Piccabeen Circuit, D'Aguilar National Park, Mount Mee Section

Piccabeen Circuit, D'Aguilar National Park, Mount Mee Section

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Posted 2021-03-09 by Cris follow
A lovely easy walk through eucalypt and subtropical rainforest on a well-maintained track and boardwalk. Groves of Piccabeen palms and massive Sydney blue gums are the highlights of this walk.

Piccabeen Circuit walk is great for families, beginner hikers and for groups. If you feel energetic, the Piccabeen Trail joins Somerset Trail, near the map board. Somerset trail is about 13 km, a long hike classified Grade 4. You must be fit and have hiking experience to walk Somerset Trail.





Piccabeen trail is 1 km long, allow 30 minutes walking time. The National Park classifies the Piccabeen trail Grade 2, which means no bushwalking experience required, easy level track, suitable for all fitness level and the junctions may have signs.



At the trailhead, there is an informative board - make sure to take a photo of the map of the trail.



Along the trail, there are stumps still carrying the scars from the past. They have holes where the planks used to be inserted to support the woodcutters while chopping the tree down.





Staying safe in the park

Stay on the walking track all the time; take care during wet weather, tracks can be very slippery. Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip.

Wear protective clothing, long trousers and long sleeve are preferable. Hike with a medium backpack and take with you water, snacks, first aid kit. Detour around snakes, never provoke them. Supervise children all the time.

Mobile phone reception in this area is not very reliable. Inform your family and friends about your plans. Hike with your family, friends or in a group.


Piccabeen palms

The Piccabeen palms are perfectly adapted to growing in wet areas. Parts of their roots are exposed above the ground, allowing them to absorb oxygen when the soil below is waterlogged, In summer and autumn, flying foxes and brightly colored rainforest birds flock to the Piccabeen palm to feed on the brilliant red fruit.



The Gantry

The Gantry was an active sawmill producing timbers, which were used in the Moreton Bay Region, including the Hornibrook Highway which connected Sandgate and Clontarf, a distance of 2,686 metres, making it Australia's longest bridge at the time.

The only reminder of those difficult times is the skeleton of the huge shed, erected in the 1950s by Hancock's Sawmill to house the overhead gantry crane. Look up inside the shed to see the remains of the gantry, a system used by the sawmill for over 30 years.



Today the area is protected and the trees are safe. Lots of wildlife, including birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, find shelter and food in the forest.









The Gantry has an ample car park and great bbq facilities. After the hike, enjoy a picnic in the grassy area or under a shelter. There are toilet facilities and water but this needs to be treated, so bring your own supply of drinkable water.

Directions

The Gantry is at 391-481 Sellin Rd, Mount Mee QLD 4521.
Piccabeen Walk starts opposite the Gantry.

From Brisbane CBD (Central Business District) is about one hour and 20 minutes drive, 70.5 km.

Mount Mee Rd and Sellin Rd are scenic drives, with hills and idyllic landscapes all around.







Related article by Cris:https://www.weekendnotes.com/somerset-trail-mount-mee/191360/

#animals_wildlife
#national_parks
#outdoor
#queensland
#walks
%wnbrisbane
203685 - 2023-06-16 05:26:34

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