Girraween National Park is holy ground for the adventure community of south east Queensland and legendary within rockclimbing networks. Located high on the New England Tablelands (average elevation of 900 metres) and close to the New South Wales border, Girraween's climate is more like that of the cooler southern states than the humidity usually associated with Queensland. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 30° Celsius in summer (December - February) however the area is predictably cold in winter by Queensland standards with average daily temperatures ranging from 3-15° Celsius with minimums as low as -8 deg. The average yearly rainfall in the park is 850mm.
Most rain falls in Summer and early Autumn but Winter rainfall can be relatively high. The Spring months (September to November) are regarded is the optimum time to visit however any time of the year is suitable for well prepared campers with good quality cold weather equipment (esp. tent, thermals and sleeping bag). As a general rule do not camp in Girraween past Easter each year (April) unless you have dependable cold weather gear.
Cold weather may lead to an uncomfortable night in Girra but it is hardly likely to kill you. What is potentially more dangerous is wet weather (including heavy fog or sleet) on the exposed granite surfaces of the Second Pyramid and Mt Norman. Even the relatively tame first Pyramid should be avoided during inclement weather. Check local weather forecasts and conditions before travelling to the park at www.weatherzone.com.au/ or http://mirror.bom.gov.au/weather/radar/.
Girraween contains the two camping areas of Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek which are located quite close together. Information and camp site booking can be obtained from telephone number: 13 13 04 or http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/girraween_national_park/girraween_national_park__camping_information
Interstate travellers tend to use these camping grounds as a stopover during long journeys. Do not be surprised to hear motor homes and campers entering the park late at night. It is not uncommon to go to sleep in an isolated section in the camp ground and wake in the centre of a village. Ear plugs are recommended. Bush camping is permitted within the park and solves the problem of overcrowding. Contact the Rangers on telephone: 13 13 04.
LOCATION:
Girraween National Park is located 260km south-west of Brisbane just north of the Queensland-NSW border. From Brisbane take the Ipswich Motorway and turn off to the left on the Cunningham Highway to Warwick. Follow the Cunningham Highway into Warwick (120 km) and turn right in Wood Street / Cunningham Highway. After 1.5 km take a left turn to Stanthorpe on the New England Highway. The highway bypasses Stanthorpe (58 km) and the turnoff to Pyramids Road is located 25 km past Stanthorpe. Travel along Pyramids Road for 7km and follow the signs to either Castle Rock camp ground, Bald Rock Creek camp ground or the nearby Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area 100 meres further along Pyramids Road.
TRACK NOTES:
A number of walking tracks exist in Girraween including The Junction swimming area (5 km return), Castle Rock (5 km return), The Sphinx and Turtle Rock (7.4 km return). We are into scrambling rather than bushwalking and so provide track notes only for The Pyramids and Mt Norman.
NOTE: Bald Rock Creek and Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area in Girraween, Queensland are not to be confused with Bald Rock (1277 metres) located in the neighbouring Bald Rock National Park in New South Wales. Bald Rock is the largest granite composite rock in Australia and is most easily accessed from the Mount Lindesay Highway in NSW. Bald Rock is accessed via Tenterfield NSW and is approximately 60 km from Girraween National Park.
The Pyramids
The Queensland Parks & Wildlife suggest the climb to the summit of the Second Pyramid should only be undertaken by experienced rock climbers. Our experience is that confident scramblers are able to summit with caution and respect.
The First Pyramid is a 3.4 km return walk from the Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area. The approach track is well sign posted and of very pedestrian gradient. We took about 30 minutes on this approach section, including a couple of stops to admire sections of Bald Rock Creek. The First Pyramid is little more than a steep walk for a competent scrambler. Direct access to the summit is gained by heading straight up the face and is little more than a 5 minute walk, but great fun on such a big rock monilith. Walkers can gain summit access via a line of boulders to the north (left) of the face. 30 minutes or more can be easily spent exploring the summit including Balancing Rock and views of the Second Pyramid. If anyone in your party needs to use the 'boulder route' to gain access to the summit do not attempt the Second Pyramid. Allow 2 hours for a return summit walk from the camping areas.
To access the Second Pyramid descend north-north-east from the summit of the First Pyramid on a clearly defined track. When this becomes uncomfortably steep veer to the north (left) for 20 metres looking for a wide crack packed with aids (tree trunks and branches) to assist the 5 metre descent to the ground. From this point walk north on a scrubby track between the two pyramids for approximately 250 metres, before looking for an accessible access point on the Second Pyramid to begin the summit scramble.
There is no visible track on the Second Pyramid and care must be taken on the ascent to note some clear landmarks for the return journey, especially when nearing the summit. It is remarkably easy to not be able to instantly recognise your ascent route so proceed with caution. The EPA advise considerable rockclimbing experience is necessary to scale it however confident scramblers are able to summit with care. Do not attempt this scramble without due care or attempt it if any moisture (fog, cloud, dew, sleet, ice, mist, rain) is present or likely. An unrestrained slip could result in death or permanent injury on the Second Pyramid.
