The stunning granite landscape of Girraween National Park alone would be enough to draw a crowd. Add to that the spectacle of spring flowers, a beautifully landscaped camp ground adorned with flushing loos, hot shower privileges and an information centre, you would think the place would be overrun. Even with a pupil free day on Monday (in Queensland), it was surprising that there were not more people parked up for this weekend.
After taking the back roads via Woodenbong, Urbenville, Tooloom
National Park and Wilson's Downfall we arrived late on Friday afternoon. Along the way we had relocated a long necked turtle off the road. Sure it is a good idea to be wary of how far that neck can stretch, but watch out for the other end too as the vertical lift off clearly unsettled the little critter. Coiled up on the gravel road nearer the park was a red belly black which we admired from a generous 20 feet. Beautiful king parrots, some very colourful smaller parrots (possibly turquoise parrots), brown cuckoo doves, sulphur crested cockatoos, galahs, and swamp marsh harriers were some of the birds seen along the way.
With a host of green and pink tents arranged in a large circle at the
Castle Rock grounds (and not reading directions) we decided that Bald Rock was pick of the two campsites. By the time we did the circuit of the grounds, 4WDs were flooding in and assertive land claims being made. It was a matter of a quick decision. The tent was set up opposite the loo block where it could be easily seen
from the entrance and there was a spare possie either side.
It looked like this weekend was going to be the mortal blow for the plastic tent peg hammer as it copped a thrashing driving pegs into compacted granite sand. Our efforts were watched from above by a satin bowerbird and ignored by an impossibly dumpy wonga pigeon as it continued its walk around the grounds. After the recent solitude of tropical islands I confess to being irritated by people who just wandered
through 'our' patch enroute to the loos and the intrusive squawking of brats. We smiled as new neighbours placed their big fat tent right in the middle of the loo route. The Pajero cruising the grounds turned out to be Steve & Kylie who on their third take spotted the kayak carriers. With a persistent and bitey SE breeze we were quick to give the others up for lost and retreated to tents primed with double the usual number quilts or sleeping bags.
As 'Bush Peoples Guide to Walking in South East Queensland' asserted, we found most of the area can be easily covered on day trips from the camping grounds. On Saturday we headed for Mt
Norman, turning off to Castle Rock along the way. This was where I was reminded that unobstructed heights are not my speciality. After walking through a crevice in the rock you come out to the southern face of Castle Rock. From here, for me at least, it was a bumbling traverse before heading to the summit. Caramel scrolls were relished along with the brilliant overview of where to go
and what to see in the park. By the time we left, the crowd crush was on as we passed two other groups huffing their way up the incline.
Onto Mt Norman the tracks remain wide and smooth with with crushed gravel underfoot. Clusters or drifts of wild flowers as well as exquisite single specimens gave the cameras a work out. A compact colour guide 'Wildflowers of the Granite Belt' is
available from the Information Centre for $2.00 and a worthy companion. As would be a guided walk with the Rare Wildflowers Consortium - see Stanthorpe Shire Council for details http://www.stanthorpe.qld.gov.au
As on Castle Rock, painted white marks drew you across the open expanses of granite. On one we met up with Tom and Maureen, Mark and Kimberley on their descent from the summit, which all but Tom had scaled. Crossing the open expanse in full sun, it was clear that the earlier start had been a wise move. The cool
shaded caverns at the base of the final ascent of Mt Norman were most welcome, although we did not know that the cave on the northern side was worth exploring. Steve came back with a definite 'no' in his assessment of the route to the summit as it involved scaling a chimney. We shared lunch on a large split boulder. Steve helped us all get up as he was the only one who could spring up with agility often seen in bushwalkers and cats. Over lunch we figured there had to be some porky tellers amongst the Castle Rock group regarding their ascent to the summit and devised our own version of events.
By now the idea of walking to the Sphinx and Turtle Rock had lost its shine on account of the time of the day or state of the legs. After arriving back at the campsite Mark and I headed off to The Junction. Here the wild flowers were out in full force with swathes of colour streaking the hillside. Bald Rock Creek had
fractional flow and really looked more like a series of stagnant pools, the larger ones of which were home to solitary catfish.
Back to a hot shower and thermals. Some back packers were redirected to another fire place as the prevailing breeze would have had tents smoked out or potentially pocked by embers.
Sundowners were shared with the crew visiting from Castle Rock grounds and there was not much time between dinner and bed.
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