Hi Everyone,
Bunya Mountains. This is part of the Great Dividing Ranges in Queensland, and it is here that you will fine the worlds largest Bunya pine forest which is a  protected area. It has many walking trail and Bob and I took the day to explore some of these trails. One of these was the Russell Park walk.

So we took our trusty back pack with a few nibble's and of course plenty of water and off we set. What a beautiful walk seeing all the fauna along the way.

 Then we came across a fallen Bunya nut what great excitement to see them as we were not sure what they were. And the different birds fluttering above us so we took some time and had a great look around.

This flower not sure what it is, but it certainly put on a good show for us. I feel its more of a seed pod which has just opened. It still looks good. To reach the top, was great and time to take a short rest,  there was a great view over looking the valleys below.

 So we had a good walk and on the way down we pass small streams and different little creatures roaming the forest floor.

On the way back to the van we called into see Kondadililla falls and Gardener falls.

 Then passing some of the small towns along the way, such as Montville a small town where the main street is lined with cafes, gift shop, potteries and arts & crafts galleries. Maley was another small place but it was getting late by this time and most things where close. But we had a great day, tired and sore but also energized.  So next day we moved onto Gympie. Bye for now.

Tara
A small country town, we stayed by the lagoon, a free campsite for the evening. We got the bikes down and rode into the town area. Came back and just relaxed watching the birds. A nice couple walking past noticed that we had a flat tyre on the caravan, so next day we took the tyre to town to have it repaired. Then we hit the road again.

Moved on to Chinchilla and booked into caravan park for a couple of days while we looked around. Also caught up with my grandson who was staying at his Grandmas place. Just out of town.
Chinchilla was named by Ludwig Leichardt in 1844 named after the local jinchilla a native cypress pine. Today it is know as the Melon capital, as it produces around 25% of the country's watermelons.

Wondai another small country town, was our next stop where we stayed with close friends .Nev's wife was very sick with cancer. So we stayed for some time. One day Nev took us out to see the Boondooma Dam

Gloria, Nevs wife passed away while we were staying with them. So it was a hard time for us all.

Especially as felt helpless not knowing how we could help and the only thing was being there her . The last few days Gloria was admitted to hospital. We stayed on for awhile after the funeral to help Nev out. Then we moved on to our next destination.  Bye for now.

Hi To Everyone,

Well we spent about 4 months with the family in Brisbane. One place we did visit while we were there was Springbrook National Park. It was raining the day Bob and I went, but we still went for a walk down the track. Half way down were decided to take a shortcut and slide down from the top path to the bottom path. I wont do that again, it certainly was a bad move. Bob got down ok, but I slipped and landed on my back. I just had to lay them for a while to get my breathe back, But tough old me manager to get to the path and continued down to the bottom. The worst thing though was we had to climb back to the top, it was a long way back at a very slow pace. I was laid up for a couple of days. Lucky I didn't do any real damage.

 

It was a lovely place and if we ever do it again we will make sure its not raining and also keep to the track. A great lesson was learnt that day..

 Once we left Brisbane we headed up the hill to the town of Toowoomba. A city with a distinctive charm, with wide tree lined street. It has over 100 parks and gardens. Toowoomba is perched 700 meters above sea level on the rim of the great dividing range.. It was started in 1849 as a small village and today is a growing industrial area with fertile land.

One of the many parks in Toowoomba, is the Japanese gardens really worth taking the time to wonder around .This is the look out from the top of the range.

We also took a day to go out to Crows nest to see what there was to see. On the way out we came across the cuckoo clock place. Boy there was a lot of different clocks. After Toowoomba we moved onto a small township of Tara. So will continue our journey next time. Bye for now.

 

 

 

Hi to All,

Well we are still in Narribri so we head out to see these huge antennas.
They are 22m in diameter and are all in a line facing towards the sky. They are connected to a rail track so they can be moved to different locations to receive full coverage.
There are 5 in  total, and are so big when standing close to them..

Back on the road again and this is some of the country side as we drove towards the NSW & Qlds border.. We headed to Warwick where we stopped to have bacon & egg breakfast. We arrived in Beaudesert a small country town and only about 40k from my family. We decided to stay in the caravan park, well what an experience. We were placed down the back of the park, in a small tight spot. The people in the park seem to be all local and just didn't seem to have patience, while we back the van in. Beeping their car horns and yelling abuse. I rang Katrina my daughter and she was having the family over for tea, so we hopped into the car and drove up to see everyone and enjoy a great meal, it was so good seeing them all.  Next day we drove up to my son Bradley's place and we stayed for about 4 months with him and his family. He was in the process of building his home with his wife Tammy. So guess what we did while we were there. Yes we gave them a hand. But in between times we visited family down the Gold Coast, Went and stayed nights at Katrina's place. We were unable to take van so we just drove over. It was so good to get to know my grandchildren again as it was ages since I had seen them.

continued Narrabri.

