11th July 2011
We left Goondiwindi on a bright sunny AM, favourable winds and headed east. We, didn’t get far before we were waved down by QLD police into a random drug-alcohol testing operation. A bit of a wait as the young bloke in the car in front was getting a right going over, licence, car safety check and a check via the radio; it seemed that they were determined to find something wrong. Being from interstate, I had my licence ready. Very polite, the officer took my breath test, recorded zero of course and we were waved on our way. A bit of a novelty as several times we have come across these operations but have always been waved through when we had the van on the back.
We towed the van along the Cunningham Highway, late morning we stopped for a tea break at Coolmunda Dam, currently full to the brim from the earlier rains that flooded many parts of the Darling and Southern Downs. Maybe as an affect of the inflow of flood water, or the recent very cold temperatures, we were surprised to find dead fish on the shoreline. Millions of fingerlings, around 100mm in size, spanned about a half-metre wide swath along the shore. The Shags and other ducks apparently didn’t want these as a free feed as they were still diving under to catch their own live tucker. The dam is one of those waters that are regularly stocked with native fish, a pity that so many of them died.
After around 210k towing, we pulled into Lake Leslie Campground, another man-made waterway close to Warwick and a popular camping recreation spot. There is plenty of water in the lake and obvious signs of the recent floods that filled it. The Border Ranges provided wonderful scenery as a backdrop; abundant bird life, kangaroos that visited close by and water alive with signs of plentiful fish in the lake. However, this wasn’t born out by catches. Boaties struggled to get a fish and fishers on the bank were not getting anything, just saw one catfish caught in four days.
On our fourth day, heavy rain was forecast for the region so discretion deemed that we moved on to a drier campsite. Less than 20k and we booked into the Big-4 at Warwick.
On a previous morning, Warwick had recorded a minimum temperature of minus seven degrees. We didn’t get that but several of the next few mornings were around the zero mark. However, the days were beautiful and hovered around the 20-23 degrees.
Warwick is steeped in pioneering history, seems to have a good community spirit and some lovely old buildings. In the town centre, a statue of the state’s first premier had been decked out with a scarf and beanie. Not sure if this is a testament to the cold or it was an advert for the Colours of the Country, a travelling show that is celebrating 10 years of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.
Several self-guided tours are available from Warwick; we did two, the Settlers Way and Waterfalls Drive. Gorgeous scenery of the Border Ranges and the Queen Mary Falls were quite spectacular and well worth the climb down, (and back up) to the base of the falls. Further across the ranges and a drive back along the Condamine River valley that entailed 14 river crossings, good fun in the appropriate vehicle. By the look of the valley floor, it was not too long ago that flood tore through the Gorge and caused problems for the little town of Kilarney and surrounds.
We happened to be in Warwick at the “Jumpers and Jazz in July”, on these days, trees around the city centre are clad in “jumpers”, themed costumes and street jazz groups. See our photos in the album.
Warwick has is a major sports centre for Equestrian and Motor sports, (both involve horsepower!) at Morgan Park. Warwick, a major city of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, is well worth a visit.
24th July,
Time now to move to Brisbane, we had a booking at the Durack Gardens Caravan Park, about 14k from the Brisbane CBD, close to Springfield Lakes where our good friend Catie and her daughter’s family live.
On the way to Brisbane, we had one night to pass and intended a stop-over at Boonah. However, on the way we decided to look at another one of Queensland’s reservoirs, Lake Moogerah. Not surprising, this camping and recreation location is very popular with people from Ipswich, Brisbane and surrounds. How popular we found out, towing the van into the day use area, we got a surprise as it was packed with a variety of cars and their occupants, parked both sides of the narrow circuit, I had to weave our way through “Ipswich Muscle and Classic Cars”, their owners gaping open mouthed as the van inched past their pride and joys.
The lake is surrounded by the hills of the Main Range and Moogerah Peaks National Park. I would rate this lake among the best for scenery, serenity and accessibility. Lakeside camp spot, a walk along the shore and friendly parrots made our day. Early morning in the mist was a magnificent sight, black swans, dozens of other water birds only 20-30 metres from our door. Just another day in paradise they say!!! Look at our pics in the album.
Brisbane
25th July;
A reasonably stress free tow along through Beaudesert, the Mount Lindsay Highway and we moved into our site at Durack Gardens. Here we are in Brisbane, booked for four weeks and a variety of things to do. Not keen on big cities but Brisbane is one that you “have to do!” After two weeks, we have spent a lovely evening with Catie and family; taken a drive to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha Look-out and the Brisbane Planetarium that was well worth the visit. We tested the new “GO” Translink transport ticket system on a bus ride to the city and a trip along the Brisbane River by City Cats. All we could think about on the boat was how amazing that after the major flood in January, the city had done a remarkable job of cleaning up and the restoring of the river and surrounds. Chatting to people, they have the amazing ability to make light of what would have been a devastating event. Most blame the “government” for the floods. We have caught up with a bit of maintenance and had a day trip to Toowoomba and the return along the pioneering Cobb and Co Trail.
So much yet to see and do; places to go and planning for the next phase of our 2011 travels.
Take a look at the pictures of our adventures, until the next time, keep well.https://picasaweb.google.com/108879761974384702036/GoondiwindiToDurackGardens?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPSRvOSYyoPHag&feat=directlink
