About the Event
Run the Whitsunday Great Walk
Run the Whitsunday Great Walk course begins at Brandy Creek , about 25 minutes drive from Airlie Beach at the south western entrance to Conway State Park .
Participants are bussed to Brandy Creek , from Airlie Beach lagoon area where they will assemble between 6.30 and 7.30am on Sunday 23 September 2012.
Toilets are located at the Airlie Beach Lagoon and at the Brandy Creek starting line area.
Between 8.20 and 8.25am there will be a short race briefing, before the event's start at 8.30am.
Part 1: Brandy Creek to Repulse Creek Camp: 0km – 8km
Start at the gate on the main track, an old logging road that descends through lush rainforest. This part of the track is a wide and smooth gravel road.
Just after 2km, you will pass Wompoo Walk Junction. Continue along the main track your feet may get wet as you cross Impulse Creek. Here you may notice a change in vegetation as the hardy Brown Tulip Oaks replace the moisture-loving Mackay Tulip Oaks, and tough, woody vines replace delicate climbers.
At the Repulse Creek sign, continue 100m past the rainforest campsites to the open campsite where toilets and the first drink station is located.
Part 2: Repulse Creek Camp to Bloodwood Camp: 8km – 20km
The gravel road continues for a little way though driver forest and crosses two creeks. Enjoy the shade provided by the rainforest plants growing in the creeks' surrounds.
The track narrows and becomes steep as you follow a ridge to the summit of Mt Hayward. Enjoy the cool breeze and rewarding view from the top.
Continue along the ridge to the open Bloodwood Camp with toilets and water where you can enjoy views beyond Jubilee Pocket to the Whitsunday Islands .
Part 3: Bloodwood Camp to Water tanks: 20km – 24km
The track continues its ascent to an open cleared area where runners will find their third water stop.
Part 4: Water tanks to Kara Crescent: 24 – 27km
Follow the coastal ridges towards Airlie Beach through low vegetation tangles with vines. This forest survives on rocky soils and endures the seasonal hot sun and occasional tropical cyclone.
Take a steep climb through low vine thicket and then descend through some taller forest before coming to the Honeyeater Walk Junction. Stay to the right and descend into Airlie Beach, taking the time to enjoy your surroundings of grasstrees, cycads and gum trees. If the grasstrees are flowering, look for various honeyeater species coming in to feed. Take care on the steps at the end of the track.
Part 5: Kara Crescent to Airlie Beach Lagoon: 27km – 28.7km
None of the streets between Kara Crescent and the finish will be closed. Give way to everything.
Run 200m down Kara Crescent and take the first right into Orana Street.
Follow Orana Crescent to the intersection of Waterson Way. Orana Street is about 300m long, very narrow and curls around to the left. Do not turn right into Nara Avenue.
When you get to Waterson Way , turn right. You will now be running up and away from Airlie Beach . Cross over Waterson Way so that you are running on the left side (with the traffic). Follow Waterson Way for 800m, though a round about and down into Airlie Beach township. There will be police controlling traffic at the intersection with Shute Harbour Road. You are now about 400m from the finish.
When directed run across Shute Harbour Road and go about 50m down Airlie Esplanade (opposite Airlie Beach Hotel) before turning left and following the pathway through the park, past the playground and the fig trees. Go across the Airlie Beach Bridge and through the car park.
Turn right when you get to the lagoon and follow the pathway around the seaward side of the lagoon. Enjoy the views and celebrate as you cross the finish line at the northern end of the lagoon.