Hobart Walking Club visit detailed walk descriptions

Transcription

1 Hobart Walking Club visit detailed walk descriptions Version 2 1 Thu- Sun, 6-9 Oct: Nadgee Four- day coastal walk M/M 4 days A walk along the wilderness coast of Nadgee Nature Reserve, past sheltered bays, serene lakes, rocky headlands and cliff- top lookouts, through forests and heath country dotted with spring flowers and through the amazingly extensive sand dunes of Cape Howe on the NSW/Victorian border. Whale spotting possibilities. All on track, beach or sand- dunes, though some parts of the track may be under water and the sand- walking can be strenuous and sometimes windy. 6 to 8 hours actual walking each day. Although this walk can be self- guided with no prior knowledge, an experienced leader will remove the worry of finding fresh water. One- way transport, by road and by boat, will be arranged from one end of the track to the other, allowing a through- route. Costs approx. $60 per person for road transfer; $40 per person for boat transfer; plus Nadgee park fees of $10 per person per night. Maps: tba. Part of the Cape Howe sand dunes View from a headland lookout, Nadgee NR

2 2 Thu Sun, 6-9 Oct: Budawangs Clyde River, Holland Creek Circuit M/R 4 days Route: Yadboro Creek Castle Gap upstream on the Clyde River upstream on Hollands Gorge Creek up a ridge parallel to Angel Creek around the base of Tarn into upper Angel Creek Mt Cole camping cave slot between Cole and Owen (Interesting!) Monolith Valley Yadboro Creek. Mainly off- track. Highlights: natural arch near Castle Gap, rainforest of Upper Angel Creek, cliff- base scenery and a typical Budawangs camping cave, a climb down a tree root, heath country with spring flowers, views and very varied scenery. About six to seven hours walking each day, the main ascents are 450 metres (day 1) and 500 metres (day 3). Map: The Northern Budawang Range (CMW sketch map) 1:50,000 Camping Cave below Mt Cole. Hollands Gorge Creek 3 Sun 9 Oct: Welcome Drinks pm Hosted in a CBC member s home. Transport will be arranged. $5 to cover drinks and nibbles. 4 Mon 10 Oct. Settlers Track and Waterhole Hut M/E A circuit through grasslands in Namadgi National Park, visiting historic hut and homestead sites from the 19 th and 20 th century. The CBC guide is an ACT historian. 9+ km, gently undulating. Depart

3 Canberra 8.30 am, return mid- afternoon. About 1 hour 20 minute drive from central Canberra on bitumen and 2WD gravel road. Waterhole Hut 5 Mon 10 Oct. Mt Gingera from Corin Dam L/M At 1850 metres, Mt Gingera has excellent views from its granite top. There may be some remnant snow patches near the top and the view is likely to include distant snowy peaks.the route passes through snow gums and alpine meadows, with view points en route, and passes Pryors Hut. Most of the terrain is foot- track, fire trail and footpad. There is about 1 km off- track along a high, open ridge to spot height 1847 for more views, and a steep 200 metre descent back through light scrub back to Pryors Hut m ascent and descent requires good fitness. About 1 hour drive all on sealed road. Map: Corin Dam. View towards Mt Bimberi from Mt Gingera

4 6 Mon 10 Oct. Lego Land S/E Walking footpad between granite tors, high above the Orroral Valley. A cave to explore and opportunities to scramble to huge views. More detail to come. 7 Tues 11 Oct. Bike Ride 30km Using bike paths and shared trails, an approximately 30 km scenic ride around Lake Gininderra and creek. More detail to come. 8 Tues 11 Oct. Temple of Doom M/R Ascend 400m up a steep ridge and spend the day investigating a maze of granite boulders and knolls hidden by scrub. A meandering route will be followed which eventually drops down to the upper Nursery Creek to visit a small waterfall. Return via the Nursery Swamp track. The scrub is thick, and it will be slow going. Scrub gloves are recommended. A small torch is useful for investigating some of the granite features. The dark hole lower right is the exit from the Temple of Doom cracks and caves

