Starting from the Gold Mine Picnic Area on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, this walk takes you on a circuit in the western woodland of Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, crossing East Ithaca Creek along the way. You can expect a leisurely walk in the woods that ends with a peaceful picnic. Quick and undemanding, this walk can be a great choice for families and beginner hikers. You can extend the walk by taking the surrounding tracks and explore more of the reserve if you’d like to. There are informational signposts that instruct you about the history of gold mining in the area. As a plus, you can bring your dog to this trip as well, considering you have him/her on a leash. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
At the intersection of Sir Samuel Griffith Drive & Ghost Hole Track (-27.4748573,152.9456187)
Turn on to Mount Coot-tha Road then drive for 325 m
Keep right and drive for another 145 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Mount Coot-tha Road, T7 and drive for another 1 km
Keep left onto Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, T7 and drive for another 2.2 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, T7 and drive for another 2 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From Gold Mine Picnic Area Carpark on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, head along the meandering concrete pathway with railings. Pass by a sheltered informational signpost to your right, then keep left. Cross the little wooden bridge, then veer/keep right and join the Ghost Hole Track to continue along Gold Mine Picnic Area Circuit(counterclockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Sir Samuel Griffith Drive & Ghost Hole Track Start heading along Ghost Hole Track (a walking track).
Find the Gold Mine Picnic Area at the start.
After 8 m pass the water tap (on your right).
After another 6 m pass the BBQ (5 m on your left).
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Ghost Hole Track & Litchfield Track) continue straight, to head along Ghost Hole Track.
After another 170 m continue straight, to head along Ghost Hole Track.
Then pass a seat (on your left).
After another 450 m continue straight, to head along Ghost Hole Track.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Powerful Owl Trail & Ghost Hole Track) turn left, to head along Powerful Owl Trail (a vehicle track).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Grey Gums Picnic Area if you'd like to walk a bit more. You can have a picnic here as well. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Eugenia Circuit & Powerful Owl Trail) continue straight, to head along Powerful Owl Trail.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Eugenia Circuit & Powerful Owl Trail) continue straight, to head along Powerful Owl Trail.
After another 220 m continue straight, to head along Powerful Owl Trail.
After another 165 m veer left.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 380 m (at the intersection of Ghost Hole Track & Litchfield Track) continue straight, to head along Ghost Hole Track.
After another 50 m come to the end.
This optional side trip takes you to the Grey Gums Picnic Area if you'd like to walk a bit more. You can have a picnic here as well.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Powerful Owl Trail & Eugenia Circuit Start heading along Eugenia Circuit (a footpath).
After another 290 m turn left.
After another 220 m turn left.
After another 110 m pass the shelter (15 m on your left).
After another 15 m pass the "Grey Gums Picnic Area" (7 m on your left).
About 60 m past the end is a toilet.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 660 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Gold Mine Picnic Area Circuit
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
1.8 km
Time
30 min to 45 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 850 m (plus an extra 620 m along side route) from the start.
Toilet: There is one 850 m (plus an extra 700 m along side route) from the start.