Weekend Mt Barney National Park
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Last weekend, we spend driving through the Gondwana Rainforest areas of Southern Queensland, Northern NSW. Mostly Mt Barney National Park and the Border Ranges National Park. The scenery is magnificent. Narrow winding roads (often well overdue for repairs), and beautiful views. I went early to Mt Tamborine, from there on, we drove to Beaudesert, and Rathdowney, places we both hadn't been to before. Neither place is actually of much interest. The surrounding area however makes up for that though. Especially the scenic Border Ranges drive (Running creek rd and Lions rd), from Rathdowney to the Summerland Way. Of course, we lingered too much and ended up having to push more than we wanted to at the end of the day in order to find some accommodation for the night.
We had "raided" the Tourist Info at Rathdowney, thinking that'd be a good place to start, however, knowledge of the area wasn't all that readily available unfortunately. We ended doing a loop, coming back to Rathdowney to find a place to sleep. While we had information about cottages, they were fairly spread out and mobile phone reception is simply not available. Rathdowney had a Motel, but as we found out, fully booked... We ended going to Beaudesert, which has more Motels, and managed to find a room just as the owner was about to go home. All other Motels were either really booked out, or everyone had gone home (receptio closed). It was only close to 7pm!
Oh, almost forgot. The drive from Rathdowney to Beaudesert was uneventful except for one little thing. Coming around a corner, in the hilly section (closer to Rathdowney), a Wallaby jumped out of the bush, just meters in front of me and while I wasn't going fast (prolly just 40kph), I was unable to miss the animal. It hit the bullbar, and I'm sorry to say, but it ended up getting under my wheels. 1700kg, I doubt it survived. It's also not a good place to stop.
Next morning, after brekkie, we drove to Boonah, not wanting to drive the same way back to Rathdowney as we had already seen that. Boonah, is actually a very nice town. Much more touristic than Beaudesert or Rathdowney. If only we had known. Plenty of places to have breakfast and a much busier town. Although I don't think it's as big as Beaudesert.From Boonah we set out to Croftby and followed Spring Creek rd towards Queen Falls where we had lunch and walked to the waterfall. A very pretty waterfall. High too. By the time we got back to the car it was closing in on 3pm, so we knew we had to start making our way back.Continuing down towards Mt Lindesay rd, and then towards Woodenbong, we drove back up to Rathdowney and Beaudesert to Tamborine Mountain. Initially we thought going towards Murwillumbah, but that would have taken a lot longer. A trip of about 500km.
Woodenbong is not much of a town, just a few houses. One interesting thing though is that they have an alcohol consumption ban anywhere in town (except for inside the houses and a few public places like a bar). Never seen that before. Google later showed that there's a few towns in that area that participate in the ban.
Landcruiser Mountain Park
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Saterday 8th of August. Redmer, Ilona, Henriette and me are off to Peach Trees campgrounds, near Jimna. About 2 hrs drive from Brisbane. I meet Redmer and Ilona at Anaconda, and we meet with Henriette in Dayboro, who ordered coffees for us while we were on our way. From there on, we drive to Jimna, along the Mt Mee scenic drive.
We left early enough so arrive at Peach Trees with plenty of light left. I sleep in my truck, the others in tents. We all brought proper food along for dinner, but I think we got distracted somehow and ended up eating nibbles and boiled wurst on rolls. Again, on a campground like that, you get nightly visitors, attracted to the food and scraps. This time its a Brushtail possum. The animal even tries to climb up onto the table, which is mere meters away from us. Photo opportunity.Next morning, after a very cold night (glad I brought my doona, kept me nice and warm), we got ready for LMP. Marcel and Jasper (Dutchies who live in Scarborough) arrived well in time, while we finished our breakie. Our neighbors, a couple from the Glass House Mountains region, even went for a swim that morning in the (icy) water running in the creek. Brrr.
LMP (Landcruiser Mountain Park) proved very challenging. A day of playing will set you back $25, and allows you to do everything in the park you think you can.