5 9 Tues 11 Oct. Ettrema in a day M/R This circuit into Ettrema Gorge, with its cascades, amazingly- clear pools, giant casuarinas and patches of rain forest will delight those who love rock- hopping and varied scenery. We start at the Jumps, descend Bull Frog Creek, with a scramble past a waterfall, then head downstream on Ettrema Creek and exit via an unnamed side creek with some interesting potholes near the top. Includes some steep rock scrambling. Some wading is likely (the wading can be avoided but it is slower). Also about 1 km of thick scrub on the tops as we walk out however in October the thick scrub will be full of heath- country flowers. Total of 10 km, 300 m descent and ascent, 8 hours. Depart Canberra 7 am, a 2 hour drive mainly on sealed road, with 10 km 2WD gravel road. Map: Nerriga. Ettrema Gorge

6 10 Early morning Floriade vs/e An opportunity to view the flowers without crowds. An 8-9am round led by a CBC member prior to public opening. Floriade without the crowds 11 Wed 12 Oct. National Library maps white gloves event A private viewing of historic bushwalking maps such as early editions of Budawangs and Blue Mountains sketch maps, plus some colonial Tasmanian maps. All maps will have been selected specially for this viewing by CBC members and NLA staff. A National Library staff member will be on hand to answer questions. Three sessions of 1.5 hours per session, with a maximum 16 people per session, since crowding can put these fragile maps at risk. Option for coffee or lunch in one of the Library s cafes before or after the session. Session times: 9.45 to am; am to 1 pm; 2.30 pm to 4 pm. When you book please indicate your first and second preference for session times and whether you plan to combine the map viewing with one of the other walks offered on the same day.

7 12 Wed 12 Oct. Design and architecture walk in the suburbs of Bonner and Forde S/E A walk on paved pathways on the fringe of the newish Canberra suburban area of Gungahlin, with hill top views across nature reserves, water features and a section of the historic Old Gundaroo Road (now a walking path). Anyone with an interest in design will appreciate the range of new domestic architecture, the incorporation of walking routes and remnant woodland into the new suburbs, and even the design of the kids playgrounds. Meet at the Mulligans Flat parking area, opposite the corner of Amy Ackman Street and Cleggett Street, Forde, at 9.30 am, finish by pm with option for lunch afterwards in a local café. Can be combined with the afternoon maps session at the National Library. Walking path on route of Old Gundaroo Road 13 Wed 12 Oct. Apollo Rocks M/R A short, sharp walk in Namadgi National Park, straight up 300 metres from the Apollo Road to an unusual granite outcrop to the south of Honeysuckle Creek. The highlights are the 360 degree view from the top and the devious route to the top of the outcrop a climb up inside the granite. This final climb has little exposure but includes a stomach- slither that can be rather undignified! Back by a similar route. All off track. About 40 minute drive from south Canberra, all on sealed road. Depart Canberra am, should be back by 4 pm. Can be combined with the first of the National Library map sessions. 14 and 15 Wed 12 Oct. Combined Canberra Walking Clubs Wednesday Walk S- M/E- M and M- L/M- H Three Canberra walking clubs cooperate to facilitate two walks each Wednesday. Details are announced by the Monday prior. No need to book.

8 16 Thurs 13 Oct. Wave Cave M/R The Wave Cave is a dramatic overhang in a sandstone cliff in the northern Budawangs, with a level floor that could fit dozens of tents. From the Nerriga- Nowra road we will cross a plateau area of forest and flowering heath, then descend on a cairned route through a cliff line to cross Bainbrig Creek and climb to the creek s southern cliff line. We will explore some of the cliff- base scenery before visiting the Wave Cave. Seven to 10 km, depending on how much exploring we do, of which about 2 km is on fire trail and the rest is a very rough mixture of scrub, slab walking, cliff- base boulders and creek. Main descent/ascent 150 metres. Four to five hours actual walking, giving time for photography! About 2 hours drive from Queanbeyan, all on sealed road except for the last 50 metres into the parking spot. Map: Nerriga. The Wave Cave

