South Gippsland

Don't we all love our Tuesday window. What a "cracker" of a day at the Prom.

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Saturday, 12 August

Today eight walkers ventured off on the 6 day Carnarvon gorge walk. Lead by Graham with Les, Ken, Alec, Fritjoff, Gavin, Patsy and John. Everyone headedoff in good spirits with big packs. Overall must say that walking up the gorge was relatively easy. A good track with just a gentle incline. We walked 17.4 kms with a net gain of 90 mtrs. We did all the side tracks, Moss Garden, Wards Canyon, Amphitheatre, Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave which were well worth while. The first turn off to the Moss Garden was a lovely cool relief. Wards Canyon was definitely the mot spectacular. You could just sit for hours and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the canyon.

The gorge itself was walking between sheer cliff faces in a valley with palm trees, gum trees and a range of fir trees and grasses. We had 16 creek crossing, but it has been dry so no dramas crossing. We did not see any ground wild life, but the array of birds and their constant chatter was amazing. We reached Big Bend Camp which is set beside the creek. The site is clear with flat tent areas, a picnic table and a loo with tank water. Dinner was early with everyone around the picnic table, then as the sun set and it cooled down, everyone was in their tent by 7:00pm. Must note that we had one other camper arrive late and he had everything. A telescopic light on a stand, a battery operated pump for his mattress and when he arrived at the table for dinner, a bottle of Wild Turkey Bourbon. We headed off to bed to listen to the running creek with a background noise of a gentle snore.

Sunday, 13 August

Well, today was expected to be the hardest day of the walk and we were not let down. We started walking up the rocky creek bed of Boowinda Gorge. This walk was spectacular as it presented many different quirks of nature, both in the rock formations and flora. Then we hit the “gorge wall”. Short distance straight up and a difficult scramble with full packs. Once up the top then it was Battleship Spur and yes more ups. It took 4 hours to do 4.8kms and in the first 4kms we climbed 600 mtrs. Once at the top, the Battleship Spur lookout provided sensational views back over the Carnarvon Gorge and further east. Then it was across the grass plains to the Mount Moffatt section of the Carnarvon Nation Park. Lovely country with a range of gum trees, palm trees and grasses, as well as the “ancient fern – cycad”.  A tough day and everyone was buggered when we reached the Gadd’s Camp, probably one of the hardest day walks. A nice camp site with a good water supply and a toilet. Once again everyone was in bed by 7:30 pm ready for an early start the next day.

Approximately 16 kms

Monday, 14 August

We had a good night at camp and headed off at 8:10 for the West Branch campsite  A lovely morning and, of course the first 4kms were gently up hill and then the climb started. The next 2kms had a climb of 150 meters going up a 4 wheel track, but must say the country was lovely. Once we got to the top, we were on the plateau, a good track, high grass, a range of gum trees and also palm trees.  The track was up and down, but at times walking along the ridgeline at over 1000 mtrs elevation, the views both side were magnificent. After lunch it was a bit of a scramble down to an elevation of 800 mtrs, but then a walk through the valley to West Branch camp. Gavin had an eye to eye meeting with a big black bore. He managed to get a photo before it decided to go in a different direction. Total distance was nearly 16 kms, not as tough as yesterday. As it was getting very cool, we were in bed by 6.40pm……

Tuesday, 15 August

Woke up to a bright blue sky as the sun was peeping over the horizon after a very cold, dewie night. We got away at 8:30 knowing it was going the be a long day.  Over the first 11 kms we climbed over 400 metres to an elevation of 1220 metres. Along the way, unfortunately Ken was not feeling well, he seemed to have a chest infection. Wise heads prevailed and Graham returned with Ken to the camp. We pushed on and at the 1200 elevation we stopped for lunch. Still with 8 kms to camp, the vegetation changed to more a shaded forest (thank goodness) with lots of scrub. As we were at the top of the plateau, the terrain was gentle ups and downs with the occasional cooling breeze. We walked through the Mahogony Forest. We arrived into Consuelo camp after 18 kms at 3:30 pm, pleased to be able to have a rest before getting tents and dinner organised. Only provisions at the campsite was a large roof, good  water supply and a small pit fire place. We did have some kangaroos and emu pass by the camp and one small female roo was happy to stay near the camp as long as to we kept our distance. Tonight we sat around a nice fire thanks to Alec. After a long day, we were looking forward to a shortish day tomorrow.

Wednesday, 16 August

It was a warm night last night and we were up early and ready to go at 8:20. Today was supposed to be the easiest day and it proved so. Walked through a forest with gum and palm trees. The land has had a fire reduction burn some time ago so all the new grass growth was coming through. The weather was mild and the country was undulating. After 14.4 kms we arrived at Cabbage Tree camp at 12.20 pm after 4 hours. Nice and early, we settled in and had our lunches and Alex got the fire going. The afternoon was spent relaxing, and after dinner sitting around the camp fire. It was a mild night, but everyone was in bed by 8.00 pm.

Thursday, 17 August

The last day. We headed out of Cabbage Tree camp at 8:00 am. The countryside was similar to recent days, but today more downs than up. We had arranged to meet the other club members at Boolimba Bluff at about 1:00 pm for lunch. The weather was quite warm so the going was steady to get there on time. Arrived at Boolimba Bluff to be greeted by smiling faces for a lunch break then back down to the visitors centre for the trip back to the caravan park. Thanks for the Peanut Butter sandwich – Heather. A cold drink and a long shower was needed by everyone. At 5:00 pm we all met for a sundowner. Great go catch up with everyone as some were leaving the next day.

In summary it was a good hike, however, some sections (the flat, grassy ones) were a bit boring. The campsites were great with a shelter, table and benches, two water pumps and toilets (in the first three, Consuelo and Cabbage Tree had no toilets).

The company of everyone was fabulous, we had wonderful conversations around the fire, and on track. Graham, our intrepid leader and singing, Ken trying to overcome a lurgie - so very quiet and stoic, Les was our in-house physio and exercise physiologist, Alec our fire lighter, Fritjoff full of wisdom, Gavin telling interesting stories, John and I (only female) tagging along enjoying it all and writing notes.

Participants: Graham Talmage (Leader), Les Cruikshank, Alec Stewart, Ken Moulton, Fritjoff Arp, Gavin Beaumanis, John Scales and Patsy Scales

Total hiked: over a 100kms

Written by: John & Patsy