SPICERS GAP
DAY WALK WEDNESDAY 2 SEPT
We have a day walk in the Spicers Gap – Mount Mathieson area of the Main Range National Park planned for Wednesday 2 September. Nevertheless, this activity is subject to any restrictions that may come into force as a result of COVID-19.
This event has been closed to restrict participants to 10. Until further notice the event is still going ahead. Please refer to this website for updates.
The focus for the day will be the Dividing Range, the barrier it forms between the coast and the Darling Downs, and the history the area as an infrastructure corridor. We may also see how the area is recovering after the bushfires.
We will meet at Aratula, at the Bakehouse near the corner of Elizabeth Street and the Cunningham Highway, at 8:30 am (Parking should be available in Elizabeth Street). I am prepared to take up to three people who have low clearance vehicles with me from there for the drive up the Range on Spicers Gap Road to the National Park.
Along the Cunningham Highway past Aratula, remnants of the Mount Edwards Railway embankment are just visible. First stop will be at the foot of the Dividing Range at the site of the surveyed township of Clumber and we will have a look at copies of maps of the site. We will then stop at the Pioneer Graves and hotel site before driving to Governors Chair Lookout past Moss’s Well.
Our walk will start from Governors Chair where we will be able to see the numerous peaks between the Divide and the coast. We will then go up about 1.7 km along the closed section of Spicers Gap Road where we will be able to see the way the road was engineered and built.
Those who wish to can walk a further 6.4 km to complete the Mount Mathieson Trail circuit back to the vehicles. This part to the walk does involve a scramble down one short, steep, rocky section and shorter scrambles around or over rock outcrops. There are good views of Mount Mitchell, Cunninghams Gap, Mount Cordeaux, and further north along the range. Vegetation types include rainforest and open forest, with many Xanthorrhoeas.
Those who do not wish to complete the circuit can stroll back down the road to Governors Chair.
Participants will need to bring their own morning tea and lunch, plenty of drinking water, and sunscreen. Footwear will need to be suitable for walking too.
Cost will be $5 for Members and $10 for Non-Members (free for those who nominated and paid for the cancelled event in March).
Maximum number of participants - 15.
Organiser: Bob Reid 0412 6259 44
