Details

Date: 08 Nov 2020
Where: Binna Burra car park, Lamington National Park
Type: Daywalk

Coomera Circuit, 2020

The Coomera River Circuit is a picturesque on-track walk passing through rainforest and giant brush box forest.  A lookout platform provides excellent views of the 160m gorge and the Coomera Falls and a great spot for morning tea.  The track then follows the river upstream through the rainforest, crossing the river several times allowing views of waterfalls and hopefully, lamington crays, before rejoining the Border track for the trek back to Binna Burra and a cup of coffee.  Rock-hopping is necessary at the river crossings with the possibility of wet feet.

This activity will be conducted in keeping with health department Covid-19 guidelines regarding social distancing, good hygiene practices and group size in force for the venue/area at the time of the activity. Be aware that, if you are over 70 (over 50 for people of indigenous background), and/or have co-morbidities, you are at greater risk of Covid-19.

If the number of nominees exceeds current group-size limits as set by the government for the venue of the activity, the leader may, at his/her discretion, split the party into 2 or more groups with each group performing the activity separately under the guidance of a co-leader or only accept nominations in order of receipt to the current group-size limit.

Please do not attend this activity if, in the 14 days prior to this activity,

  • you have been to a declared Covid-19 hotspot,
  • you have had contact with someone with Covid-19,
  • you have had a Covid-19 test and have not yet received your results or have tested positive,
  • you are currently in isolation, or
  • you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or feeling unwell.

 Walk Grading: Blue (Intermediate) 18 km including some rock-hopping at river crossings – requires a moderate level of fitness.

Meet: Binna Burra Carpark at 8.10am for an 8.30am start.

What to Bring: Hat, light jacket, rain gear (just in case), torch, hand sanitizer, insect repellent (leeches), whistle, 2+ litres of water, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, positive outlook, $5.00 NPAQ Fee

Directions: From Brisbane, travel south along the M1 to Nerang.  Travel through Nerang following the road signs to Binna Burra.  Allow 1 ¾ to 2 hours.

Nominations: NPAQ Website or directly to the leader

 

Leaders Report: Coomera River Circuit 2020

Sunday, 8 November, 2020

Under a cloudy sky, 11 walkers left Binna Burra, following the Border Track before turning right over the ridge to descend to the Coomera River Gorge below. As the party arrived at the Coomera Falls viewing platform, rain started to fall and wet-weather gear became the preferred dress. A bonus of the rain were rainbows in the gorge below as the sun peeked through between the clouds.

After a short break for morning tea, the trek up the river began in earnest, crisscrossing the river via boulder bridges. These had to be taken with care because of the wet conditions. It was apparent that recent rains had reinvigorated the rainforest with many plants showing new growth and an and abundance of blossom. At the last crossing, as the group enjoyed a break for lunch, a Lamington Cray popped out of its burrow under a rock to cheekily grab a bit of food accidentally dropped by a hiker.

Back on the Border Track, the group headed towards Binna Burra, stopping to enjoy the view of the Numinbah Valley as well as listening to the calls of various birds including cat birds and a Rufus warbler. Coffee at the remodeled teahouse reinvigorated the walkers for their long drive home.