Wednesday 12 Nov 2008 - Girraween National Park

In the morning, Darryl was up early, and by the time I ventured out he had already walked to the top of Castle Rock. The sign said it was a  two hour walk, but it took him exactly 30 minutes.

Darryl walked the same track with me later to take photos of the wildflowers, although I
didn't go all the way along. We came back for morning tea, and then rode the bikes 4km along the road, quite a lot of it was steep uphill, and I had get off and push) back to the start of the walk to Underground Creek.

Fruit of Native Hops bush

Darryl at Wave Rock and Underground Creek

This was an impressive shelf of granite which had collapsed over a creek. The walk had many more wonderful wildflowers.

Also along here was Dr Roberts Waterhole, commemorating the man who had originally pushed for conserving these areas. It was a lovely downhill ride back to the campsite for a late lunch, shared by the Satin Bowerbirds (male and a few females), and some curious Wattlebirds. The birds then attracted a couple of passing walkers who stopped to chat. I also wanted to walk to Granite Arch, which although, a short walk in distance, took quite a while, as I also took lots of photos. Bald Rock was clearly visible from here. A lizard, which had markings like a goanna tried to hide beside a rock, and Darryl startled a large red-bellied black snake which decided a swim was the safest option. This campsite had lovely hot showers, and they were certainly refreshing.

me at Granite Arch

male Satin Bowerbird

Hilux set up for the night

Tuesday 11 Nov 2008 - Dalby

The wind had blown all night, and was still quite strong in the morning. After breakfast and hot showers, we packed up and drove further into the National Park, to walk to Paradise Falls.  Although quite a nice walk through the rain forest, the falls were a little disappointing, being more of a trickle than a falls, so we decided not to continue on to the next ones which were called Little Falls! We were entertained by Eastern Whipbirds calling. Darryl tried very hard to get a photo, but they are very cryptic.

Our journey continued down to Dalby, and I called in to see Jean Keys (a Trembath relation of Darryl's). When we arrived, Jean was not at home, so we found the Old Dalby Cemetery and started looking for the names Coutts, Byrne, Martin, Rashleigh, Troyahn, etc. The cemetery had lots of very small, but nasty prickles, and we both found ticks which would have found us at the Bunya's. Lunch was beside Myall Creek at a little park, and while Darryl went shopping, Jean called to say she was home. We went around and she had laid on lovely platters of foods], and we did some heavy genie chat, while Darryl stretched out on the porch for a nap.

I tried in vain to get on to Arthur Coutts, one of my rellies, and we hit the road again, and arrived at Girraween National Park, south of Stanthorpe, and were set up and fed in an hour. It was pretty chilly, so our warm bed was very attractive.

Chris with Jean

Monday 10 Nov - Bunya Mountains

 We finally hit the road! After packing the car, Rhonda called by and we took off just before 10am. The first destination was Cordalba, to see friends Anna and Otto for morning tea, then through a backroad to Ban Ban Springs for fuel and lunch at the Spring’s picnic area. We headed down the Burnett Highway and picked up supplies in Kingaroy on the way to Bunya Mountains, where we set up camp for the night. On arrival we were the only ones at the campground, but shortly after another couple arrived in a car. As usual, the timber in the National Parks BBQs was really difficult to start, but eventually Darryl had a roaring fire and we enjoyed BBQ'd pork chops and veggies. It was quite cool this high on the mountains, but we were snug in the back of the truck.

Away From Home - 6 Nov 2008

We finally drove off at 9am on Thursday and went straight to Gladstone to visit George and Eileen, Darryl’s parents. Luckily, while we were there, Kerry, Elizabeth and Anthea turned up for a quick visit. After lunch we hit the road and made it to the farm. Our tenants had scarpered, and there was the usual damage to fix; and new tenants to find. We visited our friends Phil and Rhonda, who live 2 km up the road. Friday required a trip to town to pick up door handles etc, and we played 500 with Phil and Rhonda at night. Saturday and Sunday were spent by Darryl fixing up the place, with me doing what I could, as I wasn’t feeling too well. On Saturday we signed up new tenants for the farm, a young couple with a little boy. We can only hope they will be an improvement on the others, but by now we have been burnt too many times, and just don't expect much any more, although they seemed nice enough.. The house is looking marvellous – I just wish it had been so lovely when we first came here nearly 28 years ago!

