#GORW2016 Training

Woke early and proceeded to get ready for a training walk with fellow walkers for the Great Ocean Walk 2016 (#GORW2016).

The first thing though was to have breakfast, find my clothes for the walk, and decided how much to take.

Then I had to do the school run first so left at 7.40 am with Lauren and took her to Hercules Road State School. I came back and then took Stacey to Deception Bay High School. Gemma was sick so stayed home. I was early after this chore so went back home to make sure I had everything.

Once I was sure I was ready I drove to Raven Street Reserve and the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre. I met the other walker and we set off with #gavinswaterbottle in tow.
The walk initially followed the concrete track for a couple of hundred metres to the bikeway which traverses the reserve. Turning left we followed this track, passing a scrub turkey’s mound, which had many deep holes in it. It has either been attacked by goannas or the eggs have hatched.

After a few more hundred metres turned left onto an indistinct track and followed this bush track down to a gully, crossed the gully and then followed it out to Raven Street. A shirt distance up Raven Street was the bike path which was then followed to the large bridge over the creek. Just after the bridge, the track to the left was taken and followed to the next intersection, and again turned left. This track was followed to Raven Street, but then a set of stairs were taken as the track paralleled Raven Street out to Hamilton Road. Upon reaching the northern boundary of the Raven Street Reserve. The track was then followed along the boundary to the green bridge and then the green bridge used to cross Hamilton Road and to go into the Milne Hill Reserve.

From the green bridge the road was followed up to the water reservoir and then turned left to go around to the west of the reservoir and to the summit of Milne Hill. This summit gave views across to Moreton Bay and the city.

From the summit the walk descended 75 steps and then three switchbacks to descend to the track that contours around Milne Hill. On the way down we were watched by a swamp wallaby. Turning left onto this track there was more descending to the bike track along Little Cabbage Tree Creek. Turning left once again the bike track was followed to Killarney then kept to the grass following the creek to the entry into Chermside Hills Reserve.

The Giwadha Track was then followed to the left over the bridge and around to the west of the reserve then ascending to Spider Hill. At the base of the hill, the track was taken straight up to the summit. The trees on this summit make viewing difficult. The Stringyark Trail was then followed paralleling Trouts Road before coming out onto Trouts Road. A walkway was then followed through houses down to Roebig Street, which was followed to the roundabout. Going down Steffen Place from the roundabout, the bikeway along Little Cabbage Tree Creek was followed to the Milne Hill Track.

The steps were retraced back into Raven Street Reserve, although on the ascent, we found ourselves meeting the steps about halfway up the flight. Once regaining the Banksia Track, a left turn was made to continue on this track and then a right turn onto the Xanthorrhea Track. This track was then followed to the concrete track leading to Federation Street. This path took us to the fruit bat colony and then we returned to the Creek Track which followed Downfall Creek. This track then returned to the first track and the day use area and car park.

After the walk headed home and had a lazy afternoon catching up on the Olympics. I also dealt with issues with Bushwalking Queensland Inc., Glasshouse Bushwalkers Club Inc., Australian Adventure Activity Standards Technical Working Group, and other matters.

Gloating about the good day I had, I went to bed!