Kahlpahlim Rock Hike

Posted on 08/04/2011 by TAG

Davies Creek Falls in full spateWhat a beautiful hike this is!

We decided to get ‘out and about’ in late March and Dinden National Park in the Lamb Ranges was our destination – it always seems sunnier over that way at this time of the year. We had an early start and had time to view the impressive Davies Creek Falls which were running strongly after the heavy mid season rains. We chose the circuit route hike via the Ridge Trail which starts at about 750m on Davies Creek Road in open eucalypt forest and then rises on a former logging trail through beautiful Rose Gum forest.

We were fortunate to come across a superb 3.5metre Amethystine Python lying dead still in the middle of the track and were able to get close enough to take photographs before he moved off silently into the undergrowth – a good luck omen perhaps? We continued on through mixed forest including beautiful purple Kauri Pines before entering Casuarina and Banksia forest and a small patch of dense rainforest just before reaching Kahlpahlim Rock which lies at about 1,250m.

The rock itself is a huge feature and is visible on clear days from both the west near Mareeba and from south of Cairns. A rocky platform around and up a short distance on the eastern side normally affords excellent views, however on this day we had glimpses through the cloud to Lake Morris/Copperlode Dam as well as to Cairns and the Coral Sea.

Kahlphalim Rock cleft

The return trip is all downhill via a well worn snig track but be certain to turn right at the bottom of the track and cross the ‘bridge of heavy timbers’ which leads to the main car park.

It is then an easy 2km walk from the terminal point of Davies Creek Road to the put in car park. Be sure to stop for a swim in the clear and crisp Davies Creek on the way home!

Track Notes Distance – about 12.5km round trip. Allow 5 – 7 hours to do the circuit comfortably Track surface – former logging and snig tracks. Caution is required at present as the track is blocked in parts by fallen trees and debris after cyclones. Grade – moderate to quite strenuous.

Here’s a link to more info on Dinden and
Davies Creek NP.

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WELCOME TO THE WET TROPICS

Posted on 06/04/2011 by TAG

Pastoral paradiseAh the Wet Season- when is it going to end!. This is a common lament heard around FNQ anytime between January and April most years. I guess we – particularly those of us with itchy feet for outdoor adventure, get a bit frustrated about being confined indoors for part of the day.

I decided to have a look at long term records for Malanda – which sits about centre of the ‘wet’ part of the Atherton Tablelands – and see just how wet 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 were. Some interesting facts emerged which I share below.

Rainfall records have been collected from Malanda Post Office since 1916 – that’s 94 years ago, and these show that the long term average for the town is 1,693mm. By contrast, rainfall for 2010 totalled 2,887mm – the highest on record, with the closest comparable year being 1921 when 2,718mm fell! Rainfall for the 3 months January – March 2011 has been 1,300mm.

Adventure weatherWhat the records don’t show is how lucky we Tablelanders really are. Apart from some minor forest damage caused by Cyclone Yasi, the rainforest is looking superb and wildlife is flourishing. Lake Tinaroo has been at full capacity since early January and Atherton Tablelands kayaking opportunities have never been better. There are waterflows off granite areas along Peterson Creek which have been running for 2 months with no sign of abating. Also the wet season has given us time to slow down, consolidate and prepare for a busy tourist season.

Finally to confirm how lucky we really are Mt. Bellenden Kerr weather station – approximately 30km north east of Malanda recorded 12,461mm in 2000. NOW THAT’S REAL RAIN! Inevitably though the monsoon system moves north in early May and we are blessed with CRISP, CLEAR DAYS AND COOL STARLIGHT NIGHTS ideal for adventuring and camping.

We look forward to welcoming you to the WET TROPICS for your for your chosen North Queensland adventure.

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Superb East Gippsland Cycle Tour

Posted on 21/12/2010 by TAG

Peter Tuck and his wife Trixie from Tableland Adventure Guides’ spent a week at the end of November checking out how the Victorians do it.

Snowy River Cycling, a recently established business run by Liz Mitchell out of Orbost, arrange day and multi day tours to ‘wild and unexpected places’ in East Gippsland. Our chosen tour, ‘Snowgums to Seaweed’ traversed through towering Eucalypt forests in 4 of the regions National Parks including the iconic Alpine, Snowy and Erinundra Parks and terminated at the beautiful beaches of Cape Conran National Park. Supported riding distances ranged between 30 and 50 km/day with a few exhilarating ‘downhill days’ interspersed and with memorable smokos and lunches on the trail courtesy Liz and Pezza. Check out Liz’s website at www.snowyrivercycling.com.au and next time you are in east Gippsland be sure to join one of Liz’s outstanding trips.

Checking out how the Victorians do it.Wild and unexpected places' in East Gippsland.

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Hinchinbrook – Thorsborne Trail and Three Peaks

Posted on 25/10/2010 by TAG

HINCHINBROOK THREE PEAKS

Hinchinbrook Island – what a diverse landscape, from verdant mangroves to sweeping palm fringed beaches fronting the Coral Sea,  pristine lowland rainforest, magnificent waterfalls and a central spine of rugged mountain peaks reaching 1,000 metres. This unique wilderness of close to 40,000 hectares lies off the East Coast of Far North Queensland within a mere 2 hours drive south of Cairns and north of Townsville. 

