3. Continue west along Franklin Drive for 100 metres to the entry of the Nu Wave Trees property.

Transcription

1 Section 1. Mudgeeraba (Start) to Orange Court (Checkpoint 1) Starting Point: Firth Park Sporting Complex, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba UBD: Map 58 - C3 GPS: (WGS84 datum) E N Height: 5 metres Finishing Point: The cul-de-sac at the end of Orange Court UBD: Map 57 - L13 GPS: (WGS84 datum) E N Height: 150 metres Section Length: 5 km Cumulative Length: 5 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. Note: All of this section was omitted from the Training Notes 1. From the marshalling area at the Firth Park Sporting Complex, follow the signage out onto Somerset Drive, and turn right (north) along the footpath. Please keep off the bitumen. 2. At the traffic lights at the intersection of Somerset Drive and Franklin Drive (Gold Coast - Springbrook Rd), turn left, taking care to obey any directions from Traffic Control personnel. 3. Continue west along Franklin Drive for 100 metres to the entry of the Nu Wave Trees property. Note: The next part (#4) is in private property, and CAN ONLY BE USED ON THE CHALLENGE WEEKEND IN JULY, AND NEVER AT ANY OTHER TIME. 4. Turn left into Nu Wave Trees, following the marked track towards the west side of the property. Continue south alongside a boulder retaining wall on the right. About 20 metres past the end of the boulder wall, turn right (the fence will have been opened) and ascend up onto the eastern end of Dowson Esplanade. 5. Follow the footpath on Dowson Esplanade for 200 metres, then veer left onto the footpath which goes down through Franklin Flats Park. - after 50 metres, cross the waterway and continue around to the right, heading west again - after another 150 metres, ignore the narrower path on the left, to keep heading west - after another 200 metres, turn left at the path intersection - after another 300 metres, turn left at the path intersection, to keep heading west - follow this path (with lightposts along it) for 100 metres to the bridge crossing of Mudgeeraba Creek - turn left to get on to the foot bridge and once over it, veer right and continue along the footpath west for 200 metres to the street lights at the junction of Hardys Rd and Springbrook Rd. 6. Cross Hardys Road at the lights and turn left to head south-east down Hardys Road. Continue past Bertana Drive (toilets are available in the parkland on the left) and Pharlap Ave until Wallaby Drive is reached (about 1.4 km). 7. Turn right and walk steeply up Wallaby Drive (past Umpara Ct, Gidya Ct and Amulla Ct) to Orange Court (about 1.8 km). For safety, please keep off the bitumen road, except at the top when crossing over to Orange Crt. REPEAT: PLEASE KEEP OFF THE BITUMEN. 8. Turn left into Orange Court and walk down to the cul-de-sac at the end, where CHECKPOINT 1 (non-support crew) is located.

2 Section 2. Orange Court (Checkpoint 1) to Mt Nimmel Lodge (Checkpoint 2) Starting Point: The cul-de-sac at the end of Orange Court UBD: Map 57-L13 GPS: (WGS84 datum) E N Height: 150 metres Finishing Point: Near the carpark at Mt Nimmel Lodge (Lot 271 Austinville Rd) UBD: Map 67-A7 GPS: (WGS84 datum) E N Height: 100 metres Section Length: 7 km Cumulative Length: 12 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. Note: All of this section was omitted from the Training Notes. 1. PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please note: only accessible on the Challenge weekend! Carefully walk down the access corridor from the end of Orange Court southward to Wallaby Creek, following the tapes. About 150 metres down, pass by (on the left) the access track to Wallaby Creek used in some earlier years. Continue down to Wallaby Creek (may be dry in winter). 2. Follow the creek upstream with the foot trail mostly following the creek, with six main crossings. After the 4 th main crossing, the trail ascends away from the creek briefly for about 70 metres, before turning down left (AVOIDING an uphill continuation) and regaining the creek. After the 6 th crossing, the trail swings out of the creek to the left (south-east), and climbs steeply out of the catchment, keeping Wallaby Ck on the right. At the top of the ridge, it emerges onto a 4WD track. 3. Turn right and head initially south-west along the ridgeline as it climbs again. Avoid the steep downhill offshoot on the left after about 400m (which was used in some previous years). The track passes to the north of the highest point, then drops steeply, heading west. About 400m from the track s high point, arrive at a Gold Coast City Council Conservation Area gate. 4. PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please note: only accessible on the Challenge weekend! Turn left after the gate and continue west in flatter terrain. After another 700m, the track swings more to the south, arriving at an unsealed cul-de-sac at the end of Bromfield Drive. 5. PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please note: only accessible on the Challenge weekend! Follow the unsealed uphill track which heads south from here, initially from just above Bromfield Drive. After 400m, the track turns south-west and goes through a metal gate. Continue another 250m onto a quarried area, where there are several tracks leading away. Ensure you take the leftmost option which ascends around the side of the quarry before turning left again (south). It now climbs fairly steeply, becoming a narrow sealed road. Follow it all the way up to a distinct flat, cleared area on top of the ridge (spot height 374m on the map). 6. PRIVATE PROPERTY. From the flat high point, ensure you AVOID a left-hand track which descends to the east. Follow the straight ahead track which descends to the south along the ridgeline. After 1.25 km, turn right (west) off the ridgeline, just as it starts to gain height again. Descend for 0.5 km into the Mt Nimmel Lodge Grounds. As the houses initially appear in front, avoid them by keeping to the left-most track, and drop down to a T-intersection. Turn right here and proceed 100 metres to a track intersection just past the house on the left. Turn left to go around that house, and left again at the bottom of the slope. Checkpoint Two is at the Lodge s workshop shed, below the house on the left. NOTE THAT CHECKPOINT TWO IS NOT A SUPPORT CREW CHECKPOINT.