A more direct access route to the Second Pyramid is gained by walking in from Pyramids Road. This route does not involve summiting the First Pyramid. Continue driving past the Bald Rock Creek Day Use Area for approximately 1.5km until a 4WD track turn off to the left. Park a conventional vehicle in this area and continue walking for 400 metres up the 4WD track branching off to the west at the dead end. A large granite area provides short lived access before dropping back into the scrub for 500 metres aiming for the northern end of the Second Pyramid.
I have not used this approch as it is most commonly used by rockclimbers seeking more difficult routes than the summit scramble described herein.
Mt Norman (from Castle Rock) - 10.4 km
Mt. Norman (1267m) is often approached by bushwalkers from the southern end of the Castle Rock camp ground. This track is rated as a Class 3 or 4 walk by the EPA and a total of 10.4 km return. Castle Rock (1112m) is a short and worthwhile detour from the main track. If you are into bushwalking this is fine however a more direct 4 km return access can be attained from the Mt Norman Day Use Area, as detailed below.
Mt Norman has two summit areas (South and North), the Northern regarded as the highest point. The southern summit area of requires some basic scrambling skills along a 6-8 metre crack and two prominent 'chimneys.' Access to the North Summit area requires two short leaps (or very large steps) onto a prominent rock, which should only be attempted by highly competent scramblers. A climbing rope is a sensible addition if you plan to access the Northern summit area. Track notes to the summits are detailed further below.
Mt Norman (via Wallangara) - 4 km return
From Girraween National Park drive east along Pyramids Road toward the New England Highway. Take a left turn on Old Wallanga Road which joins the New England Highway further south. At Wallangara turn left into Margetts Road following the 'Country Fresh' signs (local abattoir). At the T junction at the end of Margetts Road take a left turn and then a right turn over a train bridge and another left into Woodlawn Street. Take the second turn on the right into Merawa Street which becomes Mt Norman Road. At the T junction at the end of Mt Norman Road take a left turn and follow it to the Mt Norman Day Use Area. Conventional vehicles are able to access the Day Use Area with care however do not proceed beyond this point unless you have a high clearance 4WD. Facilities in the Day Use Area consist of a couple of picnic tables and a composting toilet.
From the Day Use Area walk up the old fire road access track to the rocky slabs providing access to the southern end of Mount Norman. At the base proceed briefly to west (left) before wrapping around to the north for 150 metres looking for a prominent crack in the rock which is the summit scramble access point. If you continue walking past the access crack you will come to The Eye of the Needle on Mount Norman's northern face, 5-10 minutes further along.
To access the summit areas scramble up the prominent 6-8 metre access crack. Proceed with caution along a ledge until the track winds to the north (left) up past a prominent tree. Care must be taken in this section, especially on the descent as a slip here may result in a 25 metre plunge to the base. From the tree continue up two gradual but tight chimneys to Southern summit. Crossing to the northern summit section involves two short leaps onto sloping rock surfaces. Obviously extreme care needs to taken at this point. The Northern Summit is regarded as the highest point. The EPA warn that the final approach to the summit is steep and rock climbing experience is needed to reach the true summit.
PROVISIONS:
To Wear:* Hat* Sunnies (optional)* Good quality walking / running / hiking shoes in good condition.Hiking Pack: 35 - 45 litres is an ideal sized day-pack for the Pyramids and Mt Maroon. This may sound like overkill to some but preparation is a good thing. Calling emergency services to rescue a hiker with a sprained ankle or dehydration is uncool.* 2l Water (minimum or more if you drink a lot)* Food for snacks and lunch on the summit:- Muesli bars- Fruit (fresh or dried)- Chocolate * Basic First Aid Kit including:- Sunscreen- Insect repellent- Bandaids- Pressure bandage- Elastic ankle support- Paracetamol- Personal medications- Basic first aid book* Mobile Phone (fully charged) Generally good reception with Telstra 3G network.* 10 metres (minimum) of good quality rope* Wet weather gear:- Spray jacket with hood* Cold weather gear:- Space blanket- Jacket- Long trousers- Beanie (head warmer)- Gloves- Flint or Matches (waterproof) in case of emergency* Head lamp and BatteriesOptional Equipment:* Gaiters* Camera & Batteries* GPS* Change of shirt / clothes for the return car ride (to leave in the car)
HISTORY:
Girraween is adapted from an Aboriginal word meaning a place of flowers which is evidence of the spectacular spring wildflower displays which bloom from late July through to October. Aboriginals have lived in the area for countless generations and explorer Allan Cunningham first entered the Girraween area in 1827. In the 1840s Robert Mackenzie settled in the Girraween area and attempted logging, dairying, beef cattle, grazing sheep and fruit trees. Dr Spencer Roberts of Stanthorpe made the first submission to Parliament for the area to receive National Park status which was eventually granted in the 1930s. As recently as 1980 the Park was enlarged to its present 11, 800 capacity of hectares. As mentioned in the introduction Girraween is legendary among rock climbers Australia wide and is a must do for scramblers and other adventurers.
PHOTOS:
See link to main blog: http://summitstories.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html
