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r o it C Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 48 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 2 March 2012 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee 2 President’s prattle 3 Walks Waffl e 3 Training Trifl es 3 Membership matters 3 Conservation concerns Orange Hawkweed 4 Bulletin Board 5 Review: Walking the Heysen Trail end to end 6 Leisurely fun for re- enactment of fi rst CBC trip 8 Activity program 11 Discount offers for Club members 12 Feeling literary? 12 Wednesday walks

Important dates 21 March Generalneral meetingmeeting 28 MarchMarch Committeemmittee memeetingeting 28 MMarcharch Submissionsbmissions closeclose forfor April it 6–9 AprilApril Easterster 25 Aprilpril ANZAC Day Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee

President: Phillip Starr [email protected] 0419 281 096 Treasurer: George Carter e were represented on the CANwalk display at the recent Multicultural Festival. There were [email protected] Wa great number of enquiries from the many 6251 2130 passers-by and the opportunity was taken to promote the activities of our Club. Our thanks go to Alison Milton Walks Secretary: Rob Horsfi eld who was the major contributor from our Club, spending [email protected] almost a full day at the event. 6231 4535 At the above event I was proud to direct enquirers to our General Secretary: Stan Marks web site knowing that they would fi nd a site the envy of many other clubs and organisations. This certainly is a [email protected] great introduction to our Club and we are very lucky to 6254 9568(h) or 6274 7350(w) have David Briese as our Web Manager. Thanks David for your ongoing contribution in this area. Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards [email protected] The fi rst object as set out in our constitution is to promote bushwalking and allied outdoor activities. The 6288 7863 or 0406 378 217 second is to foster appreciation and conservation of the Training and Safety Offi cer: John Evans Australian countryside, bushlands, fauna and fl ora and to encourage fi eld studies. Our Club has regard for this [email protected] need for conservation in the following ways: 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 1) appointment at each AGM of a Conservation Offi cer Conservation Offi cer: Nathan Holt who coordinates our conservation activities; conservation@canberrabushwalkingclub. 2) has three appointees to represent us at other org conservation meetings such as the ACT Conservation 0414 628 429 Council; 3) sponsors conservation activities; Web Manager: David Briese [email protected] 4) runs a Broom clearing exercise in the Upper Cotter each November (2012 will be the 20th consecutive 6286 3479 year); Editor: Alison Milton 5) participation by our members in the Orange [email protected] Hawkweed program being undertaken across the 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) border in NSW; 6) making many submissions to governments and other Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas bodies regarding conservation matters; and [email protected] 7) bringing attention to the plight of the endangered 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 Corroboree Frog by having it as our logo. Social Secretary: Lois Padgham If you have any further suggestions to help us achieve [email protected] this second object of our constitution then please con- 6231 3060 or 0402 962 638 tact our current Conservation Offi cer, Nathan Holt at [email protected] Publisher: Tom George Oh yes, as you can tell I survived my fi rst abseiling [email protected] adventure. Thanks to Monika Binder for organising 6257 0613 K7 Adventures to run the course and for providing the nine CBC participants with this opportunity. A great All members of the Committee can be contacted day was had by all. in one email to Phillip Starr [email protected] President CHECK IN: Ring Keith Thomas on 6230 1081 WEB SITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

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Committee reports slopes are hotter and dryer (and therefore easier to traverse) than South and East facing slopes. This is due to sunlight exposure. How- ever, there are other factors (such as prevailing weather direction, recovery from bushfi re), which also contribute to ease of going. he recent re-enactment of the alkers in January were sur- Cheers and happy feet. TBimberi trip that was a Club Wveyed on navigation skills

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r o fi rst, 50 years ago, went well. (See and equipment issues. This gave C the trip report on page 6.) Alan us a snap-shot of how we are going Training and Safety Offi cer casually mentioned to John that in as a club in this core area. Results times past he would have expected included 40% carrying topographic a day-trip from the Orroral to meet maps and 77% of January walkers them on top. The Tuesday Trippers can navigate with map and compass rose to the challenge and actually at basic or expert levels. There ap- met them en route on the latter’s peared to be some increase in equip- way down. I think it was 50-odd ment level and navigation skills kilometres that they’d had to walk. on more diffi cult walks. However, 53% of walkers have no formal Please ensure that you update any Assistant Walks Secretary Keith navigation training and 23% cannot changes to your email address compiles the statistics on the Club’s navigate with map and compass. or inform the Membership trips: this last month had a good Secretary. level of activity. So take every opportunity you can to practice your navigation skills. New members: Jenny Curry, River levels in the Murrumbidgee Look for training opportunities Jukka Ilpola, Suriya Lee River remain high and prevent in the Walks Program, such as crossing at a few favoured spots. Roger Edwards g o r

