Djardji-djawara to Mud-Dadjug – Day 12 – South section – GPT

Sunday, 10 May 2026
Temp: cold
Distance 8.85km
Up 677m Down 564m
Time 4:16 hrs Moving time 3:02 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shelter – Enclosed shelter

This morning we woke to misty, dreary conditions. We didn’t want to risk starting out without any vision as it was only an 8km 4hr hike today. So we took our time, as the forecast was for morning fog. Fingers were crossed that it would lift. We packed up everything and put it in the shelter and then hung our tent in the shelter hoping the morning dew would dry off so we could pack it away. We enjoyed a quiet Mother’s day morning making a few calls and preparing for the day ahead. A few hours later it still looked like there was no end in sight to the fog. So we decided to have an early lunch and head off. As always that took a little longer than expected and we were on our way at about 1.15pm.

The trail started out downhill and relatively easy. And then we had a few little uphill climbs, some rock hopping, some boulder climbing and lots and lots of man made stairs made from rocks in the area. We then had a very big climb to 778m up to Signal Peak. Rocks, rocks stairs and more rocks. It was an amazing view at the top. On the way to signal peak we saw a rescue helicopter and were told the Rescue Services were at Mt Abrupt. We hoped it wasn’t one of our camp buddies from the last 2 nights as they had left a lot earlier than us today. We then continued to Mt Abrupt which was back down to 575m and then back up to 828m. Again, the view was spectacular in all directions. By then it was 4pm and we still had a couple of kilometres left to walk on the trail and most of it downhill, as our camp tonight is at 550m elevation. The downhill stairs were tough on our bodies at the end of the day and we were a little slow on them. We arrived just before 4.30pm. We quickly chose our tent pad and setup. By the time we were done, the sun had set spectacularly and it was quite cold. We were very lucky to have enjoyed a dry day on the trail compared to our friends who left at 9.30am and saw nothing until they got to the camp. We enjoyed great walking conditions and the views were amazing in different directions, viewing amazing rock formations, dramatic peaks and farmland all day. We are very grateful for the lovely enclosed shelter again tonight. My feet are feeling the cold tonight as the stars are out and the temperature is a lot colder.

Our camp friends saw paramedics on the trail who said an older lady had twisted her ankle, I wonder if she was helicoptered out?

We have gone up to bed and the forecasted wind gusts of 10kmph have been surpassed already. The wind is quite strong, changed direction as is often the case and we may have chosen the wrong site. Only time will tell. It is only meant to be 5°C at Dunkeld overnight, so it will be colder up here for sure. Eek!!

It is our last night, hopefully we get a good night’s sleep and can get on the trail early.
Wish us good luck. Hehehe!

National Parks notes
Day 12: (S3) Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground – Mud-Dadjug Hike-in Campground
Start: Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground 
Distance: 8.1km 
Grade: 4
Key elevation points: Signal Peak780m, Mt Abrupt 822m
Elevation: 580m up, 460m down
Names and meanings: Djardji-djawara = ‘Djatji-djawara’: Djadki = sister. Mud-Dadjug = ‘Murd-dajook’: blunt, useless arm.
Highlights: New sections of trail passing through stunted eucalypt forest, the rocky mountain summits of Signal Peak and Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug).
The steep track to Signal Peak alternates between rock steps and jumbles of boulders passing small cliffs and ledges that provide excellent vantage points. From Signal Peak the trail descends then climbs south towards Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) through a series of small heathy, forested saddles, rocky slabs and steps. Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) is an exposed rocky summit marked by a steel trigonometric (trig) station. Descend through eucalypts paralleled by a stand of tea-tree along a creek line. Very steep rock steps finally reach Mud-Dadjug Hike-in Campground.
Important safety information:
– Serviced water tank at Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground

: As we woke this morning at Djardji-djawara camp the view was dismal up to the hut..

: ..and looking out from the hut to the non-existent view passed our tent to absolute nothingness..

: ..we packed up and dried our tent from the rafters of the hut whilst we waited patiently for the fog to lift. We enjoyed a quiet Mother’s Day morning..

: ..before heading off after lunch. The track was easy underfoot to start with as we head..

: ..towards the ridges in the distance..

: ..some gumnut flowers, I think..

: ..as we approach the ridges the rock formations were incredible in colour and size..

: ..as were the view of the ranges in the distance..

: ..the green growth of trees is incredible in the foreground, as opposed to the burnt forests of the previous days..

: ..as David tries his hand at some photography, always a part of our travels..

: ..looking up at some of the incredible rock structures along the trail (a vertical panorama to fit them in the photo, which made for an elongated DB)….

: ..as we meander through the trees..

: ..then come to an uphill rock platform..

: ..which turns in to a rock scramble of sorts..

: ..we see a rescue helicopter in the distance..

: ..I hope everyone is ok?

: ..as we continue to Signal Peak..

: ..and finally arrive at the Signal Peak lookout, to yet another amazing viewpoint..

: ..wow!!

: ..and in the distance we can see the rescue team’s command point..

: ..the view out to Mt Abrupt from the Signal Peak lookout..

: ..a little rest stop with a magnificent view..

: What an amazing view as we walk the rocky path..

: ..back on to the trail to continue on our way to Mt Abrupt..

: ..the trail becomes rocky amongst the shrubs and the view of the plains in the distance are incredible..

: ..some pretty red common heath..

: ..as we continue to Mt Abrupt..

: ..a dew covered spider’s web in the forest..

: ..and a hawk or eagle above..

: ..some white common heath..

: ..as we get closer to Mt Abrupt..

: ..a little colourful butterfly or moth..

: ..the rocky trail a little rugged underfoot..

: ..as we continue the climb..

: ..and finally reach the trig at Mt Abrupt..

: ..we leave the beautiful view and walk..

: ..through rocky areas..

: ..eucalypts and tea-trees..

: ..before climbing some very steep rocky steps..

: ..to the Mud-Dadjug hut..

: ..just in time at about 4.30pm..

: ..to witness the most amazing sunset..

: ..as we quickly choose our tent pad and set up camp..

: ..as the sun continues to set..

: ..with the most amazing colours..

: ..looking up at whence we have come, with Mt Abrupt towering above us….

: ..what a beautiful day..

: ..as we head in to our last hut on the trail. Glad that we had waited for the fog to clear before a late start so we were able to enjoy the magnificent views and the amazing colours of the sunset. Yeehah!!

: Today we have walked 8.85km over 4hrs 16mins, up 677m and down 564m. Pretty good effort in half a day. One more day to go.