Binna Burra Babes Go Bush: 35km of trails

Back from a weekend up at Binna Burra. For those not in the know, Binna Burra is up in the mountains and rainforest about an hour and a half outside Brisbane. It’s one of those gorgeous, forgotten places that you know about but seldom visit.

Left work early on friday to head up to Binna Burra with running buddy Suzannah. River City Runners (RCR) had planned a weekend up there and thrown the invite open to whoever wanted to come. Both S and I love trails, so was a great excuse for a weekend away!

We arrived at about 4.30 or so and checked in. I'd never stayed there before, but it was great. They have safari tents with little verandahs and their own campfire. Plus, a gorgeous gorgeous view out over the rainforest to the coast. Vegegirl arrived as we were about to start cooking dinner and we all sat around the barbeque and gossiped. Well, okay, Vege and I sat - S cooked - I bought her dinner the next night instead. Not wanting to inflict my culinary crapness on possibly the best cook I've ever met! She cooked risotto with champagne and pine nuts on a BBQ hot plate. Unreal.

The next morning, we got up at 5am and went to meet the other runners. They were very speedy and left us in the dust! We ended up with Linda, Andrew, Harvey, Lisa, me and Susannah. Hadn't met Harvey before - he was from RCR but set out with us just wanting to do 10km and turn back.

We did the Coomera falls circuit which was about 18km. Looked fairly simple on the map, quite a scenic route. We didn’t actually read the sign about it near the track though, which told us all about what was to follow and that we shouldn’t do it after rain! It had rained the night before!

We started off at a nice gentle pace into the bush. You really have to watch where you put your feet because of all the tree roots and loose rocks. You also have to be covered in mossie repellent and wear decent socks, because as we discovered, the leeches were shocking!

Being a bit of a pommie still, I still have a slight issue with leeches. Bugs, snakes, insects, general wildlife is fine. Leeches, nah. They only really got a hold when you stopped moving though which was a good incentive to keep running. I just kept telling myself they use them in medical situations, so they're not evil really. Honest.

The first stop was a gorgeous lookout, about 5km in. It was the highest lookout I've ever been on - it made me a bit dizzy! We took loads of photos (will post them when I get them from Vege and Suze) Then, we headed off down the trail. Harvey decided he felt good, didn't want to turn around there so he came with us. Shortly thereafter, we were forced to slow to a walk which we were to maintain for the next 10km or so.

The rain had made all the rocks slippery and there was a massive, sheer drop on one side, so it was fairly vital to be careful. It was then that Susannah practically gave herself a concussion, headbutting an overhanging branch. It made quite an impressive crack and I grabbed her round the waist as she teetered sideways towards the edge! LOL!

We spiralled down into the valley below. Then started the first of what became 19, yes, 19 river crossings. Not just little river crossings either, but giant stepping stones and waterfalls. It was gorgeous. It was so quiet, I felt completely enveloped by the energy of the place. As I said, I love trails and I love the bush. Perfect combo – would’ve loved to stay by the water (minus the leeches of course!)

Crossing the river so many times became highly amusing. Lucky for us, the water didn't get very high and was crystal clear without being freezing. Harvey filled his bottle up at one of them. We came across a brilliant blue crayfish that hissed at us and snapped it’s pincers before running away. Pity they're protected - they're beautiful *and* I imagine, delicious, with some salt and lemon!

Harvey and Andrew being gentleman decided to help us girls across the river. I think it was at the second or third river crossing that Harvey took a massive tumble – he must’ve stepped on a slippery bit and landed on his chest on a rock which must've really REALLY hurt. He was okay though, except for some bruises and a chipped tooth and hopped up. At the next river crossing, he did the same, this time landing flat on his back. Once we knew he was alright, it was just all too much for Vege and I, who dissolved into hysterical fits of laughter.... not good when you're trying to balance on a slimey rock at the time ;) I got my feet wet ;)

Andrew came across after us and then promptly dropped his water bottle in the river – fuel belts and clambering over rocks don’t mix! There was a tiny waterfall where we were and every time he tried to drag the bottle across the river with a stick, it got flipped back down the rapids. Eventually, after about 89 attempts he managed to flip it out, across the river to dry land and we all applauded.

The leeches started to get really bad - they're amazing little things - they seem to sense body heat and when you looked at the ground, they were crawling towards you. Every half an hour or so we stopped to flick them off. If you aren't quick enough, they latch onto your fingers! I felt one bite my toe and hopped up and down on one foot and pulled my sock and shoe off, with Andrew holding onto my wrist while I tried not to fall back into the drink! It didn’t get me though, hooray!

Eventually, the trail widened out and started to climb up again to where we could run. Put in more of an effort and Andrew and I ran ahead to the finish, dodging the tourists on the way. Lisa came out 30 seconds or so later and the two of us sat down to wait for the other girls. Andrew went off for a shower and while we were waiting, we had a muesli bar and caught some sun on a bench.

All of a sudden, Lisa was standing on the top of the picnic table pulling me up after her, shouting "SNAKE!" - a brown snake (we weren't sure if it was a green tree snake that was brown or an actual brown snake) had slithered across under our legs to the bush on the other side. I hadn’t even seen it – I’ve decided it’s definitely time to get my eyes retested! Certainly got the adrenalin going!

That night, we all had a massive dinner together in the cafe and then sat round the campfire gossiping. It was so nice just to relax and chill out. I should've done similar during the xmas holidays. Alas, for crap finances. Adrian and Karen (Karisma) had arrived earlier and so we all sat and chatted. Headed to bed at about 10pm.

On arriving back at the tent, it became apparent that we had new neighbours in the safari tent next to us and that the husband snored like all hell. Evil as I am, I’ve found that if you impersonate someone who snores, they’ll often wake up enough to shut up. So I had a crack at it, but to no avail. Made the girls giggle though! Eventually I managed to drop off to sleep.

This morning (Sunday) we all got up at 5am again and headed out for another run. This time, only Lisa, S and I were in the slower group. We headed out on a different trail, over the other side of the mountain. Amazing how different the terrain and eco system was, just so close together.

This trail was 22km and took us six hours! Though the bush was heaps drier - more eucalypts and *bonus!* no leeches! Though apparently the boys still found them! It was just stunning scenery.... again, very dense and rugged... about 12 river crossings this time. We walked the whole way, just chatting. There were beautiful crystal clear creeks, waterfalls and brilliant green mossy boulders... massive, massive ancient trees and clearings - just amazing. I wanted to stop and have a swim but we were running a bit short on time. We clambered through lantana and long grass, over tree trunks practically taller than me and wiggled underneath them. At times the trail was so narrow, you had to rock climb across to where it widened out.

Loved it. It's amazing how close to Brisbane it all is, yet I've hardly been up there... the peace of the place, the overall sense of tranquility.... just gorgeous. I don't think I can rave enough about it! So good to get some time away from work. Even though we didn’t actually do tons of running, I still broke a sweat and have slightly sore hips from the hills. Vege is going great guns and I think she’ll be back running longer distances again before we all know it!

Must thank the lovely Vege and Susannah for a fabulous weekend. It was so nice to share it with great people. Makes so much difference. I think Binna burra would be the perfect place for a big CR weekend away!