August 10, 2013
If you head up to Lamington Mountain, Green Mountains Section, and call in at the Information centre there’s a good chance you may get to meet Warren Smith.
This is a fellow with a story and character to match plus he’s almost an encyclopaedic walking, talking historian on the area.
Warren first came to Lamington in 1960 with about a dozen other mates that had all finished teaching college. ‘Bit like the modern day schoolies I suppose, last bash before we all headed off across the state.’
During his career as a teacher he bought school groups to Green Mountains for over 20 years. ‘I still see kids that joined me. Though there not exactly kids anymore,’ he gives a chuckle and adjusts his hearing aid.
His wife Dot will be more than likely there with him. Warren jokes that they don’t too many walks now as ‘we only have one good set of legs between us.’
Warren is the secretary of the Green Mountains Natural History Association (GMNHA). He and his mates man the info centre helping the rangers out over weekends and during the week if needed. They build boardwalks and tree top walks and wheel chair accessible walks to beautiful waterfalls in world-heritage listed rainforest.
While I was there a never-ending stream of walkers heading for short and overnight walks chat with Warren. Maps are handed out, advice on tracks given, registration numbers for cars for the overnighters taken and all along he’s his happy old self.
Tomorrow Warren will be running a historical walk so if you are heading to Lamington, Green Mountains Section it may be an hour to hear an interesting character. There’s more information below. Tell him I said G’day.
For More Information
Green Mountains Natural History Association (GMNHA)
Rainforest Circuit and Historical Talk
Sunday 11th August
9.45am-11.30am
You don’t need to book just turn at up the info centre before the start time – it’s running and free.
Grading: S22DW | Costs: $5
This short 1.5km walk begins at the Information Centre with a talk about the Stinson crash and rescue. It then proceeds along the Booyong Boardwalk, around the Tree Top Walk, into the Mountain Gardens and returns along part of the Border Track. As well as an introduction to the natural history of a sub-tropical rainforest there would be some opportunity to talk about the history of Lamington National Park as well. This walk will be run three times during the Great Queensland Bushwalk weekend.
More info at:
Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Great Queensland Bush Walk Events
National Parks Association of Quensland
