Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey starts with a sunrise over Enoggera Reservior, following the Araucuria Trail around the edge of the lake rising up to the undulating lake trail. After a couple of steep sections I reach the upper Enoggera Creek, the main water source feeding the lake. From here I follow the almost overgrown Long Range Track up the creek before following the very steep Holman's Break up to Boundary Road following the top of the ridge high above the creek. I follow this track up to Scrub Road Camp near the source of the creek where I spend my first night in the remote bush.
Distance hiked today: 26.1km
Total distance hiked: 54.8km
Today's Journey
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I watch the dawn over the aerial capped Mount Coot-tha from Enoggera Dam. This dam was built in 1866 to provide Brisbane's water supply, being the second major dam built in Australia. It is still fully operational supplying water to the surrounding suburbs. |
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After sunrise, I follow the Araucaria Track around the edge of the lake. The track is very jagged with long peninsulas and deep coves making for a very interesting bushwalk. There are a lot of people, mostly morning runners, on the track. |
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Once I reach the far end end of Araucaria Track, I follow the undulating Reservoir Track continuing around the lake until reaching the upper Enoggera Creek, the main stream flowing into the lake. From here I follow the largely overgrown and abandoned Long Range Walking Track heading upstream. Fortunately there are pink ribbons helping with navigation. |
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About three quarters of an hour passes before I reach Holman's Break which cuts across the track and heads very steeply uphill either side of this ford. Long Range Walking Track looks even more difficult from here, so after resting at this peaceful pool, I cross the stream and head up the very steep firebreak trail on the other side. |
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After the initial very steep section, Holman's Break rises moderately along a ridge towards the range on the southern side of the valley. The dense rainforest has very quickly changed to an open eucalypt forest, which I will no doubt be seeing a lot of as I follow the top of the range over the coming days. |
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Upon reaching the top of the range about three hundred metres above Enoggera Creek, I follow the well formed South Boundary Road which runs along the top of the range. Although this is a good four wheel drive track, it is closed to all vehicles allowing hikers and cyclists safe and peaceful passage from The Gap up to Mount Nebo, and onto other tracks heading to other areas under the range. |
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The open eucalypt forest allows glimpses across the upper Enoggera Valley to the ridge on the other side along which the Mount Nebo Road goes along the top. |
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The road rises and falls with the contours of the top of the range, going around the higher hills. Overall the range continues to rise as I continue towards Mount Nebo. I am now approaching a junction where the road to the left heads down towards Ipswich. I continue following the road to the right reaching Scrub Road Walker's Camp about a hour later. |
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From the campsite, I follow Scrub Road down to the uppermost crossing of Enoggera Creek, just a little downstream from its source. I rest here briefly before returning to the camping ground. |
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The camping ground has three tent sites and a very nice shelter. It is very quiet up here, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Brisbane. It is hard to believe I am only a day's walk out from the suburbs and two day's walk from the city centre, here in this seemingly remote corner of the D'Aguilar National Park. |
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