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Milton Branch of NPA

NPA in Action

Mt Bushwalker Walking Track History

Little Forest Plateau - Morton National Park
Text by Barry Vidler

The Mt Bushwalker Track is arguably the easiest of walks with the most rewards. Situated on Little Forest Plateau west of the Milton Township, the track runs from the Tianjara Fire Trail to the Clyde River canyon rim.

The track construction has been a joint Milton branch of NPA and NPWS project for the past 12 years. Foundation members of the Milton NPA, including the late Chris Humphries and many others, pioneered the route to the Clyde River escarpment.

A negotiable route was made somewhat easier in the 1950's, because of the activities of local farmers who regularly set fire to the plateau to provide new growth for their stock. About 25 years ago this area was added to Morton NP and the annual conflagration ceased.


Richard Green, NPWS ranger has lunch with NPA members during track construction

When the stock was removed, the established route became impassable due to strong regrowth of mainly Hakea and Banksia. Milton Branch members, in consultation with local NPWS staff, decided to work on establishing a track to the newly identified lookout at Mt Bushwalker.

Bushfires in 1988 cleared much of the plateau of vegetation, potentially easing the job. A survey party, led by Grace Gibson on 17-18 February in 1990 searched for and identified a suitable crossing of the notorious 'gilgai' swamp.

This swamp, perched in the centre of the plateau, has unique, closely arranged, parallel trenches about ½ metre deep. These trenches impede all progress, as they are often hidden by dense vegetation and are full of water after rain.

Following the survey group were three lawnmowers, whose operators cut out a double width swathe through the low heath at the time. A 2-stroke mower rapidly overheated and stalled, while the 4-stroke machines accepted the work happily. A chainsaw was used to cut through a dense grove of Paperbark allowing access to the rocky western section of the route. (Note: This practice is prohibited by NPWS today due to regulations governing volunteers.)



NPA volunteers and NPWS staff enjoy a cuppa during track construction.


Senior Ranger Alan Norman NPWS supervises the loading of materials at the Mt Bushwalker Trackhead.

Petrol powered brushcutters demolished the Hakea beside the track. Marking the track over the rock areas presented problems, as the large areas of exposed sandstone 'roman roads' suggested many false leads heading in all directions.

Libby Shields NPWS videos the work at Mt Bushwalker.

Barry Vidler suggested to NPWS that road paint could be used in spots to indicate the track direction. NPWS accepted the suggestion, thus keeping track integrity for its full length.

The track has become a firm favourite with members, locals and visitors. It soon became apparent that much work had to be done to stabilize many boggy sections of the track. Milton Branch and NPWS have undertaken many working bees over the years.


Alan Norman (NPWS) and a cheerful volunteer help to construct a water barrier for the track.

About 1 km of boardwalk and stepping blocks has been installed through the wet areas, while war is constantly waged against the ever encroaching hakea. Milton Branch has donated hundreds of dollars for track materials, and contributed over a thousand hours of voluntary labour to date towards this community asset.


Chairs, thermos's and lunchboxes emerge at the end of the day's work. Parks staff always happily joins in the celebration, which occasionally run to hot snags on the portable barbie.


Leigh Martin and Paul Allan, NPA volunteers, dig holes for the turpentine stepping blocks.

In 2001 NPWS presented and installed a bronze plaque at the Mt Bushwalker trackhead in honour of the volunteers of Milton Branch, to mark their contribution in the 'Year of the Volunteer'.

Milton Branch members are extremely proud of their long and constructive association with local NPWS staff. We intend to continue this association whenever possible on this and other joint projects in the future.


NPA volunteers beside the bronze 'Year of the Volunteer' plaque at the Mt Bushwalker Trackhead.

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This page was assembled by Judith Bennett using pictures and text provided by Milton Branch of NPA

(revised 29 May 2002)