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the recent day conducted by Jeff C These days I’m not keen on des- Bennetts; ask your walk leader to Membership Secretary perate swims. Last week we went show you the navigation bounds down to view Toad’s Folly near and issues; go to a nearby urban hill the top end of Red Rock Gorge. with map and compass and practise It’s a 50 metre chute where the taking bearings, converting and river narrows to thunder down to plotting them. Familiarity breeds a chock stone at the bottom. There confi dence, not contempt! was too much water. It wasn’t that impressive. TipS of the month: Sweating whilst walking may lead to dehy- New members are encouraged to dration and an imbalance in body go on some of the navigation train- salts. As well as carrying adequate ing trips that are scheduled over water, consider carrying electrolyte range Hawkweed was discov- the year. As well, it is hoped that replacement tablets/powder. I use Oered in Kosciuszko National they obtain maps for the various Powerade isotonic powder. It could Park (KNP) in 2003. This weed is walks that they do, to follow ‘the also reduce the effect of cramps. considered a signifi cant threat to action’ and so pick-up even more biodiversity and native ecosystems experience. The practicalities of TipS question of the month: A dif- if it is not successfully eradicated. doing it count for a lot. GPS’s are a ferent datum is used for the global It has been placed on the Alert List valuable aid but one needs to have positioning system of satellites and for Environmental Weeds (the Alert and be able to use map and compass may need to be set in your GPS. List). as well: What is this datum called? For all intents and purposes the GPS datum Species are placed on the Alert List There was a young lady named Bess is equivalent to one of the map based on three criteria:- Whose navigation was one big mess datums used in Australia. Which Her batteries had run-out, • posing a high or serious potential Australian map datum is equivalent threat to the environment; Replacing certainty with doubt to the GPS datum? Followed next by a desperate best-guess. • having limited distribution within Send your answers to training@ Australia at present; and The program has some good trips canberrabushwalkingclub.org or coming up. Those on the Canberra ring 0417 436 877. Kudos to the • being amenable to successful Day weekend and at Easter should fi rst correct answer received by the eradication or containment provide additional ‘time-out’ for 4th Wednesday of the month, in programs. people who are keen. categories ‘member < 5 years’ and It is imperative to the eradication In the meantime, good walking! ‘member > 5 years’. process to do surveys to identify new Rob Horsfi eld Answer to last month’s question: sites in order to reduce the spread

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r o Walks Secretary C Generally speaking, in the Southern Hemisphere, North and West facing cies. Orange Hawkweed had been

Canberra Bushwalking Club it March 2012 – page 3 Bulletin board found on 7.43 ha in KNP. Dur- ing 2010/2011, 63 new sites were discovered, 32 by volunteers. Orange Hawk- weed occurs natu- rally through cen- tral and northern Europe. It is a per- ennial herb that forms a rosette and can grow up to 400 mm high, has bright orange daisy fl owers and distinct long hairs on the stems and leaves. Rosettes spread primarily by stolons and by seed. Once established, growth rates are rapid with a single rosette able to expand and cover an area half a metre across in its fi rst year. The invasive threat of Orange Hawkweed is evident from its establishment in the USA and in NZ, where it has replaced much of the native vegetation in the South Island. It signifi cantly reduces the productivity of grazing areas. Areas where Orange Hawkweed has occurred in KNP include Doubtful Gap, Farm Ridge, Fifteen Mile Ridge, Round Mountain and Cool Plain. Watch for this plant if you are in this vicinity, do not pick the fl ower or try to pull up the plant. Record its location using a GPS and mark its physical location using, for example, colourful tape or toilet paper and notify Jo Caldwell at National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Khancoban. Phone 02 6076 9373, mobile 0428 103 800, email [email protected]

Volunteers are needed in summer to help fi nd this weed so that it can be poisoned. Members of bushwalking clubs who are fi t and have experience in walking off track are sought. Volunteers including some members of CBC participated in the program this summer, stay- ing in NPWS houses in Khancoban—each group stay- ing for up to 5 days. This program provides volunteers with the opportunity to help protect KNP from a highly invasive weed and to see how NPWS is tackling this problem. Participate next summer and help to eradicate this noxious weed. Our group thoroughly enjoyed working with the NPWS staff and the other volunteers.

