Beautiful Betsy Walk (6km), Kroombit Tops National Park, Queensland

Beautiful Betsy Walk is a 6km, grade 2 hike located in the Kroombit Tops National Park, Queensland. The hike should take around 2.25 hrs to complete.

Length: 6km

Duration: 2.25 hrs

Grade: 2

Style: Return

Start: Unnamed Road

End: Unnamed Road

Location: Kroombit Tops National Park

Closest town: Tablelands

Queensland

From state capital: 577km

Longitude: 150.9497944

Latitude: -24.3774809

Hike summary

A plane crash which lay hidden in the Australian bush wasn't discovered for nearly 50 years is the short backstory to the Beautiful Betsy walk in Kroombit Tops National Park.

It sounds like something out of a film but it's true - Beautiful Betsy is the remains of a World War II Liberator Bomber aircraft which lay hidden and lost in the Kroombit Tops underbrush until a ranger saw a glint of silver after a backburn and discovered it in 1994.

This walk enables you to learn about the bomber, its occupants who lost their lives and it's tragic end and view the wreckage which has been a permanent fixture in the landscape since its' tragic collision in 1945.

Most of this park is unsealed road suitable only for four-wheel drives so make sure you check out the National Park map before setting off.

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Gear you might need

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Location

Getting there

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Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

Weather

About the region

Kroombit Tops is a national park in Central Queensland, Australia. Located between Monto and Calliope in The Boyne Valley, it is 399 km northwest of Brisbane. Cania Gorge National Park is located approximately 25 km to the south.

In February 1945, an American Liberator Bomber, "Beautiful Betsy", crashed into what is now Kroombit Tops National Park. The wreckage was discovered on 2 August 1994.

Recreational activities conducted in the park include birdwatching, off road driving and bushwalking. Camping is permitted.

For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Queensland.com

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

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