Profile for Olwyn - Aussie Bushwalking

This Year

Number of Walks Ticked

80.1km

Total Distance Ticked

All Time

Number of Walks Ticked

447.8km

Total Distance Ticked

Ticks

Name	Date	Difficulty	Distance/Duration
Wineglass Bay (Freycinet National Park)	3 Apr, 2022	Medium	6.6km return 3 hrs
It was quit overcast the day we were at Wineglass Bay but we still did the walk and continued on to the beach walk. Because the weather was so moody we had the beach to ourselves and enjoyed the crashing waves. We didn’t find the track difficult, although I took some of the uphill steps at my own pace. We are in our 50’s and fit.
Overland Track (Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park)	23 Mar, 2022	Medium	63km 8 days
This was a wonderful, challenging, and totally worthwhile eight days . Day 1 was very challenging due to hiking up Marion’s Lookout with full pack in a gale, and then a steep descent at the end of a tiring day. Waterfall Hut is lovely, with around 32 sleeping platforms in 3 dorms and a spacious common room. Thankfully Day 2 is much shorter and we were at Lake Windermere Hut before lunchtime. It’s a smaller and older hut but a new, larger, hut is under construction. Day 3 is long but you cover some beautiful country, and Pelion Hut is a welcome end to the day. We chose to stay two nights at Pelion and hiked Mt Oakleigh the following day. We’ll worth it. Day 5 could be a short day but we elected to attempt to summit Mt Ossa. Didn’t make it quite to the summit due to weather conditions. The Kia Ora Hut is the smallest but a new one is under construction. Day 6 has three side trips to see waterfalls, and considering we’d walked five days to see them we weren’t going to miss them. Everyone had their favourite. Windy Ridge/Bert Nicholls Hut is quite large and has a drying room for wet gear. Day 7 is pretty much a gentle descent to Lake St Clare and the scenery is not as spectacular. The Narcissist Hut is quite small but not as many people camp there. Sunrise on the mountains was beautiful. Day 8 was a ferry ride to Cynthia Bay. The trail is well maintained and all the huts have rainwater. Track surfaces vary from boardwalk to tree roots to rocks. Tasmanian Parks Rangers also travel the track to keep an eye out for any problems. Most huts have a Rangers station with a 2 Way for emergencies. We were told that the most common reason for hikers to be evacuated is due to twisted ankles. Prepare for this hike by doing lots of mountains in the months before you go. I trained doing a 10 km walk each morning with a 17kg pack, for 4 months; and I’m so glad I did!
Mt. Mathieson Circuit (Main Range National Park)	16 Jan, 2022	Medium	10.5km 3 hrs
Moderately easy hike along a well defined trail. Most of the way it’s single file and a little overgrown but we had no trouble following it. Overall not too steep although a couple of short scrambles where the path uses the natural rocks. Glad I wore my gaiters because it was quite wet after the thunderstorm last night. Spectacular views from Mt Mathieson towards Cunningham’s Gap, and at the other end of the trail from Governors Chair towards Moogerah Peaks National Park.
The Pyramid (Girraween National Park)	30 Dec, 2021	Hard	3.8km return 2 hrs
Very enjoyable scramble in this beautiful National park. Easy trail to get to the base, although has steps towards the end. Once on the rock the trail is well marked with white paint dashes. Good grippy shoes are best because of the angle but the rock surface is rough so it grips. Unless it’s wet. Don’t attempt if it’s wet. I saw all levels of ability, from people just walking and others on all fours for parts. All age groups from young kids to retirees. Lovely views from the top. Also take the side track to the right just before summit, which leads to balancing rock (it’s not sign posted).
Pages Pinnacle (South East Queensland)	18 Dec, 2021	Hard	6.7km return 2.5 hrs
The hike up the fire trail is technically easy but you need a reasonable level of fitness. The real challenge for me was the ridge line crawl, and I have the bruises to prove it haha! Don’t attempt this unless you are very experienced or with someone very experienced.