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Review of general meeting talk

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well attended February meet- Descending Depot Creek A ing was treated to a marvellous Photo: Karen Cody presentation of this trip by Karen usual representations of the area. Cody. Karen and Rob Horsfield Instead of strong pure colours completed the 1100 km walk in Au- and clear blue skies there were tumn 2011; 11 others walked parts soft green tones under grey, of the trail. An impressive amount cloudy skies. An unusually wet of information was covered, starting year, still in progress, was the with research and planning. (More reason for this. details are available from Karen on Karen’s address was sprinkled these aspects.) with humorous stories and at least Photos were selected to illustrate one good one-liner that I think is worth repeating. “…in Crystal the environment, history and cur- Cranberry Heath Photo: Rupert Barnett rent land use of each of the diverse Brook…we camped amongst the landscapes traversed. For example, stately Winnebagos.” The photo the Goyder Line was explained was successfully shown by placing was of a number of large River Red using photos of the ruins of stone his sketches and paintings alongside Gums. current photos of particular scenes. cottages to illustrate the futility of The walkers’ contacts with local trying to grow crops north of the The landscapes presented in the people were invariably friendly, 10” rainfall line. The linkage of the photos of the spectacular northern helpful and at times humorous. Rob trail with the artist Hans Heysen part of the trail were unlike the is depicted in a number of guises: as a depression-era swaggie; as From the top of St Mary Peak looking north towards Parachilna Gorge, with the Don Quixote in association with a Heysen Range on the left and the ABC Range on the right Photo: Karen Cody line of giant wind generators; and as a ‘tourist icon’ at the summit of Mt Lofty. Various shelters and camp sites were depicted. Near Victor Harbour it was a culvert one night and a palace the next (a former Governor’s residence for the price of camping fees). Karen fi nished by presenting Rob with an ‘End to End patch’. Thank you Karen for an entertaining and informative address; and congratula- tions to you and Rob for joining the select group of walkers who have completed the Heysen Trail.

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it March 2012 – page 5 Trip report

Walkers: Alan Vidler (leader), Sue Vidler, Judy Dann, Rene Davies, Tom Gosling, David Large, Andrew Meers, Meg McKone, Rina Petschack, Wayne Petschack, Margaret Roseby, Phillip Starr, Doug Wright. Maps: Rendezvous Creek and Rules Point

Happily, another better-equipped Gösta was unfortunately not able walker was able to lend me a to join the re-enactment, because poncho before we set off—but as it of complications following his turned out we had fi ne weather for most recent hip replacement, but the whole trip, with a clear moonlit we’re hoping to see him back on sky on Saturday night and not a the trail soon. t rained cats and dogs in Canberra single cloud on Sunday morning. Ion the three days before our walk, After a drive of three hours via and the forecast was for clearing The question was: how did our leader Cooma, Adaminaby and the showers on the weekend. know? In his trip announcement, Tantangara Dam Road, the 2012 Alan had written “expect clear mild trip started from Gurrangorambla It was overcast as our convoy days, great alpine scenery” – Alan’s Creek where a locked gate prevents headed for Cooma early Saturday connections with the weather gods further car access. morning, and the grey clouds were are impressive. a worry for me in particular. This creek drains westward into The walk was a re-enactment of the Murrumbidgee about 6 km My mobile phone alarm had failed the fi rst walk undertaken after CBC upstream from the dam, which to go off at 5.30 am, and in the rush was formed. The walk took place on was only completed in 1960 and to shower, dress and fi nish packing 3–4 February 1962. was probably still fi lling when the in 20 minutes I had forgotten my first walk took place—after two rain gear. The Club was formed at a meeting successive La Niñas, the Reservoir at Gösta Lyngå’s fl at at University I discovered later my phone has is now, like all the Snowy region House in November 1961, and lakes, fuller than a butcher’s dog. a mind of its own and unless told although there had been one or two otherwise only goes off on week informal walks this was the fi rst There followed a short but days! held under Club auspices. reasonably steep climb along fi re trails to Oldfields Hut, with its picturesque alpine meadows in the foreground and Murray and Photos this page: Andrew Meers Bimberi in the distance. This was as good a time as any for morning tea, basking in what was by now a clear and sunny day. Another two kilometres, and another climb later we arrived at an extensive clearing, with a copse of ancient snow gums in the middle, close to a stream, forming the perfect camping spot. Here the party pitched tents, had lunch and left their packs for the optional 8 km return trip to Bimberi Peak, a further climb of 500 metres. Three of the party returned after enjoying the view from Murrays Gap to rejoin the two who chose to stay at the campsite. Doug returned to Oldfields Hut where he and