3 Section 3. Mt Nimmel Lodge (Checkpoint 2) to upper end Austinville Rd (Checkpoint 3) Starting Point: Near the carpark at Mt Nimmel Lodge (Lot 271 Austinville Rd) UBD: Map 67-A7 GPS: (WGS84 datum) E N Height: 100 metres Finishing Point: Turning area at the far end of Austinville Rd UBD: Map 66:P14 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 160 metres Section Length: 8 km Cumulative Length: 20 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. 1. Follow the trail from the checkpoint (at the shed) southeast, passing by a small dam. 2. After a short uphill section the 4WD track degenerates into a rough foot pad. Continue to the track intersection, then turn right (west) to descend across a gully and up the other side. It then veers right and left so as to shadow Tallowwood Rd uphill, before finally merging with Tallowwood Rd at the top of the hill. 3. Follow Tallowwood Road for another 2 km south-east (it changes to unsealed) until just before its end, where there is a gate directly in front further downhill, and a National Park gate visible 50 metres over to the left, which is the entrance to Mudgeeraba State Forest. 4. Turn here: Veer left and go through the National Park gate, and follow the track (south-east initially) steeply uphill. 5. Near the top, ignore the track heading off downhill on the left (which was used in 2011). Stay on the main ridgeline in a generally southerly direction with some minor undulations. After about 700m along the top, pass by/around two metal gates in quick succession and ignore a minor descent track on the right about 300m past the second gate. About 1.3 km further along from the second gate is an obvious intersection of tracks at the top of a small rise (Map Ref WGS84), before a third gate. 5. Turn here: At this intersection, turn sharp right (west) and descend steeply off the ridgeline, keeping with the main 4WD track (do not stray into the forest edges). Please take care here, as the descent can be slippery. 6. Near the bottom of the descent, the track swings more north, eventually emerging over a National Park gate onto Austinville Rd. at Moffat Crossing (not signposted). 7. Turn here: Turn left at Moffat Crossing and follow Austinville Rd south for 1.3 km. Near the end of Austinville Rd, come to a slightly more open area where cars turn around, with a National Park gate on the right. The track uses this gate. This is Checkpoint 3 (no support crew). Avoid going any further along the road (further on there is a drain crossing, then a second National Park gate on the right, and then a private property gate in front). Note: There is no mobile phone reception along this end part of Austinville Rd.

4 Section 4. Upper end of Austinville Road (Checkpoint 3) to grounds east of Polly s Kitchen on Springbrook Rd (Checkpoint 4) Starting Point: Turning area at the far end of Austinville Rd UBD: Map 66:P14 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 160 metres Finishing Point: Grounds east of Polly s Kitchen (1024 Springbrook Rd, Neranwood) UBD: Map 46-N20 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 100 metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 29 km 1. Locate the turnaround area at the end of Austinville Rd, just before the final drain crossing, and out of sight of the private property gate around the corner. At the turnaround, locate the first National Park gate on the right (not the second NP gate on the right, further on, past the drain crossing). Turn right through the first National Park gate. The track is level and somewhat overgrown for about 60m. After crossing a small stony (usually dry) creekbed, it then becomes a very steep 4WD track which ascends for over 1 km southward up to Fairview Mt. 2. On top, follow the main track for about 4 km along the ridgeline (initially north-west, then more north). Near the end, continue around a National Parks gate, and onwards for another 300m, taking care not to enter any private driveways. The track then exits the forest through another gate onto the bitumen at the top end of Mt Nimmel Rd. Note: Please do all you can to preserve the peace and quiet in this Mt Nimmel neighbourhood. 3. Continue down the bitumen road. For your safety, and in consideration of vehicles using this road, please walk in single file. 4. Continue to follow the bitumen all the way downhill to the intersection with Springbrook Rd (distance about 4.6 km). Once again, please walk in single file on the narrow bitumen road. 5. At the bottom, cross Springbrook Road under direction from Traffic Control. Follow the signs to the Checkpoint area, which will be on the eastern side of the eucalypt plantation. This is CHECKPOINT FOUR (with support crew access). Parking will be mainly in the areas east of the eucalypt plantations, and will be carefully controlled on the Challenge Saturday. Please follow the marked route between the Support Crew area and the Checkpoint area. Please keep away from the grounds of any private houses in the vicinity of Polly s Kitchen.

