CORANG PEAK, Morton National Park – 13-15 March 2026
Yes, this trip was “just right”! Eight years ago, I did a walk in this area but there was more to see and so I added a return visit to my wish list. The weeks turned into months and the months into years and next thing I know I’m almost too old to be able to do the trip. Fortunately, Trish was looking for an overnight walk to do and this one appealed to her.
Jim joined us and whilst four would have been better, three of us was “just right”. So, where were we going? In 2018, the legendary Louise took us to Corang River where we floated around on pool toys and drank Margaritas (frozen), that Louise had carried in.
Day 1 – roughly 17k, approx 7 hours: On the walk out, we passed the turnoff to Corang Peak. On researching the trip, Trish discovered there was also a place called Corang Arch, she also found out that there was a camp cave (no need to carry a tent), and we could access the Corang River cascades, so we made it a three day trip, “just right”. I didn’t take too much notice of how long the walk in would be, but, “should be ok”.
The obligatory “death” photo.
At the Wog Wog car park, we ran into some contractors who were looking for endangered species – and right where we were chatting, they pointed out this terrestrial orchid – what they called a “Bunny Ears” orchid. I’m a big fan of terrestrial orchids! The flower is about the size of my little fingernail. I did a fruitless Google search and couldn’t find it, which is sort of funny because I spent the rest of the trip looking for the flower so I could take a better image of it – there wasn’t an image on the ‘net. The only other flower I found was on the track in a muddy section right in the middle of the track so I’m sure by now someone has trodden on it. Who knows what its name is LOL or if it’s endangered!
The walk starts out on a pretty easy track (a few ks on an old fire trail).
Eventually we were past the track that meandered through open forest and came to blocks of rock (this one had a small overhang).
This one had the potential of views and as we were still fresh, we checked it out.
As this was the first of the views, it was pretty impressive, although further along the trail, there were much better views.
We came across two wombat holes, side by side. It was determined that this was a Wombat Party venue, according to either Trish or Jim wombats get together in holes of this size and have orgies (anyone who can confirm or deny encouraged to leave a comment below).
Another large block of rock just sitting out in the middle of nowhere. We stopped here for lunch. Note the conglomerate nature of the rock (none of us know what causes this, it’s not igneous rock, sort of like a dense sandstone).
By mid afternoon we were walking along a ridge, mostly flat with the occasional drop into a saddle. Very easy walking and the views were amazing.
Another excellent view.
From the same location, we got out our map and decided that the “hill” on the far right could possibly be Corang Peak, where we were headed. We’d have to walk a big horseshoe.
We’re now walking towards Korra Hill (that very low hill above Jim), we didn’t even have to walk over the “hill”, we circumvented it on the way to Corang Peak (almost doesn’t warrant being called a peak LOL). The track by now is “just right” easy as, flat and no vegetation to push your way through.
It was lat-ish afternoon so we decided that we wouldn’t summit Corang Peak, but would take the “low” track and summit the Peak on our way home. I didn’t like the low track at all, very wet and you were constantly pushing your way through spear grass and the possibility of snakes was very high!
We’re through the spear grass but the track is still very wet. The assent track to the Peak is on the horizon on the left.
We’re getting close to Corang Arch now, we don’t know which side of the track it’s on, so I’m checking out either side – some pretty big cliffs over there.
And more over the other side.
On the way out on Day 3, we came across this “sign” which pointed the way to Corang Arch, we didn’t even notice it, not that we had any trouble finding it, but others apparently have had difficulty in the past.
Jim was the first one to find this arch and we were a little “underwhelmed” as it wasn’t that big. Trish did some further exploration.
And found The Arch, it’s pretty big – I think Dargans Arch in the Blue Mountains is longer, but nevertheless, this one is impressive and warrants the long walk out to see it.
Trish and Jim decided to make there way down to it and try to climb it. You can just see them from this photo, it’s quite a way to get to a spot where you can climb the arch.
They are braver than me, I was very nervous but I’m sure it felt safer than it looked from where I was sitting.
Corang Peak looks much more impressive from Corang Arch.
There was quite a “route” down off the ridge, by this time I’m quite tired and the route down seemed iffy because of all the conglomerate rock, looked like the rocks could easily break off and send you rolling down the rock-face. I took photos on the way out. At the bottom of the rocky route there was a reasonable track down to the valley.
This photo was taken the following day, but it shows you the top of the ridge and the route down that we took, and then we crossed this swamp (again very snaky and wet, luckily there was a boardwalk so you didn’t sink into the silt).
By now I was very very tired and we had another 2-3ks before we’d arrive at our destination – a 5 star camp cave which was “just right”. There’s even a honeymoon suite next to the main part of the cave.
After 17k I was definitely stuffed and was in bed by 7.30pm, sadly though I didn’t sleep that well (overtired?), but thankfully Day 2 would be “easy-as”.
