Howsie and I decided we would head to completely different location in the morning, and that required an early’ish departure. But not before we enjoyed breakfast at the campsite, helped break camp, and said goodbye to Rongy and Sarah. They were heading back to Brisbane, and had work the next day. Mikie didn’t need to pick the boys up from the grandparents until a little later, allowing him to head back to Eagles Nest to top rope solo a few of the longer lines. For us it was a short hour drive to the top of Ocean Vista Drive:
This road snakes up the hill towards Mount Ninderry, from where views stretched all the way to the coast. The houses on either side of this ridge were big and looked incredibly expensive. Our sights however were not set on them, but the steep limestone cliffs that hung off the peak that lay ahead. Mount Ninderry is located in a 150 hectare nature reserve, and once we hit the tree canopy the place took on a tropical feel. Ferns stretched across the understorey, tall lush trees rose up, and vines hung down. As we walked there was a rustle:
A large Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) made its way through the vegetation appearing and disappearing out of sight, and then going silent. We thought we had lost it, when Howsie spotted it making its way up a tree. Another name that is used for them is a Tree Goanna, and while on occasion they forage on the ground they mainly move about in the trees and shelter in tree hollows. This one certainly looked very at home easily walking up the vertical trunk, but as it went higher an Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) started to swoop it:
We left the two to argue it out, and carried on towards the Octopuses Garden. A place the two climbers who hadn’t thought so highly of Eagles Nest had suggested. This was in part because we asked them about places that were in shade all day, but they also suggested a route here that they considered worthy. The reason for wanting shade is that today was going to be hot, we would break the thirty degree barrier. And despite the wonderful shade, the air hung heavy. The humidity was up at 95% and we were already dripping with sweat:
The route they had suggested did indeed look fun, and Howsie was keen to jump on it. The conditions and last six days of climbing took their toll, and we climbed slowly. The moves felt hard but we pulled through them one by one. Looking for any chance to get a stance and rest where we could. We both got a clean lead and thoroughly enjoying the route. I had also spied the namesake climb, a classic route according to the guidebook but only gaining two stars on The Crag. A full on roof climb that came out from a cave onto a steep headwall:
I was really keen to try it, but wanted to see how I was feeling. If I failed on the roof it would have been really difficult to retrieve the gear, and the only sensible way to clean the line would be to climb it on second. As such we both needed to feel comfortable in getting up it. That is partly why I pulled the rope on the first climb, and that lead was enough to tell me that taking on a route three grades harder on much steeper terrain was probably dumb. Howsie agreed, already being satisfied with his first lead and the crag booty he found on it:
An extender, like my crag booty in near new condition. And with not another soul in sight it was his for the taking. We checked the area for other possible routes but everything else was harder or looked average. So we packed up and wandered round to the Enter the Ninja Sector, timing it well because the sun was just moving round enough for the mighty wall to be in shade. We had our eye on two lines up this near 30m wall. Starting on the lower graded route of the two, to see how we went on the more technical slabby climbing on offer:
We again pulled the rope and both led the first route, which was great fun. And it was then that I wished I still had that stick clip, as the first bolt on the second line was a dizzying eight meters up with a nasty ground landing waiting below. We were lucky and were able to sensibly clip the first bolt when we rapped off the first line. The route really kept us focused, the bolts being a bit more spaced with some delicate and airy climbing between them. On the plus side being out of the tree canopy there was a slight breeze that helped cool down:
It was an epic route and very worthwhile, and I also found a Dubious Dtella (Gehyra dubia) high up on the face with the below skin it had recently shed. We were however now both really tired, so I am not sure why I suggested we look for one last climb, but I did. We walked round the tracks looking for a line of ring bolts on a lonely pillar. Back under the canopy it felt hot again and we sweated our way round. Just as I was about to say let’s give up, Howsie said he found it. My response wasn’t very enthusiastic, but it had sounded a good route:
Seeing I had suggested it, I should at least give it a go. I only managed to get to the second bolt and then simply couldn’t read the route and/or didn’t have the gas left in the tank to pull the moves. I looked down at Howsie, and he didn’t seem overly keen to try it. The decision was made. We packed up, walked back down through the fern covered slopes, across the thankfully short paddock section in the blazing sun, and once back at the car we cranked the air conditioner to its coldest setting and sank into the seats:
While we may have only got three routes in, it was definitely worth the short diversion of the highway to experience the place. And should I be lucky enough to have another climbing trip here, I’ll be sure to get back at the Octopuses Garden for that amazing looking roof climb. For now however we drove the hour back to Mikie and Helen’s house, where we sorted through the gear and got cleaned up. The idea being to shout everyone a meal out, but before we could do that Bryn wanted to show us that he could ride his bike without training wheels:
Then with training wheels back on he and Rupert rode their bikes ahead of us, as the four of us walked down the road with Maggie in the pram. We went to the RSL club, which was huge and looked to boast a good menu. First priority however was to get a drink in, and even I got a pint feeling like this one was deserved. Everyone’s meal was really yummy, and we washed it down with a second round. Even I had another pint, as the first one had gone down so well. Managing to also sneak in a takeaway collection of desserts, for the grownups only:
It was a lovely way to wrap up the last seven days. And while our flight home wasn’t until Saturday evening, Howsie and I were content not to head out for a final climb in the morning. There was plenty of time, but the heat and humidity was up and we were pretty toasted from everything we had packed in. For the real nerds I’ve even added a few stats of what we achieved climbing wise, and it isn’t too shabby a list. So Saturday morning saw everyone wake up at the usual time, except Howsie who enjoyed a well-deserved lie in:
That was until the boys wanted him to catch up on all the bedtime stories they had missed out on, while we were away camping. This started in the caravan and then moved the tree house, and by mid-morning we all headed out to have a wander round the Bribie Island Bicentennial Trails. This just so happened to be next to the Community Arts Centre, which had a pottery exhibition that Helen was keen to check out. While it is called Bribie Island, looking at a map it is not your typical island:
It is described as a sand island, being split from the mainland by Pumicestone Passage. The passage is a shallow and narrow estuary in which the two meter tide creates a series of channels and sand banks. As such it is only accessible by one bridge, and in the wider and deeper parts of the passage where the bridge is located you may be lucky enough to spot dugongs and turtles. However, each time we drove over the bridge we would look up at the light poles. These are fitted with a false lights on one side to provide the pelicans a roosting spot:
Despite not being an island in the sense most would think, it is a lovely place comprising mostly state forest edged with lovely beaches. And as we found out on this trip, having good access to plenty of amazing climbing spots. The only downside, from a climbers perspective, being that for quite a long period the climate is not conducive to being out on rock. This time however we managed to score a great week, and our climbing cup was well and truly filled. A very big thank you to Mikie and Helen for accommodating us and also Rongy and Sarah for tagging along:
Route summary
Fri 20 Sep – Mount Ninderry
The Octopuses Garden
Lava Tube 18** 17m Krish
Enter the Ninja Sector
Neo Nasi Goreng 18** 25m Krish
Enter the Ninja 19** 26m Krish
Ocean Vista Area
The Big Boss 19* 12m Krish (attempt)
The final stats
Days climbing 7
No. routes 51
No. pitches 64
Total length 1,398m
Average grade 17
Sandbagged 