This article first appeared in Mid North Coast July 2023 newsletter. Reprinted with permission.
North Brother, Laurieton, May 2023
Walk leaders: Sue Goodison & Roxanne Dunn
Number of walkers: 19 (Direct Ascent); 6 (Longer Ascent)
Reports: Sue Goodison & Roxanne Dunn
Roxanne had 6 intrepid walkers attempt to find a very overgrown trail to the lookout on North Brother. A very challenging walk, still enjoyed by those who took part, with the added bonus of a, “who has the most leeches competition”.
Saturday 6th May saw 19 keen walkers heading up Dooragan also known as North Brother and Big Brother. Prior to the start we had a little brain starter quiz about orographic rainfall. Look it up if you don’t know and why it pertains to Laurieton.
We also discussed a connection between the Biripi people from thousands of years ago and Captain Cook in 1770. Most people know that when he sailed north and espied the 3 mountains, he named them North, Middle and South Brothers. The highest is Middle Brother, hence the TV tower but the biggest, in area, is Dooragan. As well, when a young apprentice James Cook was learning his shipwright trade in Whitby, England, his second ship was called the 3 Brothers. A bit unusual as most ships of the time had female names.
Now for the second connection. Three Biripi brothers were killed by a witch named Widjirriejuggi. They were buried where the mountains stand with the names given Dooragan, Mooragan and Booragan – north, middle and south.
The walk up and down the mountain from the Brother Glen street access was hard in places but we had stops and a short morning tea break. The view at the top is amazing with clear views north to Port Macquarie and Crescent Head as well as the Camden Haven River and Googleys Lake and Queens Lake.