Ngungun

25 May 2006

Five bushwalkers met up at Glasshouse Mountains township on a beautiful Thursday morning to do two minor peaks in the Glasshouse Mountains group.

Coochin Hills was the first to be tackled. We drove for about ten minutes from the Glasshouse Mountains township to get to the start of the climb. Putting on our packs we crossed the road and entered the national park area of Coochin Hills.

We made our way up a rocky and grassy slope with the occasional eucalypt tree. Following a small foot track we reached the top of one of the peaks of Coochin. From here there were clear views all around us with barely a cloud in sight.

On top of the second peak of Coochin we had morning tea under some shade and enjoyed the views of Beerwah and Coonowrin. It was then a short trip downhill to the cars to start the second minor peak of Ngungun a short distance away.

The first section of the track up Ngungun has recently been upgraded and we made quick time to the cave area. Here the track became steep, eroded and slippery. We made our way carefully along it and on reaching the top of the cave area the track improved. We then made good progress to the rocky escarpment of Ngungun. There we met some tertiary students who were studying the biology on Ngungun.

Ngungun was more well known than Coochin and there were quite a few people traipsing up and down, including one fellow who was practicing for the Kokoda Trail by climbing Ngungun 12 times a day!!

We had a leisurely lunch while enjoying the 360 degree views. To the east was the ocean, to the west Main Range and all around us were farms and the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains. A beautiful day in all.

After returning to the cars we went back to the Glasshouse Mountains township to try out a bakery there for the traditional afternoon tea.

Many thanks to Noelene, Neville, Frank and Chris for coming along on this glorious day. Richard