The Tablelands Walking Club
Newsletter – December 2011
Petford Weekend – Club Hut
29th & 30th September
by Sue Cook
Photos by Morris Mitchell
Jean, Sue, Kevin, Morris, Gill and myself all met
at the hut on Friday afternoon in time to set up
the camp, prepare dinner and enjoy the happy
hour looking at the stars and night life.
Saturday four of us first checked if anyone else
turned up at Petford before driving to the start
of the walk. It was a cross country walk to
Frazers Lookout which we made into a circle
walk. Saw little violets in the dry grass and had
great 360° views. We took our time and enjoyed
the wonderful scenery.
and checking if the bees we saw were Asian or
not. Luckily not. We saw a special bird that,
back at the hut, with the help of Liz’s bird book,
was able to identify it as a banded honeyeater
and its young.
We saw quite a few birds; a pair of wedge tail
eagles circling on the currents, heron,
honeyeaters, magpies, parrots, to name a few.
We also saw many flowers such as violets and
the hakea and melaleuca trees were in flower or
just in bud. For such a dry country it was
special to see all the buds and flowers. We were
also lucky enough to see a rock wallaby.
All agreed that we had a great weekend. It was
not too hot, there were no bities and the nights
were lovely and cool.
Did you know that the hut is called Bills Place
after the old fellow that lived there. The club has
the use of this hut. Just a phone call to Bill
McGrath to let him know you are there is all it
takes to have a good weekend.
When we arrived back at the hut we found that
Liz had joined our little group. A lazy time
followed until 2.30pm when we walked up Mt
Wade. We watched birds and checked the
springs. One had good water but the other had
just dried up. Once again we had great views.
Back at the hut we shared happy hour, dinner
and sat out under the stars again where, over
some wine and chocolate had a great discussion
about mountains and hills and how they were
named and why. A great night by all.
Sunday started early (7.30am) for the gorge
ridge walk to Dicksons Grave. We descended
into the gorge and spent time watching birds
Members of the Tablelands Walking
Club wish to thank Curtis Pitt and staff
for printing the monthly Newsletter.
From Bushwalking Queensland
From Sally
Two management plans have now been finalised
following consideration of public submissions.
At the next committee meeting I am going to
suggest the club consider buying some (perhaps
8-10) Walking based Travel/Adventure type
books for our library which club members can
borrow. Do you think this would be a good idea?
I have put together a rough list of possible titles.
Please send me other titles of "great reads" on
this topic that you think other club members
might enjoy or vote for your top 8 books.
These include:
 Lamington National Park Management
Plan
 Holbourne Island National Park and
adjoining State Waters Management
Plan

The management plans outline how these areas
will be managed to protect their natural and
cultural values, and to provide for recreation
and visitor use. The plans will remain in effect
for 10 years.
Copies of the management plans may be
inspected or obtained free of charge during
normal business hours at Department of
Environment
and
Resource
Management
business centres across the state. Business
centre details and management plans are
available at <http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/> or
by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Please contact Mark Gough on (07) 3330 5885 if
you have any queries or require further
information about the management plans.
Thank you for your continued interest in the
management of Queensland’s parks, forests and
reserves.
Walks Wanted
Wendy is looking to hear from anyone who is
willing to lead a walk. Please phone her with the
information or post it to her c/- our Tolga Post
Office Box.
Next program will run through to the end of March.
New programs to come out every three months.
"Slow Journey South" -Paula Constant
"Sahara" -Paula Constant
"Tracks" -Robyn Davidson
"The Places In Between"-Rory Stewart
"A Walk in the Wood"-Bill Bryson
"The Thousand Mile Summer"- Colin Fletcher
"The Snow Leopard" -Peter Mathiessen
"The Long Walk-The True Story of a Trek to
Freedom"- Slavmoir Rawicz
"Into the Wild"- Jon Krakauer
"A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush"- Eric Newby
"Seven Years in Tibet"-Heinrich Harrer
"The Climb-Tragic Ambitions on Everest"Anatoli Boukreev
"The Worst Journey in the World"-Apsley
Cherry-Garrard
"Endurance:Shakelton's Incredible Voyage"Alfred Lansing
"The Shadow Of Kilimanjaro"-Rick Ridgeway
"We Die Alone -A WW2 Epic of Escape and
Endurance" - David Howarth
"The White Spider"-Heinrich Harrer
"Jungle-A Harrowing True Story of Survival"Yossi Ghinsberg
"Hamish's Mountain Walk and Climbing the
Corbetts"- Hamish M. Brown
Executive Meeting
The next Tablelands Walking Club
Executive Meeting will be held after
the walk on the 11th January.
Anyone with agenda items please get
them to the Secretary by the 2nd
January.
Sunday 27th November
Emerald Falls
Six and a half intrepid walkers turned up for
the get-together at Emerald Creek Falls for a
perfect day. A slight breeze kept things cool and
the company was to die for.
Lyn led us on a short walk up past the top of
the waterfall and while the rest of us had a
swim Lyn boiled the billy for our morning
cuppa.
Back at the picnic spot some went for another
swim before the feast began. Thanks to Lyn for
organising the outing.
It wasn’t the company!!! Even Santa’s helper
needs a rest.
First Walks for 2012
January 11th Wednesday
Lake Barrine/Lake Eacham
Depart top car park at Lake Barrine at 9.00
am. Walk around the lake, 5km. Have a
picnic morning tea. Drive to Lake Eacham.
Meet on grass in front of toilet block at
11.30/11.45 am. Walk around the lake,
3km. Follow with a swim and picnic lunch.
Meeting after walk.
Contact Sally McPhee 4096 6026
Wednesday 25th January
Herberton Range and Wild River Falls
Depart at Old Atherton Post Office Gallery at
8.ooam. Grade: medium. Length: medium
Bring: standard requirements.
Contact Alex Lindsay 0427 231 971
Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th January
Petford – Old Bill’s Hut
Car Camp
Arrive at hut at 9.00am. Go through Petford
(about 3km) and turn right just after Oakey
Creek. Look for tape.
Short day walks will be arranged depending
on the weather.
Contact Sue Cook 40562115
First Program will be out in February
Newsletter.
Wednesday November 30th
Ringers Rest
Over 26 members and friends enjoyed another
successful break-up at Ringers Rest. After a
walk to Tinaroo Creek and a refreshing swim it
was back to the venue for some serious eating.
Thanks to the club for providing the hiring of
the venue and to all those walkers who brought
along all the delicious food. Now need to include
dieting into the walking and talking club.
Thanks to Trish for organising everything to
perfection once again. Obviously no one wants
to match those skills and it looks like Trish has
the job of organising the break-up for many
years to come.
Some of the class of 2011.
A Happy Festive Season to all walkers
and families.