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Trip report Margaret intended to stay overnight, avoiding the need to carry tents. Those at the campsite enjoyed a leisurely afternoon, including a few hands of the double-pack card game Joker. At Murrays Gap, Alan was pleased to see John Evans’ ingenious indication that his party had reached Murrays Gap but not yet returned from Bimberi on their epic Orroral-Bimberi day trip, a rerun of several last-century trips. After leaving a similar indicator for their party, the seven Bimberi walkers set off up the faint footpad to Bimberi Peak – only to meet John’s stalwart party of four a couple of hundred metres later! After a chat they continued unhurriedly upwards. They enjoyedj a lengthy stop on top admiring and photographing the scenery, including distant Black Mountain Tower and Oldfi elds Hut Photo: Andrew Meers Jagungal in opposite directions. My tent Photo: Sue Vidler The Bimberi walkers returned to fi nd a small campfi re and a cup of tea ready, Morning mist below Mt Bimberi and there followed a pleasant moonlit Photo: Sue Vidler evening around the fi re, with the last turning in around 10:00 pm. The campsite is blessed with springy alpine grass, in top condition following two good seasons, making a comfortable mattress underneath the tent and I for one had one of my most comfortable bush sleeps ever. Sunday morning greeted us with a perfect day. Some vigorous plate waving by Sue helped persuade the fi re back into life and after a leisurely breakfast we headed back to Oldfi elds around 8:50 am, some having left earlier to enjoy some solitary walking. At Oldfields, yet another cuppa awaited us, then by 11.30 we reached a junction on the fi re trail where a right turn takes you to Pocket Hut, and a left turn takes you back to Gurrangorambla Creek. Again, around half a dozen of us chose to stay with the packs and read, play cards or simply rest while the more Campsite at Dunns Flat Photo: Sue Vidler energetic took the side trip. The less lethargic six enjoyed an easy 6 km round trip on flat open ground including Pocket Hut Fire Trail, a nibble/lunch break at Pocket Hut, then a short step across a creek to join Leura Gap Fire Trail back to the rest of the party. Returning to the cars at 2 pm, we headed back along the dam road to Adaminaby, where the staff were run off their feet with orders for coffee, milk shakes and such. The weekend lived up to Alan’s promise of “being conducted at a pace to suit survivors of the original trip” but offering more energetic options – a fun time that allowed plenty of choice and no fuss. Thanks to Alan for organising it.

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it March 2012 – page 7 Activity program Activity program Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Rob Horsfi eld (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6231 4535 (h), Email: [email protected], Post: 11 Studley Place, Kambah, ACT 2903

Information for participants Distance and diffi culty Transport Distance: Costs are 40¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (S) Short - under 12km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The fi gures given (M) Medium - 12-20km/day are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, (L) Long - over 20km/day an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed. Duty of care Terrain: Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy - fi re trail, tracks, beaches etc he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or (R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s (W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join (X) Exploratory trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday For further information see: 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org walks) so the leader has time to arrange transport. Check with the leader about: Check-in after walks Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names X the need to carry water, tents/fl y, maps, etc of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their X appropriate clothing, footwear safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Offi cer, Keith X any precautions you might need to take for severe weather Thomas ([email protected], 6230 1081 changes. leave message if no answer). The Check-in Offi cer or the Walks Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to Secretary (6231 4535), not the Police or other bodies, should be the our Club. fi rst point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.

Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Equipment hire Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- ment. The Equipment Offi cer is Rob Horsfi eld, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, George Carter, 6251 2130 The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- Thursday 15 March from 5:30pm: Picnic/ lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge BBQ at Uriarra East picnic area (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘fi rst Come along and enjoy Club members’ company on the time’ weekend walkers. banks of the Murrumbidgee. Bring dinner and swim- mers if a hot evening. Wood BBQs available. Bring A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon your own wood. If total fi re ban return and whether they are returned late. then bring a cold picnic. To get there, take Uriarra Crossing Road Item w.e./week but turn left at the sign to Uriarra Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 East before you get to the crossing. Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 Preferable (but not compulsory) to book as some people may need a 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 lift. Further information/bookings Assorted packs $5 / $15 contact Lois Padgham: 0402 962 Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 638(h), 6231 3060(w), [email protected] or further Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 information from Joslyn Van der Moolen 0439 472 921 Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) Saturday 17 March: Durras Lake – M/M/W A circumnavigation of the region’s most pristine coastal Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when collecting and returning gear. lake. A mix of on- and off-track walking with some wad- ing, a couple of compulsory swims with packs and prob- ably a bit of mud. Map: Durras Leader: Terence Uren 0427 110 250, [email protected] Transport: $120 per car.

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Activity program Saturday 17 March: Square Rock and 24–25 March: ACT Border, Long Flat to Smokers Trail – M/M Sentry Box Mountain – M/R/X This is a popular walk but a new one for your leader. A Part of the intention to examine those parts of the border track through bush from the Square Rock car park marks that might be included in a longer distance walking the beginning of this walk to a monumental group of track. Map: Yaouk Leader: Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) boulders. Hopefully we have a clear day so that we can Transport: $60 per car. enjoy the great views. On the way back we peel off to join the Smokers Trail until we come to Smokers Trail Tuesday 27 March: Stockyard Gap sites – car park. We will have vehicles at this point to take us M/R back to Corin Road. Map: Corin Dam, Leader: Phillip Join Canberra’s preeminent natural historian Matthew Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), phillip_starr@ Higgins in visiting the Stockyard Creek arboretum hut hotmail.com Transport: ~$10 site and the Stockyard Gap ski hut site. On the way back, check out the Little Ginini rope tow pole. Around 9 km and 600 m climb. Map: Corin Dam. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: ~$15 per person. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au Limit: 8, so be quick to book.

Saturday 24 March: The Corn Trail – M/E–M The Corn Trail runs (for us down hill) through Monga National Park and over its 14 km descends 600 m. The route is all on track though stretches are steep and would be slippery after rain. This lush area of forest is a local gem. There are limited but worthwhile opportunities for distant views whilst the main beauty of this walk is Sunday 1 April: Queanbeyan River – L/E/W in the foreground. Three creek crossings, all shallow. This walk starts at the London Bridge car park and fol- An early rendezvous in Braidwood to allow for the car lows the fi re trail eastwards past Gelignite Crossing to shuffl e. Maps: Monga, Araluen Leaders: Austin Kenney Flynns Crossing. The loop involves some steep but short 6262 2358) and Edwina Yee, 0418 651421, edwina.yee@ grades plus two crossings of the Queanbeyan River. Last defence.gov.au Bookings to Edwina. Transport: $40 per time I was here the river crossing was knee deep. We person with 3 sharing (300 km return). may also visit the abandoned London Bridge Homestead on return. Map: Captains Flat. Leader Roger Edwards Saturday 24 March: Booroomba Rocks – S/M 6288 7863 [email protected] Transport A walk from the Honeysuckle Creek campground $44 per car to Booroomba Rocks via the Alps walking track. Spectacular views from the Rocks. Aprox 10 km return Friday 6 April: Mt Palerang – M/M with a 200 m climb. Map: 8626-1N Corin Dam. Leader: Palerang is a mountain near the Great Dividing Range Quentin Moran, Ph: 6288 9840(h), qmoran@webone. south of the Kings Highway (the pointy one on the right com.au Transport: $32 per car. Limit: 12. as you approach Braidwood). Access is via Rossi and Forbes Creek. On a clear day you can see Braidwood, Sunday 25 March: Morning stroll: Lake the Budawangs and the Brindabellas. The access ridges Burley Griffi n – East Basin and have moderate scrub and a few scrambles; there are also Jerrabomberra Wetlands – S/E a few kilometres of fi re trail walking. Map: Bombay. This walk takes us from the Carillon in a loop around Leaders: Phillip Starr and Edwina Yee (0418 651421), the East Basin of Lake Burley Griffi n with an excursion [email protected] Bookings to Edwina. into Jerrabomberra Wetlands. This is a relaxing walk with Transport: ~160 km return, ~$60 per car, ~$15–$20 the possibility of per person. Limit: 12. sighting a large number of bird Easter (5) 6–10 April: Kanangra to Vengeance species, espe- Peninsula – M–L/R cially water birds A rugged fi ve day walk to the Blue Breaks. Drive to in their natural Kanangra Walls Thursday evening. Descend Brumby habitat. There is Ridge to Orange Bluff on the Kowmung River, ascend some shade but to Mt Feld on Scotts Main Range, cross Butchers most of the walk Creek, drop into Green Wattle Creek with its delightful is in the open. campsites. Great views from Vengeance Peninsula and Total distance only 10 km so home for lunch. Map: Axehead Mountain. Drop into Byrnes Gap, follow Canberra, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 the Sydney Water road and Bulga Ridge back to the 096(m), [email protected], Transport: ~ Drive Kowmung and exit via Cambage Spire. Half the route yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride. is off-track, with steep ascents and descents and some

