Starting from Mount Glorious Road, Mount Glorious, this walk takes you to the historic Piper Comanche Plane Wreck and back, exploring the woodlands of D’Aguilar National Park along the way. The Piper Comanche crashed on 2 March 1977, around 400 metres below the summit.The pilot(supposedly named Paul Pavletich) was a colour-blind 57 year old man. He wanted to go home so badly that he asked for landing clearance again and again, and finally was given one. It’s believed that he didn’t see the higher terrain due to clouds and crashed into a tree. May he rest in peace. There is also an old log winch on your way to the plane wreck, if you’re interested. Harmonious birdsong will accompany you throughout the journey, and you can spot some Rufous Fantails and bowerbirds in the area. The track gets muddy and slippery in wet conditions, and leeches tend to come out from the mud. Cover yourself well and try to schedule the walk when it’s been dry for a few days. Also, watch out for spiky vines along the track. Look out for pink ribbons on trees for guidance. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Wivenhoe-Somerset Road then drive for 15.3 km
Turn right onto Northbrook Parkway, 31, 9 and drive for another 18.2 km
Turn sharp left onto Lepidozamia Road and drive for another 8 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From Mount Glorious Road(4.35km northwest of Mount Glorious Community Hall), head along the Lepidozamia Road, moving near-perpendicularly away from Mt Glorious Road. After about 145 metres, turn right at the three-way intersection and join the dirt track to continue along Piper Comanche Plane Wreck Track. Look out for pink ribbons on trees for guidance.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Mount Glorious Road & Lepidozamia Road Start heading along Lepidozamia Road (a vehicle track).
After 120 m pass the car park (5 m on your right).
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 55 m veer right.
After another 310 m continue straight.
After another 75 m head down the very steep (25% ~ 14°) earthen incline (about 1.5 km long)
Continue straight.
After another 710 m turn left.
After another 45 m continue straight.
After another 400 m turn left.
After another 250 m turn left.
Continue another 250 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Piper Comanche Plane Wreck
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
6 km
Time
2 h 15 min to 3 h 15 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)