Branch Creek via Cabbage Tree Range

This walk begins from behind the Mount Nebo Transfer station off Mount Nebo Road and includes the catchment area around Lake Manchester. This walk overall is not difficult but is rather long and can prove tiresome with some ascent required upon return. There are a number of hiking trails and explorative opportunities along this walk so a topographic map is recommended but not essential, as the routes described are well signposted.

Follow Dundas Road for approx 20 mins until you reach the campsite and crossroads. Take Cabbage Tree Range road and follow this for about 2 hours down to the upper section of Branch Creek. There is a few options to consider here; either take the much shorter "Job 6 Break" road back up to Light Line Road,which is also known as the "Cabbage Tree Range loop." There is also the opportunity to camp at the Light Line Road camping site or simply cross the creek and follow Branch Creek Road to Lake Manchester and stay overnight at the campsite there instead. I returned the same way I walked down to Branch Creek which I found a bit tiresome, being mostly an uphill climb back to Dundas Road, so it may be more ideal to do the Loop walk and leave another car at the gate, at the end of Forestry Road in Mount Nebo.

Another idea is for two walking parties to take two seperate cars, one group drive to Lake Manchester and the other park at the gate at Dundas Road. Both parties walk in towards each other and meet at Branch Creek.

Lake Manchester circuit walk

Lake Manchester is a water catchment facility situated in the south-western corner of Brisbane Forest Park (D'Aguilar National Park) It lies just North of Ipswich on the outskirts of Kholo. To get to Lake Manchester, simply follow Lake Manchester Road which is mostly sealed road.

Lake Manchester Dam was completed in 1916 and named after Mr E.J. Manchester, president of the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Originally the Dam was called "Cabbage Tree Creek Dam." The Dam was reactivated in 2005 when the Brisbane drought was at a critical point and upgraded in 2007 for security and safety purposes.

Lake Manchester provides popular leisure activities such as bushwalking, mountain biking, horse riding and bush camping. There are a number of interesting features such as views of the Lake and surrounding mountains, including the peaks and ranges outside Ipswich. Cabbage Tree Creek and Branch Creek flow into Lake Manchester and are quite pleasant to visit.

The circuit walk is approximately 17km long and was completed in just over 5 hours. It begins at the car park and crosses the creek downstream from the Dam wall. The walk is accessed by a vehicular dirt track that winds it's way through bushland and traverses the surrounding foothills and ranges of Brisbane Forest Park. The route intersects with other Park Management roads, including Branch Creek Road and Light Line Road. There are many routes to consider therefore explorative opportunities in this region are virtually endless.

From the map at the carpark it is easy to assume this walking trail concludes at the car park, however it actually ends up at the T-intersection of Lake Manchester and Kholo Roads, therefore the remaining part of the walk is along bitumen road to get back to the car park. Overall the walk is fairly easy going, however there are some creek crossings to negotiate and steep sections of the track that can be tiresome. It is best completed in a clockwise direction, the route described is as follows:
"North Lake Manchester Road" - "Light Line Road" - "South Lake Manchester Road".

Other walks from BFP that connect Lake Manchester, among others, are via "South Boundary Road" and "Cabbage Tree Creek Road"(please refer to relevant posts on this site). To access the bush campsite, walk anti-clockwise starting at the T-intersection of Lake Manchester and Kholo Road and walk for approximately 6kms until you reach the campsite and Cabbage Tree Creek. For the first 100 metres or so the track is heavily eroded and extremely muddy.

The circuit route described is well signposted, however a map is recommended to assist with orienteering your desired route and calculating rate of travel. For those who want do a shorter walk but do not wish to complete the full circuit, simply follow North Lake Manchester Road for a few kilometres, then take one of 3-4 diversions that turn left from the main track. These meet with Cabbage Tree Range which eventually leads back to the carpark. If completing the full circuit, allow a full day for rest breaks and to explore the surrounding area.

