Kroombit Tops

Easter 8-12 April 2004

Four-wheel drive vehicles were essential to get us to the main points of interest. To make the trip worthwhile, I had arranged to meet up with friends from Biloela and the general vicinity, to provide us with 4WD support. This provided a delightful blend of characters from the club and country characters who are seasoned adventurers in their own right.

The added generosity of local friends provided the opportunity for some of us to be taken on a tour of the Callide coal mine, and drag line in operation, before we rendezvoused with the rest of the group at Calliope.

The road up to the Tops was in poorer shape than on my last visit. We established a base camp at a comfortable location, equipped with flowing creek and good fireplace. Our first port of call was the bomber crash site. This is now well signposted with details of the Liberty bomber and its passengers.
Next morning we set out at a casual pace to the top of the waterfalls. A small party of us then made preparation for non-club activities to allow us to abseil to the bottom of the falls about 90metres below. To carry out all necessary safety precautions, a lot of time was spent before only two of us managed to abseil to the bottom. The bulk of the group walked and scrambled down a side access area that allowed them to get to the bottom of the falls. There they enjoyed a swim and lunch in lush surrounds.

On the way back to camp we visited the lookout on the eastern escarpment. We then returned to camp and the culinary delights to which we had come to expect. Some of these wonderful friends with us not only travel to many far-flung locations but they do it in style and want for nothing of basic creature comforts and culinary delights.

The next day we made our usual relaxed start and moved off in 4WD vehicles to a drop off point into Kroombit Creek gorge.
After a bit of a walk, we made our way down to a well-protected rock platform in the major watercourse. Some of the group rested here while a hardy collection swam upstream about 250 metres to waterfalls. Some scrambled about the rocks before jumping back in for the return swim.

We had our final feast and social fare about the fire. We might expect to see some of our local friends again in a future outing. We extend our appreciation to those who joined the club members on this excursion for their company and their invaluable assistance.

Next morning we said our good-byes and dispersed as each followed their own path home. Trevor Davern