The Tablelands Bushwalking Club

Newsletter – April 2018

The Tablelands Bushwalking Club Five National Parks to Put on Your Radar P O Box 1020 Great Walks enews 19 March 2108 Tolga 4882

www.tablelandsbushwalking.org has one of the largest and greatest national park systems in the world, covering [email protected] almost four per cent of the country's land mass (or 25 million hectares). With over 500 President: Sally McPhee - 4096 6026 national parks on offer you'd imagine there might be few that don't appear on the public's Vice President: Patricia Veivers - 4095 4642 radar but are worth exploring, so check out these 5 unsung heroes. Vice President: Tony Sanders – 0438 505 394

Yuraygir NP, NSW Treasurer: Christine Chambers – 0407 344 456 Located less than an hour's drive north of Secretary: Travis Teske - 4056 1761 Coffs Harbour, Yuraygir is known for having some of the best surfing on the east coast. Activity Officers: Birdwatchers will find plenty in the late winter Philip Murray – 0456 995 458 and early spring between the heath and the Marilyn Czarnecki – 0409 066 076 forest areas.

Health & Safety Officer: The 10km Angourie walk is three hours return Morris Mitchell – 4092 2773 along the northern edge of the park, giving

access to a fragile coastline of rugged beauty.

Newsletter Editor: Travis Teske - 4056 1761 Dolphins often can be seen offshore and in [email protected] winter you might spot whales. Shelley Beach is a great halfway point to stop for lunch or If a Walking Trip is Delayed – What Your camp. The southern end of the park provides Emergency Contact Needs to Know. some shorter walks including the Wilson Occasionally trips are delayed due to unforeseen Headland walk, an easy one-hour return walk circumstances. Before leaving on a Tablelands Walking along a constructed walkway. Club (TWC) outing you should tell your emergency contact (family member or friend) where you are going Click here for more info. and give them a copy of the phone numbers of the Committee Members as members of the Management Oxley Wild Rivers NP, NSW Committee will be the Contact Officers. Thia park not only contains Australia’s

Contact should be with any member of the Tablelands highest waterfall, the very impressive Walking Club Management Committee. The phone Wollomombi Falls, but is World Heritage-listed numbers of the committee members are found at the for its rare dry rainforest. This gives rise to a beginning of the Walks Program or the Newsletter. Move diverse ecosystem with an abundance of rare down the list until you find someone at home. and unique plants and animals such as the

If there were a situation that required a search or gorge wattle and the large forest bat. On the rescue, members of the Committee would liaise with valley floor the eucalypt forest create a rich experienced walkers within TWC and with the Police habitat for all kinds of kangaroos, wallabies, and SES. They will also hold membership details for all birds and bats, with platypus and frogs. TWC members, including the name of a family member or friend to contact in case of delay or emergency. While most of the falls such as Wollomombi, Apsley, Dangars and Tia Falls are accessible The articles and information in this document are printed in good faith. The club does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions in this by car and a short walk, there are plenty of document or for the manner in which the information contained in this rewards in remote gorges for the more document is interpreted or implemented. adventurous, including the Bicentennial National Trail. East Kunderang Homestead is a convenient historical starting point with