5 Section 5. Polly s Kitchen (Checkpoint 4) to Numinbah Environmental Centre (Checkpoint 5) Starting Point: Grounds east of Polly s Kitchen (1024 Springbrook Rd) UBD: Map 46-N20 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 100 metres Finishing Point: Numinbah Environmental Centre (off Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd) UBD: Map 46-B18 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 110 metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 38 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. 1. From the checkpoint east of Polly's Kitchen grounds, head back west along the marked route, and out onto the verge of Springbrook Rd. Continue west to the Little Nerang Ck crossing. Follow the marked way to cross the creek: it will be one of the following: i) IF we have permission to use the bridge - cross it with care, following directions from Traffic Control ii) IF we do NOT have permission to use the bridge - find a rough pad on the right side (north) of the bridge, and follow it down to the creek with care. Cross the creek and ascend the bank up to the verge of Springbrook Rd. 2. Once past the bridge, now follow the northern verge of Springbrook Rd for 50 metres until directly opposite the park toilets, and just before the drain crossing under Springbrook Rd. 3. Turn here: Locate the footpad on the right, then follow it across the gully and up the embankment on the other side, to merge with a 4WD track from the Springbrook Rd gate. 4. Turn here: Veer right and follow the main 4WD track steeply uphill in a north-west direction for a distance of over 1.5 km. 5. Eventually as it levels out, the track swings to the south. Continue 100m past a No Entry sign on the right, to arrive at a junction on the major ridgeline. 6. Turn here: Take the sharp right hand turn and continue uphill northwards, along the ridgeline. Where the track divides again, avoid the eroded No Entry track, and continue on the other track, upwards to the very top (spot height 487m). 7. At this high point, the track swings left in a westerly direction, heading downhill. Continue downhill for about 2.5 km from the high point to where the track forks, at Map Ref (WGS84). 8. Turn here: Turn LEFT (the right option is now affected by the raising of the Hinze Dam). A) Continue downhill 600 metres to the T-intersection at the bottom. B) Turn right at the T-intersection, walk for about 30 metres, then C) Turn left onto the newer track and follow it for 600 metres (crossing 3 gullies) to another T- intersection. 9. Turn left and continue gently uphill in a westerly direction for approx. 200m to arrive at a gate near Pine Creek Road (Map Ref AGD66 datum). 10. Continue west on the rough foot track near the right side of the road. Just before a metal fence is reached, veer left to regain the verge of Pine Creek Rd (near the 60 KPH sign). Continue carefully along the verge of Pine Creek Rd for 1.2 km SW to the intersection with Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd.

6 11. At Murwillumbah Road, turn right and follow it briefly along the verge, keeping close to the edge of the forest. As the verge narrows, abandon it for the base of the road embankment and follow that for 300m, then ascend to the fire trail with a National Parks gate. Veer right and go through the gate, then continue 300m to the Numinbah Environmental Centre. The Checkpoint building is near the far end of the complex, on the right. This is CHECKPOINT 5. Within the complex will also be the separate Checkpoint 7, after completing the next section. Both are non-support crew checkpoints.

