Cedar Brush Walk to the Basin Campground

Saturday 23 August 2025
Cedar Brush Walk to Basin Campsite

After a week of solid rain, 8 walkers still signed up to do this walk. 7 met at the designated spot. Very unfortunately, due to a map mix-up and a serious lack of connectivity, 1 walker did not reach the starting line, despite a delay in leaving there for the car shuffle. One beautiful small bird (pictured) seemed keen to join us, flitting around our vehicle for quite some time, apparently looking for a mate in the reflection on our windscreen.

From the car shuffle, we headed downhill on the Great North Walk and soon met our first obstacle. The first creek was higher than expected. Most walkers crossed a bit upstream, using the yellow tape to get across on the slippery mossy boulders. One walker opted for the slightly submerged plank provided, thus ensuring wet feet, but much less chance of a fall.

From here it was steeply up, with another couple of easier creek crossings. Morning tea was at the walkers’ rest area, with some seats provided (the same planks as provided for the creek crossing). All enjoyed the sun and blue sky, but not the multiple small leeches which needed to be removed. Then it was on to lunch, walking on a fire trail now. We found a nice spot slightly off the fire trail, again in the sun but without the leeches.

We had already decided as a group to follow the fire trail down to the Basin Campground and thus avoid the creek section. This would have entailed multiple creek crossings of a much larger creek than the first one. The catchment was much bigger than the first creek with a few side creeks coming in. Everyone agreed that we did not want to get half-way down after a few tricky crossings only to find that we could not proceed and had to go back.

We soon reached the cars and after another car shuffle headed to Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club for welcome drinks and a nice hot plate of chips between us. We soaked up the sun on the enclosed veranda, all very pleased that we were able to get out in sunshine to enjoy a walk together in the bush. Thanks to all for attending and making the walk so enjoyable.
Peter’s Photos including the map and altitude profile:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/­dfsSZsp8xv3eLhHc7
Video of Creek Crossing