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April 2017
01 April 2017
Today started off with us receiving sad news. News that Diesel, the staffy that friends Kim and Carolyn had, had passed away. We have enjoyed his company and had lots of fun with him over the years that we knew him, and we will miss him.
The rest of the day was rather slow as the weather gradually improved and then later in the afternoon we took a drive to have a look at some sunflowers that are growing not far from town.
And despite the rain through the area these flowers were all smiles.
A bee hard at work helped make the shot.
Leaving the sunflowers and their attendant bee's to bask in the sun we took some slightly wet back roads through flooded paddocks to Allora, home of P. L Travers, the author of Mary Poppin's She lived in what was the Australian Joint Stock Bank which was managed by her father and is now known as the Mary Poppin's House.
Leaving the nice little town of Allora we made our way back to Clifton.
04 April 2017
After taking refuge from the rain and bad weather for a week at Clifton our allowed 7 days there was up and so we left to start our trip South as the wind blew it's heart out and we felt like we were in a cyclone.
Making our way to Warwick through back roads we stopped for some information before heading out to the picturesque town of Killarney. Coming into town we had a good view of the hills that surround the town and the crops that are grown on the flat parts before town.
The main reason for coming this way was to view and photograph the Queen Mary Falls, but the road up through the hill was not suitable for caravans and the like. We had no intention of staying at the caravan parks due to their high prices so had to come up with another way to do this. The other way came in the form of a gravel pit outside some houses at the start of the road up.
Stopping to talk to a man working in the front yard proved to be a good move and he agree to keep an eye on the house while we went up the road. Unhitched and locked up we left the house and made our way up the road, first stop, Browns Falls.
Walking through the giant drain pipes and up the creek it was a case of rock hopping and trying to stay upright on the slippery rocks and passing the debris that had recently come down the creek when it flooded. Passing small cascades and small falls on the way up the end was never found as time and photography stopped a longer exploration, but what was there was nice.
A 30 second exposure allowed the whirlpool to be captured.
A small fall and pool a bit further up the creek.
The largest falls that we came to before turning back.
Leaving Browns Falls we made our way up the road a bit more before stopping for a look at Daggs Falls, a small viewing platform giving the best view of the falls.
Despite the grey clouds above them, Daggs Falls were still a pleasant sight.
Up and up some more we finally arrived at the car park to the Queen Mary Falls, opposite a cabin and caravan park. Parking up we collected our stuff and took the Cliff Walk to the falls, the sound of which we could hear from the car park. Arriving at the viewing platform we stopped for a look and some photo's before continuing on down to the base and the causeway across the bottom.
The view over the falls and walkway.
With mist from the falls falling over us and the area the view was very nice.
Climbing back up the other side we arrived back at the ute with two Kookaburra's watching us as as low cloud and light rain fell upon us. Heading up the road some more the reason for no busses or caravans soon became evident. The narrow, road, with trees and bush overhanging the road like a tunnel made for an pleasant view and the rain that increased as we made our way up made for an interesting drive.
The lookouts along the way were closed in and so we decided not to continue to the top and so returned to the bottom and then took a short drive over the border into NSW to view the Blue Cow Shed.
Sitting by the side of the road the blue cow shed was fun to view.
Heading back over the border into Qld we hitched up the house and headed back into town for a look, and a chat with the local Police to see if the Condamine River Road was open or not, the answer being not. Pity, it would have been fun to take and to cross the river time after time so it will have to be another time.
Heading up the hill on the Yangan to Killarney Road as the rain came over the mountains and covered the Killarney we enjoyed the views in the mirrors as we made our way along through small pleasant looking farming towns nestled at the foot of the surrounding hills.
Making our way along we were looking for a spot to spend the night and as we came to the outskirts of Warwick found a small gravel pit not far from the industrial area of town, which we thought would be okay, and it was.