Granite Arch (Girraween National Park)	30 Oct, 2021	Easy	1.7km return 30 mins
Really enjoyable little walk.
Granite Arch (Girraween National Park)	30 Oct, 2021	Easy	1.7km return 30 mins
Really enjoyable little walk.
The Sphinx and Turtle Rock (Girraween National Park)	30 Oct, 2021	Medium	7.4km return 4 hrs
Very nice walk
Castle Rock (Girraween National Park)	30 Oct, 2021	Medium	5.2km return 2 hrs
A few challenging moments walking along the side of the rock to get to the top, but once on the top it’s pretty easy.
Coomera Circuit (Lamington National Park)	16 Oct, 2021	Medium	17.4km 6 hrs
Very pretty creek walk with some interesting creek crossings. Quite long at around 18kms circuit starting at the car park.
West Canungra Creek Circuit (Lamington National Park)	9 Oct, 2021	Hard	13.9km 5.5 hrs
Lovely walk along Canungra Creek with many little waterfalls. Lots of birds.
Cathedral Cave (Carnarvon National Park)	13 Sep, 2021	Hard	18.2km return 6 hrs
Very interesting history and rock paintings. This is right at the end of the main gorge and not technically difficult to get to but it’s a long walk.
Boowinda Gorge (Carnarvon National Park)	12 Sep, 2021	Hard	18.4km return 6 hrs
We had camped at Big Bend and did Boowimba Gorge and Battleship Spur the following day, returning to camp at Big Bend. The trail in the gorge is over loose river stones, so not a smooth path but ok. The climb up the gully to the Battleship Spur track was steep but ok as there were lots of tree roots to hold. To get to Battleship Spur you cross open grasslands then ascend and ascend and just when you think you’re there there’s another ridge to go up. Some sections are quite narrow and along the edge of the ridge and one part has a ladder to get to the top. The effort is rewarded with spectacular views.
Battleship Spur (Carnarvon National Park)	12 Sep, 2021	Hard	30km 12 hrs
The walk starts in Boowinda Gorge and ascends a steep gully to the open grassland above. The gully has plenty of roots to use as hand holds, so while steep it’s not too bad. After crossing the grassland the trail ascends over a number of ridges and up a ladder. After the ladder the trail is often cut along the edge of the ridge and quite narrow. The view at the top looks back along the main gorge and is stunning.
Main Gorge (Carnarvon National Park)	11 Sep, 2021	Medium	9.7km return 5 hrs
Spectacular! Be prepared for lots of creek crossings over stepping stones. The track is not technically difficult, it’s the distance that is tiring. Take plenty of water and food. We hiked from the Visitor Centre, stopping at all the side attractions, to Big Bend, where we camped. Took around 7.5 hours and was roughly 20kms.
Wards Canyon (Carnarvon National Park)	11 Sep, 2021	Medium	9.8km return 4 hrs
Short side trip off the main gorge track. Lovely cool spot. Not difficult to get to unless you can’t do steps.
Boolimba Bluff (Carnarvon National Park)	10 Sep, 2021	Hard	7.1km return 3 hrs
Stunning views at Queensland’s ‘Blue Mountains’. Loved this walk. Yes there are steps but they are not contiguous, don’t be put off the view is well worth it.
Mickey Creek (Carnarvon National Park)	10 Sep, 2021	Medium	4.7km return 2 hrs
Mickey Creek itself is not that spectacular, but towards the end of the walk there is track going right to Warrumbah Gorge which is stunning. This is the highlight, don’t miss it. The track is marked but you can keep going beyond the marked track for quite a distance up the gorge.
Table Top Loop (Toowoomba)	28 Aug, 2021	Hard	2km return 2 hrs
Lots of fun scrambling. The scramble along the first ridge was challenging but do-able, and the final scramble was quite steep but just keep going and you’ll make it. Took us 45 minutes to the top.
Mt Maroon (Mt Barney National Park)	21 Aug, 2021	Hard	6km return 5 hrs
Hard but worth it. 360 views from the top are magnificent. It’s quite a steep trail up the gullies involving rock scrambling so a reasonable level of fitness and flexibility is needed. Took us 5 hours return, plus 30 minutes on the summit for morning tea with views!