Mount Glorious to England Creek (Right Branch) via Joyner's Ridge Road

This walk explores one of the main catchment areas of Brisbane Forest Park - England Creek. The walk features some spectacular views of the surrounding park from various spots along Joyner's Ridge Road. It should be noted here that this walk is approx. 18kms in length, therefore good fitness is required and plenty of food and water should be taken with you. Allow at least 6 hours to complete this walk.

The walk to England Creek (Right Branch)starts at the gate/track on the left hand side of Mount Glorious Road, between the Miala motorcycle cafe and Miala picnic ground further up Mount Glorious road. Walk down the stairs and after passing the sign that reads Joyner's Ridge Road, follow the track for about 7.5kms until it arrives at crossroads. At this junction there is the option to walk either straight ahead around a locked gate, turn right to go down to England Creek (Left Branch) or turn left (Right Branch). At the time of this walk the track to go to the left branch of England Creek appeared to be closed off, a sign displaying 'Road Closed' at the junction.

Take the left hand turn and follow this down for about 1.5kms. Just before arriving at the creek the track splits into two. Take either the left fork or walk straight ahead to walk down to the creek. From here, either rockhop up and down the creek but if venturing downstream please be aware that downstream of the creek flows through private land. At the time we visited the creek there were many visible signs there had been severe flooding in this area, most likely caused by the floods earlier this year. This would have been quite impressive as trees growing in the creek as much as 10 feet high were pushed over and large, uprooted trees had been carried all the way downstream. Upon further exploration upstream there appeared to be only tiny rock pools with small rapids, so those wishing to swim here should visit after sufficient rainfall.

To embark from the creek there are a few different routes to consider. Two tracks on the east bank of the creek lead to Mount Nebo Road, the most southerly track winding it's way up towards Dundas Road and eventually leading to the Mount Nebo transfer station. However this route is very steep in ascent but does become easier once you reach the electricity pylons. The other route to Mount Nebo Road becomes quite overgrown toward the top of the ridge(as observed from a previous attempt to descend into the catchment from a track near Mount Nebo Road) but if this is not an issue, this route is fairly feasible. However once again, there are some steep sections to negotiate upon ascent.

Another alternative is to follow the creek upstream to Mount Glorious. This however may prove quite difficult and tiresome and therefore be suitable for more advanced bushwalkers, not only due to thick infestation of lantana and the overall steepness and rugged nature of this terrain but also the need for navigational skills to find the correct route to ascend the slope to Joyner's Ridge Road. The obvious and most easiest return route is the one initially described, but in reverse.

I found this walk overall did not pose that much difficulty. The route is not very steep but can be tiresome at times upon ascent, given it is an 8km return walk from the creek back to Mount Glorious. However the advantage of this walk is that elevation that is lost is gradually regained over a longer distance, therefore it is not as tiring as say another track that would be shorter and therefore steeper in ascent. There is some respite on the flatter graded sections to catch your breath on the way back.

England Creek (Left Branch) via Rocky Outcrop, Joyner's Ridge Road (map & compass required)

This walk is not only an alternative to the obvious and more easier route along England Creek and Joyners Ridge Roads, but also for those who wish to gain skills and confidence with orientation and map reading skills and prefer to go 'off track' and explore England Creek from a different perspective. The walk is a good test of agility and because of the rugged terrain, can be quite challenging at times.

From Joyner's Ridge Road walk approx 1.5hours (from the Mount Glorious end) until a rocky outcrop is found on the right. This is located on the BFP topographic map. From the rocky outcrop a bearing is measured by tracing a line on the map from the rocky outcrop to the crossing at England Creek. Adjust for magnetic variation.

Drop down from the rocky outcrop onto the spur below. This involves scrambling down rocks which are loose and can be dislodged quite easily. The spur is quite steep in descent and the ground is very loose underfoot, therefore it is not uncommon to stumble at least once on the way down!