The most popular walk by far on the island is the 32km Throsborne Trail which traverses down the eastern side of the island and affords a superb hiking experience with a diverse range of camping opportunities. The walk is usually undertaken over a period of 4 – 5 days which allows enough time to immerse oneself in the island’s character. Hiking and bush walking opportunities on the island are co-ordinated by  the Department of Environment and Resource Management, camping permits are required and  fees apply. In addition, in order to  minimise the human  impact in this outstanding wilderness, permits are issued for a maximum of 40 people on the trail at any one time and the largest group size is six.

Peter Tuck, one of TAG’s directors, was fortunate enough  to have joined a group of 5 other local bush walkers in late August to undertake a 9 day ‘Three Peaks’ Hinchinbrook experience. Our group  walked most of the Throsborne Trail as it forms the obvious, and most picturesque link between the Three Peaks. We started out from Lucinda on day 2 of the trip and were intent on summiting Mt. Straloch at 922 metres, or at least making it to the wreck of the Texas Terror, a World War 2 Liberator bomber lower down the mountain. This aircraft departed Garbutt (Townsville) Airfield on 18 December 1942 and was one of 6 aircraft heading north to New Guinea. The bomber crashed on Mt. Straloch in bad weather with the loss of  all 12 crew and passengers. The ‘easiest’ route up Mt. Straloch is via a boulder strewn creek bed  but drizzle over the previous few days made for very dangerous and slow walking on slippery rocks. As a result it was agreed that we abandon the climb at about 450 metres in order to catch the ferry out before the low tide at 3 pm. 3 days of good weather saw us hike off track and summit -  through overgrown heathland, the 955 metre Mt. Diamantina before making our way down to the superb Zoe Falls for a welcome swim and overnight camp at Zoe Bay. Our  last objective was the challenging Mt. Bowen which rises through craggy, mist shrouded foothills to 1,121m. We made our  base at Little Ramsay Bay and carried light gear up the Warrawilla Creek route to our  overnight camp at the saddle. An early start had us on the summit by 9.30 to enjoy the superb views and back at the beach camp by 5pm. A well deserved rest day and last night camp at the beautiful, deserted Nina Bay camp site  allowed us to enjoy a slow hike to the ferry take out point in the mangroves behind Ramsay Bay. 

Any  group wishing to walk off the Thorsborne Trail and into the mountains will need to apply in writing to Rainforest and Reef Information Centre, Cardwell. We also recommend that you consult the DERM website at   www.derm.qld.gov.au for site specific track notes.

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Butchers Creek

Posted on 03/10/2010 by TAG

Pushing and pulling up the creek

The other day Pete and I went for a walk / paddle from Kearneys Falls campsite down the Mulgrave River and up Butchers Creek.  We dragged the kayak up the rapids and paddled where possible.  It was possibly quicker than walking and certainly more fun!    
This part of the Mulgrave valley has facinated us.  The Zig Zag track which comes down to Butchers Creek, the Cairns Track that crosses over the creek and then follows it all the way down to the

Mulgrave River and beyond and then there is Walter Hodgekinson’s mine on the banks of the Creek.  They’re worth a whole chapter on their own (see previous blog entries)
We camped rough and returned the following day with just a little more knowledge about this spectacular little creek.

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Swiss couple tackle the big one

Posted on 25/09/2010 by TAG

Sometimes the path ahead is not that clear

BARTLE FRERE – LEECH CAPITAL OF FNQ
TAG had the opportunity of leading two spirited Swiss adventurers on a Bartle Frere day walk on Friday 10th  September. Beat and Rahel were up for everything the elements could throw at us including a mediocre weather with no summit views and drizzle making for arduous walking. They were not prepared either for the leeches and we tried every possible repellent including Deet, and our most recent remedy  – Apple Cider Vinegar. We spent 10 hours on the return trip and as allways the beauty and solitude of Bartle Frere did not dissapoint us.
Here is  an excerpt of Beat and Rahels feedback email to TAG;

‘We’re still thinking about the exhausting hike and what a great adventure it was. You were the perfect guide for this tour with so much knowledge about the nature and its beauty. It was the right decision to (sic) experience this trip with Tableland Adventure Guides! Without you we wouldn’t have reached the summit at all.”
“The delicous dinner was the perfect ending of this amazing day! Thank you too for the Tree Kangaroo spotting tour on Saturday. It was great!”

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Bartle Frere Day Walk

Posted on 16/08/2010 by TAG

Pete and I had a walk the other day.   A big walk for me!  Whilst I’ve walked up a few times and camped, I hadn’t done Bartle Frere up and down in a day, so I was keen to time it at my pace.  We took it slowly and imagined we had clients.   Leaving the bottom at a lazy 7 am we sauntered up the mountain stopping for smoko of freshly brewed coffee and cake.  Whilst it was mostly overcast, it was at least dry with enough sporadic sunny periods to make it pleasant walking.
We made the peak at 12 midday and had a long, drawn out lunch in the vague hope that clouds might clear and give us that view.  It wasn’t going to happen so we started the long descent nearly an hour later.  The afternoon tea, little side explorations and other distractions meant we eventually made it back to the car at 6pm, some five hours later.
I enjoyed the day immensely, especially as we took time to enjoy it.