9 17 Thurs 13 Oct. Mt Gudgenby L/R One of the ACT s classic but challenging walks to 1740 metre Mt Gudgenby. The route follows fire trail and a foot pad to the Naas Creek saddle then climbs steeply through mature forest, and some scrub. The final part of the climb is on granite slabs, or, for those less comfortable with exposure, through the scrub on the edge of the slabs. The main Mt Gudgenby peak boasts 360 degree views that include the Snowy Mountains. 500 metres to the north, the secondary peak is a rock stack with intriguing passageways. 21 km with 900 metres ascent/descent and extended areas of scrub. Just over an hour s drive from South Canberra, partly on 2WD gravel road. Map: Yaouk. Approaching the rock stack on North Gudgenby Peak Descending the Gudgenby slabs (which are steeper than they appear here)

10 18 Thurs 13 Oct. Mt Palerang M/M Detail to come. 19 Fri 14 Oct. Bango Nature Reserve M/M The Bango Nature Reserve, west of Yass, was declared a few years ago and has only recently been discovered by bushwalkers. The walk is a circuit featuring open forest, occasional grassy glades, small creeks, an old hut site, wildflowers, a few grass trees and a trig that has grown out of a granite boulder. This is the only walk offered this week that is to the west of Canberra, and is a little different to the other walks. It is charming rather than spectacular, with the interest coming from the generally open walking, the tree- framed views of the rolling pastoral country that surrounds the reserve and from the distinctive vegetation. A great walk for anyone with a special interest in plants for a plant list see %20NR.pdf The route is gently undulating route and covers about 10 km between the 680 and 780 metre contours. Depart north Canberra, about 10 minutes from the city centre, at 8.30 am for the 1 hour 10 minute drive all on sealed road. Maps: Tangmangaroo and Yass. Bango Nature Reserve

11 20 Fri 14 Oct. Kybeyan ridge and river L/R Between Cooma and the Great Divide, the Kybeyan State Conservation area protects an area in which lower rainfall has produced mostly- open forest. The ridges give good views across farmland to the distant snowy peaks in Kosciuszko National Park, and the Kybeyan River flows through granite gorges and flatter areas with sandy banks. This walk is a circuit which combines some scenic ridge walking with a section of the river that will require some rock- hopping. The terrain is (we think) quite a contrast with Tasmanian walking dry, mostly open country studded with graceful white- barked gum trees. The main climbs are up 200 m, down 400m, up 400 m, down 200 m, over 17 km, but the route can be easily shortened if necessary on the day. A 1 hour 35 minute drive from Southern Canberra, the last 5 minutes requiring AWD or 4WD. The access road crosses private property for which permission has been obtained. Maps: Numeralla and Kybeyan. Gorge section of Kybeyan River 21 Fri 14 Oct. Dinner 6-8pm Dinner in a local restaurant or club. More details to come. Transport will be provided.

12 22 Sat 15 Oct. Canberra Centenary Trail, Hall to Forde M/E Walk the Centenary trail from Hall Village to the suburb of Forde, all on track. The route includes good views from One Tree Hill, and part of the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. Approx 20 km with 500 metres of ascent/descent spread over several points on the route. Map: Hall. 23 Sat 15 Oct. Serenity Rocks M/M This walk in Tallaganda State Forest features pleasant forest, ferny creeks, and views from a granite bluff. The bluff has been informally named Serenity Rocks, after the peaceful surroundings. The walk is on fire trail and foot track, with some steep loose sections of track, the occasional log to step over, and three short creek crossings on low, mossy stones. A semi- circuit of 8 km, this is an undulating route totalling 300 m ascent/descent, and about 3.5 hours actual walking at a relaxed pace. About 45 minutes drive from the meeting point in Queanbeyan, or 1 hour 5 minutes from the City Centre, with about 20 minutes of that time on 2WD gravel road. Starting time 9.30 am from Queanbeyan, should be back around 3.30 pm. Maps: Bombay and Bendoura. Mt Palerang viewed from part of Serenity Rocks