1 short walks to the Macleay River. Another millions of years. The gullies provide moist, challenging walk (14km return) is between cool conditions for rainforest ferns and Budds Mare and Riverside, where the hilly mosses while rugged woodland sits on top of trail passes through different landscapes. the peaks. Eagle- eyed nature lovers should Click here for more info. watch for platypus in the creeks and gullies. There are no campsites in the park, but there Murray-Sunset National Park, Vic are two family-friendly tourist retreats and This park is as close as many Victorians will campsites just outside. get to experiencing the outback. Tucked in the far north-western corner of the state, it's most There are a variety of interesting bushwalks of famous feature is the Pink Lakes, a series of varying length and difficulty, mostly leaving highly saline lakes that evaporate over from the main picnic area. The longest of summer, leaving a crust of salt that appears these is a 5.6km loop which offers excellent pink. As for wildlife, you may see one of the views of the gorge from Giant’s Chair and large nest mounds belonging to the threatened visits Fern Tree Pool, a permanent waterhole. malleefowl or some interesting snakes and Other walks to nearby interesting features are lizards. around or below 3km and are family friendly. The best of these visits The Overhang via the The Pink Lakes nature trail is an easy 2.5km wonderfully named Three Moon Creek and stroll around Lake Kenyon to Lake Crosbie. Dragon Caves. Go in the early morning or late afternoon to Click here for more info. best take in the colour of the lakes. Longer walks to Mount Crozier and Mopoke Hut, Five New and Unusual Walks which also have camping facilities, leave from Great Walks enews 19 March 2108 Lake Crosbie but check with the ranger about conditions first. The Great Blue Mountains Trail Click here for more info. The Blue Mountains in NSW is famous for its walking trails and a new trail that will connect Chiltern-Mount Pilot NP, Vic the towns and villages, is now under Just off the Hume Highway as you approach construction. The Great Blue Mountains Trail Wodonga from Melbourne lies this wonderful will be a scenic, safe walking and cycling route park. Chiltern is old gold mining country that runs across the Blue Mountains ridgeline complete with a sleepy township full of (from east to west), connecting the towns and heritage buildings. The park is north-eastern villages. The Upper Mountains component of Victoria’s largest remaining box-ironbark the trail will run from Wentworth Falls to forest, full of the flora and fauna that once Mount York and the first stage of the Trail covered the state. Further south, closer to (between Katoomba and Blackheath) has Beechworth, is the magnificent Woolshed Falls already been completed. and the abandoned workings of a gold rush region that produced four million ounces of Seventy-five percent of the Upper Mountains gold in 14 years. component of the Trail, a 30km stretch between Leura and Mount Victoria, is The pick of the longer trails is the White Box scheduled to be completed by 2018; this will Walking track, an 8.5km loop trail leaving include the sections from Blackheath to Mt from Honeyeater picnic area, which takes you Victoria and from Leura Cascades to Kiah through sections of box-ironbark forest. Lookout, Katoomba. Stay tuned for more Shorter walks include the Woolshed Falls updates. Historic Walk (2km return) and the Yeddonba Website: bmcc.nsw.gov.au Aboriginal Art site. The well-marked walk has info boards that point out caves, sources of Cross Cut Saw Trek bush tucker and aspects of Aboriginal culture. The Diamantina Touring Company recently It finishes just near Mount Pilot Lookout, launched a new 4-day luxury guided walking offering great views. tour that takes guests on the Cross Cut Saw, Click here for more info. an alpine ridge walk on the Great Divide in Alpine NP, Victoria. They will see a range of Cania Gorge NP, Qld scenery and historic cattlemen’s huts as they The main features of Cania Gorge are the follow the saw tooth ridge up into the High towering 70m sandstone cliffs and the caves Country, before spending their final night and overhangs that have been carved out over camping on the shores of Lake Cobbler and 2 descending down to the wineries of the King peaks and panoramic views. The first section Valley on the final day. of the trail – a 36km, 3-day/2-night circuit walk that departs from Halls Gap – is already Accompanied by the guides, guests walk only complete, taking hikers via locations like with a day pack, enjoy sitting around the Venus Baths, the Pinnacle Lookout and campfire in the evening and camp with luxury Mount Rosea. Hikers can walk this by swags on stretchers in spacious tents. themselves or go with a guided tour. Website: diamantina-tour.com.au Once completed, the full walk will take hikers from Mt Zero in the north down towards Cruise and Hike Tasmania’s scenic coast Dunkeld in the south, connecting some of the Coral Expeditions is offering a new seven- park’s most spectacular peaks on the way night ‘hike and cruise’ itinerary along over 13 days/12 nights. The 144km trail Tasmania’s rugged coastline. Guests can requires the development of approximately experience the island’s coastline both by ship 80km of new trail and the upgrade of 65km of and on foot as they walk some of the island’s existing trails, and is scheduled to open in late coastal treks with experienced local bush 2019. Stay tuned for more details on the next walkers Angus and Alison Moore – highlights stages of the Trail. of the trip include the Fluted Cape walk on Website: visitgrampians.com.au Bruny Island; Mt Beattie, located near Port Davey; and Cape Hauy, a slightly more Eleven Campgrounds Perfect for Your Next challenging walk that takes in a section of the Trip Three Capes Walk. Great Walks enews 26 March 2108

The voyage (which will be taken on the Coral Discoverer) has a flexible itinerary, enabling Yuraygir National Park the captain to respond to the weather Coastal campers will relish the park’s 60km of conditions – guests will be advised the day coastline which is situated to the north of Coffs prior as to where their next journey lies. Harbour. There are 10 camping areas throughout the park, so there are plenty of sites Website: coralexpeditions.com/au to choose from. Our pick is Pebbly Beach (you’ll

