National Parks Association 2012
Friday 31st August to Sun 2nd September
Departs 8.30am 14 Howard Smith Drive, Port of Brisbane
Parking $30 for 3 days.
Please arrive by 8am to facilitate loading luggage onto the Moreton Experience vehicle. Please load your luggage onto the Moreton Experience vehicle after parking and before boarding the MICat.
At the ticket office inform staff the name of your organisation and that you are travelling with Alan Genninges, Moreton Experience.
Return Departs Moreton 4.30 Arrives Brisbane 6pm.
Running late due to impossible traffic. Don't give up as sometimes the MICat is also late. If you can phone your organiser or Alan on 0428 783781 with an update of where you are, as it is sometimes possible for MICat to wait a couple of extra minutes. The MICat can't wait for latecomers as this cuts into the time for patrons on day trips. If you miss the boat ring Alan ASAP so we can explore your options. An extra charge may be required in case of a special transfer.
Luggage The plan is for your luggage to travel in a vehicle on the MICat. However please be prepared to place your luggage on the deck of the MICat in case of the unexpected.
Once loaded onto vehicles at the MICat terminal your luggage will not be accessible until you reach camp. Make sure you have suitable clothing with you if a walk is planned for on arrival.
What to bring
Water bottle Please bring a filled water bottle, and refill on the MICat. A full water bottle is handy in case of delays in the transfer to Blue Lagoon (eg. bogged vehicles sometimes block the track.)
Catering. BYO first lunch to eat during the first walk before reaching camp. All other meals are provided, including cake at camp and fruit when on tours and walks. See menu if you have special dietary requirements.
Bedding A bare stretcher is provided.Sleeping bag
sleeping mat ~optional
pillow ~ optional / Eating gear
plates and cup
cutlery
tea towel ~ if required / Clothing
swimmers
raincoat
boots for walking in water (bare feet is OK)
some rock walking but mostly sand tracks
Torch no lighting in sleeping tents / BYO alcoholic drinks / Binoculars ~ whales are seen June till late October
Refrigeration. I provide a drinks esky with ice to keep your drinks cold. Please bring your drinks pre-cooled and in an esky so my limited ice will last.
Insect protection Usually camp is free of biting insects, but repellent is a good insurance. Tents are not screened.
Caltex Port of Brisbane Your last chance to buy forgotten items – They also do fairly good value food suitable for your BYO lunch. Toilets at the Caltex are a good option, as toilets at the MICat terminal toilets are remote from the car park.
Charger for camera and phones 240 volt charging is available from 8am to 3pm, so bring your 240 volt charger. Turn phones off as the weak signal strength mean phone batteries flatten quickly. Texting is reliable over most of the Island. Weak but usable signal on the Telstra and Optus network is available at camp.
Swimming. Swimming in Blue Lagoon is excellent. The Ocean beach is un-patrolled and not protected by shark nets. Thus swimming in the Ocean is not recommended.
Accommodation Tents are 4 by 6 metres with up to 8 stretchers in each. Patrons make their own share arrangements. Usually a maximum of 4 persons have to share a tent. If you wish to bring a hike tent there are some good sites on the edge of the camp.
Facilities Parks cold showers and flushing loos are 300 metres north of the camp. Parks hybrid toilets are 90 metres from camp. There is also a Moreton Experience composting toilet located at camp for night time use. Patrons who require frequent use of a toilet are welcome to utilise the Moreton Experience any time. (Waste from my composting toilet has to be transported back to the mainland.)
Outline of Programme ~ subject to modification due to weather and beach conditions on the day. It is planned to visit each of the locations on the listed below.
Friday on arrival – travel along the Western beach to North West corner – optional walk along the Northern Beach, via Heath Island to North Point – non walkers bus to camp via Lake Honeyeater. Non walkers have the option of walking through Blue Lagoon, waist deep to get to camp. (all optional walks will have to walk through water so be prepared, luggage will be inaccessible until we reach camp)
Saturday morning – Yellow Patch and Cape Moreton
Saturday afternoon – The Sandhills ~ Explore Big Sandhills
Sunday morning independent exploration