Townsville Bushwalking Club

Saturday 20 June 2026 - 6:30 am
Location: Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park / Townsville Town Common
Leader: Amanda
RSVP: [email protected]
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Grade: S23
S = Duration: Short - under 4 hours
2 = Terrain: Mostly track, or easy open country with minor uneven ground
3 = Fitness: Moderate - suitable for active walkers
Easy to moderate, mostly formed tracks, beach sections, soft sand, minor uneven ground, and very little elevation gain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
Walk type: Loop, with some beach walking

Join Amanda this Saturday morning for a relaxed coastal walk through the Cape Pallarenda and Townsville Town Common trail network, taking in the Shelly Cove / Shelly Beach area.

When: Sunday 21 June 2026
Location: Walkers Creek, southern Mount Elliot range, Bowling Green Bay National Park
Leader: Molly and Cherry
Grade: M56
M = Duration: Medium - 4 to 6 hours
5 = Terrain: Sustained rough terrain, creek walking, boulder hopping, moderate scrub, some scrambling
6 = Fitness: Hard - sustained effort, steep climbing, or long rough travel
~6 hr off-track creek walk with long grass, rough creek travel, rock hopping, scrambling, swimming holes, and remote-feeling terrain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS=4/5 - off-track walking, long grass, creek travel, rock hopping, scrambling, and rough terrain
Distance: ~14 km return
Duration: Allow around 5-6 hours
RSVP: [email protected]

Join Molly and Cherry for a rewarding off-track walk to Walkers Creek, on the southern end of the Mount Elliot range in Bowling Green Bay National Park. This hidden creek system is home to granite creek scenery, swimming holes, small cascades, and the impressive single-drop Walker Falls.

When: Friday 26 June 2026, 5:30 pm
Location: Castle Hill, Townsville
Leader: Jodie Rummer
Grade: S23C
S = Duration: Short - under 4 hours
2 = Terrain: Mostly track, or easy open country with minor uneven ground
3 = Fitness: Moderate - suitable for active walkers
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain or steep sustained ascent/descent
Short social climb on a formed historic track/stairs, descending by road. Fitness mainly from the short climb.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS=3
RSVP: [email protected]

Join us for a relaxed Friday after-work wander up the historic Ladies' Track on Castle Hill. This is a simple social walk to stretch the legs, enjoy the late-afternoon light, and take in the views over Townsville before strolling back down the road to the cars.

When: Saturday 27 June 2026, 7:00 am
Location: Alligator Creek area, Bowling Green Bay National Park
Leader: Luen
Grade: M55NW
M = Duration: Medium - 4 to 6 hours
5 = Terrain: Sustained rough terrain, creek walking, boulder hopping, moderate scrub, some scrambling
5 = Fitness: Solid - good fitness needed for a full day out
N = Modifier: Navigation critical - off-track route-finding or poor visibility of route
W = Modifier: Wet travel - swims, pack floats, frequent creek crossings, slippery rock, or prolonged water travel
Half-day exploratory off-track creek walk with rough ground, rock hopping, rainforest understory, and variable route choices.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS=4/5 - off-track creek walking, rock hopping, and rough terrain
Distance: ~10km return
Duration: Half day, around 4-5 hours.
RSVP: [email protected]

Join us for a half-day exploratory walk in the Alligator Creek area of Bowling Green Bay National Park. The current plan is to explore one of the creeks in the area, with a mix of off-track walking, rock hopping, creek travel, and some contouring through the rainforest understory.

Come along to the Paluma Winter Markets on Sunday, 28 June 2026, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in the cool mountain air with fresh produce, plants, homemade preserves, baked goods, books, crafts, tea, coffee, cake, and a sausage sizzle.

When: Monday 29 June 2026, 6:00 pm
Location: Clubhouse - Blessed Mary Mackillop Parish meeting room, building behind the Church, 43 Ross River Road, Mundingburra

The Townsville Bushwalking Club's next meeting will be our Annual General Meeting, held on Monday 29 June 2026 at 6:00 pm at the clubhouse in Mundingburra.

