Day 6 - Limestone Creek Track to McCarthy’s Track

Today started with high hopes and grand plans as we set out to conquer the Misery Track to Davies Plains Track hike. But my midnight brain during the planning stage must have thought that it was more appropriate to take the shorter Limestone Creek track route instead without looking at the topographical map!!!

Anyhow, we found ourselves on the Limestone Creek Track instead—a detour I definitely hadn’t planned properly!

What followed was a test of nerves. “What do you mean it took 1 hour to conquer 400m?!!” I hear Cy ask.

The steep inclines and declines of the mountains were relentless, their gravel paths and massive damage from floods and 4WDs a menace to our knees and Trekking poles. My advice to you all is to invest in proper shock absorbing Trekking poles - the ones I had as Cy’s started collapsing under him as he was trying to balance down the steep mountains and his trekking poles made a metal noise against the gravel that really started to annoy me.

Cy was a lot better navigating the gravity while I bush bashed my way down holding onto the trees for balance!

Just when we thought the hike couldn't get any more dramatic, a brigade of 25 dirt bikes came roaring up the treacherous hills. The last rider stopped, curious about our ambitious trek in such steep and wild terrain. It was a surreal moment—an intersection of adrenaline-fueled dirt biking and weary hikers.

Low on water and high on anxiety, we were thrilled to stumble upon a creek that cut through the trail. Wading into its cool waters, we refilled our bottles and let the cold water calm our nerves.

As we neared the Poplars Camping Ground, our exhaustion made the decision for us—camping on that steep decline to the Murray River just wasn’t happening.

Instead, we chose a different spot to pitch our tent, close to our creek. Exhausted but relieved, we washed up, had a quick dinner, and crawled into our tent. Never mind that we pitched the tent on a slight incline which made me slide down all night - just another day in the wilderness!