Toowoomba Bushwalkers Calendar 2007

We do require non members, as well as inexperienced members, to contact the walk leader first to get their approval to attend the clubwalk.

Please advise the activity leader of your experience level in relation to the proposed walk. It will also allow the activity leader to discuss walk and other requirements with you.

South Stradbroke Island – 1st to 2nd December 2007

Walk Leader Ian Savage

Contact Details 4630 9089 or 0429 135 278

Rating various, see detail below

Travel Distance not known

Start Time not known

Details South Straddie (as opposed to North Straddie) has seldom been visited by the club & is mostly undeveloped.

We’ll access the island by boat from the Runaway Bay Marine. It’s well signposted off Bayview Street. It’s about 180 km. from Toowoomba so allow 2.5 hours travelling time. Do not be intimidated by the ‘8 hour parking’ signs as parking at the marina is permitted over the weekend. Lock up parking at $10 per night is also available if you desire.

There are a couple of options for transport to the island. South Stradbroke Island Resort runs a regular ferry service. (Ph. 55773311) It departs from gate ‘C’ of the marina at 10.30 am, 4.00 pm & 6.00 pm Friday & Saturday and leaves South Straddie on Sunday at 3.30 pm & 5.00 pm to return to Runaway Bay. This service costs $25 return.

The other option is Gold Coast Water Taxis. (Ph. 0418 759789) They also leave from gate ‘C’ at the marina. Providing they travel at full capacity (7 passengers plus gear) this would be a little cheaper; definitely more flexible as far as time but maybe not as comfortable as the resort ferry. Some of us may take Friday off so I’d expect a number of groups of us to be travelling over at times that suited.

Once we’ve landed on the island it’s only 200 metres walk along the western shore to Tipplers campground. Facilities here include hot showers, BBQ shelters & drinking water. Cabins (tin roof with canvas sides) are available for $52 (4 bunks) or $48 (2 bunks) per night. Camping costs about $8 per person per night. I’ll be aiming to camp at the shady southern end of the camping area. It’s a top spot to watch the sunset over The Broadwater & adjacent conservation park. The Straddie Bar & Grill is on the northern side of the camping ground. Very convenient for a meal but could be noisy in the evening. There is also a small shop at the resort.

There is plenty of potential for walking. A 4WD track runs down the centre of the island. Tracks also cross the island from the west to the ocean side, an average distance of 1 km. The western shore (at low tide) & eastern beach are both rewarding to walk along. A special permit is required to have a vehicle on the island so it’s a pleasant surprise to find that there are very few of them. Generally I’d plan to walk north on Saturday & south on Sunday. How far we go will depend on the weather & the participants. Come along, leave the worries of the mainland behind & escape for a weekend. Keep your gear to a minimum but don’t forget your sunscreen or insect repellent.

South Stradbroke Island – 1st to 2nd December 2007
Walk Leader	Ian Savage
Contact Details	4630 9089 or 0429 135 278
Rating	various, see detail below
Travel Distance	not known
Start Time	not known
Details	South Straddie (as opposed to North Straddie) has seldom been visited by the club & is mostly undeveloped. We’ll access the island by boat from the Runaway Bay Marine. It’s well signposted off Bayview Street. It’s about 180 km. from Toowoomba so allow 2.5 hours travelling time. Do not be intimidated by the ‘8 hour parking’ signs as parking at the marina is permitted over the weekend. Lock up parking at $10 per night is also available if you desire. There are a couple of options for transport to the island. South Stradbroke Island Resort runs a regular ferry service. (Ph. 55773311) It departs from gate ‘C’ of the marina at 10.30 am, 4.00 pm & 6.00 pm Friday & Saturday and leaves South Straddie on Sunday at 3.30 pm & 5.00 pm to return to Runaway Bay. This service costs $25 return. The other option is Gold Coast Water Taxis. (Ph. 0418 759789) They also leave from gate ‘C’ at the marina. Providing they travel at full capacity (7 passengers plus gear) this would be a little cheaper; definitely more flexible as far as time but maybe not as comfortable as the resort ferry. Some of us may take Friday off so I’d expect a number of groups of us to be travelling over at times that suited. Once we’ve landed on the island it’s only 200 metres walk along the western shore to Tipplers campground. Facilities here include hot showers, BBQ shelters & drinking water. Cabins (tin roof with canvas sides) are available for $52 (4 bunks) or $48 (2 bunks) per night. Camping costs about $8 per person per night. I’ll be aiming to camp at the shady southern end of the camping area. It’s a top spot to watch the sunset over The Broadwater & adjacent conservation park. The Straddie Bar & Grill is on the northern side of the camping ground. Very convenient for a meal but could be noisy in the evening. There is also a small shop at the resort. There is plenty of potential for walking. A 4WD track runs down the centre of the island. Tracks also cross the island from the west to the ocean side, an average distance of 1 km. The western shore (at low tide) & eastern beach are both rewarding to walk along. A special permit is required to have a vehicle on the island so it’s a pleasant surprise to find that there are very few of them. Generally I’d plan to walk north on Saturday & south on Sunday. How far we go will depend on the weather & the participants. Come along, leave the worries of the mainland behind & escape for a weekend. Keep your gear to a minimum but don’t forget your sunscreen or insect repellent.