Girraween National Park, QLD: Part 2. The Pyramid, Granite Arch and Junction Tracks.

We woke up early and it was a fine dry day so we decided to do The Pyramid Track. On our previous visit to Girraween National Park we were unable to climb The Pyramid because there was light rain and the granite was weeping water. Believe me it was very slippery and dangerous so we turned back and we've been keen to return ever since.

The Pyramid

The Pyramid, Granite Arch and Junction Tracks, 8.3 km.

The first part of the walk is rated as a Class 3 track and it climbs steadily upwards to The Pyramid past eucalypt forest and more amazing granite rocks. The challenge moves up a notch when you reach the exposed granite dome which is quite steep. At this point it becomes a Class 4 track; good fitness and a head for heights is required. There are white dashes painted on the rock to indicate the route. 

Balancing boulder on the Pyramid Track

Climbing The Pyramid in the early morning.

View while climbing the pyramid.

We came back down slowly and carefully before heading to Granite Arch. We encountered wildflowers and butterflies along the way.

Wildflowers and a Meadow Argus Butterfly

Granite Arch

From Granite Arch we walked along part of the Bald Rock Creek Circuit on our way to The Junction. This part of the walk is an easy Class 3. At the lower end of this track we were excited to see a family of three Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. In the birding world, seeing a bird for the first time is called a "lifer" and we were very happy to add this bird to our tick list. 

Soon we came to the sign for The Junction and were heading that way. The Junction Track is rated Class 3 and is a very pleasant walk. The scenery is very striking and like nothing we have encountered before.  It is hard to describe the raw beauty of Bald Rock Creek as it flows across a huge gully of stone which is stained with ribbons of colour where water has seeped across the rock to join the flow. It must be a truly awesome sight after heavy rain. 

The Junction Track

Walking to The Junction

It seems that around every bend there are interesting boulders strewn about.

This rock looks like it could bite you!

The Junction is where Bald Rock Creek and Ramsay Creek meet. We continued past the junction and found a nice place to sit on the granite next to the water for a picnic lunch. We watched Yellow-faced Honeyeaters on the opposite bank as we soaked up the tranquility for a while.

The Junction

Nice place for a picnic.

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Girraween is the perfect place to keep an eye out for various skinks, dragons and geckos.

Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii

Tree Skink Egernia striolata

Nobbi Dragon Amphibolurus nobbi

On the walk to The Junction and on the return we saw many Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters in the trees on the side of the track and good numbers of delightful Dusky Woodswallows dashing about.

Dusky Woodswallow

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

After enjoying our picnic in such an idyllic setting we retraced our steps to the turn off and returned to Castle Rock camping area via Bald Rock camping area.