Trek to Tassie 6 Nov 2008

Well....we are finally off on our trek down to Tasmania! I have 3 months off work, and we will be meandering our way South, hopefully catching up with many relatives and friends. I will try and put up a photo or two every few days, so you will have an idea of what we are up to.

Mt Etna Caving 2008

Darryl and some of the others had been spelunking on Saturday, but the Sunday session was to include members from the Gladstone Bushwalking club. We parked at the beginning of the Mt Etna formed track, and walked to the bat cleft. From here we left formed paths and went overland, down and south around the mountain. The limestone is sharp and jagged, and thick gloves were necessary to protect tender hands.

By the time we reached the cave entrance, my thigh muscles were like jelly and I knew that I would be more dangerous to myself and others if I proceeded. The entrance to the cave was protected by a large shady fig tree. So, while the rest of the group went inside, I had morning tea, enjoying coffee and a snack, then spread my bubble-wrap (which Darryl had thoughtfully, and luckily, suggested) on a large flat, but sloping, rock, covered my eyes with my gloves, and promptly went to sleep! Gravity, of course, was intent on beating me and I slowly slid down the rock, but still I managed to get some rest, until I was roused by the sounds of the youngsters returning to the entrance.

To get to the next cave required more scrambling, around and up, and we passed close to the stairs built by the NPWS. The entrance to

Stairway cave was afforded either via a drop, (aided by a handy tree), or a squeeze-slide through some rocks. I choose the second, left my pack under a rock for protection from the passing showers, and ventured inside. The cave was an easy walk in, and we were soon entranced by spectacular flows, formations, and crystals (no description can beat the photos.

Once we had finished marvelling at the wonders, it was time to leave, and we had a bit of a scramble back to a formed track. I was fine until the downhill section, and my knees started to freeze, so I had to walk sideways down the path until reaching the Hilux. It was a very enjoyable trip, but I was reminded of it with every step for the next 4 to 5 days!

Abandoned Gold Mine at the Razorback, Mt Morgan

In the late 19th Century goldmining at Mt Morgan was in full swing. The whole area was being prospected and there were many mines started and then abandoned. This walk was to investigate one of these, which is on private property.

We met early at The Spire and drove up towards The Razorback (click to see more information), to meet up with some of the others as well as the property owner at the memorial park. Once our guide arrived, we drove a few minutes west to his property, and found a good place to park in a steep paddock. Initially, after leaving the cars we walked down into the gully, but were soon headed up the side of quite a steep hill. About a quarter of the way from the top we reached the entrance to the old mine.

I marveled that men from a different century had dragged heavy mining equipment all that way. The entrance seemed in good condition with strong timbers supporting it, and we headed in the tunnel. Iridescent purple moths, that had also been present in Blue Bag mine at Glassford, and some small bats were soon disturbed by us. Not too far in there was a rockfall, which most did not feel safe in traversing, but Glynn clambered on until his progress was defeated but the whole tunnel being blocked.

Discussion ensued regarding ventilation shafts, and Darryl, Dave and a few others climbed further up the hill and found a caved-in ventilation shaft.  They also climbed to the top of the hill to catch the views. When they returned we traipsed back down the hill – me taking it very easy so as not to compromise my knees. For some of us, that was the early end to the walk – Darryl and I were going home, while Dave was going geo-caching. The rest walked to Mt Dovecott.

Gold Mine at Razorback

Historic Buildings Walk Rockhampton 23 Aug 08

I have thought for a long time that I would like to lead a 'Bushwalk' on the Historic Buildings Walk in Rocky. We have many beautiful buildings, and some years ago a local group got together and put up brass plaques on the more significant ones. This was also linked to the 10,000 steps program, and a booklet was published telling of the individual histories.

