Sunday, May 17, 2009

Girraween National Park, South East Queensland

The Base of the First Pyramid from the end of the approach track. Any self respecting hiker should be able to walk straight up it in a few minutes.

Rob demonstrates the gradient which flattens out toward the summit. The First Pyramid is an easy scramble but lots of fun.

The famous Balancing Rock with the Second Pyramid in the background. The Second Pyramid is considerably more difficult than the First and should only be attempted by experienced scramblers in fine weather.

Jim sussing out a route up the Second Pyramid from the Northern end.

Looking west to the First Pyramid from the summit of the Second. Balancing rock is third from the left - photo taken by Caleb.

DESCRIPTION:

Girraween National Park is holy ground for the adventure community of south east Queensland and legendary within rockclimbing circles. Located high on the New England Tablelands (average elevation of 900 metres) and close to the New South Wales border, Girraween's climate is more like those of the cooler southern states than the humidity often associated with Queensland. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 30° Celsius in summer (December - February) however the area is predictably cold in winter by Australian standards with average daily temperatures ranging from 3-15° Celsius with minimums as low as -8 deg.

The average yearly rainfall at the park ranger quarters is 850mm. Most rain falls in Summer and early Autumn, but Winter rainfall is relatively high. The Spring months (September to November) are regarded is the optimum time to visit, but any time of the year is suitable for well prepared campers with good quality cold weather equipment (esp. tent, thermals and sleeping bag). As a general rule do not camp in Girraween past Easter each year (April) if you do not have good cold weather gear.

Cold weather may lead to an uncomfortable night in Girra but it is hardly likely to kill you. What is potentially more terminal is wet weather (including heavy fog or sleet) on the exposed granite surfaces of the Second Pyramid and Mt Norman. Even the relatively tame first Pyramid should be avoided during inclement weather. Check local weather forecasts and conditions before travelling to the park at www.weatherzone.com.au/ or http://mirror.bom.gov.au/weather/radar/.

Girraween contains the two camping areas of Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek which are located quite close together. Information and camp site booking can be obtained from 13 13 04 or http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/girraween_national_park/girraween_national_park__camping_information

Interstate travellers tend to use either of these camping grounds as a stopover during long journeys. Do not be surprised to hear motor homes and campers entering the park late at night. It is not uncommon to go to sleep in an isolated section in the camp ground and wake in the centre of a village. Ear plugs are recommended if tent camping.


LOCATION:


Girraween National Park is located 260km south-west of Brisbane just north of the Queensland-NSW border. From Brisbane take the Ipswich Motorway and turn off to the left on the Cunningham Highway to Warwick. Follow the Cunningham Highway into Warwick (120 km) and turn right in Wood Street / Cunningham Highway. After 1.5 km take a left turn to Stanthorpe on the New England Highway. The highway bypasses Stanthorpe (58 km) and the turnoff to Pyramids Road is located 25 km past Stanthorpe. Travel along Pyramids Road for 7km and follow the signs to either Castle Rock camp ground, Bald Rock Creek camp ground or the nearby Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area 100 meres further along Pyramids Road. The Pyramids are easily located from each of these areas.

Mt. Norman can be negotiated as a walk from the southern end of the Castle Rock camp ground (10.4 km return) which passes Castle Rock. Conventional vehicle access to the Mt Norman Day Use Area is obtained by driving into Wallangara to the south. From the Mt Norman Day Use Area the approach track to Mt Norman is only 2km (4km return).

From Girraween drive east along Pyramids Road toward the New England Highway. Take a left turn on Old Wallangar road which joins the New England Highway further south. Turn left at Wallangara into Margetts Road following 'Country Fresh' signs which is the local abattoir. At the T junction at the end of Margetts road take a left turn and then a right turn over a train bridge and another left into Woodlawn Street. Take the second turn on the right into Merawa Street which becomes Mt Norman Road. At the T junction at the end of Mt Norman Road take a left turn and follow it to the Mt Norman Day Use Area. Conventional vehicles are able to access the Day Use Area with care however do not proceed beyond this point unless you have a high clearance 4WD. Facilities in the Day Use Area consist of a couple of picnic tables and a composting toilet.

TRACK NOTES:

A number of walking tracks exist in Girraween including The Junction swimming area (5 km return), Castle Rock (5 km return), The Sphinx and Turtle Rock (7.4 km return). We are into scrambling rather than bushwalking and so provide track notes only for The Pyramids and Mt Norman.

NOTE: Bald Rock Creek and Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area in Girraween, Queensland are not to be confused with Bald Rock (1277 metres) located in the neighbouring Bald Rock National Park in New South Wales. Bald Rock is the largest granite composite rock in Australia and is most easily accessed from the Mount Lindesay Highway in NSW. The turn off to Bald Rock is on Bald Rock Road at Carrolls Creek 29 km north of Tentrerfield.