7 Section 6A. Waterfall Creek Circuit: Numinbah Environmental Centre (Checkpoint 5) to Numinbah Hall (Checkpoint 6) Starting Point: Numinbah Environmental Centre (off Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd) UBD: Map 46:B18 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 110 metres Finishing Point: Numinbah Hall (Nerang-Murwillumbah Road) UBD: Map 65:P4 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 120 metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 47 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. 1. RESTRICTED ACCESS: CHALLENGE WEEKEND ONLY. From the Environmental Centre checkpoint, retrace the route back to Pine Creek Rd: follow the fire trail back westward to the National Park gate, then veer left to follow the embankment below Murwillumbah Road. Once back at Pine Ck Rd intersection, cross the road with care. From the quarried area on the south side of the intersection, look for a National Park gate on a 4WD track leading east away from the levelled area. 2. Go through the gate and follow the main 4WD track, which generally follows the course of Waterfall Creek upstream (mostly south to south-east) for over 4 km, with eight creek crossings. Follow the main track and ignore all minor offshoots on the left (some signed No Entry, others unsigned). * Just after the 6th crossing, there are 2 LEFT offshoots to AVOID, especially an obvious one which is signed "Advanced" on the track post there. * Just before the 7th crossing, also AVOID the 2 steep uphill offshoots on the RIGHT. * After the 8th creek crossing, the track climbs gently for about 800 metres, arriving at a gate. 3. Go through the gate (do not turn right uphill, as National Parks now wish to close that track) and continue onwards for about 150 metres to reach a gravel road. A) Turn right and follow this road uphill for 800 metres to reach a Council gate (the middle one of 3 gates) at the top end of Chesters Road. B) Go through the gate and continue down Chesters Road for about 100 metres to where there are two National Parks gates on either side. 4. Take the left National Parks gate and descend westwards 5. Continue to follow this track west, keeping the boundary fence on your left. Avoid an offshoot to private property on the left after about 600 metres, where the fence may be down. 6. The track turns to the right after 700 metres, following the fence and heading north. After crossing 2 small gullies and attaining a minor ridgeline, continue ahead where the Great Walk intersects on the right. Continue north to cross another small gully, then follow the track as it turns left (west again) to follow the fence. 7. After another 800m, as you approach the village of Numinbah, a foot track, which is part of the Great Walk, veers off to the right. 8. Turn here: Ensure you turn right here, to avoid the nearby houses. Follow the Great Walk and cross a small creek. Soon Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd and the Numinbah Hall come into view at a foot track intersection at the forest edge.

8 9. Turn here: Take the left turn and exit to Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd. Please Note: On the Challenge weekend, participants will be directed to cross to Numinbah Hall via the large pipes under the road, if water is not flowing through them. Numinbah Hall is CHECKPOINT 6, with full support crew access.

9 Section 6B. Waterfall Creek Circuit: Numinbah Hall (Checkpoint 6) to Numinbah Environmental Centre (Checkpoint 7) Starting Point: Numinbah Hall (Nerang-Murwillumbah Road) UBD: Map 65:P4 GPS: (AGD66 datum): E N Height: 120 metres Finishing Point: Numinbah Environmental Centre (off Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd) UBD: Map 46-B18 GPS: (AGD66 datum): E N Height: 110 metres Section Length: 7 km Cumulative Length:53 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. 1. Re-cross the road from the Hall as before, and turn left up the same track again, this time heading north. After 20m, depart from the well-used Great Walk Track where it swings right, and stay ahead on a narrow track through the bracken fern. Continue to head north, keeping Nerang-Murwillumbah Road nearby on your left. 2. After 100m, pass straight through the Waste Transfer Station. Please avoid damaging any revegetation bordering this Station area. Look for a continuing footpad on the other side near the yellow Council sign. 3. Continue north as before for another 400 metres. Just after passing an old quarry on your right, arrive at Chesters Road (unsigned, unsealed). 4. Turn here: Turn right and follow Chesters Road east for 800m until a National Park gate is visible about 30 metres over on the left (if a hairpin bend has been reached on Chesters Rd, this gate has been overshot by about 200 metres). 5. Turn here: Veer left through this gate and follow the track north-east up to the high point (302m on the map). Now stay on the main ridgeline (Tagablum Spur), in a general north-west direction. The ridgeline initially climbs gently for about 600 metres to the 329m spot height, then generally starts to lose height as it swings more north. 6. After about 1 km from the 329m high point, the track then descends off the ridgeline veering west slightly at first. Follow the descent to where the track has largely levelled out, and look for a pronounced grader drain on the right (at Map Ref WGS84). This point is about 300m before a gate on Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd. A footpad follows off the end of this grader drain. There may be a star picket marking this turn point. 7. Turn here: Turn right to follow this footpad which heads gently downhill through the regrowth for about 300 metres in a north-east direction to a flatter area, then veer right onto an old vehicle track and continue to the T-intersection with the Waterfall Creek Track (just north of the first creek crossing). 8. Turn here: Turn left and walk 700 metres back to the corner of Pine Creek Road and the Nerang- Murwillumbah Road. 9. Cross Pine Creek Rd with care. Follow the path used before (shadowing Murwillumbah Rd, then the NP gate and fire trail) back to the Environmental Centre for CHECKPOINT 7.