Day 2 – 8k and 7 hours: It sounds like we took forever to do 8k but we did a lot of exploring, plus ran across other walkers and stopped to have a (long) chat! The Budawang’s Guru, Geoff J, had given us the grid references for a couple of other caves if the 5 star one was occupied when we got there. So, we headed off to find the first one.
This one was about 1k back on the track. In fact, when we first arrived late yesterday afternoon, we took a track that just didn’t feel right to Trish, so we turned back and found another track, if we had stayed on that first track, we’d have arrived at this overhang and frankly I was so stuffed I would have been happy to stop here – and we would have missed out on the 5 star cave!
It looked like a well-used overhang and Trish counted about 6 fire scars, some of them on level spots where you could have camped.
Last night we had passed the NPWS official campsite of Burrumbeet Brook, which has a couple of these cleared areas plus a toilet block. We walked past the campsites on our way to Corang River, and they were empty, later in the afternoon, the campsites were full (and we later found out that the overhang had 4 people in it) so it’s a very popular walk.
The muddy track, with the helipad on the right at the base of the cliff and Profile Rock hill in the distance, we’d walk around this back to the swamp we’d crossed yesterday.
On our way down to the swamp (and Corang Arch in the distance). Not looking forward to crossing the swamp again.
We’re now following Canowie Brook which flows into Corang River. It’s a well used track, and is suffering from the over-use.
Nice pools to have a dip in if it gets too hot.
During our exploration (some off track sorties), we found this hidden campsite, looks like it’s been well used over the years given the fire-pit.
Another lovely water hole.
There was a very well defined track until we were about 300m from Corang River, then when the creek closed in, there was no defined track. So we spent then next 300m battling flood debris, trying not to get our feet wet crossing the creek to avoid deep pools. We’d passed a side track about 500m back but didn’t check it out, Big mistake there! But, we did arrive eventually.
There were a few cascades, but we were above the 2 waterfalls, with no way downstream without swimming. So, Jim and Trish will have to make a return trip to see all the waterfalls that I climbed up on my last trip.
While Trish and Jim had a swim (I had a nap) (Photo: Trish).
After a lazy lunch, we backtracked 50m and found a route up to where the actual track was and took a side trip to view the “waterfall”.
Whilst Morton NP does not advertise this walk it’s very popular on the internet with All Trails giving route details. The consequence being that the track is showing heavy use and secondary tracks are appearing where people don’t want to walk in the mud. I’m intending to send a notice to them that some work needs to be done so that tracks like this don’t become 2m wide.
We were back at our campsite at 4.30pm, cleaned up in a convenient pool of water and then enjoyed a lazy dinner.
Day 3 – roughly 17k, approx 6 hours: the plan for today was to climb Corang Peak, but there was some uncertainty as Trish had acquired a nasty blister on her heal. Nevertheless, we set out with the intention of reassessing at the base of the Peak.
A better view of the cave just as we’re ready to leave. Big thanks Geoff J for recommending this cave, it wasn’t as difficult to find as you suggested it may be.
An uneventful trip to the base of the ridge. Lots of what looked like lose rocks but they were what looked like cemented in. I was too tired on Day 1 to take photos of us descending.
It was higher than it looks, and Trish was really suffering from the blister.
A nasty cross over that was almost vertical.
Almost to the top, and we have a Mount Rushmore type rock over towards the right.
Finally at the top of the ridge.
Great views, that’s Pigeon House Mountain in the distance. At this point, Trish decided that she’d try out swapping over her shoe and use one of her Crocs.
Despite being one of the “cheap” Crocs, it worked really well for Trish so she decided that she would be up for bagging this wheeny Peak, so, we’re on our way up.
Crocs Rule – we’re at the Peak. The view was spectacular, and the route was easy as and possibly quicker than using the lower route – “just right” for me.
The Peak was one of my highlights, thanks so much Trish for using the Croc. The rest of the walk was basically along the route we’d entered via so not many photos taken.
I have to say I was really happy to get back to Wog Wog parking lot, it was really hot, I was getting very sunburned (took the wrong shirt), and was very tired. Big thanks to Trish for putting the walk on (and doing all the research) and for Jim accompanying us. Would definitely recommend the walk.
So, here’s the route we took, not totally accurate, this old map doesn’t show it accurately. The trip was “Just Right”, led by Goldilocks Trish.
Update on Trish’s heel: I had some good stuff at home to treat the blister, but on Tuesday, at 4.30 I thought my ankle was looking very puffy. By 5pm I had stinging and soreness around the outside of blister. So I headed over to the doctor, in the hour or so I waited at urgent care, the puffiness became harder, hotter and redder. The infection had become cellulitis and now that I’m treating it, it’s fine, I’m pleased I went cos overnight could have gotten much worse, already looking better.
The cellulitis had started by Mon night. Be aware and diligent folks. Can happen very quickly. Super strong antibiotics from Mon night, much better by a Wed follow up appointment