Saturday, 2 May 2026
Temp: Max 7.5C
Distance 15.5km
Up 781m Down -793m
Time 6:18 hrs Moving time 4:57 hrs
FB Bad left big toe
Wind gusts up to 104kmh
Average wind speed 43kmh
8mm rain
Shelter – Open wind shelter
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We had a very windy night, with enormous wind gusts. At one stage I thought I was going to lift off like Dorothy and end up in Munchkin Land. So needless to say, sleep wasn’t great last night.

We knew we had another huge day and the plan was to try to get to camp before the rain which we thought was to arrive about 4pm. It didn’t rain overnight nor was it raining when we woke so the plan was to move fast. Unfortunately, I had a bad morning. I lost my hat and spent about 20 minutes searching for it, to no avail. I even fully unpacked my bag. Then we were on our way by 8.25am, then 200m up the track I thought I had left something behind on the table, so I headed back again. Then, off we went, yet again. We were at just under 850m elevation and the trail headed straight up. We went out onto a bitumen road which went straight up for the next 3 km to the summit of Mt William (1167m). We then headed straight back down, the day was like a roller coaster, the only problem was there were a couple of big dipper descents and ascents, it felt neverending. The views were amazing and ever changing. Rocks, cliffs, blackened trees and lots of boulders. It was a day of ups and downs, and it was very windy on the ridge, summits and the plateau. We just powered on as we were racing the rain. We had a short, early lunch at First Wannon campground in the gully out of the wind. Then off we went again and it started to drizzle. We used our umbrellas, a little unsuccessfully due to the wind. It wasn’t long before I had my rain gear on. Then the sun came out, but not for long. Then we walked across the Mitchell Plateau in howling wind, across metal platforms (sometimes uplifted by the gusts) and undulating terrain, then headed up to Durd Durd (1167). Then we went on to Banksia Hill (1103m), then more rock hopping along the ridgeline. Then down we go again. The rocks were relentless. There was some clambering on boulders, on and off little rocks, rock hopping and climbing up and down a zillion steps. It was a big day.

We finally made it to camp at 3pm. It was still drizzling. We set up camp and for the first time in 8 days, I had an afternoon rest inside the tent out of the drizzle, whilst David perfected the tent, as the wind was still howling and the gusts felt like we would take off. We sat at the open air tables for dinner, sort of in between showers. David finished his dinner under his new little umbrella. It will be a very long night as we were in bed by 7.30pm. Hopefully it rains itself out tonight.

National Parks notes
Day 8: (C4) Duwul Hike-in Campground – Durd Durd Hike-in Campground
Start: Duwul Hike-in Campground
Distance:14.5km
Grade: 4
Key elevation points: Durd Durd Hike-in Campground 855m
Elevation: 800m up, 850m down
Names and meanings: Duwul = ‘Duwil’: the mountain. Durd Durd = ‘Durt Durt’: stars.
Highlights: Mt William (Duwul) summit; 400m. The park’s highest mountain with views of the Serra Range and Victoria Ranges.
Climb to Mt William (1167m) then head south to Boundary Gap (878m) separating Mt William from the Major Mitchell Plateau. A challenging ‘big dipper’ that must be endured. The Major Mitchell Plateau undulates across rocks and steel mesh walkway, passing First Wannon Creek and reaching the highest point on the plateau, Durd Durd (1167m), marked by a rock cairn. Continue south to Banksia Hill (1103m), across the banksia ridgeline where the trail rock-hops across large boulders before descending to an open grassy woodland, reminiscent of an alpine meadow.
Important safety information:
– Rainwater tanks at Duwul and Durd Durd Hike-in Campgrounds
– Serviced water tank at Mt William Summit