Eventually a creek bed is found on the left hand side of the spur. Cross this creek bed and contour around to the next spur. Another creek bed is then found and crossed which eventually joins the first creek bed to become one creek. Drop down into this creek and rockhop all the way downstream until you reach the main branch of England Creek. Walk downstream for approx 10 -15 minutes and you will reach the crossing and campsite. To return, walk south up England Creek Road which eventually meets with Joyner's Ridge Road and back to Mount Glorious. Allow a full day for this walk.

North Kobble Creek via 'Lepidozamia'

This walk leaves from the gate on the'Lepidozamia' track at Mount Glorious. At the carpark walk along the management road which follows the ridge. About an hour into the walk you will come across a fire break to the right. Take no notice of this but instead continue walking along the ridge which later starts to descend. Another track which is quite distinct heads off to the right and eventually meets up with another track. To the right, leads to a waterfall, to the left, North Kobble Creek. Turn left here and walk down the track, which is quite steep in sections and eventually reaches a creek crossing at the bottom. From the crossing either rockhop along the creek or continue walking along the track. There are some small rock pools along the creek and some interesting features. Upon returning to Mount Glorious, this walk is very steep in ascent and requires good fitness to climb it. There are a few options here such as returning the same way or walking straight ahead at the crossroads, returning via the fire break that also leads back to the 'Lepidozamia' track. Allow a full day for this walk.

Joyners Ridge to Northbrook Parkway

This is a very long but picturesque walk through the centre of Brisbane Forest Park. Mobile reception is quite good for most of this walk, however this is limited once the Parkway is reached.

Take Joyner's Ridge Road and walk along it for approx 2.5 hours until the crossroads. This section is a nice walk through the Park, it is relatively flat and there are breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and England Creek catchment area. Bellbirds can often be heard making their distinct 'tinkling' sound in the surrounding trees.

Once at the crossroads, turn right into England Creek Road which takes you down to the creek. This stretch of track will take about 2 hours but eventually you will reach the England Creek crossing and the 'campsite' beside the creek.

There is the opportunity to swim here, however when I visited here some years ago there was very little water in the creek, even after several days of rain. There are some waterholes along the creek, but once agin there may not be enough water in them or they are simply stagnant from lack of it. From the campsite the track starts to ascend, climbing the ridge up to Northbrook Mountain. This stretch is very long and tedious, but relatively easy to walk up.

Once at the top there is a deeply eroded track that drops steeply down the side of the ridge to Red and White Cedars. Alternatively, turn left at the top and follow Lawnton Road all the way, which will also take you down to the Parkway. This could be done either as a full day walk or ideally as a throughwalk, camping at the crossing of England Creek or at the campsite below Northbrook Mountain.

Mount Samson via Cedar Creek

I did this walk whilst participating in the BFP's 'Go Bush' program and must say I found this walk quite intense. The walk is interesting due to the many different features along the way, most notably the sheer cliffs, rainforest and extensive views from the summit.

We started at Andy Williams Park at Cedar Creek. The first part of the walk involves climbing up the side of Mount Lawson which is extremely steep, however at the top it becomes easier, travelling along a flat ridge that stretches out towards Mount Samson. We took both a compass and GPS on this walk because of the navigational difficulty and the terrain is somewhat confusing at times. The thick rainforest and vegetation obscures most views until reaching the top of the mountain. Therefore when walking in this area there should be at least one of your party that has a good knowledge of the area and or has sufficient compass and map reading skills.

The rainforest behind the peak of Mount Samson is quite dense. There is much Laywer Vine growing here which can slow progress, however beyond the rainforest the walk to the summit is quite feasible and presents little or no difficulty. At the summit, the views stretch across Brisbane and as far as Mount Warning to the South and the Glasshouse Mountains can be seen quite clearly to the North.

On the return trip, we descended by contouring down the back of Mount Samson, before walking across private property down to Cedar Creek. From there we simply followed the road along the creek for about 1 km, back to the park.

Please note: Permission to cross private property may be required to do this walk, especially around Mount Lawson and descending into the catchment of Cedar Creek.

For more information on other walks to Mount Samson, please refer to the relevant posts on this site.