First ever overnight hike South East Queensland-suggestions

[sweetiepark]

Hi all.

I have dug through this forum and I cant find an answer to this question so thought I would post a new topic for it.

I am a beginner walker and loving it. I am based in South East Queensland and my partner and I have conquered walks up to about 6 hours long so far. I am looking to expand to try an overnight hike but I am not sure of a suitable track to try without experience.

One thing I thought of trying was to walk a 4-6 hour loop walk with a full pack on and setting up camp when we got back. Any thoughts??? I am in the Darling Downs region but its getting a little fresh up here for camping (for me) so I was thinking somewhere closer to the coast.

Finally, is it possible to pick up 2nd hand equipment? I dont want to go out and spend $800 on a tent only to find we are not really capable/dont like hiking.

Cheers.

[cams]

Keeping an eye out on these forums in the for sale section is probably the best place for good quality light weight second hand gear. You can sometimes find decent stuff on ebay in amongst the rest of the crap.

I've always taken people to O'reilly's for first overnight walks. Either Echo Point or Bithongabel. They're both accessible by the track system and have an "express" route along the boarder track to get there or back quickly and a more scenic route via other circuits to make the walk more interesting. You have to contact the ranger to book. They will probably give you a list of "remote" campsites. Problem is, it will be quite cold up there this time of year.

A longer option is to walk to Binna Burra and back over two days, but this is quite a long walk about 22km each way.

Closer to the coast there are a few options in the Cooloola NP. You can walk from Lake Cootharaba to Harry's Hut or Fig Tree Pocket and back.

You could do part of the Conondale Great Walk but that would be cold again.

Hope this helps

[sweetiepark]

Thanks for this cams.

I am looking at Binna Burra map on line at derm website. Is the walks you are talking about the ones called "Albert River Circuit" and "Toolona Creek circuit"?

[cams]

Yep that's the one. You could form your own longer walk by combining the two circuits too. Head out the long way around the Albert river circuit and camp at either Echo Point or Bithongabel then do the longer half of the tooloona creek circuit the next day. This would give you a brilliant introduction to Lamington if you haven't been there before as well.

[shardie]

walks around the Sundown NP mayyyyyyyyyyyy be a be brisk at this time of the year, however a nice fire & good whisky will change your perception of the outside temperature

[ULWalkingPhil]

Yep that's the one. You could form your own longer walk by combining the two circuits too. Head out the long way around the Albert river circuit and camp at either Echo Point or Bithongabel then do the longer half of the tooloona creek circuit the next day. This would give you a brilliant introduction to Lamington if you haven't been there before as well.

I had this walk planned a couple weeks ago, but didn't realise how long it takes to get a permit to camp at Echo Point and the weather turned for the worst. Looks like a great overnight hike.

[dannnnn]

i did part of the sunshine coast great walk over the long weekend.. it wasn't too cold at all and it's pretty nice bush. you could do the geerulla circuit section as one night without too much trouble, and the thilba thalba campsite is stunning. it would be about a 2hr drive from t'ba tho.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/great- ... ine-coast/
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/great- ... eb-map.pdf

park on delica rd at the very south part of the track per the above PDF, there is a sign saying "gheerulla falls 2.xx km". walk the track clockwise to the north. would be about 14km on the first day, 7.5km on the second day. the track is well marked, there are toilets at camp and plenty of water and mobile coverage if things went pear shaped.

[sweetiepark]

Decisions decisions! All walks suggested look fantastic. Have always wanted to walk more in Lamington so that is looking really appealing. Rang the ranger who tells me do it sooner than later as it gets cold in June there and definitely not for first timers. (btw I assume you just book on the DERM website to camp on the tracks?)

The Mapleton track looks really great but it looks like the car park would be a pretty good target for thieves as it looks pretty remote. Or should I have more faith in humanity ? Also Sunshine Coast track looks awesome and maybe easiest .....

Giraween and Sundowner may need to wait until Spring (or at least until I have hardened up a bit). Emma

[dannnnn]

i don't think thieves will be a problem.... for the very fact that it is remote

[ULWalkingPhil]

The remote camp sites in Lamington National Park such as Echo Point, I believe from what I read online need to be booked a few weeks in advance and rangers need to approve. Crazy system if you ask me.

[cams]

Yeah, they're pretty strict about the bookings at Lamington still. I've booked late before but they didn't like it.

Give the ranger a call with plenty of notice and they're usually very helpful. The booking sheet is a little more simple than it used to be. You used to have to give grid coordinates for three times a day.

They have had their fair share of search and rescues up there though. So it's probably justified.