Girraween National Park VKFF-0198

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.

Shack on the picnic table

Location, map from Openstreetmaps

I first thought I would have no mobile coverage again, however walking around the picnic ground was able to get ParksnPeaks to load, and spotted.

On 40m worked

VK2GCR/VK4HFR, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK2HRX, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3DAE/VK3LAL, VK2XWB

Tried 30m. Worked

VK3ACZ, VK5BJE, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK1AD/VK1NAM

Tried 20m. Worked

VK3PF/VK3KAI, F5PYI, VK3DCQ, VK3CEO, VK3MGM, VK3ZSC, KG5CIK, VK5BJE, VK6HDY

Total QSOs including other visits was 47, packed up and headed South to Tenterfield for the evening.

Girraween National Park VKFF-0198

Took a couple of weeks off work to travel up to Northern NSW/SE Queensland and escape the cold :)
While travelling decided to do a quick WWFF parks activation of Girraween National Park, between the Queensland town of Stanthorpe and the NSW border.

Stopped at Bald Rock Creek picnic area in the park.

The mountain in the distance is called The Pyramid, over 1.8 Km away. Its not a SOTA peak... There is only one peak in the park that qualifies for SOTA, VK4/SD-002 Mt Norman, about an 11 Km return walk, no time to do it. Close up view of The Pyramid

Did a short walk to Granite Arch nearby. Similar to rocks in Namadgi National Park here in the ACT

Returned to the picnic area for lunch. After lunch set up the radio on one of the picnic tables. Sorry forgot to take a photo, but close by to the spot below.

Went to spot myself and found out had no mobile phone coverage... The park is surrounded by mountains, hardly surprising. Called Gerard VK2IO who kindly spotted me on the ParksnPeaks website.

Worked the following stations on 40 m

1. VK2IO Gerard
2. VK2LPN Glenn
3. VK2PH Mark
4. VK5PAS Paul
5. VK3GGG Mick
6. VK3PMG Mick
7. VK4RF Rick
8. VK4HA Rick
9. VK3ZPF Peter
10. VK3SQ Jeff
11. VK2YK/P Adam in VKFF-0281 Lane Cove National Park
12. VK2PKT Keith

Packed up after about an hour on air as still had a long drive to do.