Ipswich walks? Overnighters?

[blacklion]

Hey guys just trying to find some ideas for long 'remote' day walks or possible sneaky overnighters? And hopefully include a water source?

Any ideas are good ideas, cheers.

[cams]

What sort of travel distance are you considering?

One of the closest reserves to you is the Flinders-Goulman Council reserve. I think the track up Flinders Peak is officially open again. This is an excellent bang for buck peak. Only marred by the masses of communications equipment at the top.

To get what I'd class as a "remote" experience your closest bet is to probably head for Main Range NP. This should take less than an hour depending what part of Ipswich you're in and which section of the park you aim for. Castle Rock via Hole in the Wall is an awesome "off track" day walk (or overnighter) but takes a bit longer to drive around to the Goomburra section of the park if you start at Sylvesters Lookout. Laidley Creek Falls has a campsite and usually has at least a trickle of water.

Sections of the park past Spicers Peak provide definite remote experiences, although it is hard to be anywhere in SE Queensland where you can't see some sign of civilisation from an exposed viewpoint. Water is hard to guarantee anywhere along the range but books like the out of print Bushpeople's guide to hiking in SE Qld (partially replicated here: http://www.southee.com/) mention the best places to fill up.

There are a smattering of National Parks out on the way to Toowoomba and up on the range itself like Crow's Nest. I don't have as much experience with these ones.

[blacklion]

Wow cheers for the extensive list of areas. Im at brookwater so i think its about 15min from flinders. I've been there once and went halfway up but didnt have enough time to finish it. Ill have at look at the places you've recommended. Thanks again.

If you're keen for a hike your more than welcome to come along.

[Champion_Munch]

Cams has given some good suggestions - another alternative for some easy day hiking is Moogerah Peaks national park, less than an hour from Ipswitch. Walking options include Mt French (currently closed except a short walk to a lookout, I think), Mt Edwards and Mt Greville. Mt Greville is a great little hike with several ascent/descent options, get started early if you want to beat the heat or wait until the cooler months.

Nothing I would consider 'remote' as the mountains are surrounded by farm land, further west main range will have a greater 'remote' feel with good options for overnighters for more experienced walkers

Further afield is mount barney national park, many options there... probably 1-1.5 hours from ipswich. Lots of overnighter options depending on how keen you are to haul a pack around

[ofuros]

Haven't had much to do with D'Aguiiar NP just to the north of your location, but there seems
to be a quite a few short walks & a couple longer loops with remote camps for overnighters or so it says in the link.
Being a multi-use, camping, walking, mountain biking & horse riding area, I'd expect it to be busy on the w/ends or
public/school holidays being so close to Brissy.
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/dagui ... ml#walking

[blacklion]

Yeah I haven't been uo to that park yet but I've heard that it's quite good. I'll be checking out all the places mentioned here over the next few weekends to see which is best for an overnighter. Cheers everone for the help

[ausjmc10]

Hi all, I'm looking to head to Cunningham's Gap/Spicer's Gap area next weekend, and haven't been out there before, so was just seeking quick advice. Looking at doing Mt Cordeaux + Bare Rock, camping at Spicer's, and doing Mt Mathieson (return, not the full trail) in the morning.

Two main questions: 1) Doing it with family members who aren't in super shape or particularly experienced walkers/campers... any likely concerns there? I'm no guru myself, but feel basically competent. 2) Anything we should know about recent/current condition of the tracks or campsite? Any advice welcome - cheers.

[cams]

Mt. Cordeaux + Bare Rock is a good track with great views. You definitely gain some height, but the track is very well graded so it isn't too steep. Mt. Mathieson is mostly quite easy going. I think from memory there are a just a couple of little steep bits to get around rocky spurs. You get good views towards Mt. Mitchell + Cordeaux and the gap. Spicers campsite is very nice with plenty of flat, grassy, shaded campsite options. All in all, I'm sure you'll have a very pleasant weekend.

Check out Governers Chair at the head of the Spicers Gap road while you're there too. It's a very short walk (20m or so) to a good lookout over the Moogerah peaks and Dam.

I've got trip reports on my website for both of these walks. Although, the pictures will provide spoilers if you'd rather wait and enjoy the views as they appear.

http://highandwide.com.au/2011/05/08/mt ... bare-rock/
http://highandwide.com.au/2012/06/13/mt ... n-circuit/

[Champion_Munch]

Mt Cordeaux and Bare Rock are great - if your family aren't in super shape, you could always turn back after getting to the lookout at Mt Cordeaux (but the extra walk to Bare rock is definitely worth it if they're up to it! Don't bother with the Morgans Walk sidetrip). ~5 min from Mt Cordeaux lookout along the track to Bare Rock, you follow the top of a ridge with superb views east and looking back at the summit - this is my favourite bit of the track. I was there in September last year, not long after it was re-opened (it gets closed every couple of years when storms tear through the area) and track was in good shape. Best to check http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/ before setting out anywhere.

Mt Mitchell is also a good option but might be a bit on the hot side at the moment, most of it is in open forest unlike the Mount Cordeaux/Bare Rock track which is mostly rainforest.

Mt Mathieson is a neat walk, you get good views to Mt Mitchell which are particularly nice if you set off early in the morning. The full circuit isn't overly taxing - if your family can do Mt Cordeaux alright they'll have no issue with this. There isn't a lot of height gain. The best views are past the actual 'summit', and the further on you walk the better they get! The only downside is having to walk back down the road. I also second checking out Governer's Chair (can be combined with the Mathieson circuit).

The road up to Spicer's gap is dirt but fine with 2WDs unless it has been raining - they close the access gate if this is the case. Road is a bit rockier from the campsite to Governer's Chair lookout.

[ausjmc10]

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. It matched up with our experience pretty closely.

Did Mt Cordeaux, and then turned back to be on the safe side for the family. No visibility up top because of clouds, but I imagine it'd be quite lovely on a clear day. The walk was pretty comfortable, uphill but nothing too steep, and the track in good condition. The only surprise was the number of leeches around - I didn't realise how rainforesty the area was.

Didn't really get much view from Mt Mathieson (just went up and back, not the circuit), which was a little disappointing. Pleasant walk though. As you each mentioned, Governor's Chair was great. The road was certainly towards the limit of how much we'd want to push a 2WD, but was okay when fairly dry.

Cheers gents, the advice was much appreciated.

[cams]

Hey guys, thanks for all the info. It matched up with our experience pretty closely.

Did Mt Cordeaux, and then turned back to be on the safe side for the family. No visibility up top because of clouds, but I imagine it'd be quite lovely on a clear day. The walk was pretty comfortable, uphill but nothing too steep, and the track in good condition. The only surprise was the number of leeches around - I didn't realise how rainforesty the area was.

Didn't really get much view from Mt Mathieson (just went up and back, not the circuit), which was a little disappointing. Pleasant walk though. As you each mentioned, Governor's Chair was great. The road was certainly towards the limit of how much we'd want to push a 2WD, but was okay when fairly dry.

Cheers gents, the advice was much appreciated.

Awesome. Glad you had a good time.