Ships Stern Circuit

Springbrook Plateau and Mt Warning from Ships Stern

Location	Lamington National Park
Distance	21 km (circuit)
Time	6-7 hours (circuit)
Grade	Easy-Moderate
Track	Well-formed and well-signed bush track.
Terrain	From Binna Burra, taking the circuit clockwise allows the fairly steep walk down into and back out of the valley to be completed prior to lunch - the remainder is mostly flat. Side trip to Charraboomba Rock requires climbing up nearly 100 steep, rocky steps. Care should be taken at all of the exposed, rocky outcrops.  Creek crossings can become slippery after rain
Vegetation	Mostly subtropical rainforest. Open eucalypt forest on the Ships Stern Range.
Highlights	Great diversity of scenery, rocky outcrops with excellent views, short side trips to the towering Ballanjui Falls

Description:

Ships Stern Circuit is one of the most diverse bushwalks on the Scenic Rim. The main circuit descends from Binna Burra to a rainforested valley, before ascending the Ships Stern Range. Rocky lookouts along the way provide awesome views of the surrounding mountainous area. Picturesque Nixon Creek provides a pleasant backdrop to a rainforest stroll in the valley and Springtime wildflowers add colour to the open eucalypt forests along the ridges.

Three very worthwhile sidetrips make the walk even more appealing. Lower Ballanjui Falls (1.2 km return) visits the region at the base of this 150 m waterfall beside the beautiful Nixon Creek. Charraboomba rock (600 m return) is an exposed, rocky pinnacle reached by climbing around 100 steep steps with more great views. Upper Ballanjui Falls (2.4 km return) visits the catchment area at the top of the waterfall, taking in several mossy cascades and more views of the Ships Stern Range from the edge of the falls.

For anyone who isn't sick of walking by the time they reach the turnoff to Daves Creek Circuit, this 3-4 km loop is also a worthwhile addition.

This walk is best avoided during Summer as the Ships Stern Range is covered in open forest and will be traversed during the middle of the day no matter which direction the circuit is walked. Wildflowers are in bloom during Spring.

Photo Gallery:

Turtle Rock from Kooloobano Point

Wildflowers

Open forest on Ships Stern Range