10 Section 7A. Numinbah Environmental Centre (Checkpoint 7) to Tarlington Range Rd entry, Beechmont (Checkpoint 8) Starting Point: Numinbah Environmental Centre (off Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd) UBD: Map 46-B18 GPS: (AGD66 datum): E N Height: 110 metres Finishing Point: Army Land at Tarlington Range Rd entry off Beechmont Rd, Beechmont UBD: Map 45-P12 (About 2 km north of the Beechmont Hall) GPS: (AGD66 datum): E N Height: 550metres Section Length: 5 km Cumulative Length: 58 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. Note: Section 7 is different to the Training Notes, due to GREATLY restricted property access. 1. a) Leave the Environmental Centre via its main driveway entry, and follow the road uphill to the bridge. Turn right and cross the main bridge, following any directions from Traffic Control. The bridge should only be crossed on foot on the Challenge weekend. 1. b) From the north end of the bridge, continue ahead briefly and cross the road where indicated. From the western side of the road, find the 4WD track on the left, with a National Parks gate. 2. Turn left through the National Parks Gate (#15) and continue on the 4WD track for about 50 metres to where a track branches off on the right. This track has been freshly bulldozed in May Turn right and head uphill on this track, which continues all the way up to the Beechmont Plateau, described as follows. SPECIAL NOTE: a) Like the previously-used track up to Beechmont via Burns Creek, this steep route involves some difficulties in evacuating anyone from it if injured thereon. It is especially important for this section that teams all stay together and take all necessary precautions to lessen the chances of injury to any of its members. b) The uppermost parts through the farmland involve private property. Please keep noise levels down, avoid littering, and avoid unnecessary loitering as you move through the open farm property. c) On part of the farmland, a short (50 metre) section of the track next to a small dam may be quite muddy. Getting feet/footwear dirty may be unavoidable here if it has been raining. d) If cattle are encountered, please do not disturb them. Move around any cattle as a coherent group, rather than as a long drawn-out line of people (to avoid unintentionally mustering them). e) Please ensure the glo-sticks used in parts of this section for night marking are not removed or adversely interfered with. Please report any such interference to the nearest checkpoint. f) Please ensure your team has a copy of these notes and the map of this section on the Challenge Weekend. Open Forest Part 4. From the bottom, the track climbs steeply in a north-west direction. After 0.7 km, the steepness lessens somewhat, but continues for another 1.3 km. Then it levels off temporarily as it turns south-west around the '422 metre' high point on the map. 5. After passing around the high point, the track swings right and descends north-west for 0.3 km down to a saddle (beware of criss-crossing cattle tracks here), then ascends NW again for another 0.5 km to exit the forest. This ascent has a 40 metre steep section that will be slippery and challenging if

11 conditions are wet. At the top, just before the forest edge, the track passes through a fence/gate. Please note: From here, you are on private property. Open Farmland Part 6. From the forest edge, follow the signs carefully through the farmland in a general NW direction. The route continues for 100 metres to a small dam, then passes around to the right of it. This part will be muddy, although a section of timber footpad may be provided. 50 metres further on, veer left and follow the markers for 150 metres up to a fence corner just to the left of another dam. Follow the fence carefully, turning right through a gate where indicated. 7. Continue to follow the marked route along the fenceline and up to the highest part of the farm. On top, veer right through a gateway and along the farm road north for 0.3 km, then turn west for 0.4 km to exit the property, after passing between 2 more dams and past some farm sheds. The marked route may or may not follow this farm road. 8. The exit from the farm comes onto Beechmont Road. Move to the right slightly before crossing Beechmont Road with care, then follow the marked route into the large grassy paddock which contains the Checkpoint. This paddock is on Army Land, and is only accessible on the Challenge weekend in July. It is located about 1.5 km north of the Beechmont Hall.

12 Section 7B. Tarlington Range Rd entry, Beechmont (Checkpoint 8) to Syd Duncan Park Beechmont (Checkpoint 10) Starting Point: Army Land at Tarlington Range Rd entry off Beechmont Rd, Beechmont UBD: Map 45-P12 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 550metres Finishing Point: Syd Duncan Park, Outlook Avenue, Beechmont UBD: Map 46-C3 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 490metres Section Length:11 km Cumulative Length: 69 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. SPECIAL NOTE: For the next 10 km, the route is passing through part of the Canungra Land Warfare Centre. Please ensure your team stays together and moves through the area without straying from the marked route. Note especially that this route can only be used on the Challenge weekend in July 2014, from the Saturday afternoon to the Sunday morning. Apart from this specially-arranged time, the Army Land cannot be accessed. To access this property at any other time is illegal and extremely hazardous. 1. From the Checkpoint, follow the marked route through the paddock. It heads north for 1 km through an open grassy area, then enters open forest and starts to descend. 2. About 0.5 km after the descent starts, the track crosses a gate (#22) and a steel grid. Please cross this with care. The track then descends continually for another 4.5 km to an intersection of roads at the bottom. This intersection is CHECKPOINT 9. MORE SPECIAL NOTES: a) The next 2.5 km after Checkpoint 9 contains 5 significant creek crossings which may rise rapidly during heavy rain. Also, these creek crossings are slippery. b) The part after that has a small length (about 0.4 km) which is too steep for vehicular evacuation of an injured person. If anyone at Checkpoint 9 has any minor injury or problem, they must consult with Checkpoint staff about whether they are able enough to continue. c) The final 0.5 km in the forest before exiting onto Beechmont Rd, is a roughly cut foot track where people need to tread carefully (DO NOT JOG OR RUN HERE PLEASE). 3. From Checkpoint 9 at the road intersection, turn right and head along the eastern road. Keep on the main road, ignoring all minor distractions. There are 5 creeks to cross. 4. About 2.5 km from the Checkpoint, the road finishes in a turnaround circle with a sign marked: "Firebreak Only - No Vehicle Access". The route continues up this very steep track, the first 0.3 km of which is too steep for any vehicular evacuation of anyone injured. Also, take care over the final small creek crossing here, as it is particularly slippery. 5. Continue up the very steep track. After 0.3 km, the grade lessens slightly. After another 0.7 km, it passes through a wider cleared area. Stay ahead. After another 0.2 km, it comes to a second cleared

