Cooloola Great Walk – Day One

Start of walk to Brahminy Walkers Camp – 17km plus a few km towards the ferry before I was offered a ride.

“The advantages of looking at your map”

I had a really lovely couple of days resting and preparing for the Cooloola walk.  The Eden B&B at Mapleton was really nice…in some ways, a little too nice…At times I just prefer an anonymous room when I need to unpack and repack everything – especially if I want to dry out my things a little bit.  This felt just a little too pleasant for that!  Managed to throw the tent fly on a railing to dry, but the rest stayed as was.

Also the bed.  The bed was luxuriously comfortable.  Exquisite sheets.  But it felt a bit…cold…couldn’t snuggle in properly.  The breakfast was bloody beautiful though.  And the owners were really nice and friendly.

I decided to taxi it down to Tewantin.  45 minute drive, so a bit of a hefty fare, but hell – this is exactly what I save my contingency money for! My driver was a lovely, friendly female.  Had some killer stories to tell about some of her fares, to the point where we were both rolling around in our seats with laughter!  She says she will write a book about it one day.

I arrive at my little apartment in Tewantin.  Now this is more my style!  Stand-alone so I could spread all my gear out, wicked painting, and a bath to die for.  I feel comfy already.

I head into town, pick up a new power bank and supplies.  Couple of sparkling wines and then home to try out the tub.  To be honest, it kind of looked a little better than it actually was…took forever to fill and was only luke warm.  Oh well.  Beggars can’t be choosers I suppose.

Walked back into town for dinner and was treated to an absolutely stupendous sunset.  Pizza at the pier and then home and into bed.  Cosy as. Oh so cosy.  And so warm.

So now we finally get to the walk.  Gear into pack, and pack out the door.  I walk alongside the river, through a park and down the street to get to the ferry which will take me across to the start of the walk.  A car drives past.  Then reverses.  “You headed to the ferry? Because we are too!”. I jump eagerly into the car.

Turns out the two sisters were starting the walk as well and that we will be camped in the same spot each night.  They are also headed to K’gari on the same day – so it was a fortuitous meeting!

We arrived and got started.  I headed off beforehand, because I know I am a fast walker, and I enjoy walking alone. 

Immediately I began winding my way through a thick paperbark forest.  Orange triangles marked the way.  Leaving the forest, the plains opened up into expansive heathland.  Yellow and pink flowers bloomed.  Birds raced from one side of the track to the other.  It was a wonderful way to commence the walk.

The track then descended down onto the beach.  It was a magical day, and the ocean sparkled blue.  Light waves rippled, and would have been perfect for body surfing, if I had been there for another reason.  But I wasn’t.  I was there to walk.  So walk I did. 

Straight up the beach and straight past the turnoff I was supposed to take.  By the time I thought about it and pulled the map out, it was too late.  I’m going to tell you, and you only…I didn’t turn back.  I headed straight up the beach, resolving to just keep going until I got somewhere I could jump back on the track. 

So, dodging speeding 4WD’s galore, I continued.  It wasn’t too bad.  The sand was nice and hard for the most part.  And the majority of vehicles kept their distance.  Except for one dick who forced me to walk in the water.  Dick. 

Eventually I came to a spot that joined up with the walking track, so I moved back off the busy beach, and plunged back into the forest.  It was a relief.

Back in heathland, the track led uphill  through gnarled, old banksia trees.  On the left, views opened up onto a huge lake, stretching as far as the eye could see.  I reached the high point and had my first break watching the waves in the distance.

From here, it was only a few km to camp.  This time through black stumped eucalypts and spiky green juncus.  It was lovely and flat, though at times sandy underfoot, temporarily slowing down the forward progress.

I reached camp at around 2pm and found a lovey spot amongst the trees.  Unlike my other solitary outings, people arrived in dribs and drabs.  There are to be 10 of us moving through this walk together and socialising each night.  Makes a real change for me!  I’ve enjoyed the conversations – and its kept me up till 6.30 and only just finished dinner!

The sunset glowed orange over the lake, and we all appreciated the day’s last rays.  With groaning legs, folks dispersed to their campsites, leaving me here to write, and contemplate the day.