WWFF Activator 99 Award

WWFF Award for activating 99 different parks. For each park need at least 44 contacts to qualify.

 

1675 VKFF Hunter Honour Roll Award

Award for working 1,675 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators, for contacts.

WWFF P2P 844 Award

Latest award for making 844 P2P (Park to Park) contacts. Thanks other park activators for the contacts, and thanks ON5SWA award manager.

 

Tewantin National Park VKFF-1218

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.

Location in the park, from Openstreetmaps

Shack on the table

On 40m worked VK4MRH, VK4SRC, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK4EW, VK4MWL, VK4ELJ, VK4PHD, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK2DHN, VK4BWL, VK4JN, VK5PAS, VK4CEG/P, VK4HNS, F5PYI

On 20m worked VK3SO/VK3SPG. I had forgotten to spot here, so not many calls lol.

On 30m worked VK3ACZ, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4WTN, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK5HS, VK2EXA

On 20m spotted and worked

VK3KLI, VK5HS, VK2USH, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3ARM, VK1MA, KG5CIK, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3SG, ZL1TM, VK5PAS

With 50 contacts in the log packed up and headed back to Noosaville for the evening.

Maroochy River Conservation Park VKFF-1588

 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.

SOTA Mount Coolum VK4/SE-114

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

Sign says 1.6 Km return, 2 hours. You can climb it in about half an hour

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

Shack on the tarp

Got on 40m. Disappointingly there was about an S8 of noise from the services on the summit. Struggling to pick out calls, worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK1OZ, 

Tried 30m, not much better for noise. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK5WU

Tried 20m. It was at least a bit quieter. Worked

ZL1BYZ, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3ZPF/VK3JW/VK3PJF.

I had had enough of the QRM. Packed up and headed down to have lunch at the Mount Coolum shops.

 

2025 World Ranger Day Award

 For World Ranger Day 31st July 2025 I activated a WWFF park, VKFF-0391 Noosa National Park. Award issued by Paul, VK5PAS

Noosa National Park VKFF-0391

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

To the left of the lookout was a flat open area, the top of a water storage tank. Set up here, away from the crowds going to the lookout.

Shack on the table.

Got on 40m. Worked

VK1AO/VK2MET in VKFF-0528 Werakata National Park

VK4HNS, VK4CCW, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO, VK5WU, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK2VH/VK4AAC, VK4JN, VK4WC, VK2LEE, VK4ABK, VK4MRH, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK3SG, VK2EXA, 

VK3TUN/VK5DG in VKFF-2403 Mount Wombat-Garden Range Flora and Fauna Reserve

VK4GAP

Tried 30m. Worked

VK2EXA, VK5WU,

Tried 20m. Worked

VK3CEO, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3ANL, VK6XL, VK3ZPF/VK3JW/VK3PJF, VK7AAE

Returned to 40m for a P2P with 

VK3PF/VK3KAI in VKFF-5790 Rosedale Bushland Natural Features Reserve

Packed up and headed down to Noosa Heads for lunch.

Duggan Conservation Park VKFF-1533

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

Got on 40m. Worked

VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK4HNS, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4WC, VK4WTN

Went to 30m. Worked

VK1RF/VK2MK/VK4CEE, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK5WU, VK4CCW

Went to 20m. Worked

VK1RF/VK2MK/VK4CEE, ZL1HIM, VK1DA/VK2DA, VK3ACZ, KG5CIK, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, UT5PI, ZL3MR, F5PYI

Packed up and headed to my accommodation in Hervey Bay.

Vernon Conservation Park VKFF-1669

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

Location in park on Openstreetmaps

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.

2025 National Tree Day Award

 Award for activating a park on National Tree Day 27th August 2025. I activated 2 parks VKFF-0697 - Mudlo National Park and VKFF-1632 - Police Paddock Conservation Park

Mudlo National Park VKFF-0697

Travelling from Kingaroy to Hervey Bay, stopped mid-morning to activate Mudlo National Park VKFF-0697. Sign for the park

Stopped at the day use picnic area

Set up on one of the picnic tables.

Shack on the table

Able to spot okay. Started on 40m, worked P2P with

VK2EG/P in VKFF-0611 Wallaroo National Park

VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK4MGL, VK4WTN, VK4KLA, VK4DTS/VK4CYA, VK4RE, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, 

VK3APJ in VKFF-4695 Bungalally I49 Bushland Reserve

Went to 30m. Worked

VK3BEL/VK3BEB, 

VK3TDK in VKFF-0621 Churchill National Park

VK3TKK in VKFF-0627 Organ Pipes National Park

VK2VH/VK4AAC, VK2YK/VK5GA

VK2EG/P in VKFF-0611 Wallaroo National Park, a lot stronger on 30m

VK2AAJ

VK3PF/VK3KAI in VKFF-5536 Moondara Bushland Reserve

Packed up and headed to nearby town of Kikivan for lunch at the cafe.

For activating the park on the 27th July qualified for National Tree Day

225 VKFF Activator Honour Roll Award

Award for activating 225 VKFF parks. Thank for QSOs

The Palms National Park VKFF-0485

Driving from Toowoomba to Kingaroy, stopped to activate The Palms National Park, VKFF-0485. 

Sign about the park

Did the walk first as knew rain was coming later. This park was a surprise, not expecting a pocket of sub-tropical rainforest in an area that is mainly open farmland. Photos from the walk

Set up the shack on one of the 2 picnic tables

Location, map from Openstreetmaps

Shack on the table

Got on 40m. Worked

VK2JDS/m, VK2BEL/VK2BEB, VK4IKZ, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK4WC, VK4BWL, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4PAA, VK4MWL, VK4ELJ, VK4KLA, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK4QAS/VK4FHEA, VK4PHD, VK4DTS/VK4CYA, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG.

There were a few spots of rain while on air, however it got heavier and had to abandon the activation.  Quickly packed up, luckily the car was not far away.

Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121

After stopping overnight in Goondiwindi headed to Toowoomba, stopping briefly to activate Wondul Range National Park. I didn't make many contacts there, had no phone reception. Stopped several days in Toowoomba. Did a day trip to Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121. Sign for the park

Lots of picnic tables available. Set up the radio on one of them.

Radio on the picnic table.

Operating spot in Openstreetmaps

Good phone coverage. Spotted on 40m, worked

VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK5CZ/VK5XE, VK4GAP, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO, VK4ACK, VK2YAK, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK4YAK, VK2VAR/VK2GOM, VK4AAT, VK3TDX.

Went to 30m. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3GV

Went to 20m, Worked

VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3GV/VK3NDG, VK3FACD, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK5AYL, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, ZL1GA, VK6XL, VK2RK, VK2ACR, KG5CIK, VK5DO, VK3ZSC

With 47 contacts had qualified the park. Packed up. As I was pulling down the dipole, noticed some strange looking branches in the tree I had tied it to.

A pair of Tawny Frogmouth birds. They pretend to be branches but the tree they picked not a good match.

I went for a walk in the park. A sign of some of the walks

I walked as far as the Bottlebrush Pool. Nice

Headed for my next park, Ravensbourne National Park, where it poured with rain :( Made some contacts in a picnic shelter but still quite wet. One to return to. Headed back to Toowoomba for the evening.