Coomera Gorge and Lamington

[Al and Bruce Paton]

I'm heading to Lamington next week and I'm very keen to check out Coomera Gorge.
I've seen a few different versions of the hike which describe the track in a wide variety of conditions.
Any tips from locals or walkers who have been there recently are welcome!
Also open to suggestions for other good walks in Lamington.
Cheers!

[Pteropus]

Hi Al and Bruce

I have not been up Coomera Gorge from the Gwongoorool Pool, which is down on the Coomera River to the west of Binna Burra, however, the way up the gorge is to rock hop south from the pool. I believe there is another way into the gorge that is off the Coomera circuit, south of Binna Burra, though I do not know it. Some here might, but from all accounts it is off track and quite steep.

I have been to the Gwongoorool Pool and completed the Illinbah Circuit, which is approximately 16 km in length, and starts just near the National Parks ranger station at Binna Burra. I recommend the circuit, though anyone traversing the Coomera River needs to make sure it has not rained heavily in the previous days (there is rain forecast for the end of this week). The Illinbah Circuit crosses the river 12 times and is one of the few tracks I have taken longer than the recommended walking time to complete. It is very photogenic though.

If it has been wet in the lead up to the walk, there are many options for day hikes in Lamington, and most will please if you are after spectacular rainforest and waterfalls. From Binna Burra there is the Coomera Circuit, which could also be flooded after rain, as it traverses up the top end of the gorge. I like the Ships Stern circuit too, for the variety of vegetation and views. Of course there are more tracks from O’Reilly’s, and if you are wanting pictures of the prettiest waterfalls, you must go out to the Box Forest Circuit to Elabana Falls and up Tooloona Creek to the Border Track.

There are many options. I recommend getting a copy of “Take a walk in South East Queensland” by John and Lyn Daly (http://www.takeawalk.com.au/). I have misplaced my copy at the moment so I can’t tell you if they have a description of the walk into Coomera Gorge, but I think there might be some track notes on rock hopping up the gorge. Perhaps someone else has their copy handy and can tell you.
Anyhow, any walk up in the McPherson Ranges (Border Ranges) will not disappoint.

Have a good and safe walk!
Cheers, Andrew

Edit -> I have found my copy of Take a walk in SEQ and there are track notes for walking into Coomera Gorge on pages 189 & 190.

[cams]

Not particularly helpful sorry. But my grandmother loves telling us stories of her abseiling over the coomera falls with the Grooms in her younger days. And always...always to watch out for eels with a taste for human flesh in the swimming hole further downstream. hehe. I'm pretty jealous of some of the adventures she's had.

[Al and Bruce Paton]

Thanks Andrew, we do have a copy of that book and will definitely be taking it with us. Just looking to cheat by getting some recent local knowledge!
And I enjoyed hearing abotu your grandmother's adventures Cams!

[Currumby]

Just to back up what Cams said. The Gwongoorool Pool was once home to the biggest eel I've ever seen. It was a river monster!! Maybe it's still there.

[tas-man]

Just to back up what Cams said. The Gwongoorool Pool was once home to the biggest eel I've ever seen. It was a river monster!! Maybe it's still there.

Talking about giant eels, there was one monster in Blue Pool on Canungra Ck. West that we used to swim with in the 1970's, so they can obviously grow large if they have a suitable environment.

[sling]

Hi Al and Bruce,
How was Coomera Gorge?

Does anyone have any more details on dropping into Coomera Gorge from Coomera Circuit? I'm planning a walk into Lamington from Numinbah and was hoping to walk down the gorge. My plan is to try and get in from the western side. If that fails I'll stay on the Darlington Range and cross Coomera River north of the gorge.

Cheers,
Peter

[farkewie]

Hi,

I have done the abseiling from the top of the falls from where the circuit crosses the gorge, it is amazing but very cold and technical so not for the faint harted. The drop-in from the circuit it supposed to be about ~1k down stream from the main falls. I have not used it but apparent really steep (though ropes not needed), not sure on exact entry/exit.

Here are some photos of both times I have done it,

Summer:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevewhyte ... 265602623/

Winter: (this was the first time, it was freezing and we did it as an overnighter)
https://picasaweb.google.com/1151743767 ... meraGorge#

[tas-man]

<snip>Does anyone have any more details on dropping into Coomera Gorge from Coomera Circuit? <snip>
Cheers,
Peter

I don't know if the "Mystery Track" still exists that we used to use in the 1970's to get down into Coomera Gorge, but it was still published in the 1979 edition I have of the BBW's "Bushwalkers Guide to SE Queensland"

Details removed due to being in a sensitive area.

Last edited by tas-man on Fri 18 Nov, 2011 11:01 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Pteropus]

Hi tas-man
I assume these grid references for the “Mystery Track” into Coomera Gorge are for the old AMG projection and not the current MGA projection?
Cheers
Andrew

[tas-man]

Hi tas-man
I assume these grid references for the “Mystery Track” into Coomera Gorge are for the old AMG projection and not the current MGA projection?
Cheers
Andrew

As the grid references are over 30 years old, they would relate to the old AMG projection I would assume. I have decided to remove the information that I provided in this post, as the current conditions of this route have deteriorated over the years and it would be considered a sensitive area under the forum rules. If anyone really wants the info I posted, please PM me.

Last edited by tas-man on Fri 18 Nov, 2011 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

[tomh]

Unfortunately the so-called mystery track is to its detriment no longer much of a mystery. It is very much a direct steep up and down route, easily degraded and thus providing a quick route for heavy scouring rain. The second and last time I went much of the vegetation along the route, especially the steeper parts, had been mashed by many boots. There are old barely visible 'track closed' signs - they are mostly ignored anyway - and I cannot find any DERM (Parks & Wildlife) references.

Although it has 'track' in its name, for environmental reasons I would suggest this route be subject to the forum rule 'Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.'

(Ian - could you please consider removing the track details you provided - thanks)

Tom

[tas-man]

<snip> Although it has 'track' in its name, for environmental reasons I would suggest this route be subject to the forum rule 'Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.'
(Ian - could you please consider removing the track details you provided - thanks)

Tom

Thanks for the updated information Tom, I have removed the details previously provided upon further consideration of your comments.

[antsrealm]

I realise this is an old thread but it's right on topic for what I'm after. A few of us are looking to hike into the coomera gorge from gwongoorool Pool and rock hop / swim up to the base of the falls under the lookout and camp the night. Can anyone provide any info on this expedition or some photos of there trip. Would it be suitable to do with 15kg packs ?

Thanks,
Tony.

[Jeremy081]

Hi Tony

A mate and I went along the gorge last Friday as an overnighter. Expect to get wet! We started off around 9 and spent too much on the trail. Didn't make it to the gorge as we had to find a suitable place to camp. Very inhospitable area.

If I did it again, I'd take diving boots and more dry sacks as you have to walk in the water. Vibram soles suck on wet rocks. We had around 15kg packs which slowed us down and made some of scrambling more challenging.

Feel free to PM me for more details.