Green Mountain to Stinson Wreck Hike to Christmas Creek.

A challenging, but rewarding, two day hike with a sizeable car shuffle. This track follows Bernard O'Reilly's route taken to attempt to locate the Stinson crashsite. There are some challenging downhills on the final section down to Christmas Creek including a short rock climb segment. It would be wise to assume the track to be non-existent outside of the short window after the O'Reillys crew clears the path for their bi-annual walk. At time of writing, the track is completely flagged by pink ribbon, making staying on track much simpler.

This hike begins at O'Reillys and follows the Border Track before turning right to Albert River Circuit around to Echo Point campsite (this is a large campsite with a few small creeks nearby crossing the track). We definitely took the wrong (old?) track out of Echo Point before cutting up a clear gully to get back on track. From Echo Point to Rat-a-Tat is fairly well cleared track. A sign indicates the turn-off to the campsite.

From Rat-a-Tat the footpad has a habit of disappearing with undergrowth and fallen trees requiring detours every few hundred metres. Continuing a steep incline up to Mt Throakban and then down following ridgeline straddling the NSW border. A left hook back to a hidden lookout is present as indicated.

Route then meanders up and down before an incline to Point Lookout and taking a sharp right towards the Wreck. A quick run up the Stretcher Track showed this option be even more overgrown. The track becomes much easier to follow down from Point Lookout however, with more open forest and a lot more day walkers present. Water is available beside the campsite with a steep descend to the gully. The Stinson Wreck is found on the opposite side of this ridge.

The track then descends very steeply toward Westray's Grave with multiple switchbacks and scrambles. The Grave is found by turning right at the intersection with the creek. Note: don't be tempted to break for lunch and a swim here, there are much nicer swimming holes further along.

The remainder of the walk follows a gradual decline along the lefthand side of Christmas Creek out, exiting through a gate to Christmas Creek road.

This can be done in either two or three days. The two day being a long first day to Point Lookout campsite (no water, but a good view and constant breeze helps with insects) or Stinson Wreck campsite (reliable water from nearby stream, worth checking out at night for the glow worm show). Three day with first night at Rat-a-Tat (excellent spot with a very nice creek), followed by Stinson Wreck campsite.

Attempting this hike in reverse would be a lot more challenging.