Yes, another successful expedition! 9-14 April 2006 to Main Range National Park incorporating both Cunningham's Gap and Spicer's Gap. We had travelled to the park to experience the rugged mountain ranges and spectacular views of this world heritage area in South East Queensland.
Our campsite
We camped at Lake Moogerah outside the national park, as the park camps have no hot showers. While we enjoy the freedom which camping offers, we are not into 'roughing it' and no hot showers was too high a price to pay.
Our first conquest was Mt Matheson.
Before commencing we stopped for morning tea to enjoy the peace and quiet. We were the only visitors and felt we had the mountain to ourselves. We imagined the hardships that the early pioneers must have suffered, as they struggled to find a way over this formidable range of mountains in the early 19th century. 'The Gap' (through to the western side), discovered by Allan Cunningham in 1828, is situated between the peaks of Mt Mitchell and Mt Cordeaux
* Pat has shrunk and turned pale at the thought of the upcoming climb.
The building on the left is the composting, bush toilet or 'dunny', provided and maintained by our National Parks and Wildlife Department to protect the environment in isolated areas.
The map showed a 'trail'. This term should have alerted us. Rugged and steep, the trail would often disappear, as in this pic, where we were confronted with a rock wall. On this occasion we climbed through a gap to the right, then scrambled up the rock, to rediscover the trail above. Great fun.
This area has many historic points of interest. Early pioneers felled cedar trees and had many challenges transporting them. This bullock-pulled 'jigger' dragged the massive logs down the mountain on quite well constructed roads which are still visible today. Amazing given the ruggedness of the area.
"Where are the horses?? Oops bullocks!!"
This was a sign leading to what is known as the 'Governor's Chair' - a large rock on the cliff face. Apparently it was a popular resting spot for early governors of Queensland when they came to the area. Though as you can see you need to take care at the cliff edge.
The view over the Fassifern Valley is stunning. 
We completed the 8 km Mt Matheson trail in approx 5 hrs . It was rugged and physically challenging at times, but peaceful, with spectacular views and great fun. We had earnt our hot shower and yummy dinner that evening.
Day 2 The Falls
The trip south through the scenic, winding mountain road to the Queen Mary Falls was well worth the drive.
The Falls (40m) are part of the headwaters of the Murray-Darling river system . Notice the red spot at the top of the falls, well it's the idiot below.
The short circuit walk around the top of the falls takes you through changes in vegetation from eucalypts to rainforest in the gorge below.
An easy day - back to the climbing tomorrow.