We awoke this morning to another windy day with a partly cloudy day. Heading back into town to get some paperwork printed for our next work assignment which we unexpectedly received on the way out to Killarney. Leaving town after getting our paperwork printed at the library and then some shopping we made our way through more nice open farming countryside to the small town of Bony Mountain where we took up a spot at the Bony Mountain Sportsground.
11 April 2017
Having left the Bony Mountain Sportsground we made our way back to Clifton where we like to camp while in this area and while sitting there for a few days made a day trip to Biddeston to see if the Tractor Pull Campground was still there (it had been removed from wikicamps). Arriving to find the place still there and still inhabited, we made arrangements to move over which we did the next day.
With seriously good ensuite bathrooms with the best rainforest showerheads just a few steps away, at $50 a week with power and water it is no wonder some people have been here for over a year! The other bonus is that it is quiet, peaceful and has a pleasant view to boot.
Not a bad little camp spot.
Finding ourselves a spot with a view we set up and settled in. The next day we made the 15km trip to the Oakey Power Station to check out where we are going to be working for about 10 days from the 12th, helping with the shutdown. Not having done this work before it will be interesting to see what it involves and how we go, but with the money being so good we figured it's only for 10 days and we will make some seriously good money doing it, so what the heck.
The view out of our back window as the sun rises over Toowoomba.
23 April 2017
Back on the road again after our short detour. Having been offered 7 to 10 days work at the Oakey Power Station for its shutdown we took up the offer because the money was so good. Well, both the money and the job were good. We were part of a small team of 5 on the nightshift who were there to clean and help reassemble the Gas Turbine parts.
Working from 5.30pm to 3.30am was a little bit of a shock but after the first three nights we had Easter Saturday and Sunday off and then went back for four more nights which made things easier. Signing on with your face was a little funny with the clock on and off machine set up to recognise our faces to record our being there and going home at the end of the shift. So after facing on it was time for a shift briefing before locking our assigned padlock onto a box and signing the permit and then it was off to work. Smoko was at 9.30pm, lunch at 1am and knock off at 3.30am, though most mornings we were out the gate before that. Being only 15 km's from the house we were back and asleep by just after 4am.
Oakey has two Gas Turbines in the power station and the one we were working on was totally pulled apart and cleaning both the parts and the turbine building was certainly an insight, as was helping to reassemble the various parts using a crane, winches and the like. It was also interesting to see the screen showing the current power transfers between states and the price per kilowatt hour.
So, piggy bank topped up we spent the weekend to get back into a normal sleeping pattern, sort ourselves out and prepare to hit the road once more.
24 April 2017
Pulling out from the tractor pull we were once again glad to be moving and grateful for the work and great place to stay. Taking the back roads to Warwick where we stopped for some shopping and then headed out to the gravel pit where we stayed once before, on the outskirts of town.
25 April 2017
We awoke to a pea souper this Anzac Day and with thoughts of those who Anzac Day is about, we packed up and headed for Killarney again.
On the way to Killarney.
Driving through the lifting fog we arrived to find the town preparing for its main Anzac Day celebration. Cars and people everywhere either at the memorial, along the route or at the staging post for the march. It was also nice to see a small contingent of Army personnel there for the ceremony presumably the catafalque party, rifles slung and a chest full of medals from their duty in recent conflicts, all shiny as a new penny, and no doubt filled with pride.
We made our way out of town to the small gravel pit near some houses where we left the 5er on our last visit to town. Unhooking we left the house behind and made our way up the road, past Daggs and Queen Mary Falls where we visited only a few weeks ago, and passing many motor and pedal cyclists and 4wd vehicles on the way.
The trickle of this stream can be heard as you climb the hill through here on the way to Queen Mary Falls.
Some of the beautiful tree's along the way up the road.
Looking up the road.
Passing the no go sign for trucks, buses and caravans we made our way up the narrow, winding road and arrived at Carr's Lookout where the view was just magnificent, and totally visible unlike the last time we were up here.
