Bluap

SPRING CREEK MOUNTAIN TRAIL

This walk is a beauty - following the Rabbit Board Fence for approximately 35km from near Killarney to the foothills of Wilson's Peak. There are views you might know well but from a refreshing new perspective - tracing the crest of the mountains allows an eagle-eye view - far better than those from a car seat. At an elevation around 1000m the days and nights are cooler than the valley making for great walking conditions.

There's a steep start but after this the open trail and mostly moderate gradients allow for relaxed walking and conversation. Rolling along beside the fence and passing through open forests and tall timbers, lush farmland and World Heritage Rainforest this trail is simply lovely.

DAY 1 Saturday 29 April

Walk:             Killarney Border Gate to Smith’s Farm Approx 12km. Moderate

Trans:            Ex Boonah. Transfer to walk start (approx. 115km)

                      Transfer from Smith’s Farm to Kinkuna

Accom:           Kinkuna Bunkhouse (shared room and facilities)

Meals:             L D

Nestled in the heart of the Scenic Rim, Boonah is where we meet before boarding our van for the drive across Cunningham’s Gap via the Settler’s Route to Killarney on the western side of the Main Range. After a break in Killarney we drive out of town to the starting point for this three-day walk along a section of the historic Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board Fence. It’s a steep start, with a 300-metre elevation gain to crest the plateau! The track then eases into more rolling terrain through open Eucalypt forest with extensive views across Acacia Plateau and Koreelah into NSW and north to Mount Colliery and the Condamine Gorge. The Fence traces the QLD-NSW Border passing through farmland and rainforest by turns.

Arriving at Smith’s Farm, Mal – third generation farmer on this land - takes us to visit his favourite trees in the old growth rainforest on the family property. From here it’s just a short drive to our accommodation at Kinkuna.

DAY 2 Sunday 30 April

Walk:              Smith’s Farm to Carr’s Lookout Approx. 13km Moderate

Trans:             Kinkuna to Smith’s Farm to Kinkuna

Accom:            Kinkuna Bunkhouse

Meals:             BLD

Birdsong replaces alarms this morning as we enjoy our first cuppa of the day. After a hearty breakfast and packing our lunch we head back to Smith’s Farm and re-gain the Fence. Today’s walk again follows the Fence over undulating country with ever-changing views bounded by lush pastures. Koreelah NP is our companion on the NSW side of the fence lending a rich green backdrop to the views.

After lunch the views open up spectacularly across the Head as we make our way through farmland with the views all around. It’s not far from here back to Kinkuna for our final evening together.

DAY 3 Monday 1 May

Walk:              Carr’s Lookout to the White Swamp Border Gate. Approx. 10km Moderate + challenging downhill section

Trans:             Transfer to Boonah.

Meals:             BL

As we follow the fence in Queensland we can reach out and touch Koreelah NP in NSW. Established in 1999 the park covers 53sq km. Its creek flats, steep hillsides and deep valleys support a rich variety of habitats from wet and dry Eucalypt forests to cool sub-tropical rainforests featuring Black Booyong, Yellow Carrabeen, Rosewood, towering Hoop Pines and Giant Stinging Trees. This World Heritage Park is also part of the Scenic Rim Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International. Over 110 bird species are found here including Alberts Lyrebird, Noisy Pitta and Wompoo Fruit Dove. The songs from the forest will be our sound track on the walk from here on.

After an hour or so of easy walking the plateau suddenly narrows as the volcanic cliffs of the escarpment become prominent. The fence dives off the edge but we leave it for a short distance to wind down to the Head Road, re-joining the fence at the Moss Garden. There is very steep decent here before easier ground is reached. There are a couple of climbs over forested knolls but overall we are now headed downhill and the rainforest gives way to tall Eucalypts. Views through the trees reveal the slopes of Mt Superbus and Head Road and signal that our walk is coming to an end. At the White Swamp Border Gate our van meets us for the trip back to Boonah but not before we share lunch and a cuppa nearby.