Canberra Bushwalking Club it March 2012 – page 9 Activity program rock scrambling. Maps: Kanangra, Yerranderie, Burragorang. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902(h), [email protected] Transport: 500 kms, $200 per car. Park Limit: 8. Easter 6 –12 April: Yerranderie to Katoomba – M–L/R An extended walk traversing interesting country not often visited by the CBC walkers. I was looking at walking from Mittagong to Katoomba but I thought this might be more interesting. The route will include Lacys Tableland, views of the Blue Breaks, Green Wattle Creek, Butchers Saturday 21 April: Canberra & Region Creek, the Kowmung and then over (and up and down) Heritage Festival – Indigenous and to Tarros Ladder, Narrow Neck and Katoomba. I have at European Sites – A Day in the Bush – least one car to take us to Yerranderie and I am hoping I M/E–M can arrange another. We will return by public transport Walk the grasslands of the Gudgenby valley to see from Katoomba to Canberra. The walk will be primarily Indigenous rock art, remains of European settlement off track and we will be carrying 6 nights food. Maps: and views to the mountains at the heart of Namadgi Yerranderie, Burragorang, Bimlow, Kanagara, Jamison National Park. Led by the Canberra Bushwalking Club. and Blue Mountains South SV Map 1st edn 1:50,000. Bookings essential. Around 12 km and 150 m climb. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins 6248 0456(h), lorraine. Maps: Rendezvous Creek and Yaouk. Leader: John [email protected] Transport: ~ TBA Limit: 8. Evans 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: Saturday 7 April: Mt Aggie and Bendora drive yourself. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org. Arboretum – M/E au Limit: 10. Follow the track from the car park to Mt Aggie (1471 m) Saturday 21 April: Pig Hill – M/M with its spectacular views then along the border ridge track This romantically named walk is on the eastern edge of toward Bendoura Hill. After crossing the Mt Franklin the Brindabella National Park. The hill itself provides Road, use an old logging road to get to the arboretum for spectacular 360 degree views. From the locked gate on lunch, then on track back to the cars with more views. Doctors Flat Road above Dingo Dell, walk 2.2 km north About 14 km, 5 hrs actual walking. Map: Tidbinbilla on an old vehicular track then swing east, off track along a Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350 (w), stan. couple of ridges, much of it open, some of it dense regrowth [email protected] Transport: ~ $20 after the fi res, for 1.4 km to the lunch spot on an open knoll. Tuesday 10 April: More border markers on Then head up, mostly off track 2.2 km to Pig Hill and 1.6 km the Clear Range – L/R,X on track back to the road. About 8 km, aggregate climb, 350 m and 4½ hrs actual walking. Short car shuffl e. Map: With permission from the landowner, drive the Clear Umburra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), Range Fire Trail to west of Mt De Salis. Climb to the crest [email protected] Transport: ~$10 of the Clear Range and hunt border markers south through Mt Yarara as far as we have time to go. Around 25 km and Tuesday 24 April: Johns Peak, Tidbinbilla 1000 m climb. Map: Michelago. Leader: John Evans Peak and Tidbinbilla Mountain – L/R 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: ~$10 Wander up the Camel Back management trail then per person. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au U-turn onto the Tidbinbilla Ridge. Scramble up to Johns Saturday 14 April: Mt Foxlow – M/M Peak. Walk the crest to Tidbinbilla Peak and Tidbinbilla From the car park just off Woolcara Lane at the entrance Mountain. Descend through Snowy Corner to the to the Yanununbeyan Conservation Area, we will head Lyrebird Trail and visit the waterfalls on the Cascade off track until almost up Mt Foxlow where we will have Trail. For strong walkers. Around 14 km and 1200 m lunch. Return initially along the fi re trail then swing climb. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 off track along a ridge through attractive light forest to 877, [email protected] Transport: ~$5 per person. cars. Short car shuffl e, about 13 km, 600 m aggregate Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au climb, 5 hours actual walking. Map: Captains Flat, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected] Transport: $16 Sunday arvo 15 April: Canberra & Region Heritage Festival – Marking the ACT Border – A ramble – S/E Saturday 28 April: Black Range – M/E–M 100 years ago Percy Sheaffe and others marked the ACT Park the cars at the South Black Range car park. Walk on border. Hear about their exploits as you ramble to see a track to South Black Range trig point with its enormous border marker in Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve. Led by the rock for morning tea, then off track along an open ridge Canberra Bushwalking Club. Bookings essential. Around to rejoin the track. Swing east off track to lunch through 7 km and 200 m climb. Map: Hall. Leader: John Evans attractive eucalyptus forest and return to the cars. A 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: drive your- pleasant and relatively easy walk, 12 km, 200 m climb. self. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au Limit: 20. Map: Bombay. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: $40 per car, estimate per person~$15