Saturday 4 July 2026 - 6:30 am
Location: Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park / Townsville Town Common
Leader: Amanda
RSVP: [email protected]
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Grade: S23
S = Duration: Short - under 4 hours
2 = Terrain: Mostly track, or easy open country with minor uneven ground
3 = Fitness: Moderate - suitable for active walkers
Easy to moderate, mostly formed tracks, beach sections, soft sand, minor uneven ground, and very little elevation gain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
Walk type: Loop, with some beach walking

Join Amanda this Saturday morning for a relaxed coastal walk through the Cape Pallarenda and Townsville Town Common trail network, taking in the Shelly Cove / Shelly Beach area.

When: Saturday 4 July to Monday 6 July 2026
Leaders: Keith and Wilfred
Grade: L67RC
L = Duration: Long - 6 to 8 hours
6 = Terrain: Difficult off-track terrain, steep creek beds, frequent rock hopping, hands-on scrambling
7 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit walkers only
R = Modifier: Remote - difficult retreat, long rescue time, limited exit options
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain or steep sustained ascent/descent
Best estimate only until the final route is known. Hard multi-day car-camp trip with full-day gorge exploration, steep climbs, rugged creek terrain, remoteness, and likely route-finding.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
So Medium Hard. Rough terrain, bushbashing, rock hopping, exposed ledges, some steep hills.
Duration: Three-day car-camp and walking trip
RSVP: [email protected]

Numbers are limited to 12 pax and 4 cars (4WDs).

Mt Stuart Road fitness walk - Tuesday mornings
Date: Tuesday 14th July 2026
When: Tuesdays, 4:45 am
Location: Mt Stuart Road, Townsville
Leaders: Wilfred
Grade: S15C
S = Duration: Short - under 4 hours
1 = Terrain: Formed track, fire trail, or very easy open terrain
5 = Fitness: Solid - good fitness needed for a full day out
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain or steep sustained ascent/descent
Short on time, but a steady 15 km bitumen climb to the summit and back. Terrain is easy; fitness demand is the main factor - but walk at your own pace.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
RSVP: [email protected]
The meeting location will be sent to those who RSVP.

Wilfred's regular Tuesday Mt Stuart road walk is open to club members who want a solid pre-dawn fitness hit. We will meet at 4:45 am and walk the bitumen road all the way to the 584 m summit and back, covering approximately 15 km return. This is a self-paced, steady uphill grind followed by a controlled descent - ideal for building endurance and leg strength. We walk up for 1.5 hours, which usually means we rest at the top and then go back down again ~1.5 hours.

Saturday 18 July 2026 - 6:30 am
Location: Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park / Townsville Town Common
Leader: Amanda
RSVP: [email protected]
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Grade: S23
S = Duration: Short - under 4 hours
2 = Terrain: Mostly track, or easy open country with minor uneven ground
3 = Fitness: Moderate - suitable for active walkers
Easy to moderate, mostly formed tracks, beach sections, soft sand, minor uneven ground, and very little elevation gain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
Walk type: Loop, with some beach walking

Join Amanda this Saturday morning for a relaxed coastal walk through the Cape Pallarenda and Townsville Town Common trail network, taking in the Shelly Cove / Shelly Beach area.

When: Sunday 19 July 2026
Location: Paluma Range National Park / Clement State Forest
Leader: Cherry Judge
Grade: X67NRC
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
6 = Terrain: Difficult off-track terrain, steep creek beds, frequent rock hopping, hands-on scrambling
7 = Fitness: Very hard - strong fitness and stamina required
N = Modifier: Navigation critical - off-track route-finding or poor visibility of route
R = Modifier: Remote - difficult retreat, long rescue time, limited exit options
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain or steep sustained ascent/descent
Long, strenuous summit walk with steep climbing, rough marked route, creek crossings, rock hopping, remote terrain, and navigation awareness required.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS=5 - difficult and strenuous, preferably for experienced bushwalkers
Distance: Approximately 16 km return
Duration: Approximately 7-10 hours
RSVP: [email protected]

Cherry will be leading a challenging day walk to Godwin's Peak, one of the most rewarding summits in the Paluma Range National Park area. Sitting at 783 metres elevation, Godwin's Peak offers spectacular 360-degree views across Mount Halifax, Townsville, the coastline, Mount Stuart, Castle Hill, Magnetic Island, and the surrounding ranges on a clear day.

