Typographic errors
Page 33, caption should be 'Govetts Creek near Junction Rock' (its the correct location and the same creek but it has changed name in this section)
Page 35, The Dunphy's, first paragraph, 'Sydney Bushwalkers' should be 'Sydney Bush Walkers', apologies to the club.
Page 100, second last paragraph, 'My Barney' should read as
'Mt Barney'.
Page 119, header, 'Queensland' mis-spelt
Changes since the walks were field checked for this edition
P 4. The publisher address has changed to PO Box 5042, Laburnum,
Victoria 3130.
Thanks to Christopher Woods for the next three corrections for the Grose Valley walk
Page 26, fuel stoves now required as all camping fires are banned as from late 2002
Page 29, 11.0km Hat Hill Creek - dont drink the water as the Blackheath Sewerage Treatment Plant is in its catchment
Page 35, 28.0km A bus runs from the visitor centre to Blackheath
several times each day and is another transport alternative back
into town - we have confirmed this service runs in Sep 2004. Also,
while we dont suggest you use it on the Grose Valley walk, the direct
track from Junction Rock to Govetts Leap was closed for several years
due to landslides -
its reopened in 2005 - we did not describe that track as it
has been closed multiple times over the last 20 years and cannot be
relied on to be always passable.
Page 70, Geehi to Mt Townsend, the western and northern slopes of the Main Range were extensively burnt in the 2003 fires and thick regrowth is now a problem. Specifically, page 76, the light forest past Upper Canyon Falls is dense regrowth and the steep climb to Olsens Lookout on page 79 is difficult with many fallen trees and dense regrowth. The Opera House Hut was burnt and one party could not find water in the concrete box - you can always find water nearby at the the diversion weir or from the tunnel portal.
Page 91, 14.0km A small shelter (sleeps 2) with a gas cooker, water
tank and toilet has been constructed at the Jay Creek campsite.
Page 111, under Access, Lucinda now has overnight accomodation.
Page 148, Access to Overland Track. Over summer shuttle buses run from the campground and visitor centre to Ronny Creek and Dove Lake. The buses run at regular intervals and are extremely handy for getting from the accommodation places just outside the park to the start of the Overland Track. Also, a new walking track runs from the visitor centre south for 5km to the Ronny Creek Car Park. A permit system now applies during summer for the Overland Track - the fee will increase to $150 per person for 2007-08. More details are available from national parks website - refer to my External Links page.Page 160, Sidetrip: D'Alton and Fergusson Falls. The sidetrack to these two falls is no longer steep as a new zig-zag track has been constructed down the hillside and the junction at the base of the hill is clearly signposted.. You still need to be careful on steep slopes near the waterfalls
Page 162, 44.6km, Windy Ridge Hut has been replaced with a new hut
that
sleeps 32 people
Page 163, Alternative Finish via Lake St Clair. Currently during summer the boat leaves Narcissus Hut at 9.30am, 1.30 and 3.30pm daily during the summer months. The boat only runs when there are passengers so it is essential to use the radio in Narcissus Hut to contact the boat operator to both confirm its running and to reserve a seat.
Page 179 and 181, regarding water - we should have emphasised more that after dry spells all the creeks can dry up (we did say it is sometimes scarce under when to walk) and this can happen in any season. If Ortewenah Creek is dry then the only water will be from the tanks at Cooks Hut.
Page 183, Sidetrip to Mt Freycinet, the pad has now been marked -
reduce erosion by following the markers to the summit.
Page 190, 14.6km Perdition Ponds are not actually permanent
and do dry up after dry spells. No major change to notes though as they
are salty and not a suggested water source. The only generally reliable
water source is Lunchtime Creek.
Page 214, Viking Circuit, last paragraph, the fixed rope through the
hole in the rocks on the climb to The Viking is no longer there. The
entire area was burnt in 2006 and thick regrowth is covering pads and
altering
the
route. The route from Catherine Saddle to The Viking has been marked (I
helped the ranger do it) and is much easier to follow than it used to
be. There will be no marking from The Viking to Howitt Road and pads
and old roads are overgrowing quickly. Navigate using maps and it will
take a couple of years for pads reestablish - basically when the trees
become tall enough to provide a canopy then the scrub on the forest
floor will reduce and it will then become easier to follow where others
have already walked.
Page 248. Maps The two maps 'Chaucer' and 'Grant Bay' have been
combined into a single map called 'Chaucer & Grant Bay'
Page 273, 205.9km, At Cape Nelson, the track from the lighthouse to the restuarant/kiosk/cafe has been closed for general public access and a new track for walkers has been cut through the Heritage classified Lighthouse Reserve. Do not try to walk direct from the lighthouse to the cafe as in the notes, instead follow signs for the Great South West Walk - two alternative tracks have been provided past the cape, one through the reserve and one outside it. Note that the reserve and the historic buildings are on private land and an entrance fee applies to admission to the lighthouse reserve.
Page 281 to 283, Monadnocks Traverse, the track has been reopened after the fires of 2003. Temporary campsites exist at Mt Cooke and Nerang sites, the shelter huts that were burnt have not yet been replaced so tents are essential at these sites.
Page 300, Rame Head to The Gap. Herring Beach has been washed away and a signposted track diversion avoids the now non-existent beach. This adds 1.2km extra length to the walk from Rame Head to Peaceful Bay.