The Pyramids

The Queensland Parks & Wildlife suggest the climb to the summit of the Second Pyramid should only be undertaken by experienced rock climbers. Our experience is that confident scramblers are able to summit with caution and respect.

The First Pyramid is a 3.4 km return walk from the Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area. The approach track is well sign posted and of a very pedestrian gradient. The First Pyramid is little more than a steep walk but should not be attempted in wet weather. Balancing Rock and views east to the Second Pyramid are the summit highlights. If your party has any difficulty ascending the first Pyramid do not attempt to climb the Second Pyramid.

To access the Second Pyramid descend east from the summit of the First Pyramid on a clearly defined track. When this becomes uncomfortably steep veer to the north (left) for 20 metres looking for a wide crack packed with man made aids (tree trunk and branches) to assist the 5 metre descent to the ground. From this point walk north on a scrubby defined track for 250 metres looking toward the Second Pyramid until an accessible access point is attained on the base of the scramble.

There is no visible track on the Second Pyramid as it is all rock and care must be taken on the ascent to note some clear landmarks for the return journey, especially near the summit. The EPA advise considerable rockclimbing experience is necessary to scale it but confident scramblers are able to summit with care.

A more direct access route to the Second Pyramid is gained by walking in from Pyramids Road. This route does not involve summiting the First Pyramid. Continue driving past the Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area for approximately 1.5km until a 4WD track turn off to the left. Park a conventional vehicle in this area and continue walking for 400 metres up the 4WD track branching off to the west at the dead end. A large granite area provides short lived access before dropping back into the scrub for 500 metres aiming for the northern end of the Second Pyramid.

Mt Norman

From the southern end of the Castle Rock Camping Area, Mount Norman is a 10 km return Class 3 and 4 walk. If you are into bushwalking this is fine however a more direct 4 km return access is attained from the Mt Norman Day Use Area, as explained under LOCATION.

From the Day Use Area walk up the old fire road access track to the rocky slabs providing access to the southern end of Mount Norman. At the base proceed briefly to west (left) before wrapping around to the north for 150 metres looking for a prominent crack in the rock which is the summit scramble access point. If you continue walking past the access crack you will come to The Eye of the Needle on Mount Norman's northern face.

At the top of the 6- 8 metre access crack proceed with caution along a ledge until the track winds up past a prominent tree. Care must be taken in this section, especially on the descent as a slip here may result in a 25 metre plunge to the base. From the tree continue up two gradual but tight chimneys until the southern summit is attained. Crossing to the northern summit section involves two short leaps onto curved rock surfaces. The Northern Summit is regarded as the highest point.

Again the EPA warn that the final approach to the summit is steep and rock climbing experience is needed to reach the absolute top.

PROVISIONS:

To Wear:
* Hat
* Sunnies (optional)
* Good quality walking / running / hiking shoes in good condition.

Hiking Pack: 35 - 45 litres is an ideal sized day-pack for the Pyramids and Mt Maroon. This may sound like overkill to some but preparation is a good thing. Calling emergency services to rescue a hiker with a sprained ankle or dehydration is uncool.

* 2l Water (minimum or more if you drink a lot)
* Food for snacks and lunch on the summit:
- Muesli bars- Fruit (fresh or dried)
- Chocolate


* Basic First Aid Kit including:
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Bandaids
- Pressure bandage
- Elastic ankle support
- Paracetamol
- Personal medications
- Basic first aid book

* Mobile Phone (fully charged) Generally good reception with Telstra 3G network.

* 10 metres (minimum) of good quality rope

* Wet weather gear:
- Spray jacket with hood

* Cold weather gear:
- Space blanket
- Jacket
- Long trousers
- Beanie (head warmer)
- Gloves
- Flint or Matches (waterproof) in case of emergency

* Head lamp and Batteries

Optional Equipment:
* Gaiters
* Camera & Batteries
* GPS
* Change of shirt / clothes for the return car ride (to leave in the car)

HISTORY:

Girraween is adapted from an Aboriginal word meaning a place of flowers which is evidence of the spectacular spring wildflower displays which bloom from late July through to October.

Aboriginals have lived in the area for countless generations and explorer Allan Cunningham first entered the Girraween area in 1827. In the 1840s Robert Mackenzie settled in the Girraween area and attempted logging, dairying, beef cattle, grazing sheep and fruit trees.

Dr Spencer Roberts of Stanthorpe made the first submission to Parliament for the area to receive National Park status which was eventually granted in the 1930s.

As recently as 1980 the Park was enlarged to its present 11, 800 capacity of hectares. As mentioned in the introduction Girraween is legendary among rock climbers Australia wide and is a must do for scramblers and other adventurers.

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