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Girraween National Park - Castle Rock & The Junction/Granite Arch Walks |
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Notes: We were back to see if an orchid we found on our last visit had flowered; we were hoping it did. At the time we have not found it in Queensland. So, after setting up camp, rather late in the day, we headed off to find the start of the Castle Rock. Along this walk is where we found the orchid growing. In a grassed area near the Shower block we found a mob of Kangaroo's feeding. After a few photos we moved on and found the start of the Castle Rock walk. The orchid in question was soon found and to our delight it was in full bloom, a magnificent specimen. Lots of photos later we again moved up along the track to see if others had developed during our absence. None were found but we did find a curiosity, a ants nest from which winged ants were emerging. At this stage we thought we would actually complete the Castle Rock walk so again we headed off, uphill along the track. The track lead us through large boulder strewn slopes and a couple of times we inched our way through rock tunnels. Nearing the end of the walk the rock face became quite a slope and as it was getting dark we stopped short of the top so we could make it home in the light. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately on the way down we saw another orchid, this time new to us as well. So we stopped and to loads of photos before agreeing that it was to dark to photograph more. We got back to our caravan late in twilight. The next day we headed off down the track to the start of the southern walks as we had chosen to do the "Junction "walk and retracing our steps somewhat also walk to the Granite arch and loop back to our camper before heading off to somewhere else. The Junction walk is quite flat as you generally follow the Bald Rock Creek to where it merges with the Ramsay Creel at which point the track ends and you must retrace your steps back again. We were lucky to see some nice beard orchids along this path. Backtracking we came across the track to the Granite Arch which we of course took. During the next section we found some leek orchids nicely in bloom and yes we took lots of photos as this was again a new orchid to us. The Granite Arch is a interesting jumble of rocks which form an arch through which the walk goes. This was our return point and we back again till we found the track to the day area and took it and walked back to the caravan. After packing up we left for new adventures. |
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| Castle Rock Camp Ground - Kangaroos at leisure. | Kangaroos at leisure. | Kangaroos at leisure. |
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| Kangaroos at leisure. | Kangaroos at leisure. | An orchid! |
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| Lots of photos | An ant curiousity | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track - Information sign | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel | Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel |
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| Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel | Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel | Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel |
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| Castle Rock Track - Rock tunnel | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Getting dark - time to start going back | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track | Castle Rock Track |
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| Castle Rock Track - a new orchid for us | Castle Rock Track - a new orchid for us | Castle Rock Track |
| Walk - 2 Loop Walk - Campground/The Junction walk/Granite Arch/Campground |
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| Back Top | ||
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| Bald Rock Creek | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek - Sign at track junction - we go left. | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk - Beard Orchids | Bald Rock Creek Walk - Information Sign |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk - Lizard | Bald Rock Creek Walk - Lizard | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| The Junction sign - time to turn around | Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk - more orchids | Bald Rock Creek Walk |
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| Bald Rock Creek Walk | Bald Rock Creek Walk - it was hot and we stopped for water | Bald Rock Creek Walk - near our turn-off |
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| Granite Arch Walk - yes more orchids | Granite Arch Walk - taking photos | Granite Arch Walk - taking photos |
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| Granite Arch Walk | The Granite Arch | The Granite Arch |
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| The Granite Arch | The Granite Arch | The Granite Arch |
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| The Granite Arch - Information sign | An interesting moth on the way back | An interesting moth on the way back |