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Activity program Saturday 28 April: Orroral Homestead Saturday 19 May: Harrisons Peak – M/M heritage ramble – S/E A walk through open forest near Captains Flat, initially on A ramble up the valley to the homestead from the Orroral a fi re trail to Harrisons Peak with views from Mt Coree campground. At the homestead light refreshments to the Tinderries. We then walk largely off track along a will be provided by series of open ridges. Linear distance 12 km, about 500 m MOTH (Minders aggregate climbing during the day but the spectacular of Tuggeranong views. About 5¼ hrs actual walking. Back via the Purple Homestead) for a Eatery. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 gold coin donation 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. and there will also be au Transport: ~$15 a talk about the loca- tion’s European history. This activity is a CBC contribu- (25), 26– 27 May: Durras weekend – Sat M/E, tion to Heritage Week. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leader: Sun S/M Jenny Horsfi eld 6231 4535(AH) Transport: TBA Leave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday will be 28–29 April: Orroral Valley–Mt McKeahnie – the spectacular Little Forest Plateau with views to the M/R/X Budawangs, Pigeon House and beyond. Lunch at Gedara An easy Saturday walk from Orroral car park—8 km Point or Ngaityung Falls. On Sunday, we do the Pretty up the valley—campsite set on Sawpit Creek ~GDA Beach–Pebbly Beach and return walk, with a mixture 731602. Perhaps an optional short exploratory walk after of coastline and rain forest. Two superb walks, about we have set camp. Early rise Sunday to climb 600 m to 4½ hours Sat, 5 hours Sunday. Maps: Kioloa/Tianjara/ Mt McKeahnie (with daypacks only) and return to camp Milton Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), 9 km round trip, followed by a leisurely amble back [email protected] Transport: ~$50, down the valley. Suitable for hardy walkers wishing to Accommodation: ~$50–$60 experience their fi rst overnight walk. Map: Corin Dam, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), Saturday 2 June: Wild Cattle Flat – S/E–M Climb via fi re trail east of Captains Flat to the trig station [email protected] Transport: $10, Limit: 8. atop the Bollard Ridge from which views to the west. Saturday 5 May: Bushfold Flats – M/E–M Then follow the ridge as it descends through open forest Follow the Australian Alps walking track from the until you cross Ballinafad Creek. Lunch on a hill above Booroomba Rocks car park to Bushfold Flats, an area of the creek, then cross Wild Cattle Flats and back to the open forest and grassland. Transit the fl ats, then follow cars through open forest. All on trail or easy off track. the track until lunch on a rocky outcrop with 360 degree About 8 km, 300 m aggregate climb, about 4 hours actual views. Then briefl y follow the Mt Tennent fi re trail for walking. Return via the purple eatery. Map: Tinderry. 500 m off track to get to the Flats and return to the cars. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan. 5 hours actual walking, almost all on track, 14 km, 200 m [email protected] Transport: ~$20 climb. If the group is large and I can get a second leader, we may split the group and give those who want it the 17–25 August: West MacDonnell NP – M/R A nine day off-track walk. The trip will be run jointly opportunity to climb Mt Tennent, an additional 3 km and with the Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. This trip 200 m climb. Map: Williamsdale. Leader: Stan Marks is at present fully booked. Start at Ormiston Gorge, camp 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan.marks@infrastructure. in Bowmans Gap, climb the ridge which forms the north gov.au Transport: ~$10 side of the Gorge with day packs. Explore the Woolshed 11–15 May: Green Gully Track – M/M/W/X Yard area, access the Red Wall from its north-fl owing A hut based four day/fi ve night 65 km circuit north west creek. Climb Peak 1307 metres on the NE corner of of Port Macquarie in the Apsley Macleay Gorge section Ormiston Pound, camp on its southern side. Climb of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Includes some Mt Giles (via Bas’s Ridge?) and camp on top if conditions walking on management trails and one day of creek are suitable. Camp near Giles Yard Springs and fi nish wading. Neither leader has done the walk or walked in at the Ochre Pits. Maps: West MacDonnell NP Map 1. the area before. Map: Green Gully Leaders: Lorraine Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902(h), frankmckone@ Tomlins and Terence Uren. Bookings to Terence 0427 110 optusnet.com.au Transport: $100+ for bus from Alice 250 or [email protected] Accommodation: Springs. Limit: 8 $120 per person Transport: TBA Limit: 6. (This walk is now full.) Discount offers for Club members 17–21 May: Yuraygir National Park – M/M/X Spend four days walking the longest stretch of protected coastline in NSW. A mix of big beaches, heathland Outdoor & adventure stores in Canberra who plains, coastal lagoons and rocky headlands, starting give a discount (usually 10%) on most of their at Angourie and fi nishing at Red Rock. Leader has not stock to CBC members are: done the walk or walked in the area before. Maps: Belconnen Camping World, Yamba, Brooms Head, Sandon, Bare Point, Red Rock, Oatley Court, Belconnen North Solitary Island Leader: Terence Uren 0427 110 250, [email protected] Camping fees: TBA Phillip Camping World, Transport: TBA 18–24 Townsend Street, Phillip Tuggeranong Camping World Homeworld Centre, Tuggeranong

