Tour Itinerary
The actual scheduled walks are yet to be decided. These are the 2011 walks - the descriptions will give you a good overview of the type of walks we take.
Walk 1: Paddy’s Waterfall (Mount Barney NP) Approx. 6km return. 3 ½ hrs return. Easy (one ‘climb’) ½ DAY
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Description: Paddy’s Creek flows roughly SE between Mt May and Mt Maroon. Generally it runs intermittently however there are usually permanent pools along its short course before it joins Mt Barney Creek. The walk follows a fire trail that crosses Mt Barney Creek then runs up the valley through open forest making for easy walking conditions. The only small challenge is a hill called the Golden Staircase. Our goal is Paddy’s Waterfall, a 40m drop over a rhyolite cliff about 2.5km from our starting point. It’s a lovely spot for a cuppa and hopefully there will be water flowing over the cliff. We return by the same route.
Walk 2: Waterfall Gorge – Mt Greville Summit (Mt Greville NP) 6 – 7 hrs. Moderate – challenging. Rough, rocky.
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Description: This rugged little peak is one of the gems of the Fassifern. It has such wonderful diversity of habitat, flora and fauna that every turn in the track is a surprise. The route ascends the peak via Waterfall Gorge threading through a jumbled array of rocks between narrow towering cliffs that protect Piccabeen palms and giant White Beech trees. Emerging from the Gorge the route crosses the forested ridge before joining the walking track to the summit. The return route to the vehicles brings us back through heath-land and over rhyolite slabs that support hoya, ferns and orchids and on through open forest to complete the circuit.
Walk 3: Lizard Point (Main Range NP) 8 -9 hours return. Challenging. (Fingers crossed for a perfect clear day!)
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Description: Lizard Point juts from the Main Range as a prominent shelf on the skyline north of Mt Roberts. It’s quite a spectacular view point from which to survey the headwaters of Carneys and Wild Cattle Creeks and many of the peaks of the Fassifern. This ridge walk through dense rainforest is rough and challenging. From Teviot Gap it involves a steep climb following the line of the old rabbit fence to gain the ridge line and then takes a rough rocky foot track through rainforest and over Mt Roberts (1327m) before the trail brings us out to Lizard Point. We return by the same route.
Walk 4: Cleared Ridge – Upper Portals Circuit. (Mt Barney NP) Overnight camp at Yamarah Creek. Moderate
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Description: This hike is an overnight pack carrying adventure. The hike is not too challenging and the idea of the weekend is to introduce you to multi-day bushwalks. More details will be available to those expressing interest. Today’s walk begins on Cleared Ridge (4WD Access only) overlooking the Burnett Valley and the surrounding peaks. A fire trail follows the ridge line then becomes a narrow walking pad with great view points to Mt Barney and subsidiary peaks. The track drops steeply down to the dramatic Upper Portals gorge on Mt Barney Creek where we’ll have lunch and explore around this interesting area. Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies inhabit the cliff lines and if we are lucky we may spot some. To complete the circuit we head upstream to the junction with Yamarah Creek and take the fire trail along the valley floor and back up to Cleared Ridge.
Walk 5: Hole in the Wall (Main Range NP – Goomburra Section) Approx. 6km return 5 – 6 hrs. Moderate - Challenging.
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Description: This is a moderately challenging off-track walk to an unusual feature east of Sylvester’s Lookout on the ridge leading to Mt Castle. Beginning in rainforest near the lookout, the route is steep and rocky underfoot at first, winding along the ridge. The trail passes by Laidley Creek Falls campsite and the falls before a narrow trail beneath the cliff-line leads to the Hole in the Wall. This walk affords great views and has plenty of variety. There will be an early start due to the long drive to Goomburra on the western side of the Main Range.
NB Walk is subject to change – it will depend on completion of the road works on Cunningham’s Gap. If they are ongoing the traffic delays will make to day too long. An alternative will be scheduled.
Walk 6: The First Pyramid, Aztec Temple and other park features (Girraween NP) Moderate.
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Description: After setting up camp we’ll head out to hike up one of the magnificent granite domes in the park and enjoy the last light on the peaks. Sunday morning will see us packed up early then off into the park to explore some of the lesser known features such as the Aztec Temple near the Underground Creek.
NB July at Girraween is pretty frosty! This is a great opportunity to get out your winter gear and enjoy a bit of nippy weather. Not to mention a nice warm gluhwein round the fire…
Walk 7: Mt May- Drynan’s Hut Traverse (Mt Barney NP) 7 – 8 hrs. Challenging.
