Typographic errors
Page 33, caption should be 'Govetts Creek near Junction Rock' (its the correct location and the same creek but it has changed name in this section)
Page 35, The Dunphy's, first paragraph, 'Sydney Bushwalkers' should be 'Sydney Bush Walkers', apologies to the club.
Page 100, second last paragraph, 'My Barney' should read as
'Mt Barney'.
Page 119, header, 'Queensland' mis-spelt
Changes since the walks were field checked for this edition
P 4. The publisher address has changed to PO Box 5042,
Laburnum,
Victoria 3130.
Thanks to Christopher Woods for the next three corrections for the Grose Valley walk
Page 26, fuel stoves now required as all camping fires are banned as from late 2002
Page 29, 11.0km Hat Hill Creek - dont drink the water as the Blackheath Sewerage Treatment Plant is in its catchment
Page 35, 28.0km A bus runs from the visitor centre to
Blackheath
several times each day and is another transport alternative back
into town. Also,
while we dont suggest you use it on the Grose Valley walk, the direct
track from Junction Rock to Govetts Leap was closed for several years
due to landslides -
it reopened in 2005 - we did not describe that track as it
has been closed multiple times over the last 20 years and cannot be
relied on to be always passable.
Page 70, Geehi to Mt Townsend, the western and northern slopes of the Main Range were extensively burnt in the 2003 fires and thick regrowth is now a problem. Specifically, page 76, the light forest past Upper Canyon Falls is dense regrowth and the steep climb to Olsens Lookout on page 79 is difficult with many fallen trees and dense regrowth. The Opera House Hut was burnt and one party could not find water in the concrete box - you can always find water nearby at the the diversion weir or from the tunnel portal.
Page 91 and 92, 14.0km An open shelter (sleeps 10) with a gas cooker, water tank and toilet has been constructed at Simpsons Gap and Jay Creek campsites.
Page 97, 10.3km There is no longer a gas BBQ at the Wallaby
Gap
campsite.
Page 111, under Access, Lucinda now has overnight
accommodation.
Also Absolute North Charters www.absolutenorthcharters.com.au provide a
boat service from Lucinda to both ends of the track thus avoiding the
need for a car or bus shuttle.
Page 160, Sidetrip: D'Alton and Fergusson Falls. The sidetrack to these two falls is no longer steep as a new zig-zag track has been constructed down the hillside and the junction at the base of the hill is clearly signposted.. You still need to be careful on steep slopes near the waterfalls
Page 162, 44.6km, Windy Ridge Hut has been replaced with a new
hut
that
sleeps 32 people
Page 163, Alternative Finish via Lake St Clair. Currently during summer the boat leaves Narcissus Hut at 9.30am, 1.30 and 3.30pm daily during the summer months. The boat only runs when there are passengers so it is essential to use the radio in Narcissus Hut to contact the boat operator to both confirm its running and to reserve a seat.
Page 179 and 181, regarding water - we should have emphasised more that after dry spells all the creeks can dry up (we did say it is sometimes scarce under when to walk) and this can happen in any season. If Ortewenah Creek is dry then the only water will be from the tanks at Cooks Hut.
Page 183, Sidetrip to Mt Freycinet, the pad has now been marked - reduce erosion by following the markers to the summit.
Page 184, The Cape Pillar Track has been developed into a
hut-based
walk and is part
of the rather expensive hut based Three Capes Track. The walk as
described in the guide can still be done with only a backpackers pass
using a tent except that it must be walked in reverse. A new campsite
with tent platforms has been built at Bare Knoll and this is
suggested as the camp for 2 nights instead of Lunchtime Creek. As the
tracks have been upgraded, the return day walk from the campsite to
Cape Pillar takes about 5 hours. Some of the tracks have been moved to new alignments.
Page 214, Viking Circuit, last paragraph, the fixed rope through the hole in the rocks on the climb to The Viking is no longer there. The entire area was burnt in 2006 and thick regrowth is covering the route from Catherine Saddle to the Wonnongatta River. The section from Catherine Saddle to The viking has been recently remarked and partially cleared but expect the rest from The Viking to the river to be difficult to follow and extremely scrubby so expect to take much longer and its currently tough walking.
Page 215, the Zeka Track is a heavily used vehicle road and is
not
an ideal finish. A more wilderness alternative is - from the 25.7km
point, follow the river upstream 2.5km to another campsite at GR 746874
(some scrub and blackberries), then leave the river and follow the spur
south-west then west on the northern side of the creek onto the devils
Staircase then onto the tops near the Valejo Gantner Hut.
Page 248. Maps Replace ALL the maps with the new topographic 1:50,000 double sided map by 'Meridian/Carto Graphics' to 'Lower Glenelg & Discovery Bay'. Also bookings are now required for all campsites, Cubbys and Tarragul with greatsouthwestwalk.com and the rest with Parks Vic.
Page 273, 205.9km, At Cape Nelson, a new track for walkers has
been
cut through the Heritage
classified Lighthouse Reserve - follow signs
for the Great South West Walk. Also Mallee Camp has been moved 1.5km
south to be away from the Wind Turbines.