Morans Falls, Python Rock and Pat's Bluff Hike at O'Reilly

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The hike includes walking to Morans Falls, Python Rock and Pat's Bluff. The walk is classified grade 4, meaning you must have a certain level of fitness, the trail is uneven with roots, it may be muddy especially after rains. You must wear hiking boots or hiking shoes for this hike.



The hike is about 10 km long in total - allow three hours, including time spent at the lookouts and for morning tea. The elevation gain is about 269 metres.



The hike to Morans Falls starts on the road, about 400 metres from O'Reilly Rainforest Retreat. You pass the carpark, pass the camping ground and you see the start of the hike to Morans Falls. There is a sign pointing the directions to Morans Falls and Python Rock trails.



The trail meanders through subtropical rainforest featuring booyong trees, figs, brush boxes and twisted vines. The trees in the forest support many forms of life, including many birds nest ferns.

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Photo by Author." border="1" align="CENTER" margin="5" width="662" wrap="0" thumb="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/006/09/king-parrot-morans-falls-python-rock-patts-bluff-g32.JPG" link="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/006/09/king-parrot-morans-falls-python-rock-patts-bluff-g31.JPG"]

The track continues to a crystal clear creek to Morans Falls Lookout.

[IMAGE="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/006/09/king-parrot-morans-falls-python-rock-patts-bluff-g3.JPG" title="King Parrot, Morans Falls, Python Rock, Patts Bluff, Green Mountains, O'Reilly, Lamington National Park, Hike, Walk, Group Hiking South East Qld and More, Trail, Gondwana Rainforest, " caption="The Group Hiking South East Qld and More busy capturing photos of the Lamington spiny crayfish in the creek.
Photo by Author." border="1" align="CENTER" margin="5" width="662" wrap="0" thumb="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/006/09/king-parrot-morans-falls-python-rock-patts-bluff-g32.JPG" link="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/006/09/king-parrot-morans-falls-python-rock-patts-bluff-g31.JPG"]

Retrace your steps back to the intersection with the signs pointing the directions to Morans Falls and Python Rock.





At the Morans Falls Lookout, you can see Morans Falls tumbling 80 metres into Morans Creek Gorge. When raining Morans Falls flow with a thunderous roar, while in the dry months it can be just more than a trickle.



















When you arrive at the intersection, take the trail to Python Rock.











From Python Rock Lookout retrace your steps for a while until you have to turn left to Pat's Bluff.












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 as they are more environmentally friendly than the spray), hat, sunscreen, gloves, walking poles if you like to use them, and 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 to the hike, make sure to check:

www.bom.gov.au
https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

Important.

Practice minimal impact bushwalking 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 that could create 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 with you 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.

For more information read the website of the Qld Government Parks and Forests Department of Environment and Science: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington/about.html

References.
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington
https://oreillys.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Track-Map.pdf

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