Marked trail overnighter in SEQ?

[axertes]

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could help me find an overnight walk somewhere in a couple of hours' proximity to Toowoomba this weekend? Crow's Nest NP and immediate surrounds are out due to bushfires.

I have a pretty good level of fitness, but no navigation skills or equipment; either map and compass, or GPS. Between day walks, mountain biking, backpacking abroad and motorcycle touring I have the necessary gear. I have pretty minimalist tent etc. and a fuel stove so I'm confident I can camp almost anywhere with little impact. 2wd access is ideal but I can strap my pack to my motorbike for any more challenging road or fire road access points. I'm solo so I don't want crazy scrambling or anything else too dangerous, but I have a GPS beacon for emergencies, and despite not being an experienced bushwalker, I'm pretty experienced with 'the outdoors'. I have a copy of Take a Walk in QLD's National Parks (Southern Zone) next to me right now (although it's a 1998 edition), and I've done 'hard' day walks in that book without issue. I've had some fantastic day walks around Main Range NP, especially Goomburra Section, but I'm open to further afield.

So yeah, can you folks recommend me a good overnight walk with marked trails around here? So, to summarise, I'm after:

- Overnighter with marked trails (no navigation experience or gear)
- I'm solo and not an experienced bushwalker, but fairly fit and experienced in 'the outdoors'
- I have adequate gear for responsible 'wild' camping
- Within 200km of Toowoomba
- 2wd access preferable but 4wd do-able
- No crazy cliff scrambling

Thanks in advance,

Geoff

[tomh]

Considering your restrictions (marked trail overnighter/ not experienced bw/ solo walker/ no navigation experience), all I could recommend (indeed, all there is) is a Qld Govt 'Great Walk' and for you the Conondale Range Great Walk north of Kilcoy or the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Details on the relevant Qld Govt website.

[Strider]

Perhaps the best recommendation would be to buy a map of the area of interest, and determine from that what your options are?

[ofuros]

Wherever you end up, take care out there.....the bush is a tinderbox at the moment.

.....via tapatalk.

[axertes]

Considering your restrictions ... all I could recommend ...is... the Conondale Range Great Walk ...

Done. Packing now. I'd considered this already but now I'm sold. It's beautiful up there. I've motorcycled some of it and want to see more.

Wherever you end up, take care out there.....the bush is a tinderbox at the moment.

Yeah so I figure rainforest is a bit safer, right? RIGHT? Thanks though. I'm aware of this and will be extra careful with my stove. Plus there are a few fire roads around this Conondale walk if I need to move a bit faster (yeah I know I can't outrun a bushfire, but you know what I mean).

[axertes]

Considering your restrictions ... all I could recommend ...is... the Conondale Range Great Walk ...

Done. Packing now. I'd considered this already but now I'm sold. It's beautiful up there. I've motorcycled some of it and want to see more. Thanks!

Wherever you end up, take care out there.....the bush is a tinderbox at the moment.

Yeah so I figure rainforest is a bit safer, right? RIGHT? Thanks though. I'm aware of this and will be extra careful with my stove. Plus there are a few fire roads around this Conondale walk if I need to move a bit faster (yeah I know I can't outrun a bushfire, but you know what I mean).

[ofuros]

No worries axertes......just didn't want you getting caught out & ending up a crispy critter.
Enjoy your walk.

[tomh]

As you are a Toowoomba bushwalker, are you aware of the book "Bush walks in the Toowoomba region" by​ Neil McKilligan & Ian Savage?
4th ed. was published by USQ Press, Toowoomba in 2011. ISBN: 0949414107. No idea about its current availability.

[axertes]

As you are a Toowoomba bushwalker, are you aware of the book "Bush walks in the Toowoomba region" by​ Neil McKilligan & Ian Savage?
4th ed. was published by USQ Press, Toowoomba in 2011. ISBN: 0949414107. No idea about its current availability.

Ooh no I wasn't. Thanks!

................

I didn't end up going on my walk. Not enough planning; I realised that I didn't have enough time by the time I got my act together this morning (very frustrating as I had my pack packed!). I went kayaking for the day instead. But I'll definitely use the advice you people have given me in the near future!