The first track we did was possibly one of the better challenges as well. Shortly after entering the park you get to a double track down the hill, the start of Camp road. Very steep, rutted and exciting. All of us started going down, some chickened out, and I must say, never having done this before, it's kinda hair raising. Easy does it though, and we all made it down even though not all took the same route.From there on Marcel (he's been here a couple of times now) guided us along ?? track and Troopy track, with steep sections and plenty challenges. Good thing it was dry as a bone, cause in wet weather, I'm not sure all of us would have made it to the end...
Next we went along Scrub rd into the Rainforest, and from there on down the Rav track towards Trakka Terrace, a camping ground. After having had lunch, Ilona stayed behind, enjoying the quietness and beauty of the park, and we all went for another drive. This time through Clan Gorge, which is a very nice technical track.
On our way back to the exit we remembered to pick up Ilona, and had another go at the Camp rd section, this time going up. Only Marcel and I made an attempt, Redmer nor Jasper have lockers or traction control (Marcel has traction control in his Prado), so getting up would be a real challenge for them. Maybe after a bit more practice. Both Marcel and I went up fine, although my car has seen lots of airtime while doing it... That is, with two wheels off the ground (one front wheel and one back). The trick is to gently let the car pivot on its changing centerbalance so it doesn't land to hard.
Ah, a very interesting day out.
More photo's are here on picasaweb.
Camping around Bundaberg, Monday
Monday, 25 May 2009
Turned in early last night (was dark early, not much to do) and woke up early because of it. Which was fine as I that left me all day to drive back. I had breakie, and packed up. Drove out to the beach and sat there for a bit deciding where to go next. My "Dirty Weekends" book had another interesting drive around Wongi National park, which I started out going to, but the maps in my GPS are too old and keeps directing me into roads that are now dead ends. I like setting it to "shorttest route" as that takes me through interesting areas and quite often interesting tracks, but having to turn back each time is annoying. Even taking side roads in a bid to get somewhere gets me nothing.
From there on I drive back on the Bruce Highway, deciding to take the highway back instead and go straight home. Fate seems to decide otherwise though, as in Gympie, the Bruce Highway is blocked and everyone is guided onto the Mary Valley Tourist Drive. I don't argue and take the scenic route towards Kenilworth, and from there to Mappelton. Montville is next after which I follow the scenic route past Australia Zoo. Finally get back onto the Bruce Highway just north of Caboolture.
If not enough had broken, the noise I heard coming back at Easter is back now too. A very worrying rattle kind of noise that seems to come from the transmission. Can't quite figure out what it is, checked the oil recently and it seems all good. Bit too much oil in the transmission perhaps, but not sure if that could cause it. Have recorded the noise on the phone so I can play it back to the garage if needed. The noise stayed the entire last 40km orso, except for brief moments when it disappeared shortly, but only to reappear. Bit weird. Ah well, 6 months of no issues is a lot better than the previous Paj...
Camping around Bundaberg, Sunday
Sunday, 24 May 2009
It's interesting how things go sometimes. This weekend is proving very interesting to say the least. I took Monday off as I had built up some time in lieu, and had things to do. Like going to Bundaberg.
Ilona and Redmer celebrated their birthday on Saterday (although their birthdays are both on the 24th, bascally on my birthday, so rude!). Anyway, I didn't really care, but it was the first time I celebrated my birthday on someone elses party. Talk about crashing a party! It was good fun, lots of Dutchies were there, good catching up with what others are doing and how they are getting on.
Sunday morning I got up nice and early, to make a good early start, left around 8:15am. Traveling to Bundy is mostly a nice drive crossing lots of beautiful country. It's about 360km from Brisbane and takes about 4 hours depending on traffic. As it turns out, the Paj consumes about 1 liter per 7 km doing 100-110km/h. I guess that could go to 8 or 9 km per liter if I drove a little more conservative and at 90km/h.
In contrast to the start of the week, the last few days were beautiful and sunny, though still lots of clouds. Apparently, in the last few days of rain, we had about a third of our normal annual rainfal. That's a shitload of water.
