Eumundi Voice - Issue 81, 9 November 2023

Kin Kin footbridge washed away

On 18 October two adventurous and bodacious individuals – Rotarians Les Godwin and Greg Molyneux – set out to walk the Baronia Track (BT) within the Great Sandy National Park. The

BT is located 13km NE of Kin Kin and begins at a carpark on Harry’s Hut Road, winding its way south for 2.5km to Kin Kin Creek.

Les and Greg’s self-imposed mission was to reconnoitre and determine whether the Cooloola Wilderness Trail (CWT) footbridge across Kin Kin Creek was still in place. This would be important information for the planning of future walks along the CWT.

The BT was an easy Grade 3 walk through wallum banksia woodlands including scribbly gums, kauri pines, grass trees and cabbage palms. It was a beautiful morning for a walk – pleasantly warm and slightly misty with a hint of rain.

On reaching the creek it was immediately apparent that the suspension footbridge had indeed been washed away from its supports and was lying derelict in and out of the water. Kin Kin Creek is a sizeable and deep creek so it was abundantly clear that the creek crossing was impassable by foot and would likely remain so for some time.

Despite confirmation of the washed away bridge, Les and Greg deemed their reconnaissance mission a complete success. It was only 7.30am when they reached the bridge site so they celebrated their successful mission with a small glass of 555 cranberry juice.

On their return drive they stopped off at the Black Ant in Kin Kin because it’s always a good thing after a walk and exercise to enjoy coffee and company with a good mate. Armed with the new information from their successful reconnaissance they were able to revise and finalise the plan for their next walk along the CWT. Sweet! Greg Molyneux