need a 4WD to get to this one or you can walk The Wukalina Walk from Station Creek camping area), but Illaroo The new Wukalina Walk is a 4-day/3-night South camping area near Minnie Water also gets Aboriginal owned and operated guided walk in a solid vote. Tasmania, based around Larapuna/Eddystone Point and Wukalina/Mt Barrington Tops William areas and incorporating the famous Great summer camping in the mountains Bay of Fires. The walk is a cultural experience behind the popular mid-north coast holiday that will deepen guests’ understanding of stretch. You can choose from campsites with Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) culture and facilities such as or find a secluded 4WD community history, providing an opportunity accessible bush site nestled beside a crystal to walk with Palawa guides, hear creation clear mountain stream. There are also plenty of stories first-hand and participate in cultural walking tracks (both day walks and longer practices. overnight and three-day walks) and trails for mountain bikers, and the trout fishing can be Guests on the walk will spend two nights in good. bespoke Palawa inspired (domed) huts and one night in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage Alexanders Hut Camping Area, South East at Larapuna/Eddystone Point. The walk will Forests NP depart from Launceston every Sunday at This site is tucked away in the mountains 8.45am, commencing Sunday 7 January 2018 behind Bega on the Far South Coast. If you’re after a bit of ‘rustic’ luxury you can stay in the through to Sunday 15 April 2018, and then hut (on first come basis), otherwise the grassy taking place from November to April every surrounds offer comfortable camping. There is a year. short walk (5km) around the perimeter of nearby Website: wukalinawalk.com.au Nunnock Swamp, a delightful high country sphagnum moss bog. Grampians Peaks Trail The Grampians Peaks Trail is a 144km, multi- More info: www.environment.nsw.gov.au day walk that’s currently being constructed to showcase Victoria’s Grampians NP and its 3

VICTORIA launch into any number of walking trails in and Murray River around Wilpena Pound. If bush camping is more Anywhere along the Murray River offers great your scene then Trezona Campground should fit camping. We reckon there would be well over a the bill nicely. thousand different sites to choose from, so you should find one or two you like. Gunbower Kangaroo Island Island offers a plethora of secluded campsites, An abundance of campsites – many on the coast many of which have easy access to the river for – make Australia’s third largest island a great boating, canoeing and fishing. summer destination for campers. Our picks for here are Rocky River camping area in Flinders Sheepyard Flat, Howqua Hills Historic Area Chase National Park and the unspoilt D’Estrees This High Country gem near Mansfield is a great Bay camping area in Cape Gantheaume base to explore this part of the High Country. Conservation Park, which is close to the long Heaps of sites beside the trout filled Howqua distance Cape Gantheaume Coastal Trek. River. It can get busy here over summer, but there are plenty of sites nearby if you want to More info: www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/ escape the crowds. There are a couple of walking trails to old mining sites as well as the multi-day Howqua River Track. Be a Better Hiker With These Six Tips Great Walks enews 26 March 2108 Wingan Inlet, Croajingolong NP In the state’s far northeast near Mallacoota. If you believe there's always room for Swimming, fishing, canoeing and 4WD touring improvement then these top tips on how to be a are just some of the attractions here. The better hiker are for you. As for the rest of you, camping area is set on a rise overlooking this move on, there's nothing to see here. These pristine waterway. aren't the droids you're looking for...

More info: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Use a smaller pack. While you may need a 70- litre-plus pack for skiing or snowshoeing, by TASMANIA judicious gear selection, you may get away with Southern Forests a 45-50-litre pack. I used to love the old Summit Secluded campsites among enchanted forests Gear Warrigal Aussie-made gems. Known as make this area to the south of Hobart, a great day-and-a-half packs, they fitted all I needed for spot to explore. Walking tracks criss-crossing a four-day Budawangs sojourn (with a loaf of rye the region are an added bonus. bread) and we travelled fast and far. Naturally, if you are on extended walks with no resupply, Cradle Mountain Campground, Cradle temper this with common sense. Mountain A good place to set up camp while you explore Multi-use items. The cord you use to support some of Tasmania’s most remarkable mountain your light fly shelter between trees or sticks can scenery. Plenty of walking tracks nearby, double to lower your pack and gear down including the stunning Dove Lake Circuit, which precipitous cliff lines. Why carry an extra rope? has become a perennial favourite for day Carry that principle to a recycled wine cask walkers. and also it's the starting point of bladder that you use to carry water to camp and Tassie's iconic Overland Track. can also be an effective neck cushion when you sleep. You get the idea. Look for those More info: www.parks.tas.gov.au opportunities to take items that do double or triple duty. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Coffin Bay NP, Eyre Peninsula An extra warm layer-two ways. You can save Some of the Eyre Peninsula’s best camping is to on expensive self-inflating mats, by getting a be had in this picturesque coastal park. There cheaper thinner budget one, placing it over a are six camping areas within the park and you thin closed-cell foam mat and laying your folded need a 4WD to get to five of them! Little Yangie spare clothes between the two layers for extra Bay is the park’s main campground and is warmth and insulation. The large extra garbage accessible by conventional vehicles. bag, which weighs nothing, can be worn between layers when it turns out colder or Flinders Ranges National Park sleeting and core temperature preservation is There are 13 camping areas within this essential – just cut two arm holes and head spectacular national park. If you’re after a more hole. Bonus – a beanie on the head is worth two formal style of camping then head for Wilpena jackets on your back for warmth. Pound Campground. This is also a good base to 4

