Hikers Explore Mt Ossa

Photos supplied

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Contributed with thanks by Carole Weekes

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The bushwalker club’s activities were centred on the Mt Ossa area last Sunday, and eleven members left town in a convoy at 8 am, ready to start walking by 9.30 either in the Mt Ossa National Park or around a private property nearby. A group of six accessed the creek that marks the start of the route up to the plateau that connects with Mt Ossa. Rainforest was soon replaced by dense grass trees as the walkers, guided by Ken Fihelly, continued the climb. After a steep pull, the participants arrived at the lookout, admiring the views over the farmlands to Mt Dalrymple in the west and Mt Blackwood to the south east. The eastern edge of the plateau was followed northwards, among the rocks and grass trees. The group turned around where the plateau starts to descend towards Ossa Creek, and after lunch, returned along the western edge.

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Meanwhile the five walkers who had chosen the less challenging option were covering about 6 kms by following the farm boundary fences and encountering a variety of terrain including gentle gullies, open forest and grassland, steep ascents and descents over rough tracks, and flat headlands. The distant hills and mountains, stately forest giants, a mix of farm animals, some very young, and a vocal kookaburra at close range, and a snake at even closer range, all made for a pleasant day in the delightful area. Lunch was taken beside a dam and within sight of horses, sheep and goats. A short stroll along a dirt road led us back to the cars for the return trip to Mackay.

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