Date: Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 July 2026
Location: Paradise Beach
Grade: L45
L = Duration: Long - 6 to 8 hours
4 = Terrain: Off-track sections, loose ground, minor scrub, rock hopping, creek crossings
5 = Fitness: Solid - good fitness needed for a full day out
Remote coastal walk plus clean-up work, carrying overnight gear. Terrain is not highly technical, but remoteness, scrubby/overgrown sections, and pack weight lift the grade.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
ATWGS=4
RSVP: Brent [email protected]

Join the Townsville Bushwalking Club for a special overnight walk to Paradise Beach, combining a remote coastal adventure with a practical beach clean-up in support of Ocean Crusaders.

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026 (DAY WALK)
Location: Paradise Beach
Leader: Cherry
Grade: L45
L = Duration: Long - 6 to 8 hours
4 = Terrain: Off-track sections, loose ground, minor scrub, rock hopping, creek crossings
5 = Fitness: Solid - good fitness needed for a full day out
Similar terrain to the overnighter, but completed as a full day with beach clean-up work included. Remote beach walk via long grass. https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
ATWGS=4
RSVP: [email protected]

Join the Townsville Bushwalking Club for a special day walk to Paradise Beach, combining a remote coastal walk with a practical beach clean-up in support of Ocean Crusaders.

Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Leader: Molly Hoey
RSVP: [email protected]
Places: Limited to 15
Grade: L55
L = Duration: Long - 6 to 8 hours
5 = Terrain: Sustained rough terrain, creek walking, boulder hopping, moderate scrub, some scrambling
5 = Fitness: Solid - good fitness needed for a full day out
Full-day introductory creek walk with rock hopping, hands-on scrambling, uneven creek terrain, and a swim stop. Beginner-friendly for off-track walkers, but still a long day.
Beginner-friendly, but off-track with creek hopping, rock scrambling, and uneven terrain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
Non-members/guests: $5 club fee

Molly will be leading a full-day walk to Killymoon Creek, a scenic dry-season creek adventure featuring rocky gullies, granite slabs, and a beautiful gorge.

Saturday 8 August 2026
Location: Pallarenda Park, Townsville - open to suggestions
Leader: Brent C
Grade: Social / skills session
RSVP: [email protected]

This practical show-and-tell session, led by Brent, is a chance to learn more about hiking, bushwalking, overnight gear, camping setups, and how people prepare for different types of trips. We will meet at Pallarenda Park, where there is enough space to lay out gear, compare packs, and set up a few tents and shelter systems.

When: Sunday 9th August, 2026
Location: Paluma Range National Park
Leader: Cherry
Grade: X78C
X = Duration: Extra long - more than 8 hours
7 = Terrain: Very rough terrain, thick scrub, exposed scrambling, steep ascents/descents, route-finding required
8 = Fitness: Strenuous - fit, experienced walkers only
C = Modifier: Climb - significant elevation gain or steep sustained ascent/descent
Strenuous full-day summit walk with over 1,000 m ascent/descent, steep loose terrain, creek/rock travel, fixed rope-assisted sections, exposure near ridges/summit areas, and remote terrain.
https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/club-walk-grading-system/
AWTGS=5
Distance: Approximately 11 km return
Duration: Full day, approximately 6-10 hours depending on pace, conditions, and breaks
RSVP: [email protected]

Join Cherry for a challenging full-day walk to the summit of Mount Halifax, one of the highest and most prominent peaks north of Townsville. Rising to 1,063 metres, Mount Halifax is the mountain often seen behind the pineapple farms near Rollingstone and from the Bruce Highway on the way to Paluma.