I met with a friend in Bargara and we had lunch and a chat. Afterwards, I grabbed my "Dirty Weekends" book and checked it out for a decent trip. Good thing I did. There's a very good track through Kinkuna National park that's definitely four wheel drive. I even had to turn back as I didn't dare go through a big puddle that was right in the middle of the road. I did try to take the side, but that was very muddy and started to drift me into the middle of the puddle, which I knew was deep. Just how deep I didn't know and wasn't keen on finding out just yet. If it weren't for my rear lockers, I would have been stuck for sure. I swapped Liam's old tyres on the back before I left cause I wanted to run down the tyres before spending money on new tyres, and the ones that came with my truck were still very good. As Liam's wheels had one unfixable flat, I kinda figured I run two tyres down and then get four new ones. Bigger uns. But Liam's old tryes aren't exactly mud terrain tyres...With my lockers on, I managed to get out again though, but as I was alone, I figured it was better not to push on. I had been very carefull taking the side, but even that was treacherous.
So I figured I'd go back along the beach a bit and then back to the main road and get onto the beach at Woodgate and stay the night on the camping at Bulwer Point. Actually did get onto the beach, but turned back after some hundred meter. Tide was still coming in and there wasn't much beach left. It was also very soft sand and it was dark. I had no desire to get stuck here on the beach with the tide coming in... So backed up, and found the other entrance to the campground. It's weird travelling in the dark across 4wd tracks not having been there before. Travelling on the beach I had my spotties on and also my rear worklights. Not sure if it was related, but suddenly both lights went out, as did the fridge. Turns out (had a look when I was on the camping) the master relay (which switches the main power on the extra fuse box) is busted. The relay has its own fuse and the connector points came loose. Super Auto Cheap quality... Literally.
All good though, I made it to the camping, and found a spot to stay. Most people left this afternoon anyway.While driving in the dark I also found out that the Shoo Roo's I have on the bumper do jack shit. I passed a fairly big Roo sitting on the side of the road, while I was doing approx 80km/h. The big fellar barely moved. So either the Roo was stone deaf or the Shoo Roo's made no diff. I'm guessing the latter.
Wonder what tomorrow will bring...
Camping on Perigian Beach
Monday, 26 January 2009
It's Australia Day weekend (long weekend) and a bunch of Dutchies wanted to go camping somewhere up the coast. It ended up being Perigian Beach, just under Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. I went there on Saturday morning, arriving around 10am (was up early).
I arrived just in time, as the others (Jan, Jeanette, Ilona and Henriette) were about to go to the Eumundi Markets. Jan and I found it too hot to do too much strolling on hte markets and ended up sitting at a table on the markets drinking refreshments and coffee. The girls took to shopping. It was very humid, and it rained big time for a bit too.
Afterwards I put up my tent, and we took off to the beach (5 minute walk) for a swim. The water was awesome. About 25-26 degrees. The evening we spend playing "Arsehole", which is a cardgame. Don't ask.
Next day we drove to Cooloola beach, for a bit of offroading and more swimming. We found a nice spot where the great dunes started, with a very nice shallow (although with a fast current) for relaxed swimming and hanging in the water. The views from the dunes were also magnificent.
On the beach there are also speeding limits, some areas you can drive 80km/h, some only 50km/h. Those that are restricted, are patrolled. Oh yes, you can get lasered on the beach... Of course, cars break down anywhere. Especially Hilux'es... Thank goodness for RACQ...
As we figured it was time to go back again (and grab some icecream in Noosa Heads) we started back. Henriette had a bit of trouble getting away though, getting bogged down. I offered to pull her out, but she wanted to try and get out by herself. Which went a lot better when we pointed out the front wheels weren't doink much...
Amando and Barbara joined us that arvo on the camping and we had dinner in a local Chinese restaurant, and afterwards more "Arsehole". It is kinda a cute game. We had visitors at night too, very hairy white spiders, that only come out at night.
Next morning I went bacj home earlier than the rest, taking some backroads up to Caboolture, from where I joined the crowd on the motorway. Traffic was pretty packed but not too bad.
Nice and relaxed weekend, this was, just what I needed, some distraction. Too many things going on lately.