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Herberton 8 hr

Posted on 16/08/2010 by TAG

Recently we made up a team and joined in the fun of the Herberton 8hr bike race.   Check it out at   http://www.tablelandcyclesports.com/   where you’ll find not only the results of the race but a whole heap of other stuff!
Our good friend Jeff (another Jeff) and his son joined us and we had a great time.  Talking of times … the real keen managed 40 +  minutes around the 13km track whilst we all averaged around 50 + mins.  We made 8 laps in the 8 hours. It was a fun day and comes highly recomended.

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Main Peak Trek – Bartle Frere

Posted on 26/07/2010 by TAG

At last! – a break in the gloomy weather in early July allowed us to tackle the Main Peak Trek that TAG has advertised – and what a trip it was.
The intention of this serious adventure was to confirm that it is possible to hike from the Tablelands return via the Cairns Mailman’s Track, Goldfield Track and up and over Bartle Frere – a total distance of 55 kilometers in 4 days. Jeff and I have done this trip in parts over the last few years but we intend to offer it to our more adventurous clients as a regular top rate dry season trek .
There were a group of 10 of us in all – 8 trekkers and 2 support crew. Jeff, Daniel Robinson – TAG’s professional contract guide and a friend Martin established a new route down the Cairns Track that found them at Kearney’s campground on the Mulgrave River at 4 pm. After an early night the group headed off up the Goldfield Track and there were some unexpected surprises – overnight rain had swollen the mighty Mulgrave River and Daniel had to arrange a safe crossing with the group. A short while later ‘a monster boar’ burst out of the undergrowth in alarm and the group were forced to scatter, shrieking, out of its path. The Goldfield is one of our favorites – there are opportunities for swimming and many beautiful animals and birds are evident along the track – as well as a few ‘unfriendlies’ such as black snakes and large pigs!! The weary group arrived at an attractive council run campsite where the overnight camp had been set up by the support crew. After a welcome afternoon smoko there was time for a walk and swim at the spectacular Boulders on Babinda Creek – check them out at www.cairnsattractions.com.au
A light morning drizzle greeted us early next morning as we prepared for our traverse of Bartle Frere – Queensland’s highest mountain. The route is described by Steve Waters in Wild Magazine* thus; “The elevation gain on the eastern route is over 1,500m making it one of the tallest ascents in the country. Make no mistake it is a big day out”.
The 15 km Bartle Frere Trail provides an outstanding mountain experience; the immediate locality has recorded annual rainfall in excess of 10,000mm, day temperatures average about 30C and the upper ridges can be shrouded in cloud. Conversely, clear days offer some of the best views in North Queensland, over the Coral Sea and adjoining ranges. The trail passes through 6 vegetation types including cloud forest and there are several plant and animal species, amongst them a Rhododendron, which are found only on this range. The spectacular Golden bowerbird and its huge bower have been observed on 3 of our last 4 treks – Google golden bowerbird for images.
After a hard but thankfully cool 8 hour trek from 100 m to 1,450m we reached and retreated into the small evacuation hut in white out conditions for a warm brew. Day 4 had us up early to tackle the difficult boulder field before reaching the summit and then relishing a slow downhill hike through beautiful Tableland forest to our 5 pm take out on Gourka Road.

If you would like to join TAG’s next Bartle Frere adventure check out our itinerary on the homepage.

*Wild Australia’s Wilderness Adventure Magazine. March – April 2010 edition. Prime Creative Media, South Melbourne

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The Zig Zag Track

Posted on 02/07/2010 by TAG

Last week Pete and I explored a new track to us, the Zig Zag Track, that took us down into the Mulgrave Valley from Gadgara forest on the Tablelands. It was a gentle undulating walk though a variety of forest types before we emerged onto the grassy hilltops overlooking the valley. The views of Bartle Frere and surrounding hills were stunnning, for as far as the eye could see the mottled green of forest soaked up the sunlight and seemed to invite us down.
Miners used this track well over 100 yrs ago. Quickly dropping in altitude, we zig-zagged down the steep slopes finding mine shafts, then rusted rail track and bogey carts and then finally at the bottom, the working site on the bank of a creek. Rusted machine parts littered the Walter Hodgkinson Mine site which was slowly being reclaimed by the forest. We immediately wanted to know more about the place.
We had a quick coffee before pressing on. The track was now largely along the contours just above the Butchers Creek and much of it had been cut into the steep slopes. It was heavily overgrown and difficult to follow. On many occassions it was almost impossible to see.
Finally we abandoned the track and crossed Butchers Creek where it joined the Mulgrave River. We were now on familiar ground and a quick walk along the banks of Mulgrave found us opposite Kearneys Camp site and at the end of a 9 hr walk.

Posted in Atherton Tablelands, Bush walking, Exploring, Mulgrave river, Tracks | 1 Comment