Welcome to Bushwalking in Brisbane Forest Park


This blog is devoted to the different walks I have completed in Brisbane Forest Park. Here I will share my photos and personal experiences, explaining the many different walks within the Park and some of the interesting features of each walk. Brisbane Forest Park is now known as the region of South D'Aguilar National Park, but for the purpose of this blog and my own connection and history with the Park, I still refer to it as Brisbane Forest Park.

Brisbane Forest Park lies northwest of Brisbane, at most an hour's drive from the CBD. The entire Park encompasses approximately 36,000 hectares of natural land and forest consisting of national park, recreational areas and tourist spots that attract day trippers, motorcyclists and those wishing to experience the magic of a rainforest retreat or just enjoy a getaway in the mountains.

The Park is full of interesting features such as creeks, rocky outcrops, mountains, waterfalls, plants, birds and other wildlife which makes it such a diverse and natural place to visit and enjoy.

The walks I will share in this Blog range from easy to quite challenging, but above all are fun to do. Please feel free to send me any of your comments.

Hope you like these as much as I did.

Happy walking :)

Wayne

Please note: The walks described within should be used as a guide only and carrying a topographic map, compass, water, food and a first aid kit is highly recommended when bushwalking. Only undertake walks within your own limits and fitness levels. Please be responsible by notifying a friend or family member before beginning any walk.

Saturday, July 24, 1999

Mount Samson via Mount Kobble

Mount Samson Range is located on the Northeast edge of Brisbane Forest Park and can be climbed from various access points to get to the summit. There are some interesting views of the summit from several vantage points along the range. The walk begins at the top of a hill, on the corner of Hipathetes and Kriesch Roads, Samsonvale.

Access is between two properties via a driveway up to Mount Kobble, depending on if access is possible. If so, it is only a short walk up to Mount Kobble climbing a steep hillside to get to it. From here the walk is fairly easy going and presents little or no difficulty, however there are some steep sections to climb at the start of the range and two sections towards the end of the range. The walk takes about 4 hours if it is walked to the end of the range and back ONLY. To the summit and back to the road would obviously take longer. I have not as yet walked to the summit from Mount Kobble, so for more information on climbing to the summit of Mount Samson please refer to the Mount Samson walk via Cedar Creek I have posted on this site.

Last time I walked along the Range, there was almost a plague of Golden Orb spiders hanging from webs across the track. Overall the track was clear, however the steep sections were deeply eroded, so both ascent and descent may present some difficulty depending on fitness,agility and recent weather.

There are some breathtaking views of Lake Samsonvale and from the top of the range, evidence that there may have been some type of dwelling here in the past. Just before the summit, an old truck sits in grass and parts of machinery are strewn all over the ground. There is a house that is partially erected and a well used fire pit with chairs sitting around it, near the edge of the cliff overlooking Samsonvale below. I found this place to have an eerie feeling about it, probably due to the fact it is completely deserted and there are no clues as to who lives here or if someone IS still living here. This part of the Range was once popular with hang gliders some years ago and has amazing views to the South East and the city of Brisbane. Beyond the 'abandoned' site there is a National Park sign, where a trail picks up and winds it's way around to the highest part of the Range towards the summit. The summit appears to be easily accessible from this point.

Upon descent it is possible to return a different way to the bottom of the range, via a track that branches off to the right and winds it's way down to Basin Road. However at the time of this walk there was much private development near the bottom of this track so access may not be possible and if so, permission most likely required.