Rain. Well make it spats. Either way, together with the cool change it was enough to make dinner at Blakesleys followed by a night paddle an unattractive proposition. Time to head for the hills. Make that Lamington National Park and the Coomera Falls Circuit. This particular walk had a glowing write up in the 'Bushpeople's Guide to Bushwalking in Southeast
Queensland' (1991).
While there had been a tiddle of rain in Brisbane, we hadn't watched the tally for the catchment of the Hinze Dam. Furthermore, we were only wearing walking shoes so we left with an open mind as to where we would end up. The people on the desk at the information centre were friendly, clearly local and reassured us that there hadn't been much in the way of rain so crossing the creek wouldn't be an issue. When we said we would probably only walk to the falls given the time of day, one (with legs suspiciously like a bushwalker) suggested to continue on past the falls for another Km before turning back. Wondering how far that Km might be we were reassured it was only 15 minutes further up the track.
It was a dull day and decidedly cool in the misty rainforest where everything was softly washed and dripping. The track was wide, covered in leaf litter and studded with flat top rocks to direct any surface run off. There was plenty of bird call from high in the canopy including whip birds. We only saw an occasional yellow breasted bird fly low across across the track. Around 2Km from the start the track to the falls peels off to the right. A scrub turkey was ready and waiting. In fact he may
as well have been sitting on the bench seat.
Here on the track follows gentle downhill grade. The forest is surprisingly tropical with many palms, creepers, birds nest ferns
and elkhorns. Giant strappy leaves suggestive of spider lilies marked small water courses from where frogs which sounded more like a voice emulator pinged. Along the way the vegetation changed abruptly to tall grasses with cones on the ground suggestive of she oaks. On walks like these it would be great to have someone around who can tell you more about the plants.
The lookout over the Coomera Falls was breathtaking. Cantilevered
out over a sheer drop by the time I figured out how far is was to the bottom of the chasm, it was one very quick step back. We continued on as recommended. The track narrowed and hugged the fern covered gorge wall. After 500m it crossed the creek, then
back again twice after which a landslide had closed a section of the track requiring two more crossings. By now my score was four leeches to Mark's one. We sort refuge on a massive tree trunk in the middle of the creek for lunch.
While it would have been only another 4Km to complete the circuit as compared with returning the way we had come, we found some of the creek crossings a bit awkward on account of slippery rocks. Next time would be the circuit. Back at the track entrance we found that most of the cars had left. A currawong and scrub
turkey were cleaning up the barbeque plate while many other turkeys strutted around the camp grounds. The terraced tent sites are attractive being shaded, but very firm underfoot and a real challenge for tent pegs.
Driving back down the range we pulled over to watch the paragliders drift overhead, land and launch. These guys are seriously equipped with a pile of navigational gear strapped to their lap. Once up and away they settle into a large padded cocoon. Floating around as if in a comfortable armchair, they change the profile of their chute to loose altitude or circle. While some people made landing look easy, there still seemed to be a bit of hit and miss involved.
Walking to the Coomera Falls was a great day out and it is easy to understand why so many paddlers are cross trainers. Who knows, more paddlers might yet be corrupted into taking the uphill route.
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