On the road again - Girraween National Park

Bald Rock Creek Camping Area – Girraween National Park

2 – 6 November 2016

The drive from Stanthorpe to Girraween NationalPark is only about 35 km so we were there by morning tea time. After setting up camp and having a cuppa we headed out on one of the many walks that leave from this part of the park. The first one we chose was the Bald Rock Creek Circuit – an easy 2.2km. This track takes you along and across the creek and can be accessed from the campground or the day use area. It’s a well made, and well signposted, track as are all the walks in Girraween.

This copper-tailed skink was sunning itself near the amenities block

We were visited frequently by cheeky Satin Bowerbirds looking for food. We don't feed wildlife but this one helped itself to some banana scraps.

After lunch we took the circuit track from the back of the campground but this time we continued on to The Junction. This track is about 5.2km but is again quite an easy Grade 3 track. There were lots of wildflowers in bloom and many more close to opening. We made lots of stops also to try to photograph the many birds we could hear.

Male Variegated Fairy-wren, shame he's behind a branch.

Female Variegated fairywren

I was off to a good start by finding another lifer, the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren.

The night was cloudless and cold – fortunately we were well prepared for all types of weather so we retreated to the comfort of the camper trailer and a movie.

On Thursday morning we headed out early to walk the Granite Arch track. Again a fairly easy Grade 3 track through some spectacular country, with many granite outcrops featuring. In the afternoon we tried the Grade 2 Wyberba track and finished up along the Bald Rock Creek Circuit again. We also stopped in to the Ranger Station to take advantage of the free (limited) WiFi provided by Queensland National Parks. Later in the day we made the decision to add an extra night to our 3 night stay so I was able to do this online – very convenient. We stayed close to camp so Mick could prepare a fire – and the required coals – for a camp oven roast chicken dinner  – yum!

Granite Arch

A young White-eared Honeyeater

Meadow Argus

I love grass tree flowers because they attract so many beautiful creatures

Wildflowers and butterflies make great subjects when there are no birds around. Australian Painted Lady.

Red Wattlebird on a grass tree flower

Crimson Rosella

While this is a great place to experience the beauty of the Australian bush, you may be disappointed from a birding perspective. Some guide books cite the national park as a great spot for Spotted Quail-thrush and Turquoise Parrot but there were none around that I saw. A ranger said he hadn't heard of sightings of either bird for a year or more. I believe the problem may be that most of the park has been burned, presumably for fuel reduction, and therefore is now unsuitable habitat for these species. I am concerned about the impact these fires have on smaller, weak flying, sedentary species such as wrens and field-wrens. Mick

On Friday morning Mick set out very early on his own to try to get some bird photos in the early morning light. After an early morning tea we drove the short distance to Dr Roberts Waterhole and Underground Creek. Dr Roberts is credited as being the driving force behind the establishment of the Girraween National Park. Bald Rock Creek section was opened in 1930, then Castle Rock section in 1932, before additional land was added to become Girraween National Park in 1966. Good on you, Dr Roberts. Again there were lots of wildflowers and an easy walk. After lunch we walked about 1km along the Bald Rock Creek Circuit track again. This time we noted that there were even more wildflowers open now.

Flannel flowers were blooming along the tracks

Native iris

Ground orchid

Dianella flower

After another cold night, the day again dawned bright and clear. Mick had been given a tip by the Ranger about a possible location for some birds so we drove down the road towards the highway – without success, so we continued back up to the Underground Creek walk which was much more productive. We then drove back down past the campgrounds and on towards the highway again. No birds, but we did stop at Heavenly Chocolate for morning tea and to pick up some yummies.

A Brown Thornbill was the first bird we saw on the Underground Creek walk

Another lifer! Red-browed Treecreeper, encountered on the Underground Creek walk.

Golden Whistler and Rufous Whistler were seen on the walk

Before returning to our campground we took a drive around Castle Rock campground. This one is very close to Bald Rock Creek campground and the day use area but is quite different. It is more suitable for caravans and is much more open, but also with fabulous views.

In the afternoon we walked back up to the Granite Arch and then for a short way along the Pyramid walking track. This one starts as a Grade 3 but becomes a Grade 4 as you approach the Pyramid. We made it to the bottom of the stairs before conceding defeat and turning around. The afternoon was very warm and we had done heaps of walking over the previous few days so didn't feel we had to keep going.

The Pyramid from a distance

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

Dusky Woodswallows

When we arrived at the campground on Wednesday it was fairly quiet with only a few other campers, but the weekend saw many families and others arrive, some in quite large noisy groups. I would definitely come back again, but during the week if possible. The excellent facilities include flush toilets and 5 minute timed hot showers. Just try not to be the first in the shower in the morning as it does take a while for the hot to come through the cold pipes, cutting into your five minutes. There are also picnic tables and bbq type fire pits which we found to be quite impractical for cooking in a camp oven, but not impossible.

We set off back to the highway on Sunday morning headed for New South Wales. Just before we reached the border we spotted a market at Wallangara so we stopped in for a look. We came away with a dozen farm fresh eggs. We bought fuel just across the border – about 500 metres away at Jennings – which turned out to be the last at Queensland prices – about 15c per litre cheaper than in NSW.