While in South East Queensland we spend time in the western areas before ending up in the Gold Coast.
We spend a few days at Jack’s Place campsite, just north of Toogoolawah. We really enjoyed the isolation and creek side tranquillity.
The resident horses visited our campsite every day.
Just an hour and a half west of Toogoolawah is the Bunya Mountains. This is one of our favourite spots. Dandabah is the only campsite on the mountain accommodating caravans. Unfortunately the road up the mountain is not suitable for large caravans. Just before the narrow windy road start. is the Maidenwell Hotel. This hotel offers free camping in the back paddock.
Bunya Mountains is named after the large evergreen conifer, the Bunya Pine.
The mountain offers 9 different walking tracks, totalling 40km. The views and birdlife on the tracks we did, were spectacular. Old grasstrees show evidence of past bushfires.
While we did the bushwalks, the sound of the sulphar-crested Cockatoos filled the air.
King parrots were also common on the walking tracks.
Unfortunately some of the majestic trees lost foliage and started to die due to soil-borne pathogens.
Shoe cleaning stations have been set up at the start of the walking tracks to help combat the spread of the disease.
Some sections of the tracks are well shaded and meanders through the gigantic pines.
At the top of the mountain is a small business complex with a shop, two restaurants and a massage parlour.
A horse drawn cart takes visitors for a gallop up and down the main street.
Kookaburras were not intimidated by the visitors at the shopping centre.
Fisher Lookout was our pick for a sunset and it did not disappoint.
We visited another gem in South East Queensland known as the Waterfall Way. We started the drive from Boonah in the direction of Killarney. The elevated road had great views and three waterfalls to stop at.
Our first stop was at Queen Mary Falls. A 2km circuit walk took us to the base of the falls and back to the carpark.
Our next stop was Daggs Falls. We just viewed these falls from the lookout.
The last fall for the day was Browns Falls. To get to the base of the falls we had to negotiate a slippery 600m adventure walk. The undeveloped track included lots of rock hopping, creek crossings and slippery slopes.
At the end of the Waterfall Way, we visited to the small town of Killarney. As a return trip, we decided to follow the Condamine Gorge and complete the 14 River Crossing Track. The track is subject to flooding but was open on the day we were there. The drive follows the gorge with fertile farmland along the way.
And then, the crossings started…
The track passed by Paddy’s knob.
Also on the western side of Brisbane we visited Murphy’s Creek, at the bottom of Toowoomba Range. The “beach” at Murphy’s Creek was well shaded and an ideal spot to cool off or have afternoon drinks.
Murphy’s Creek seemed very popular with families with many activities for all ages.
Not too far from the campsite is the Spring Bluff Railway Station. This heritage listed station has been an important part of the railway network between Ipswich and Toowoomba for the past 150 years. Even though the station is now decommissioned, the gardens are still maintained by a trust and attract many visitors during spring.
Also on the western side of Brisbane is Somerset Dam. Many camping options are available on the abutment of the dam. We chose to stay at the NMRA Lake Somerset Holiday Park.
The holiday park is popular with fishos, boaties and campers.
Somerset Dam overflows into Wivenhoe Dam. Lake Wivenhoe is at the heart the water storage system for Brisbane and South East Queensland. For us, Lake Wivenhoe is synonymous with relaxed camping and great sunsets. This was also an ideal spot to catch up with a few friends and camping families.
Wivenhoe is also known for an abundance of wild life including this peeping possum in the ladies amenities.
The amenities is also home to the elusive green frog and also a few seasonal pythons, rolled up in the rafters.
We even had a frogmouth in a tree above the caravan. A koala next to the road, on the way out, was the cherry on the cake.
Almost every day ended in a spectacular sunset.
Just south-west of Wivenhoe Dam is Gatton and the Main Range Conservation Area. In the Conservation Area is Glen Rock Camping Area. This was our next stop.
The campsite is next to Blackfellow Creek.
The information centre of the Conservation Area is a slab hut built with traditional construction methods. There were no nails or screws used in the construction of this hut, only blue wire and hard wood.
The lace monitors at Glen Rock, are massive.
On the way out we passed an old camel grazing along the creek.
Just up the range is Toowoomba. We visited a few of the well kept council parks in Toowoomba.
Old sandstone buildings line the main street. The old Courthouse was our favourite.
We followed the mountain range towards Crows Nest and stopped at the Cuckoo Clock Centre.
Crows Nest Soft Drinks was one of the soft drink pioneers in Queensland, that started 122 years ago. They are still in business, and still have a few of the vintage flavours on offer.
Kauyoo Pool in Crows Nest National Park was worth the stop.
Also on top of the range is the small town of Goombungee, known as the picnic town.
Picnic spots are available on the road reserves of the main road through town.
We stayed on the mountain range and spend two nights at Haden. On top of the mountain range, the stars and the moon feel very close.
We headed further west to The Woolshed at Jondaryan. This site is dedicated to preserve the local pastural and farming history. The old REX woodfired stove date back to times before electricity.
There are many old wooden horse wagons and spiders on display.
Inside the woolshed the wooly smell of lanolin is still in the air. We even had a sheep shearing demonstration with both hand and vintage electrical clippers.
Various displays of vintage tools and homeware are scattered throughout the small historical town, like these cast iron kettles.
The woolshed doubles as a wedding venue. The bridal cart passed through the campsite.
Almost two hours south of Jondaryan is Gordon Country. This area has great views and many walking tracks to explore the area.
We did the track to Sylvester Lookout.
Another 2 hour trip south east took us to Moogerah Dam.
On the opposite side of the campsite at Moogerah Dam is a waterfall and swimming hole. The waterfall was dry when we were there.
There was no better way to end the day than enjoying a few drinks with friends at Moogerah Dam.
From Moogerah Dam we headed south to Bigriggen Park. This was not our first visit to this wide open, grassy campground.
Bigriggen Park is surrounded by the Logan river and Burnett Creek. Campers gravitate towards the creek where you can float around the campground.
From here we headed in the direction of the Gold Coast and camped at Thunderbird Park in the Tamborine Mountain. The views from the mountain over the Hinterland was fantastic.
Thunderbird Park is best known for weddings and corporate functions.
This mountain resort has activities for all ages, from bird feeding to high ropes.
The open thunderegg mine is popular with the young ones.
For us the campfire and a hearty warm meal in the mountain, was enough.
Walking distance from the campsite, is Cedar Creek.
As we left Cedar Creek, we looked down on a canopy of lush mountainous rainforest.
We did not leave the mountain area before visiting Purling Brook Falls in the Springbrook National Park.
From here we left the Gold Coast Hinterland area and headed to the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast. Paradise Country is a centrally located caravan park with easy access to all the theme parks and the Gold Coast CBD.
First up, we took a few swings at the Top Golf entertainment complex.
We visited at the Royal Pines resort.
We had a great breakfast at Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club. Elephant Rock is best known for the annual Anzac Day dawn service. Once on the rock we had a 360 degree view looking down on Surfers Paradise in the north and Coolangatta to the south.
Close to Currumbin is Tallebudgera Creek Campground in Burleigh Heads. This campground is popular due to its proximity to the well known Gold Coast beaches. The campground borders Tallebudgera Creek.
As we strolled on the beaches, we caught glimpses of the Surfers Paradise skyline.
We spend an easy morning in the shade on Surfers Paradise beach.
The Gold Coast remains a popular holiday location for local and international visitors. Many accommodation options are available on the Gold Coast waterways.
We went up in the Q1 tower to get and elevated view of the Gold Coast.
This concluded the first part of our first trip, exploring Australia. We were looking forward to catching up with family and friends before heading off on our next adventure.