13 area, with the 4WD track veering right. At this second cleared area, is a specially made offshoot track about 0.5 km long through the forest, connecting up with Beechmont Road. 6. Locate this cut foot track on the left, from where the 4WD track turns to the right. Follow the foot track into the thick rainforest and turn right, steeply uphill. Please tread carefully, as the ground is uneven and rocky, has many tree root obstacles, has a lot of cut lantana bush laying across it, has many spiky vines, and in places it runs close to barbed wire fences. After 250 metres, it levels out at the top and veers to the left. Along the top, there are also steep high dropoffs just a few metres from the track on both sides, so you must stay on the marked track. At the end, the track rises suddenly onto Beechmont Road through some tall grass. Please negotiate this entire 0.5 km section of foot track slowly, carefully, and as a cohesive team. SPECIAL NOTE: Ensure you continue promptly, without delay, to the next Checkpoint at Syd Duncan Park and scan in. Also, please go quietly through suburban Lower Beechmont, especially at night. 7. Cross Beechmont Road where indicated to the timber stairs at the intersection of Tarlington Road. Go up the stairs and continue onto the service road. Follow it to Loop Rd, crossing it to emerge onto a concrete footpath, following Beechmont Rd on its right hand side. 8. Continue along the Beechmont Rd footpath for 400m. Cross Beechmont Rd at the (school-lights) crossing, which is 100 metres BEFORE North Rd, and ascend the grassy slopes of Syd Duncan Park to CHECKPOINT 10 at the top. CHECKPOINT 10 DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORT CREW ACCESS.

14 Section 8. Syd Duncan Park, Beechmont (Checkpoint 10) to Little Clagiraba Reserve, Clagiraba (Checkpoint 11) Starting Point: Syd Duncan Park, Outlook Avenue, Beechmont UBD: Map 46-C3 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 490metres Finishing Point: RFB Shed, Little Clagiraba Reserve, Clagiraba Rd UBD: Map 35-J4 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 80metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 78 km 1. Exit Syd Duncan Park onto Outlook Ave, and follow it to the T-intersection with North Rd. Turn left and follow North Rd for 1 km to the intersection with Freemans Rd. Turn left and follow Freemans Rd for 2.5 km, then turn right into Hellfire Pass. Follow Hellfire Pass steeply downhill to the cul de sac at the end of the bitumen. Note: The ensuing parts (2-6) make up the steepest prolonged descent of the Challenge course. Please take care to avoid injury. 2. Walk around the gate on the left and continue downhill on the fire trail. Cross another gate after 200 metres, then after a further 300m, a steeper track branches off to the right. 3. Turn right here and continue steeply downhill (if this right turn is not made, you will arrive at a power pole (Number #37025), and will need to back-track). 4. Take care to follow the main track as it mostly descends steeply while not straying far from the main ridgeline. The descent eases temporarily part way down, and on a couple of occasions here, disused tracks branch off on the left to higher ground, while the main track goes to the right around the higher ground, before later rejoining the ridgeline on the other side. Further down the steep descent, there is also a disused track on the right to avoid. These disused tracks are generally not obvious, and may not even be noticed. 5. Further down, the track generally levels out for about 400 metres (heading NNE), then arrives at a T- intersection. New part for 2014: DO NOT TURN RIGHT TO DESCEND TO CLAGIRABA CREEK. This new part will now exit the forest north down to Barcoo Court, then mostly follow the course of the high voltage powerlines NW for 1 km, before exiting to Little Clagiraba Reserve. 6. Turn left and descend gently for 300m to reach a wire fence. Negotiate this narrow paddock by turning right to follow the fenceline downhill for 50m to the paddock corner, then cross the single fenceline there and turn sharp left to go back uphill for 50m, before resuming the original direction. 7. Continue out into the open grassland, under the powerlines. Pass by Pylons #STR3354 and #STR3154. The track now winds downhill for about 600m to exit onto Barcoo Court. A Safety Checkpoint may be located here. The route will climb up to a service track under the high voltage powerlines. This route is on private property, and can only be used on the Challenge weekend in July.

