It was so cold when I got out of the car
my legs started shaking. A walker I spoke to in the toilet block indicated it was a bad season and those who had
started the walk turned around at Lake Oberon as it was too risky to continue. After a brief group discussion we
decided it was not our time and agreed that Richard’s alternative plan to walk up Higgs Track with the option of a
hut to stay in was a great idea. This meant getting back in the car and returning north to the Western Tiers
outside Deloraine.

The Great Western Tiers were formed by a major geological event during massive shifts in the earth’s plates
between Antarctica and the Southern Continents. Lava oozed up between the layers of sedimentary rock to
create an uplifted landform. This weathered over time until only the hard dolerite sill was left. Clefts have been
deeply incised in this sill by glaciers which covered Tasmania several times in the last 500 million years. These
are now filled with rainforest along fast flowing streams. Limestone caves abound at the western end. The Tiers
form the escarpment to the Central Plateau region of Tasmania, an extensive area of alpine vegetation, lakes and
tarns. The slopes at the western end represent the second highest climate gradients in Australia. This means
many species living on the slopes may be able to survive climate change in sheltered gorges and high altitude
niches.
Higgs Track according to the tourist information is a fairly steep but manageable 4 hour return climb up from
Western Creek to the top of the Great Western Tiers, where on a fine day, there are wonderful views along
the escarpment. From the top of the track it is a short walk to Lady Lake Mountain Hut and on to the lake it-
self, which is like another world compared to the forest you have just climbed through. The completely quiet
and extraordinary landscape is very atmospheric.
The track officially starts at a carpark off Westrope Road. Once
across the brook it is a steep climb through a beautiful rain forest of
old myrtles, sassafras and ferns. The track is steep but clear all the
way to the top where two cairns mark the spot. To the left there is a
short diversion to a viewing area which is well worth the detour for
the amazing views of the rugged cliffs and the plains below.
We arrived at
the carpark
just on 3pm
to start the
climb to the
top. It took me just over 1 and a ½ hours to slowly
wind my way to the top. One thing I know is I will
never again pack for a through walk without weighing
my food. Being in the process of moving house, I had
packed my food scales and couldn’t remember which
box they were in. I therefore just made a guess at the
weight of foodstuff and my pack was heavier than I
would have liked.
When we arrived at the top, the track opened up to an
oasis of low lying green/red foliage with an occasional
pencil pine and blue sparkling tarns with a hut in the distance nestled into the hillside. The hut was very wel-
coming and comfortable with lounge chairs, wooden chairs, a table with a number of books, and another
table with a methylated spirits stove and various cups and plates on a bottom shelf. On the side wall there
were 2 platforms that would sleep 3 adults on each with mattresses and blankets. While the mattresses and
blankets have seen better days, they were in reasonable repair and certainly useful as padding under our
own mattresses and kept out the cold. When we arrived at the hut the temperature was 11 degrees.
A small outer room was just at the top of the stairs which was useful as a wash room. A water tank was situ-
ated to the side of the hut and the toilet – enclosed on 3 sides with views of the surrounding bushland – was
situated approx. 300 metres away.

Page 4 of 6
 We stayed in the Lady Lake Hut for
5 nights and during the day we ex-
plored the Central Plateau. The first
day we walked approx. 18 km to
Ironstone Hut on the shores of Lake
Nameless and climbed Forty Lakes
Peak. The weather was cold as we
started out with ice visible on the
tarns and frost on the low lying fo-
liage. The walk took us over the un-
dulating plateau and past Lake We-
ston. The stunning low lying plant
forms included red tipped scoparia,
cyathodes, mountain rocket, tea
trees, everlasting daisies and the
beautiful moss green of the cushion
plant interspersed with stunning
rock formations. Crystal clear
streams meandered to the numer-
ous lakes in the area and made for
a visual wonderland as we tra-
versed the landscape.
Lake Nameless is one of the larger lakes on the plateau and Ironstone Hut is located on the far side under
the escarpment of Forty Lakes Peak. The hut is made of stone and it looks as though it would be comfort-
able to spend a night or two within its walls. It has
bunks and a stove/ heater and looks like it has
been used recently with some basic supplies on
the shelves.

We stopped for morning tea and enjoyed the views to the lake and a toilet stop before continuing to the top
of Forty Lakes Peak. It was tricky to find our way to the top but eventually Richard found a way through the
high vegetation and rocks to a section we could scramble up. Once we were up the first set of obstacles we
could see a series of rock cairns which led to the top. The scenery from the top was spectacular with a 360
degree view of the lakes that abound on the plateau below. We took time to enjoy the spectacle before fol-
lowing a different series of cairns which led to a defined track back to the hut. We then retraced our steps
back to Lady Lake Hut. The day had warmed to a beautiful Tassie day for walking.
The weather changes very rapidly in Tassie. The next morning we woke
to overcast skies with intermittent drizzle and showers. It was very cold
even in the hut. We decided to spend the morning in the hut and if the
weather improved to go for a walk after lunch. During the morning visit-
ors from Canada arrived. Mary invited them in for a hot drink and one
told us that he was a Higgs related to the builder of the track. This was
an interesting interlude and helped to pass the morning. Over the course
of our time at the hut a number of visitors arrived to spend various
amounts of time on the plateau.
… to be continued...
Aileen Elliott

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 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
Steripen First Aid Kits
President Robin Laban 0478 239 384
The above are available for loan by members at nil cost.
Secretary Marion Laban 0405 536 718
Contact Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 to obtain these items.
Treasurer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
Garmin GPS
Outings Officer Helen McAllister 0419 684 319
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Membership Officer Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618 of Australia included.
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 PLBs with inbuilt GPS
Training Officer Vacant 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at
Social Secretary Julie Woodyatt 0458 477 332 each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following
club meeting.
Other Voluntary Positions Contact Gerry Burton on 0408 793 715 to book these items.
Equipment Officer Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Librarian Nolene McCay 0488 490 264 Redlands Bushwalking Club
BWQ Rep Gerry Burton 0408 793 715 Only stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority
over visitors. Calendar is available at:
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785 http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980
BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs
Meeting Place affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader.
Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations.
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St.
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. YHA Bushwalkers
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
A coin donation is appreciated. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings
Membership
Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Probationary Membership
Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying
Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
the membership fee. Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
Ordinary Membership
and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
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. Feature Pic
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 –
eg “RSmith member fee”.
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL:
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/ A waterfall in Basket Swamp National Park, NSW
April 2017 Photo: Michael H

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