May Long Weekend Excursion, Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May 2024 – Mt Castle Valleys

EXCURSION LEADER: David Bouchard 

DATE: Saturday 4^th to Monday 6th May 2024

DETAILS: The excursion will be held at the Crosby property, which is located at the southern end of the Laidley Valley at the junction of the Little Liverpool and Mistake Ranges. The property borders the northern section of the Main Range National Park.

The landscape is open woodland and sclerophyll forest, with rainforest species found along drainage lines. The country is looking great after good rainfall this summer, and there is plenty of water in the creeks. There are great opportunities for birding, spotlighting and botanising. For those with energy to spare, fire trails can be followed up onto the ranges. Mountain bikes are also allowed. There is also a picturesque swimming hole a few km up the creek.

The landowner Glynn Crosby has 825 iNaturalist species records for the property.

We may be able to add some more! See https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/mt-castle-valleys

Costs:  The Club has booked camping at this property through the Hipcamp website. Costs for individuals for the long weekend will be $44 payable to the leader, either at the camp, or prior to the excursion.

There is also the option of coming for one night or even a day. If you choose to do this please contact the leader by the Wednesday evening prior to the trip and let him know your intentions. Costs for a day trip will be $19 to cover the landowner for insurance purposes.

AMENITIES:

• Attendees need to bring all their own drinking water. There is ample water available from the creek for washing.
• There are no toilets on the property, but the club is hiring a porta-loo suitable for 12 people. Campers should bring their own chemical toilet if they have one.
• Bring camp stoves for cooking. There is a fire ring for a communal fire, the club will provide wood.
• There is no mobile phone coverage on the property.

Bring camping gear, food, drinking water for three days, suitable clothes and footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, walking pole, raincoat, field guides. Also bring something warm to wear for evenings.

DIRECTIONS: Meet at Lion’s Park, Laidley (Southern side of town on left just before the T junction with the Rosewood Road. (9.00am Saturday 4^th May)

Laidley is about one hours drive from Brisbane, the turnoff to Laidley is at Plainlands on the Warrego Highway. Alternately you can come via Rosewood off the Cunningham Highway.

The property entrance is located at the end of the Thornton – Mulgowie Road, about 0.5 km past Crosby Park. GPS lat -27.9071 long 152.3873

We will be camping at the “Mountain View” campsite. On entry to the property keep following the creek for 650m. As you approach a house swing right onto a track marked “to long vehicles campsite” which crosses the creek. This shallow creek crossing is suitable for conventional vehicles and vehicles towing caravans.

After immediately crossing the creek, turn left onto a track that follows the creek on the RHS. Follow this track for 1.8 km to our camp site, where Mt Castle can be seen in the distance.

OTHER: This is a cattle property, note that cows will be wandering around.

Pets not allowed. For biosecurity purposes, vehicles and equipment must be clean of mud and seeds before entry. If needed a washdown bay is provided at the property entrance.

REGISTRATION: Use the online registration form below. Guests are welcome.

When registering please advise if you are bringing a chemical toilet.

Also advise if you are coming for only part of the weekend and which days.

Registration closes Wednesday evening, May 1^st

If you are a current member and interested in joining us please complete the form below. If you are not a current member but would like to join this excursion please sign up online here.