15 8. Most likely approach route at the time of writing: From Barcoo Crt, go left briefly and then turn right up Diamantina Crt. After road crosses the creek, immediately turn right and follow the foot track into the forest. After climbing gently for about 200m, it exits steeply onto a 4WD track. Keep noise levels down, as a house is nearby. 9. Continue north along the 4WD track, to exit the forest under the powerlines. The checkpoint is 700m away, at the end of this 4WD track. 10. Continue uphill to pass by Powerlink Pylon #STR3152, then descend past #STR3151 before turning sharp right leading down onto Clagiraba Rd. 11. Cross Clagiraba Rd with care (controlled crossing) to Checkpoint 11 at the Clagiraba Rural Fire Brigade Shed. The Little Clagiraba Reserve nearby has support crew access. Vehicles access the Reserve from 250m back along Clagiraba Rd.

16 Section 9. Little Clagiraba Reserve (Checkpoint 11) to Nerang National Park (Checkpoint 12) Starting Point: RFB Shed, Little Clagiraba Reserve, Clagiraba Rd UBD: Map 35-J4 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 75metres Finishing Point: Nerang National Park - inside Beaudesert Rd entry gate (600m S of The Oval Drive) UBD: Map 26-C17 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 75metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 87 km Areas described in red: private or restricted access; only available on the Challenge weekend. Note: Most parts described here are different to the Training Notes. 1. Head to the NE corner of the Little Clagiraba Reserve (north of the picnic shelter) where will be a marked crossing of Clagiraba Creek. Once over the creek, climb up the bank on the other side. 2. Note: You are now on private property, and access is only possible on the Challenge weekend. Continue away from the creek through some light scrub for 150m, passing by an overgrown double gate on the left. After another 50m, an old intersection of overgrown tracks is reached. Turn left here and proceed uphill for 100m to a quarried area.. 3. At the cleared area, continue ahead in a north direction, following the base of an embankment on the right. Follow for 200m on generally level ground to the next track intersection. Now turn right and head uphill (NE). Ignore all side tracks and continue steeply uphill for 700m to the very top. 4. At the top of the ridgeline, turn right (SE). This is now temporarily following the previous Challenge course in reverse. Continue for 1.4 km to near the top of Mt Nathan. Mt Nathan 5. Continue through the gate into the grassy paddock, and turn left near the mango tree to follow the grassy laneway north. Continue along the laneway for 1.1 km (through 2 gates) to the top of Nathan Valley Drive. Please be quiet in the vicinity of the houses here. 6. Continue down Nathan Valley Drive for 800m to the hairpin bend near the Council water plant. 7. Turn sharp left off the bitumen road and follow a foot track for a short distance west, then turn right onto a 4WD track and continue downhill in a NW direction. * After another 500m where the track is at a minor hilltop, turn right through a gateway there. * After another 300m, pass by the Council water reservoir on the left. * Continue on this gravel road ( water reservoir road ) for 1.3 km, all the way out to Beaudesert Rd. The course used previously in has now been resumed. Please be careful in this general area, as the risk of sign/tape marker vandalism is high along here. 8. At Beaudesert-Nerang Road (opposite Maudsland Rd), turn sharp right and follow the grassy western verge of Beaudesert-Nerang Rd in a southerly direction. Stay well clear of the road itself. 9. After 200m, arrive at the small creek below the road embankment. If conditions are reasonably dry, the road will be crossed by following the large pipe under the road and out to the eastern side of Beaudesert Rd. Then turn right and follow the marked course up to the eastern verge of Beaudesert Rd. If conditions are too wet, there may be an above-road controlled crossing 70m further along.

17 10. Once on the eastern side, continue another 100m along Beaudesert Rd and turn left into Crystal Springs Court. Follow Crystal Springs Court to just before its end, and turn right into the marked entry. NOTE: This next 250m section is private property and is only available on the Challenge weekend. Please pass through quietly and unobtrusively. 11. Follow the marked route uphill for 250m and into the forest. Please be quiet in the vicinity of the house. Once in the forest, follow a small footpad east for 100m. This now intersects the Western Break track in Nerang National Park. Nerang National Park 12. Turn right and continue south, which is generally close to the western periphery of Nerang National Park. Ignore an offshoot on the left after 0.4km, then another offshoot on the left after another 0.3 km (Beehive Post #20); and continue south another 0.5 km to the National Park gate on the edge of Nerang National Park near Beaudesert Rd again. 13. From the National Parks gate, exit and follow the marked route south alongside (just outside) the National Park boundary for 0.4 km to a second National Park gate. Enter this second gate, and follow the 4WD track south into the forest. After 100 metres, Checkpoint 12 (no support crew access) is located on the right.