GUIDES

Based in Boonah, Teresa Cause founded Horizon Guides in 2007 in response to the need for a specialised bushwalking guide service. Teresa grew up in remote regions of Australia and has a background in outdoor and environmental education, with a particular passion for natural history.  Teresa's extensive guiding experience includes tours in Australia and overseas. The Scenic Rim has been her home since 1995 and she loves to share this wonderful place with walkers of all ages. Teresa is also the proprietor of Far Outdoors in Boonah.

Sally Undery has spent a lifetime walking and on horseback in the rich country beneath the formidable west-facing escarpments of Lamington National Park. With her husband she was a dairy farmer for most of her adult life until they ceased this profession in recent times. Always acutely aware of being a caretaker of the land Sally is now sharing this love of the land with walkers of all abilities. To walk with Sally around the landscapes of the Scenic Rim is a special experience. Her passion for nature and way of sharing stories - ancient and contemporary - will stay with you long after the day is done.

GENERAL TOUR NOTES:

Accommodation: Kinkuna – a place of gathering with many conversations - began life as the Ferndale Provisional School, which opened on 9 November 1948. In 1953 it became The Falls State School was subsequently closed on 26 August 1974. It’s set on a peaceful 2.5acres and was for some time the home of the local Girl Guides group.

If you prefer to camp you are welcome to BYO a tent and find a spot outdoors near the facilities.

Bev Ruskey (former owner and chef at Spring Creek Mountain Café and Cottages) is our in-house chef! All meals and snacks are provided from lunch on the first to lunch on the last day.

Special dietary needs must be advised on booking. Our accommodation is remote and no stores are nearby.

Packing List A detailed packing list will be emailed upon booking.

Laundry With such a short tour there should not be the need to do laundry however it is recommended to pack a small amount of washing detergent for hand washing.

Happy Hour On our first night there will be happy hour before dinner with a complementary wine/beer/non-alcoholic beverage served with a cheese platter. You are more than welcome to bring your favourite beverages for the second evening (limited fridge space available).

Daily briefings Each evening there will be a briefing on the walk or options for the following day as well as a re-cap at breakfast.

Mobile Phone Coverage There is adequate mobile phone coverage at some places along the walk. Emergency access via 112 is more available.

TRACK NOTES:

What do we carry? All you will carry is a daypack with personal items and your lunch. All other luggage etc is transported in the trailer with the van.

Distances and track section times The distance we cover is approximately 35km. We are travelling this distance on foot unless the weather or other environmental factors prevent safe walking conditions. Where indicated the time taken for each section is approximate.

Grading Most of the track is graded Moderate. There are some more challenging sections where the gradient is steep. One of these is an ascent and the other a descent. Refer to daily notes for grading on each section.

Shortening walks. For those who don’t feel up to hiking on any given day you are more than welcome to travel in the van - one of the best aspects of a vehicle-supported walking holiday!

Toilets There are NO toilet facilities during the day hikes. We follow Leave No Trace principles and these will be outlined to you at the beginning of the trip.

Track direction is from west to east taking a roughly northeast direction.

Weather Mountain weather can be quite changeable in the region. Unless conditions are particularly hazardous we will walk even in rainy weather. Make sure you have a quality rain jacket with a decent hood.

Steps There is quite a lot of ‘up and down’ on this walk and it may not be suitable for anyone with knee conditions.

Hydration / Water It is recommended to carry 2 litres of water in 1litre containers per day.

Snakes and other fauna hazards Snakes are common the area but not often seen. Of more general concern are paralysis ticks that may be associated with such conditions as Lyme-like diseases. Preventing bites can be done by using a good repellent and avoiding sitting in loose leaf litter. Leaches are also a ‘feature’ of these forests.

We are looking forward to sharing the Spring Creek Mountain Trail with you soon!