Canberra Bushwalking Club it March 2012 – page 11 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2011/12 Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a ClubClu walk? Been Hard copy it $46 $73 movedd to write about it, either inn proseproosee or verse?vve Felt the Electronic it $27 $54 urge toto see youryour name in print?printt? OrOr eveneven justjujus taken some great photo shots that youyouu wouldwoould likelikike tot share.shhare The CClublub welcomes contributionscoonnttributit ono s fromfromm membersmemb so why not write about an interestinginteresstting experienceexxperrieennce on a walkw or just an enjoyableable walk. Alternatively,Alteerrnativveely, sendseend in a photophoto or two with a Wednesday walks short paraparagraphgraph aboutabboout it/them.itt//theemm. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted The closinglosing datedatee forforo eacheaach issueissssue of itt is the dadatete of the 4th every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by Wednesdaynesday ofof everyeveeryr month.moonthh. HandwrittenHaH ndwritten and posted mate- leaders from the CBC, Brindabella Bushwalking rial is acceptable,accepttabablee, butbubut emailememaia l iss preferred.prer ferred. We alsoa welcome Club and National Parks Association (ACT). Details photographs,graphhs,s preferablypreefeferar bly ass separatelysepaarately scannedscanne items or about destination and meeting place are emailed to digitall images.imaaggeses. WeWe cancan scanscacan originalorigginal photographs.photogra Contact: those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Ph 6254254 0578,0505787 , [email protected] @c@ annbeberrrraabushwalkingc Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your Post: 200 OO’Sullivan’SSulullilivvan Street,Street, HIGGINS,HIGGINS, AACTCT 2261561 name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Alison Milton,Milto Editor contribution to these walks.

If undeliverable return to PRINT POSTAGE GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 POST PAID PP 248831/0047 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP248831/00047 it

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

Mar 12

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