Dropping down the equally narrow and winding road we passed the turn into the Condamine River Road where we would be coming back to. We were looking for Teviot Falls. Arriving at a small pull over we stopped for a look and decided that we were not there yet, and so descended the mountain on a road that got even narrower and where passing vehicles coming up meant one of us had to stop to let the other past.
Arriving at the bottom and then passing through exceptionally nice country we decided that we had gone too far and so turned around. We figured we had missed the sign somehow and so made our way back up the mountain, only to find a view of the falls from the very same pull over we had stopped at before!
Teviot Falls off in the distance.
Quite a few other vehicles pulled in as we left. Making our way back the way we had come and then taking the turnoff to head down the Condamine River Road. Being a public holiday there were many other 4wd enthusiasts out on road, some sensible, some not, and quite a few people pulled up at the river crossings for an Anzac Day picnic, their entertainment being the people making the crossings.
The start of the gorge and the river road trip.
The sign says it all.
Passing through farming country that sits along the riverbanks and in the shadow of the high gorge walls, we eventually came to the first of the fourteen river crossings - let the fun begin.
The first crossing, an easy start.
and another.
how many is that?
The dog leg complete with spectators and a line up to cross on the opposite side.
Watching our automatic depth finder in action.
We took photos of most of the crossings, and the deepest it got was to the side steps, which is a far contrast to the last time we were here, some three weeks ago. Evidence of the recent floods that closed the road was everywhere with tree trunks and other debris visible.
Back down the mountain we hitched the house back up and considered taking it back across a few of the crossings to a camp site that we saw on our way down the road. But we eventually decided that with rain in the area on the way it was not be a good thing to camp beside a river and with river crossings in either direction as the only way out.
Crossing over the border into NSW we made our way through Acacia Creek and then turning off in the small town of Legume. And this was where the road became narrow, windy and bumpy, so bumpy in fact we were taking it very slowly.
Koreelah Creek, a large concrete bridge and two houses were at the bottom of a bumpy descent before we climbed out away from the creek. Turning off and hoping for a better road we made the long slow climb along the narrow, winding road and eventually entered the Taloom National Park, topping out at the lookout and then heading down the other side through a rainforest as bell birds chimed away, and passing through the locality of Wallaby Creek and then Beaury Creek. What has been nice as has been the ding, ding, ding of the Bellbird's as we have made our way along.
More and more exceptional scenery through this part of the world with large rock domes, volcanic plugs and formations everywhere with farming in the lowlands.
Volcanic plugs like the North Obelisk (right center) are everywhere through here.
Turning off yet again we made our way to Taloom Falls where we parked up just 50m from the falls themselves. Some other campers were here but the only one brave enough to swim was a young female backpacker in an itsy bitsy yellow bikini.
Taloom Falls from the downstream side.
Taloom Falls from the top and our campsite.
and at night under the Milky Way with the help of some light painting.
26 April 2017
Being so close to the falls it was rather noisy as we fell asleep to the sound of the water as it plunged the 8m over the falls. Waking this morning to grey skies and light rain we packed up and headed out as the rain got heavier and heavier.
We were headed back to Taloom and Wallaby Flat where we had passed through yesterday, and with the rain falling as we did we began to wonder about our intention of following Pat Callinan's trip that we saw on the TV on the weekend. Pat did the trip from Brisbane to Sydney via dirt roads and the Great Dividing Range back in 2015 and so as we were in the area we decided to follow in his wheel marks for this part of his trip.
Up hill and down dale in the rain made for an interesting drive, and that was on the bitumen! Arriving at Upper Taloom the bitumen ran out and it seemed okay (at that stage) despite the rain the area had had.
The road to the Taloom River began to narrow and there was no way anyone could have passed if someone had come the other way. Dropping down to the Taloom River we then negotiated our way up the narrow, tight rocky turns (thank goodness for low range 4wd) as we made our way back up into the mountain again, low cloud hanging over the surrounding hills, often wispfully rising like smoke from a bush fire.
