Piper Comanche Hike

Join Tom Social for a different kind of hiking adventure as we head deep into D’Aguilar National Park on a search mission to find the wreckage of a Piper Comanche aircraft hidden in the forest.
Fast facts
Distance: 6.1km return
Elevation gain: 356m
Route: Out and back
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Hike100 Points: 12 points if you find the wreckage
The mission
In March 1977, a Piper Comanche aircraft crashed in what is now D’Aguilar National Park. Almost 50 years later, remnants of the aircraft remain hidden among the forest – and our mission is to find them.
At just 6.1km, this might sound like an easy hike, but the route is more adventurous than the distance suggests. We’ll travel through thick eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest, with steep and uneven terrain and sections of track that can be difficult to follow.
Navigation is part of the challenge. Tom Social will navigate the route as a group, keeping everyone together as we make our way towards the crash site.
Once we find the plane, we’ll stop to explore the area, take photos and have a break before making our way back through the forest.
We’ll most likely reward our search efforts with a bite to eat as a group afterwards.
What to bring
Suitable hiking shoes or sturdy runners with good grip are recommended. Please bring at least 2 litres of water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. The area is known for leeches and mosquitoes.
A reasonable level of fitness and some previous hiking experience is recommended.
Carpooling
Carparking is strictly limited (side of the road) so we highly encourage carpooling – especially for new members!
Carpooling will be available from Windsor Railway Station. Please only select the carpool option if you are attending Windsor Railway Station (not taking others from a different location).
If you’re ready for something different from our usual hikes, join the search party and help us find the Piper Comanche.