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Birds With Altitude Campout Weekend

Fri, 23 Aug

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South Johnstone Campground

Join us for a great weekend camping in a very special spot and help us conduct Birds With Altitude surveys in the area. All welcome.

Birds With Altitude Campout Weekend
Birds With Altitude Campout Weekend

Time and location

23 Aug 2024, 7:00 am AEST – 25 Aug 2024, 5:00 pm AEST

South Johnstone Campground, Unnamed Rd, Gulngai, Walter Lever Estate QLD 4855, Australia

About the event

Birds With Altitude (BWA) Campout Weekend

When: 

Friday 23 – Sunday 25 August 2024.

Where: 

South Johnstone Forestry Camp, Misty Mountains section of Wooroonooran National Park. 

See National Parks website. 

View on Google Maps.

Directions: 

K Tree Road off the Palmerston Highway is about 25km from Millaa Millaa or 30km from the junction of the Palmerston and Bruce Highways, near Innisfail. Turn into K Tree Road and travel for 12.3 km to reach the campground. See map. 

Friday, 23 August:

Arround midday: Meet at South Johnstone Forestry Camp, set up camp, lunch and relax. See map.

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Group briefing followed by birding and BWA surveys.

After 5pm: Return to base. Enjoy a relaxing evening drink by the river, and then dinner (self-catered) at the forestry hut.

Saturday, 24 August: 

Times and locations TBA

Latecomers join us at South Johnstone Campground and set up camp, explore and bird locally, until the team returns. Social evening (self catered), and the join us for a fun Trivia night

Sunday, 25 August: 

7:00am – 7:30am: Birding and BWA surveys in the morning. Then pack up camp and travel home at your leisure.

Further information

As the name suggests, South Johnstone Forestry Camp is next to the picturesque South Johnstone River. The campground includes three sheltered picnic tables and two compost toilets. We will also have access to the small screened forestry hut which has bench tables and chairs, and amenities (toilet and cold shower). There is no electricity. See map. 

Self sufficiency

There is no power, and the nearest petrol station or shop is about 40km away, so please come fuelled up, prepared to camp and to be totally self-sufficient - shelter (tent, car etc), food, cooking, lighting, protective clothing, medications, first aid, etc – the usual requirements for bush camping. The Misty Mountains is a lush area of Wooroonooran National Park, so be prepared for rain (just in case). When the sun comes out it is glorious.

Birdata BWA surveys

If you would like to participate in the Birds With Altitude Challenge Competition or just survey recording, then this campout is your opportunity. One person per survey will record the survey data into Birdata. This can be rotated to ensure everyone has an opportunity if they wish it. But to participate, you must have downloaded Birdata onto your phone and set it up before you come, there is little phone coverage in the Misty Mountains. Go to Birdata. Don’t forget a battery pack to charge up your phones.

Phone coverage

Phone coverage is absent to poor in most of the Misty Mountains area.

Access

Four wheel drive is required to access some high altitude sites. We will carpool to access those sites. Access to the campground and other survey sites is possible in 2WD vehicles with care.

Entry and exit

Entry to and exit from the campground is via K Tree Road. Bora Ground Road and Maalan Track. See map. Remain closed to the public. We have been granted access to safe areas on these roads, as well as the high altitude sites. Since various gates need to be unlocked and relocked, we will coordinate entry and exit, so please register to attend so we can include you in our access plans.

Key contact

To register attendance at the campout or if you would like further information don’t hesitate to call Ceri by phone on 0488 131 581 or email ceridwen.pearce@bigpond.com.

Risk assessment

All participants are advised to review the risk assessment. See the Birds With Altitude Manual.

More resources for background

Watch the Birds With Altitude Presentation.

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