Take pressure off your joints. If you are purpose without any deductions. We do walking in forested country like the Blue guarantee for that. We would rather add Mountains, grab two straight sticks about 1.5m something out of our pockets. Furthermore, long, cut shallow notches in one end and tie we will give you detailed feed-back. some wrist loops of cord on them and they’ll do admirably for trekking poles (or you could just Hence we have known the principal for a buy trekking poles – Ed), then use them at night longer period we believe there is a better to hold up one or both ends of your fly shelter. chance for feed-back due to his commitment When you stop for a short breather, lean your compared to our previous stays. That’s why pack against a tree and take the weight off you we feel optimistic. hips and shoulders. Also, keep your hip belt at the correct position and tensioned so it does its job. In case you would like to support, please write an email parallel to your money transfer so Close and Heavy. Put dense, heavy items closer that it becomes easier to classify your share. to your back in the pack. This keeps you better balanced through your centre of gravity being You can use the following accounts: closer. Use weigh-nothing, draw-cord stuff sacks Australia: to compartmentalise your gear and keep a Westpac Bank Walter Schenk BSB 734193, mental pack map of where everything is packed Acc. 626212 “LOIBORSOIT”. and do it the same way every time. Germany: Targo Bank Walter Schenk DE22 3002 0900 Light footwear pays. Most bushwalks do not 2201 4427 12 CMCIDEDDXXX justify heavy full leather boots with thick soles, “LOIBERSOIT”. especially if you minimise what’s on your back and you relieve pressure with walking poles. US We’ll try to keep you informed. Army studies concluded that a kg on your foot was the equivalent of 5kg on your back. Heavier Kind regards, Walter and Ingrid boots tire your legs quicker and encourage sloppy foot placement. Words_Marcus O'Dean

From Walter und Ingrid Schenk This is for your information only as Walter was a member of our club some years ago.

Hello dear friends, This April we feel like going for four weeks to Tanzania again. We want to stay for some time at the Loiborsoit Secondary School. We know the headmaster already for he has been an English teacher at the school in Msitu wa Tembo we visited in 2010.

To date we don’t know much about the new school.

However, most likely there will be gifted children in the commuting area whose parents won’t be able to afford the “small change” needed to grant a good education to their daughters or sons. Perhaps the provision with material for giving classes could be facilitated, too. We could already find out that they have a well in the village, however, a pump is missing.

We would be very pleased if you are willing to help out financially on-site. The advantage is that you know your contribution will reach its 5

Update

We have been cordially welcomed in Kilimanjaro Airport by our headmaster Mr. Merinyo. He took us to Loiborsoit (White Rock). Very soon we were surprised by the fact that our Loiborsoit Secondary School - contrary to the Internet - is not close to Arusha. No, being on our way we found out that we had to leave Moshi town which is on the foot hills of Mt Kilimanjaro southeasterly to Same. It was a three hours' drive in a really crowded bus. After that we had to stand one hour squeezed into a private vehicle on a bumpy road partially muddy and extremely slippery until we reached the shore of Pangani River.

There we were asked to climb into a primitive boat made out of a solid tree stem. We had to duck down deep in order not to accidentally splash into the cool wet element to provide food for potentially lurking crocodiles. Having arrived safely on the other side "a few steps" of almost an hour was ahead of us. The soaked soil eventually enriched the soles of our shoes by several additional layers so that we finally reached our destination in "high heels". You can find it in Google Earth at S4°09.924' E37°28.568'.

We were welcomed then more than friendly. The school consists of four forms and 293 students in blue uniforms. They greeted us and our eleven colleagues the next morning by singing the school anthem. All of them held their hands close the heart.

We could introduce ourselves and were integrated into the outgoing staff very fast. However, it turned out very soon that the students were very loaded with carrying water buckets over a considerable distance. This was the case because the motor of the existing pump for the well was broken since a long time.

Luckily, we were able to change this issue in between due to your help. Together with Mr Merinyo we managed to pick up a new motor in Moshi. Half of the expenses have been taken over by the school. Meanwhile, everything is installed and working properly. Everyone is really happy!

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