JUNE 2016 - WEDNESDAY WALKS - Reporter: Dorothy L

Post date: Nov 2, 2016 6:32:32 AM

1 June Murwillumbah Ramble Leader: Don E

20 bushies met at Budd Park beside the Information Centre to cross the bridge and turn right past the Civic Centre, then up Old Ferry Road to the hospital. Continuing along Ewing St we had a great view of the Cougals as we continued around to the left up to Lions Lookout. From there it was down Church Lane to Main St for morning tea at the retro Austral Cafe. Up Main St past the churches we followed the ridges up Eyles Ave to the clearing beside the reservoir on Hartigan's Hill (an excellent viewing spot). The last part took us down Condong St to the riverside track behind the flood wall and so back to the cars for lunch - altogether a good workout.

OR Appletree Park to Numinbah Hall Leaders: Lis Manson, Ann M, Laura R, Ellen B

From Numinbah approximately 7 walkers had a car shuffle to Appletree Park to go down the 900 steps and follow the various leaders down sections of the undulating track - some walkers went down, some up, and some did both before returning to Numinbah Hall. In the process they encountered smoke from the cool-weather burn-offs, but still managed a "great walk".

8 June North Stradbroke Island Leader: Rosie S

A large group of 28 members drove up to Cleveland and caught the ferry across to Dunwich. There the bus took them to Point Lookout on the eastern side of the island, where morning tea was enjoyed at the local cafes. A walk followed, around North Gorge and then along the cliff-top track with its lookouts and rocky shore. On the way several pods of dolphins and some distant passing whales were seen. From the Cylinder Beach area, the group went up to the hotel for lunch and caught the bus nearby to return across the island for the home journey.

OR Coomera Circuit Leader: Ann M

11 walkers left the top carpark at Binna Burra to do the above track anti-clockwise. So a short way along the border track they turned right to go down to the magnificent waterfalls. Despite the big volume of water there from recent rains, the ensuing creek crossings were not hard as they circled back further along the border track. As usual a couple of blue crayfish could be seen, but luckily only one leech!

15 June Best of All Lookouts & Twin Falls Leader: Richard C

Up at Springbrook the first stop for the 13 bushies was Best of All Lookouts, where the mist was clearing to reveal the view over the Tweed Valley. Then came Tallanbana Picnic Area for an early morning tea. Twin Falls circuit was the main walk. We followed this track in an anti-clockwise direction, and were duly cooled by Twin Falls and Blackfellow Falls, all in full flow after heavy June rains.

OR Koonimbagowan/alias Ship's Stern Circuit Leader: Laura R

9 walkers did this 21 km walk with its spectacular views and variety of forest types and waterfalls. From the top carpark at Binna Burra they turned left down from the border track to go clockwise on the Ship's Stern track, with morning tea at Gorooburra Lookout on the way out to Kooloobano Point. Continuing around from the lookout they had lunch at Nixon Creek. Weatherwise there was a brief shower, but a fine rainbow (captured on film by Laura).

22 June Mudgeeraba Ramble Leader: Lis M

From Elsie Laver Park 31 walkers followed the grassy walkway northwards beside Mudgeeraba Rd, then turned left into Tallai Rd, then left again beside the pipe on the long grassy strip to Ingles Park for morning tea. Wallandra Rd led them round to Old Coach Rd and Springbrook Rd to return to Elsie Laver Park for lunch.

29 June Winter Solstice Walk, Pt Danger to Currumbin and return Leader: Lynne M

12 walkers met at Point Danger in time to have breakfast as they watched the sun rise at 6.40 am. A walk up to Currumbin followed, with the group following the beach or the paths. The Currumbin Surf Club was an ideal spot for coffee, especially on this perfect sunny day. Some of the walkers walked back to Point Danger for lunch and whale-spotting, some used car shuffles. It was all a good reminder of what a great part of the world we live in.