Some of the scenery as we made our way long the track.
Up hill along the ridge and then down to the Clarence River at Paddy's Flat was the next bit and as we descended the river flats opened before us and a few tracks along the river started to show. We continued on and stopped at a nice flat spot where people had obviously camped before. We took a walk down to the river and the bridge itself before deciding to back track and see if we could find the tank traps that Pat Callinan had shown on his show.
We took a two wheel track through the grass hoping it would take us to the river and our targets, but no. All we got was a lesson in 4 wheel driving and turning around in limited space, in the rain and trying not to get bogged, but we did it okay and without breaking or damaging anything.
Back to the river we crossed the bridge and headed up the hill on the other side, and that was where we found the tank traps that we had been looking for some 50m from where we had walked earlier!
Tank traps in the river flat complete with recent flood debris.
The tank traps were placed here because the Australian Government at the time thought that the Japanese would invade and this would be one of the ways to stop their advance. We were not sure why they thought the enemy would come this way and looking at the traps, they might have slowed them down, but hardly stopped them.
Leaving the traps we made our way up and around a corner and noticed a grave in a clearing. We pulled in for a look and found the graves of Mary Mealing (1811-1894), her husband who died one year later and another rather crude headstone of a Walter Omalley. A look around the clearing showed old fruit trees and even two lemon tree's, so we guessed it was their homestead area.
Moving on we climbed up to the top of yet another hill where we found some houses in the locality of Pretty Gully, a reference we think, to the view we were unable to view because of the rain and the cloud. Back down the other side the road widened and our speed improved dramatically, and then we found more bitumen around 10 kilometres out of town.
Turning onto the Bruxner Highway we made our way to the town of Tabulem, birthplace of Lt General Sir Harry Chauvel from the Lighthorse Brigade, home of the longest single span truss timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere and the landing place for Dick Smith and John Wallington on their transcontinental hot air balloon trip in 1993.
Crossing the longest single span truss timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stopping in town at the servo we paid for a night at the racecourse campground and then headed out for about 3km's to our spot for the night.
27 April 2017
Perhaps it was being so far from town and the highway but last night was so wonderfully quiet and after yesterdays rain and grey skies we awoke to clear blue skies.
Leaving our camp at the racecourse we made our way to the small village of Mallanganee where we enjoyed the views from the nearby lookout. One way showing the countryside around the town and the other looking towards Mt Warning and the coast.
The view to the West.
The view towards Mt Warning (the pointy bit in the left middle).
Heading back down the hill and into town itself we had a look around and then headed back towards Tabulam and turned off Bonalbo, Urbenville and Woodenbong.
Up hill and down dale along a narrowish but very bumpy road was an interesting drive but the scenery, mainly farming, was pleasant. Arriving in Old Bonalbo we took a drive around the small village which was originally established for the cedar tree (known as red gold) cutters of the area.
Heading on we passed through some dry forest which had some of the tallest, straightest trees that we have seen and interspersed with palm trees. Then we came to Bonalbo, the center of the surrounding timber, dairy and cattle industries. The town itself had a pleasant sleepy look as we drove around the streets.
Leaving Bonalbo we made our way to Bean Creek Falls, turning off the main road to take the short one vehicle at a time, closed in jungle track to the turnaround area where we parked up to take the short walk to the viewing platform of the falls themselves.
Bean Creek Falls
Back out on the road we arrived in Urbenville which is just a few kilometres from where we were at Taloom Falls a night ago. A drive around town and then we were on our way, passing the small $10 a night camp in town and on to Woodenbong.
Arriving in Woodenbong we filled up with fuel and then coasted down the hill to the small campsite near the town pool. Turning in we could see it was pretty popular and with the caretaker away for a while we were told by one of the residents to just find a spot that suits and settle in, so we did.