13 24 Sat 15 Oct. Mt Major and Mts Minor M/R In a similar terrain to the Serenity Rocks walk listed above, this walk has more elevation change, and is a further 15 minutes drive. The walk features a mini- plateau with snow gums on top of Mount Major (1350 metres), three view points, lichen- encrusted orange granite boulders and unusually varied vegetation. A very photogenic walk! An initial 3 km of undulating fire trail, followed by 6 km off track in a mixture of open forest, light scrub and a few patches of thicker scrub. The lunch spot requires a few metres of rock scrambling. The main climbs are 350 metres up Mt Major, then 80 metres and 50 metres up each of the Mounts Minor. Five to six hours actual walking at a moderate pace. A 1 hour drive from Queanbeyan, of which 35 minutes is on gravel road; the final 10 minutes of gravel on the Jinglemoney Fire Trail is best done in an AWD or 4WD. Snow gums on top of Mt Major 1350 metres Heading up the ridge to the first Mount Minor

14 25 Sat 15 Oct. Corang Arch and Lagoon L/M More detail to come. Corang Arch

15 26 Sat- Sun Oct. Mt Twynam and Watsons Crags M/R A two night three day walk in the Kosciuszko National Park, from Guthega Dam at ~1600m to Mt Twynam and Watsons Crags. Camp for two nights in Twynam Cirque at ~2000m and from there climb Mt Twynam 2196m and visit Watsons Crags. Requires winter tents, sleeping bags, and cold weather clothing. Max daily distance ~7km, Max daily climb ~600m. Requires receding snow cover and a good weather forecast, KNP is large and we may relocate elsewhere in KNP perhaps Kiandra Tabletop area. Maps: Go to: in top LH corner search for "twynam", then use Basemaps button in top RH corner and slider to mix Vector Map and Air Image, also see measure and co- ordinate tools on top bar. Driving time from Canberra 214km and ~2h45m, Transport ~$40 per person. Watsons Crags from the slopes of Mt Twynam 27 Sat- Sun Oct. Bundanoon weekend S/E Accommodation in a member s home. Short walks in the area. Dinner at a local pub on Saturday night. More detail to come.

16 28 Sun- Mon Oct. Tantawangalo M/R,W Come see why conservationists fought, successfully, to save the forests of Tantawangalo. This walk is in a remote area, rarely walked because of its distance from major cities, with beautiful creeks, eucalypt forest, many varieties of ferns and forest flowers. We will descend through forest to an unnamed tributary of Tantawangalo Creek and follow the tributary downstream. When we reach the junction with Tantawangalo Creek we ll head upstream through cascades and granite slabs to a sand bank campsite about 100 metres above a waterfall. To finish we will walk further downstream through more cascades, and finish with a ridge climb through forest which contains some stands of grass trees. Some rock- hopping, some scrub and lengthy wades in shin- deep sandy pools the water will be cool! Eight kilometres in about 6 hours each day. Main climbs are 300 metres descent on day one and 300 metres ascent on day two. Depart Canberra around 6.30 am for the 3 hour drive. HWC members driving home can head south after the walk, from Bombala down to Melbourne via the Victorian coast. Maps: Cathcart, Candelo, Bemboka. Tributary of Tantawangalo Creek one of the cascade sections of Tantawangalo Creek camp site on a sand bar

17 29 Sun- Mon Oct. Bimberi Peak M/M A two- day walk through sub alpine forest to Bimberi Peak, at 1912 metres the highest peak in the ACT. Mostly on track, with the final climb of Bimberi on footpad and through some scrub. Bimberi itself, and its open summit ridge of snow gums and snow grass, provide excellent 360 degree views. View from the top of Bimberi Peak 30 Sun- Mon Oct. Depot Beach car camp S/E The small village of Depot Beach, less than 2 hours drive from Canberra on sealed road, has a pleasant NPWS camp ground near the beach. Tent sites, caravan sites and cabins are available. From this base, walk options include a half- day circuit to North Durras Beach, on track through spotted gum forest and then on rock platforms, and a half- day or longer walk northwards past Pretty Beach and then on track to Clear Point, for views of the sheltered coves and beaches to the north. Whale sightings are common here in October. Depot Beach 31 Sun 16 Oct. Billy Billy Rocks M/R A scrubby trip to scramble up huge granite boulders for uninterrupted views. More details to come.