From Kaputar gorge we went out further to see Nandewar Volcano, it was here we saw the Sawn rocks, just amazing the shapes of the rocks and our nature can create something so different.

 

They look just like pillars especially when you see them lying on the ground, like the ones in the photo below.

 After some time here exploring we moved onto Waa Waa Gorge, this was a lovely walk into the forest following the creek until we came to this huge water fall but unfortuately there wasnt much water flowing. Maybe this was a good thing as we were able to climb up this steep rock face to reach the bottom of the falls. we never did reach it as it was to steep.

This small tree was growing just out of a crack in the rocks and just amazing where they can grow.
 must be enough water underground for it to survive.

We spent quite a bit of time just sitting on the rocks and listening to the wild life, it felt as though we were the only ones around, another world. Moving on, next day we stopped in Moree, just for a short time to stock up with food and diesel. Moree is a thriving farming area has it has rich black soil. Also known for it artesian spas and the town has a Spa complex with heated pools. Another time we might come back and try it out.. By for now.

Hi Everyone,

Well Narrabri was our next stop. This small town was devasted by a flood in 1864, but was rebuilt.
Cotton was introduced in the area and now enjoys one of Australias largest yields. Our first day here we walked around the town looking at the many historic building, and visiting the cotton museum. Bought a hand cream made from the cotton oil. Certainly made my hands nice and soft.It was also a day of relaxing after the walk the day before.

 The next day another early morning rise to travel out to see Kaputar Gorge. It was very misty but beautiful at the same time. We went for a walk over the gorge,  where I stepped over a snake all curled up lucky I didnt see it at the time. Bob pointed it out after I had gone over it.

At one of the lookouts we came across a pile of ladybird, black and orange, they seem to be nesting or breeding, here we we enjoying the scenery when all of a sudden these ladybirds started biting us so it was  a quick race back to the car. I have never heard of them biting before so maybe it was breeding time.

 

Hello Again,

Coonabarabran, quite a month full to say, but a modern and friendly town on the Castleregh River. Known as the gate way to the Warrumbungles. A rugged mountain arc around the city. The National Park has rocky spires and deep gorges. We were up early this morning and drove out the Warrumbungles, taking a snack with us, we decided to climb to the top. Well what a climb but worth it. When we got to the top we expected to be by ourselves to sit and enjoy the view but climbing the last little bit coming around the corner of a rock there was this man sitting eating an apple. It was a rough walk and a few musles that hadnt been used for a while certainly got a workout.

 

The rock above is called the breadknife standing on its own is 90m high rock wall, to narrow to climb, still fasinating to see,we walked up be side it though, as you can see the view was great. we sat for a while watching a small goanna pinching bird eggs out of a nest. It was a round trip as we were able to walk up one side then down the other side, catching sight of many birds and the different flowers on the way.






Once we were down we had our lunch before exploring the area. Like going to see the telescope which is situated up in the mountains interesting seeing how it works but would have been good to back at night to have a look through.

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The scenery back to Coonabarabran was lovely and we found some good spots for camping next time we come through this way.

I was able to capture this beautiful coloured Moth.

 

And the wild flowers in this photo with the greenery around, just love it.  So back to the van for a hot shower and an early night.

So hope you enjoy Coonabarabran.

Hello All.

On the road again and our next stop was Dubbo, a fast growing inland city. Famous for its  world class open range Zoo. The city is on the banks of MacQuarie River and has over half million visitors a year.Western Plain Zoo is situated on 300 Ha of bushland and has a successful breeding program.

 From the caravan park we rode our bikes to the Zoo for an early morning tour. Where they take you behind the scenes to watch them feeding the animals it was very interesting to hear all about the breeding of the many animals, they have there.

 

After watching the feeding it was time to go and be fed ourselves,as it was part of the tour.After breakfast we were able to hop our bikes and continue around the zoo, it was a beautiful morning and fun just watching the habits of the different animals I especially liked the mercats and the monkeys.

 

 From the zoo we also visited the Japenese Garden.

 

What a nice way to relax and unwind by walking around this peaceful garden, just sitting and listening to the birds,watching the little ducklings feeding on the pond, with mother watching over them.

 

The water lillies looked beautiful as the face up towards the sun giving  good show.

So it was back to the van after a very pleasant day.

The next morning we were told how many of the caravans had been broken into and had thing stolen. The theives would watch the vans and as soon as the owners went for their showers they would walk in. Bob and I always made sure that there was one of us still in the van. Also made sure we locked our car. So its better to be safe then sorry.The next day we went to see the Dubbo jail. so will report about that next time. Enjoy your reading.