Mt Superbus and Lincoln Bomber, December 2007

Mt Superbus and the Lincoln Bomber

In April 1955 a Lincoln Bomber crashed into Mt Superbus, near Warwick in Queensland.   On an emergency medical flight from Townsville to Brisbane the plane was of course when before it hit the mountain.  Four experienced RAAF crew and 2 passengers were tragically killed.   Mt Superbus (at 1375m) is South East Queensland's highest mountain, and third highest in Queensland.   The top is more like a plateau than a definite peak.   More information on the crash visit Oz At War

Our Trip

We set off to try and find the wreckage with Joel, Shannon, Dominic and Harry and Greg, Caitlyn and Nathan.   The last part of the drive is practically 4WD only and after many creek crossings along Emu Creek we stopped and parked the cars on the side of the dirt road near the start of the track.   The track in was not too difficult, it is well marked in some places but quite overgrown in others.   Stinging nettles were a problem on a few occasions.   As the sun was setting we came up short in finding the plane on day one and set up camp at the top of a major waterfall.   We planned an early start to find the wreck on day 2.   After our usual long breakfast and look around the top of the falls we set off across the creek.   The track gets steep and you pretty much walk straight up from here.   Hours later we hadn't found any wreckage and the weather had started to look bad.  Shannon and Dominic made a mad dash up the ridge to scout out any signs of a plane.   They found some parts but with light fading and a storm approaching they quickly headed back down to meet the others who had turned back.   We did find an engine at the bottom of the hill near the creek as a consolation.   Just back at our tents we heard thunder creeping nearer and quickly packed up our tents.   With some luck, just as we put our packs on the skies opened with heavy rain.  But we were out yet.   The rain got heavier as we walked down the track back to the cars.   The walking track turned into small streams as water rushed through our legs.   Back at the cars we saw that Emu Creek had risen considerably from the rain.   Also, the 5 or so kilometer dirt road had turned to mud making the drive out hair raising to say the least... and maybe the least said the better!   To every one's relief we reached the bitumen near Emu Vale thanks to some pretty fancy driving.   We didn't find the wreck this time but would return in the future.

Mt Warning Breakfast, November 2007

The Weary Wanderers like to "eat on a hike", or maybe that should be "hike on an eat" but this was on a whole new level!  There is not much not say except we carried a camping stove, bacon and eggs and champagne to the top of Mt Warning in northern NSW to have a sunrise breakfast like no other.   Shannon deserves a medal for carrying his Coleman camping stove in his hiking pack up the mountain form us.   We weren't the only people up there for the sunrise and the looks on the folk's faces while we cooked bacon and eggs and drank champagne was priceless.   Check out the videos from the lookout and of Shannon's Survivor Mt Warning spoof.

Mt Barney via Peasants, September 2007

Mt Barney is a great mountain to climb, situated 90km south west of Brisbane, Queensland.   Starting at about 200m above sea level at the car park you reach the top of Mt Barney at 1359m.   After all your hard work you are rewarded at the top with amazing 360 degree views of south-east Queensland.

This was our first trip up Mt Barney.   We went up South Ridge, also know as Peasants and camped over night in the saddle at the Old Hut Site.   With a full overnight pack our the hike to the saddle was hard going.   We left the Yellow pinch car park at 5.30am and reached the Old Hut Site at 12.30pm.   After setting up camp we headed up to the east peak for a look this took about an hour.  Darkness fell quickly so it was headlights on back down to camp to follow our trusted routine of cooking dinner having a few drinks and laughs before bed.  

Mt Barney is a fantastic mountain for hiking.   The views from the top are amazing and worth the hours of effort to enjoy them.  Mt Barney on Wikipedia

Buchanan's Fort August 2007

Greg, Shannon and Joel set off to camp on top of Buchanan's Fort, a small plateau at Lamington, Queensland.   The track is on private property and permission is required to access the track to the top.   With an early start at the farm below it still takes most of the day to reach the top.  The track is steep in many spots as it follows a ridge line.   This was a great trip that inspired many adventures and mis-adventures in the future. 

 

The Stinson Wreck, Lamington April 2007

Trip #1 - Weeks before this trip...

On an Easter camping trip at Lamington in 2007 Dominic, Shannon, Joel and Ross were sitting around the camp fire talking about the Stinson Wreck.   For years we had heard many tales about the fate of the remaining wreckage.  We were told the wreckage had been airlifted out by National Parks, or the terrain was impassable and other stories that gave us no motivation to go there.   Curiosity got the better of us that Easter and we made a spur of the moment decision to try to find or not find the Stinson Wreck!   So we set off at around midday with little gear and no clues... and with some luck we were very excited to find the wreckage.   The story continues...  

Trip #2 - More planning, more gear and more people!

Following our first successful adventure to the wreck news spread fast amongst family and friends. We had many requests for us to show others and so a second trip was put together.  So with a large group we started on the track at first light.   The track is fairly well worn for most of the way, but the country is rugged and get steep.    We found the wreck again, then headed up to Point Lookout on the top of the ridge.  After some gazing at the spectacular views of Northern NSW we returned back down to the car park.  Not without slight drama, when Emi needed help after twisting her ankle.  After a big day out we headed home.