Around 10 of us met up on the Riverbank across from the Criterion Hotel - the site of the first hotel, called The Bush Inn, in Rocky. We leisurely strolled along the riverbank, viewing and photographing the beautiful old buildings, while I read out some of the history. Our walk took us up as far as Derby St, with the Walter Reid Warehouse, which has now been converted to apartments, on the corner. We made our way to East Street and walked in a northerly direction until it ended at Archer Street, then we crossed the road to come back down East Street on the opposite side. My idea was that the view of the buildings was much better from the opposite side, although the plaques are attached to the buildings as named.
I had intended to continue up East St to Derby Street, but we ran out of time, so we went back to the Criterion, and drove to the 'Coffee Star' Cafe for a delicious morning tea. We will have the rest of the walk at a later time, and no doubt I will run it again at another time.

Cawarral to Mt Chalmers

A car shuffle was required for this walk, as some of us were only going one-way, so Darryl and Ros headed off to leave our car a Mt Chalmers.

It was a lovely, but cool, morning and when they returned the group headed west along the railway easement. The first section had all the tracks and sleepers removed and had been bulldozed so the walking was very easy...just like walking along a gravel road. There were several casualties with several snakes crushed by the dozing (I took a photo of a Bandy Bandy Vermicella annulata a nocturnal burrowing snake), which had suffered this fate. Further along the easement we got to the point where the workers were loading sleepers on a truck, and after this the track was in various stages of removal, until we got to track which was untouched. Along the way we stopped for morning tea, and to wave to curious passing locals.

After around 7km of walking we arrived at Mt Chalmers and headed up to the museum, (click to see a photo) which was behind the school. We investigated the rooms, learning all about the history of Mt Chalmers and it's mines, and watched the interesting video. Lunch was enjoyed, before a tour of the township. Those who were walking back took off, as the ones returning home drove back with us to Cawarral to pick up their car. This photo is of the group on the Mt Chalmer's railway bridge.

A Day at the Races - Rockhampton

On Saturday Darryl and I did something that we have never done before - went to the races!

Rockhampton Business Machines were sponsoring a race a Callaghan Park, and had offered the opportunity for us to attend the lunch and entertainment. We arrived before the rest of the group, and were slightly lost, but after being directed found ourselves at the bar. Darryl had just organised drinks when Allyson and David arrived.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch, followed by a delicious dessert, and the afternoon glided by as we enjoyed the company of the others in the group.

There were 5 local races and we put bets on each. We tried all different techniques for picking the winners..from colours, to looking at the horses 'pluck', checking their form, and following tips! Luckily we ended up only $3 down for the afternoon - thanks to Darryl's betting skill making up for all my losses!

Allyson and Craig went down to present the prize for their race (photo on left). I must admit, I quite enjoyed myself, although I don't think I will take up 'going to the races' as a hobby.

Weekend at Byfield 21 & 22 June 2008

A group of bushwalkers met at Dot's place, which is along the Byfield Road. Once we were all assembled a convoy headed off up to Waterpark Creek Farm (click on the name to see photos of the Farm and Tours).

The cars were parked out of the way, and Darryl, Dave and Ann went paddling while the rest of us went on our first adventure -  was a ride in a cart drawn by two horses. This took us down past the donkeys and numerous healthy cattle. Next was a tour around the farm on the back of a truck, which had been nicely modified with comfy chairs, rails and a roof. First stop was down at the creek, where we walked down through the rainforest to the jetty and boarded the boat 'Water Dance'. It was a very peaceful and quiet journey down Waterpark Creek to the weir and back again. Our bus trip continued over the paddocks into the middle of the fields of Teatree Oil plants. I was amazed by all the sundew growing in grass. This part of the tour was also afforded a beautiful view of the Byfield Mountain range. We continued down to the distilling shed where we learned all about the processing from cut branches into the strong smelling pure oil. Afternoon tea was provided, along with an opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Most of the bushwalkers then left, but a hardy few were camping overnight, and we enjoyed a BBQ in the pleasant surroundings near the house.

Darryl and I slept in our tent, and were snug and warm despite the cool environment outside. The morning was crisp and fresh. Darryl had thought he would go for another paddle, but decided to pick it up and head home. A lovely enjoyable weekend!

It is interesting that this farm was the place first taken up by the Ganter family in the 1880's. The Ganters are related to Darryl from the marriage of Charles Louis Ganter to Emily Mary Crosthwaite on 29 April 1914.