From the WWFF team some awards for activating and hunting parks in August 2025. For Activating parks over 220 QSOs basic award.
For hunting parks in August, for 22 parks the basic award
For hunting 44 parks a 1-star award
For the 2-star award needed 88 parks. I got to 63 parks in August so some way to go for the next level.
Award for hunting 1,700 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators for QSOs
For activating a VKFF park on 7th September 2025 I could apply for the National Threatened Species Day Award. The park I activated was the Pinnacle Nature Reserve VKFF-0862. Just down the road from home. Managed 35 contacts and 2 P2Ps. Thought might have been more activity, but with also being Father's Day not many were on air. Award from VK5PAS, Paul. Thanks.
WWFF Award for activating 99 different parks. For each park need at least 44 contacts to qualify.
Award for working 1,675 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators, for contacts.
Latest award for making 844 P2P (Park to Park) contacts. Thanks other park activators for the contacts, and thanks ON5SWA award manager.
After activating Beni Nature Reseve near Dubbo it was only a short drive to my next park, Wongarbon Nature Reserve VKFF-2025. Sign for the park.
There was a locked gate on the nearby road into the reserve, however a gap for walkers was there. Carried my gear in and set up using the sign for squid pole support
After staying overnight at Dubbo headed for a nearby park, Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277. Followed Beni Forest Road, turning off into the park. Sign
Along the track to the left of the sign, Pimilco Firetrail, could see some water crossings, with a couple of large 4WDs slowly crossing them. It didn't look good... Instead, I took the track on the right, Bullen Bullen Firetrail, turning off onto a track on the left, Quary Trail. Parked off this and set up in the scrub. No photos, here is a map of my operating spot from Openstreetmaps
Got on 40m. Worked
VK3GSV, VK3VIN, VK3SO/VK3SFG, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3CEO, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK2MOE/VK1MO
Park to park with VK3TDK in VKFF-2431 Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
VK3CLD/VK5QA/VK2DBF, VK3SG/ VK3WSG, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3TBS
A new UTC day, worked
VK4HNS, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3APJ, VK1CHW, VK3ZSC, VK3SG, VK3CEO, VK7DD, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK4LKA, VK4WC, VK2LEE, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2VAR/VK2GOM
VK3TDK after rollover still in VKFF-2431 Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
VK3MGM.
I had rain start up mid-way through the activation, only a few spots at first but got heavier, so quickly packed up. Anyway 48 contacts so qualified the park for WWFF. Headed for another park nearby, Wongarbon Nature Reserve VKFF-2025.
Arrived in Tenterfield, and as had still had some time before sunset, decided to activate Currys Gap State Conservation Area. Only a few munutes drive out of town, parked at a gate off Mount McKenzie Road.
Quickly set up the station, using a fence to the left of the sign. Sorry no photos as was in a hurry to get on air before dark. Location in park, map from Openstreetmaps
Got on 40m. As close to sunset the band was wide open, generated a huge pileup...
VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK5WU, VK4BWL, VK4FSC, VK1AO/VK2MET
A park to park with VK5DG/VK3TUN in VKFF-0873 Bullock Hill Conservation Park
VK5ANB, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3SG, VK5DW, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2ZRD, VK5YX, VK2HEY, VK7DD, VK3TDK, VK4QRZ, VK3TDX, VK3DEM, VK4FODM, VK3ACZ, VK5AYL, VK4HOX, VK2JRO, VK5FANA
Packed up as getting cold and dark, didn't worry about the other bands. With my last activation made 50 QSOs in this park, so qualified.
After lunch in Stanthorpe drove South to Giraween National Park VKFF-0198. Had activated this park before but been defeated by poor conditions, and a lack of mobile coverage. Headed into the picnic area, views of some of the peaks in the park visible.
Set up the squid pole near one of the picnic table shelters. I used a water tap for support.
After stopping overnight at Toowoomba drove South to Warwick to activate Morgan Park Conservation Park VKFF-1597. The park is located just South of Warwick, near the Morgan Park raceway. After driving along Old Stanthorpe Road eventually spotted an access point, a sign for the park behind a gate.
Note the gate was locked, however there was a gap between the gates, was able to squeeze through this and passed through the gear. Set up the squid pole on the park sign inside.
After poor band conditions on Mount Coolum summit, with QRM, decided to return to another part of Mount Coolum National Park and finish off 44 contacts.
