Hiking community trail from the border gate of Queensland and New South Wales. The trail connects Mt Wagawn in the Binna Burra section of the Lamington National Park. Follow the barbed wire fence up to the caves. Sometimes you have to pass under the fence and switch sides.
Photo by Author.
The Bushrangers Trail is not included in the hiking tracks of the National Parks. It is a hiking community trail that follows the barbed wire fence along the border of Queensland and New South Wales to the caves.
You need a certain amount of fitness and bushwalking experience to hike the Bushranger Cave trail. The trail is steep, it runs along a barbed-wire fence, may be overgrown with grass and vegetation. The trail is steep with about 270 meters elevation gain, it is about 5-6 km long - allow three hours, including the time to explore the caves and to have a snack.
The trail offers beautiful views over the Numinbah Valley, the Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park.
Photo by Author.
Drive to the end of Nerang Murwillumbah Road, at the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Park the car off the small dirt road named Hayter Road.
The hike starts at the end of Hayters Road. You need to pass under the barbed wire fence which delimits the borders of Queensland and New South Wales.
The Group Hiking South East Qld and More walking on Hayters Road. Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
The trail may have overgrown grass and you brush against lots of vegetation. There are lots of holes on the ground that looks like barrows of animals. There are also nests of ants. Make sure to wear a shirt with long sleeves, long trousers, gloves, gaiters and ankle supporting hiking boots.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
The Group Hiking South East Qld and More posing for a photo in the Bush Ranger Cave. Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Once you have explored the caves, retrace your steps back to the same way down.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Photo by Author.
Drive to the end of Nerang-Murwillumbah Road to the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Just before the entry of the border on your right, there is a narrow dirt road called Hayters Road. Park your car off-road and start to walk to the end of Hayters Road where the trail starts. You have to pass under the barbed wire fence and walk along the fence.
What to bring
Hiking gear: a hiking medium backpack, long trousers and shirt with long sleeves, light raincoat, recommended hiking ankle supportive boots, first aid kit, torch, insect repellent (give preference to cream or roll-on that is more environmentally friendly than the spray), hat, sunscreen, gloves, walking poles, if you like to use them, sock protectors or gaiters. Consider packing some extra clothes and leaving them in the car. Pack some clean footwear and socks.
For this hike, consider carrying a map or downloading a good app on your smartphone that can help you to navigate in the bush.
Bring a medium day backpack with lots of water, especially if it's a hot day, 2.0 litres of water and snacks. During summer you can bring electrolytes to dissolve in water to compensate for the loss through perspiration.
You may consider packing sandwiches, fresh fruit, dry fruit, energy bars and small meals.
Walk with family, friends or in a group. Never alone!
The days prior the hike, make sure to check:
www.bom.gov.au
https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
Important.
Practice minimal impact bushwalkers taking great care to avoid leaving any rubbish. Remember - pack it in, pack it out. This includes all food scraps, scraps of foil and sweet's wrappers.
Take all your rubbish with you, including used tissues, apple cores, eggshells, orange and banana peels. If you see rubbish on the trail please collect it and dispose of it responsibly. Do not disturb or interfere with wildlife. Do not disturb rocks. Do not remove plants or anything from National Parks or Natural Reserves. Stay on track all time. Do not use shortcuts to avoid erosion.
Please follow directions on all safety and legislative signs, this protects you and the numerous threatened and endangered species in the park.
Use toilets when available. Away from toilets, take care with sanitation and hygiene and don't pollute natural water supplies. Ensure all faecal matter and toilet paper is properly buried 15cm deep well away from tracks, campsites and 100m from all watercourses and drainage channels. Carry a small trowel for this purpose. Bag and carry out disposable nappies and sanitary products.
Make sure your boots are always clean, avoid the spread of pathogens, disease-producing organisms such as phytophthora, myrtle rust and amphibian chytrid fungus. Soil and detritus can contain pathogens such as fungal spores that are harmful to the forest and frogs.
Reference
www.meetup.com/HikingInSEQLDandMore
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