18 Sections 10 & 11. From Nerang National Park Gate through Nerang National Park (Checkpoint 13) to the Nerang Velodrome (Finish) Starting Point: Nerang National Park - inside Beaudesert Rd entry gate (600m S of The Oval Drive) UBD: Map 26-C17 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 75metres Finishing Point: Nerang Velodrome, Hope St UBD: Map 27-H20 GPS: (WGS84 datum): E N Height: 5metres Section Length: 9 km Cumulative Length: 96 km Note: Differs from the Training Notes. This final part is long and has no easily described landmarks along it. However, the notes make use of the following artificial structures encountered along the way: a) Beehive sites. Each site has a low-set wooden post easily visible from the track. Each is painted mist green, and carries a white number. These notes assume the number has not been damaged or fallen off the post. Please do not stray too close to the beehives themselves when they are present at these sites. b) Powerlink high voltage pylons. These also carry an identifying number on a metal plate, usually visible from the track. The number is after the prefix - STR From the checkpoint inside the (more southerly of the two) National Parks gate, continue south. 2. After 0.1 km, the track swings left. Please continue quietly here, as it passes close to a residence. The track now climbs generally eastward in an ever-steepening fashion for over 0.8 km, to the top of the ridge. 3. On top (at Beehive #22), avoid an offshoot to the right and continue north for another 0.5 km to a T- intersection (at Beehive #14) on the main ridgeline of Nerang National Park. The Centre Road This is now on the main Centre Road through Nerang National Park. 4. Turn right at this T-intersection. Continue south-east along the Centre Road as it descends gently to the south-east 5. Where the track levels out after a further 600m and starts to turn north-east, avoid a minor offshoot on the right (signed as No Entry for Horses). The track now starts to gain height. 6. At the intersection at the top of the climb (Map Ref WGS84), the Challenge course ignores the right option and continues ahead, and after another 130 metres passes by Beehive Site #13 on the left. NOTE: The right-hand option at the top ( Advanced on the Nerang National Park track sign here) can be used as an exit for a half-way option in Nerang National Park, while training. It descends south-east for 1.3 km, then exits through a gate over to the right, eventually onto Brookfield Court (UBD Map 26:Q19). 7. The Challenge track continues north briefly from the high point intersection, then passes Beehive site

19 #13 on the left as it twists to the right, then descends to the north-east. The track generally flattens more and continues another 600 metres to a major junction at Beehive site #7 (Map Ref WGS84). CHECKPOINT 13 will be located here. 8. Turn right (south-east) at Beehive site #7. After another 300 metres, ignore a minor offshoot on the right, and continue north another 600 metres to the next intersection. 9. Turn here: Turn sharp right here (the left option is a dead-end which just accesses a beehive site and Powerlink Pylon) and continue for another 800 metres to the next intersection. The track swings east, passes Powerlink Pylon #1474 on the left, then uphill along the southern boundary of the quarry, passing another Powerlink Pylon (#1475) on the left. 10. At the next intersection near the fenced corner boundary of the quarry (also Beehive site #4 on the left), avoid all left options and continue ahead to the east another 400 metres, passing by Powerlink Pylon #1476 on the left, to the next intersection (at 147m spot height on the map). 11. Turn here: Turn right, heading south (if this junction is missed, Powerlink Pylon #1477 will soon appear on the right after a descent, and you will need to back-track). Follow the main track (still the Centre Road ) south. Initially it is rather flat, then passes an information sign on the left. It then descends gradually for 1.1 km until it turns east and a trail sign on the left indicates Casuarina Grove 400 m. Avoid the right offshoot here and continue ahead towards Casuarina Grove. 12. Continue east for 400m following a fence on the right, until the Nerang National Park entry/exit stepover and information sign is reached. Turn right and over the stepover, onto the bitumen road. The Nerang Velodrome is now visible over to the south. 13. On the Challenge weekend in July, the finish line location may depend on whether ground conditions are wet or dry. a) Dry conditions: Turn left after the step-over so as to follow the bitumen cycling road downhill a short distance, then head straight across to the eastern end of the Velodrome arena. Participants will then enter the arena and turn right to do a quarter lap, and then proceed across the finish line. b) Wet conditions: Continue straight ahead from the stepover for 100m, crossing the two bitumen roads and passing by the Scout Hut area on the right. The finish line will be between the Scout Hut and the Velodrome building