There was a section of the park, Marcoola section just South of the town of Mount Coolum, accessed off David Low Way. Parked and walked into the park. Sign for the park.
Location in the park. Map from Openstreetmaps
Attached the squid pole to a small tree and set up the shack on the table nearby.
Went to 20m first, for a P2P with VK2USH in VKFF-0407 Palmerston Rocks National Park.
Spotted on 20. Worked
VK2IO/VK2GEZ
VK3PF/VK3KAI in VKFF-5080 Grantville Bushland Reserve
VK2MG, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK3TDK, VK3CEO, VK3KLI
Went to 30m. Worked
VK4DRK, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4EW, VK4WTN, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AO/VK2MET
Went to 40m. Worked
VK4SMA
VK4GJW in VKFF-1529 Denmark Hill Conservation Park
VK4MGL, VK4MRH, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK7ZM, VK2ETI/VK2AIT
Had qualified the park. Packed up and had lunch at nearby Mount Coolum shops.
Stopping for a few days at Noosaville, activated a local park, Tewantin National Park VKFF-1218. Wooroi Day Use Area near Tewantin.
This had a large picnic area with several tables. Unfortunately, as a weekend was busy with mountain bike groups. I picked a table away from most of them, still had a few young riders come over to see what I was up to.
After activating Mount Coolum headed South to activate Maroochy River Conservation Park VKFF-1588. The park is near Twin Waters. It took me a while to find a suitable access point, the park is thick scrub and finally found a walking track into it off Ocean Drive. The sign is easy to drive past.
A short distance behind the sign another sign for the track, the Xanthorrhoea track.
Location on Openstreetmaps. The track is opposite a resort/convention centre.
I didn't take photos but operated just to the right of the track sign in the scrub. There were mosquitoes :(
Able to spot okay. On 40m worked
VK1AO/VK2MET, VK4HNS, VK2VW/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK2MFW
On 30m worked
VK1AO/VK2MET, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK5WU
On 20m worked
VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK1AD/VK1NAM, ZL1TM, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, IK8KCI, VK3TDK, VK3GJG, F1BLL, VK3WSG, VK3CEO, VK3ZSC
VK5DG in VKFF-0888 Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park
F5PYI, UT5PI
With 46 in the log packed up and headed back to Noosaville for the evening.
While stopping at Noosa Heads popped down to climb Mount Coolum, VK4/SE-114. Like last time the car park at the start of the walk was full, parked in a nearby street. Sign for the Park at the start of the walk. Mount Coolum Park is VKFF-0344
Starts off easy, gets steep with lots of rocky steps
Views get good once you finish the steep climb
Went to the Southern end of the peak and got into the bush, away from the crowds. Used a small tree to support the squid pole
For World Ranger Day 31st July 2025 I activated a WWFF park, VKFF-0391 Noosa National Park. Award issued by Paul, VK5PAS
From Hervey Bay drove down to Noosaville, stopping there for a few days. One of the local parks I activated was Noosa National Park VKFF-0391. Activated from Laguna Lookout, overlooking Noosa Heads
View from Laguna Lookout
The next park I activated in Hervey Bay was Duggan Conservation Park, VKFF-1533 really in the town close to the sports club. Parked in Tavistock St in front of the park sign
There is a narrow pathway behind the sign, running between houses and the sports oval. Followed this until the oval ended, entered the bush behind the oval. Mainly open paper bark type forest. Set up using a stump for support
A bit far to take the table and chair so just sat on the tarp. Location on Openstreetmap
Staying at Hervey Bay for a few days, activated a couple of nearby parks. The first park I activated was Vernon Conservation Park VKFF-1669. I entered the park off a side road off Dundowaran Road. on the Eastern side of the reserve. Found out later you can drive into the park on the Western side, but this got into the park.
Had to climb over a gate with the gear but not that hard. Set up at the base of the park sign.
Shack on the table near the sign
Got on 40m. Able to spot okay. Worked
VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4GAP, VK2MFW, VK4HNS, VK2CCW, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2DA, VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO
Went to 30m. Worked
VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK2LAX, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2AOR
Went to 20m. Worked
VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3SG, VK5IS, VK3SO/VK3SFG, VK3APJ, ZL1XS
Returned to 40m. Worked
VK8RR/4, VK4JG, VK4APJ, VK1RF/VK2MK/VK4CEE
Went back to 30m for a P2P with
VK3TUN in VKFF-0556 Yarra Ranges National Park
Packed up and had lunch nearby.