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Description: With its imposing cliffs Mt Maroon appears as a somewhat daunting peak however ascent is relatively straight forward with just a few short scrambles to access the summit. The summit area is rocky with delicate montane heath growing in the shallow soils. A narrow trail leads SW to take us off the summit and down a rocky water-course that eventually becomes a series of cascades and pools ending at Paddy’s Gully, a tributary of Mt Barney Creek. After making a short side trip to a 40m waterfall we return to the fire trail and make our over the shoulder of Mt May and down to Waterfall Gully. Our traverse of Mt Maroon has a wilderness feel and will give a you a true appreciation of this beautiful peak and it’s surrounds.
Walk 8: Mt Barney via SE Ridge (Summit elevation 1351m) (Mt Barney NP) Approx. 12hrs return. Challenging – Difficult. Elevation gain 1000m. Short scramble sections. MAX GROUP SIZE 7. Cost $65pp – 2 guides
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Description: First ascended by Capt. Logan in 1828, Mt Barney has long been an iconic bushwalking peak. There are many routes to the twin summits so one can spend a lifetime exploring its ridges, bluffs and gorges. We will take the SE Ridge in ascent and descend via Peasant’s (South) Ridge. It’s a BIG climb, requiring good fitness and determination and it is not to be under-estimated. Start time is 5am at Yellow Pinch car park. The first part is along the fire trail giving us time to warm up. The trail proper climbs continuously for 1000 m to the very summit of the east peak. This ridge has a number of rocky sections requiring good balance and agility. Towards the final ascent the ridge is very steep and there are several scramble sections where basic climbing skills come in handy. The last section winds between rocky outcrops and through mallee and montane heath until the summit of the East Peak is gained at 1351m. The views are superb. As with all mountains, the climb is not over until you are back at your start point so as much care and time will be taken on the descent. As the final in the series, this hike is a truly memorable grand finale. It is achievable if you have prepared well and developed the necessary fitness – and the weather is with us!
NB With an early start it is advisable to stay overnight at Mt Barney Lodge. There are cabins and camping areas available for booking.
Walk 9: Girraween NP Weekend The First Pyramid, Aztec Temple and other park features (Girraween NP) Moderate. Saturday (arrive around lunch time)
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Description: After setting up camp we’ll head out to hike up one of the magnificent granite domes in the park and enjoy the last light on the peaks. Sunday morning will see us packed up early then off into the park to explore some of the lesser known features such as the Aztec Temple near the Underground Creek.
Walk 10: Lower Portals and Mt Barney Creek explore. (Mt Barney NP) Approx. 5km to Portals Easy / Moderate. OPTIONAL: Creek rock hopping requiring balance / agility.
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Description: The walk begins at the Lower Portals car park and the first section is an easy walk (approx 2.4 km) on a track to the Portals. From here we bypass the Portals via a saddle and follow a path to bypass the Portals dropping steeply back down to the creek. This will be a relaxed time to just explore the rock formations and pools of the creek before returning the same way. If the day is warm then a dip will be in order before we then return along the Lower Portals track to our vehicles. This will be an ideal hike on which to pack a sketch book, camera, diary or a pillow so you can enjoy this wild place in comfort!
A word on walk grading
Giving a perfectly accurate description of a walk to a person who has yet to experience that walk is a difficult task. Everyone has a different perception of the relative terms “easy”, “moderate”, “challenging” and “difficult”. The grades on these walks are an indicator of the relative level of challenge. You will enjoy each walk more if you are healthy, have two legs (and knees) that work adequately and maintain a reasonable level of fitness (that improves) over the series. For this reason the trips are spaced out to allow time for recovery and some extra walks in between to improve your fitness for the next outing.
Distance doesn’t necessarily correlate with how long a walk will take. Unless otherwise stated, assume that you will be out in the bush for a full day each time.
Safety / weather conditions
None of these walks are a race! The group will be expected to stay together under the care and supervision of the guide/s. At the beginning of each walk there will be a detailed briefing for the conduct of the day. Your guide is trained in first aid and carries comprehensive emergency gear and appropriate communications equipment. All walks are subject to change on the day, depending on weather conditions. Generally, conditions are stable at this time of the year and program alterations should be unnecessary. If a walk is to be changed, cancelled or postponed you will be given at least 24 hours notice.
Beginner bushwalkers
If you have never walked along rough tracks or up a steep hill in the bush you may find the idea quite daunting. This is an opportunity to try out something new in a supportive environment with an experienced guide. Come on the first couple of walks and discover if bushwalking suits you. You are sure to find it’s a wonderful activity and one you can enjoy in any part of the globe. All you have to do is don walking shoes and take the first step out the door into the day!
Age limits
Whilst there is no upper or lower age limit on participants for Horizon Guides walks some may be more suitable for you than others, especially if you have health issues or are very young. If in doubt please get in touch before you book so that we can discuss your specific needs and experience.
Questions?
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the walks or your ability to participate.
STRICTLY 10 PARTICIPANTS ON EACH WALK.
To reserve your place on all or any of these walks simply
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now to register your interest.
Thank you – I hope we can walk together this season!
