Area: Larapinta Falls (Christmas Creek)
Distance: 10-12.km
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Grade 5-6 Off track at times.
Start Time: 9.30 am
Meetup 9.20 am
Carry your lunch in your back-pack:
Car Pooling $10 please give to driver
Walk leader Warwick 0408300056
Please read the Conditions of Group Membership and event participation at the end of the walk description.
Please do not run tight for time on this one, we need you all there in good time.
Meet up: 9.20 at Stinson Park : We will then condense further into suitable cars as the road is rough and parking is extremely tight at our start point which is limited so a full car is essential.
Larapinta Falls is not for the faint hearted, as after Westray’s Grave we have to rock hop either side of the creek for a further 2k’s. However upon arrival at the falls you will be pleasantly surprised by the sheer size, some 75-100 metres drop from the top into the large rock pool at its base, providing an opportunity for those that like to swim in the natural fresh cool waters of Lamington to do so. Hopefully this will be our lunch stop too.
The Larapinta Falls Hike is a great off trail, rock hopping hike that takes you to one of Lamington National Parks most spectacular falls without being too challenging.
Much of the hike involves multiple creek crossings, rock hopping, scrambling and attempting to follow effectively non-existent paths. There are no particularly steep sections but there is a constant danger of injury from slipping.
The first part of the hike is fairly easy, with one sometimes difficult creek crossing, a little scrambling and a trail that isn't always clear. It will take you at least 1. 5 hours to reach Westray's Grave. This historical site burial site is where one of the famous 1937 Stinson plane crash survivors who died trying to hike out is buried. This is a hike worth doing for its own sake.
To ensure we’re on the correct branch of the trail we take the first creek crossing after Westray's Grave on the left. After about 2 hours of rock hopping and scrambling from Westray's grave you will look up and see the waterfall pouring down a sheer cliff ahead of you. It is not particularly difficult or tiring, but it is generally slow going.
Definitely worth the effort
For those of you that have been to Westray’s Grave recently on a walk you will now know the terrain of this walk but, be under no illusion when I say that after the grave the conditions do get a little more of a challenge. Saying that, we should all be able to enjoy this great day out bushwalking, this truly is genuinely a real bush walk. . Again going somewhere where others fear to tread is often much more fun and walking with a group you are secure in the knowledge you are not alone.
Please bring extra water with you, if you normally take 600mil then take double if you normally take 1ltr then take 2. Carry a good supply of first aid and remember that its up to you to carry your own first aid.
Getting There:
From the Gold Coast head west through Nerang. Continue on the Beaudesert-Nerang Road (State Road 90). Travel though Canungra following the signs to Beaudesert via Mundoolun. The drive is 1½ hours / 95kms (approximately) from Nerang.
The site is about 40 k SE of Beaudesert off the Mount Lindsay Hwy. Take the Christmas Creek Rd split to the left and continue on for a further 18 K to Christmas Creek. The undulating dairy country does mean care has to be taken as there are a number of blind rises and bends and dairy cattle do cross the road as part of their daily milking routine. Just over the bridge is another intersection where you take another left. The road, though narrow is sealed and easily navigated by all vehicles. From the intersection 9 k will see you at Stinson Park.
Conditions of Group Membership and event participation
1 GCMWWG is not an incorporated association or organisation and is composed of individuals who join with each other in an informal manner to engage in the pleasurable activity of bushwalking and accordingly each individual member is required to take personal responsibility for his or her own safety and to comply with the recommendations published on the Group’s meet up website and with directions given from time to time by any walk leader of a Bushwalk undertaken by the Group.
2 Participants are recommended:
(i) to wear walking boots which provide ankle support;
(ii) carry his or her own rucksack which will contain at least 1 litre of fresh water in watertight containers and personal first aid items including band-aids (or similar), bandages, antiseptic, insect repellents and sunscreen and foodstuffs appropriate to the length and timing of the bushwalk;
(iii) to make a realistic assessment prior to participating in a bushwalk as to whether the participants’ physical condition will allow the participant to enjoyably and safely engage in the bushwalking activity without endangering the safety and enjoyment of other participants;
(iv) to wear or carry clothing suitable for each walk including clothing (such as a waterproof jacket or poncho) that is appropriate for unexpected changes in the weather.
3 Each bushwalk undertaken by the Group shall have a nominated leader who will walk at the front of the Group (“walk leader”) and a nominated person who will walk at the rear of the group (“back marker”). The walk leader will set the pace of the walk and will halt the walk at appropriate times in his or her discretion for rests and drink breaks and meal breaks. The back marker will endeavour to keep the group together at all times and to notify the walk leader if any untoward accident or injury is sustained by any participant. The walk leader and the back marker for each bushwalk will be nominated by the Group Leader.
4 Each participant will be required to observe any directions or instructions given by the walk leader including any instruction to shorten the walk, change the route of the walk or abandon the walk due to any unexpected change of circumstances such as track closure or obstruction, inclement weather and/or injury or illness suffered by any member.
5 Any one of the Group Leader, walk leader or back marker for each bushwalk undertaken by the group shall carry with him or her a mobile phone and a first aid kit.
6 There shall be published in each event's description a degree of difficulty by the Group a statement as to the degree of difficulty of the proposed bushwalk so that members may realistically assess whether they (or their guests) have the requisite degree of physical fitness required to pleasurably and safely undertake the proposed bushwalk.
7 Details of each proposed bushwalk including the walk route, the commencement time and the anticipated time required to complete the walk will be published on the Group’s meet up website.