Woodenbong is very popular and by the looks of the rigs here, some people have been here for quite a while and at $10 a night for power and water (if you can get near a tap) or $5 unpowered, a toilet and shower ($1) block, dump point and less than a kilometre to town, you can understand why.
We managed to get a spot that was about 30m from one of the power boxes (which looks like a May Pole with all the leads coming from it) and were thankful for our ability to stretch our leads that far.
28 April 2017
Despite the number of people here and a road passing the boundary it was a very quiet night last night, and it was the coldest we have had for a while. We awoke to a cool 9 degrees this morning and being parked where we are, we didn't get sunlight on us for some time.
Today was our chance to go and explore the area around the 1200m high volcanic remains of Mt Lindesay, a notable landmark in these parts as it sits on the NSW/Qld Border. Taking the winding road back into Queensland we found some good viewing points for some photographs. Of course the cloud came in and blocked the sun at times making it a waiting game to get clear shots.
Our first stop and decent view of Mt Lindesay.
and another from further around.
The best close up view was on the way back.
29 April 2017
Waking to another cool morning this morning, well, it was double digits (11), we packed up and headed off towards Kyogle. The plan was to take the main road and then turn off onto a dirt road but we didn't find the turn and so ended up taking the main road all the way.
Once we had come down the hill to Dairy Flat we ran out of views towards Mt Lindesay, but were enjoying the farming country vista as we drove. Arriving in Kyogle we did a lap around the main street before heading back to the showgrounds and setting up camp. Joanne went for a look at the market and did some shopping.
The track we have taken since Taloom Falls.
30 April 2017
More exploration today and that meant a trip to Nimbin, but first it was a dirt detour to see what photo's we could get of the cloud over the top of the Border Range National Park. Climbing the hill and then taking the gravel road up hill and down dale through farming country and some homes with wonderful views we were finding it hard to get a good shot, but then a clearing at a gate appeared and this view was there for the taking.
The weather closing in on the Border Range NP.
Back on the main road we were heading to Hanging Rock Falls but just 2km after turning off on the road we came to the road closed sign and could see a tree across the bridge and some of the bridge actually missing. Turning around we made our way back to the main road and a short distance later turned off to Nimbin.
Not far out of Nimbin we came to the Nimbin Rocks where we obviously stopped for a photo before heading into Nimbin itself.
The three markers that make up The Nimbin Rocks.
Arriving in town we drove up and down the main street looking for a parking spot but because the markets were on we had to settle for a park out the back of the shops. Walking up and then along the street. Passing the faded colourful signs, coffee shops, colourful and weirdly clothed people (clowns, tie dyed clothes and even a viking!) and then down to the markets. After the markets there was the other side of the street to walk down but it was the same thing as the opposite side.
Walking past the Hemp Embassy was an interesting experience.
Heading towards the Nimbin Hemp Embassy we noticed the faded sign painted on the road, evidence of some past message. Walking past the Hemp Embassy was interesting, the windows full of hemp products and signs promoting hemp and marijuana. Incense sticks at the door attempting to mask the smell of that sweet smelling, distinct smelling smoke of marijuana.
Heading down the hill after the sights and highlights of Nimbin we arrived a short time later in Lismore. Quite a large town we took a trip around and had a bit of a look before heading out again. Evidence of the recent floods on the way down into, around and out of town was everywhere, large plastic wrapped silage bales resting on the top of a railway bridge evidence of the strength of the waters flow.
Back in Kyogle we took a trip up to the Kyogle lookout, . Narrow streets on the way up and a tight turn at the top meant that the sign saying it was not suitable for large vehicles or caravans was so correct it was not funny. Parking for a bit of a look we then started down the road again and there was this very large, very long (3m) snake coming out of the grass to bask in some of the sun.
He turned and headed back to the safety of the grass when we got too close.
So back at the showgrounds it was time to give both parts of the rig a wash, a drink with the neighbours and something to eat.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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