Springbrook - Views, Waterfalls and Fungi.

Tuesday 26 March

This week saw new faces hiking with the Gaiter Girls, so it was wonderful to return yet again to Springbrook, to share its sensational beauty.

Another early start to beat the heat and humidity, was definitely worth while.

At just after 7am we were on the mountain and decided to visit the 'Best of All Lookout.' [yes, its offical name]. It was actually cold and misty as we got out of the car, making me concerned for the view we might not see. My fears were ill founded.

The walk in .....

The views ...

As we drove up to the lookout carpark, the Pademelons were enjoying grazing on the side of the road.

I've never spotted so many as on this occasion. They are marsupials, and belong to a smaller sized family to the wallaby.

Coffee was next on the agenda, beside a babbling stream, leading to our 1st waterfall and views.

The short walk to this view, revealed flowering Wild Ginger and Native Lily or Cunjevoi.

Refreshed from our cuppa, we took the short drive to our starting point for the Twin Falls Trail.

The trail views .....

The amazing fungi ....

The birds .....

Crimson Rosella Parrot

I have to be honest, but this parrot was snapped 2 days previously, but I did want to include him - the Eastern Rosella Parrot.

The closest sighting I've ever had of a Lyre Bird, sadly blurred.

The discarded skin of a python, possibly of the one I have seen in this area previously.

A busy, drain clearing Park Ranger we passed, was able to inform us that this beautiful skink was a member of the largest sized skink family in the world. We saw numerous ones sunning themselves.

Tiny blossoms of a rainforest tree.

We were very taken with the bark of these Grass Trees, one burnt, the other untouched.

The accidental photo I quite like.

The waterfalls .....

 

Twin Falls

Above the Twin Falls

As you might of guessed, progress along this trail was rather slow, but 11am saw us driving to our final trail of the day, which would take us down to the spectacular drop of the Purling Brook Falls.

Above

Below

To the side, as we followed the circuit to climb out of the gorge.

What a shame all of our group were unable to be wowed, every step of the way, by nature's magic hand.

It was hot and humid, but nowhere near as bad as if we had taken a lowland hike. Respite came when the canopy was dense, making it quite bearable.

I am pleased to report that rain fell Tuesday, finally bringing cooler temperatures to our area of SE Queensland. I am also delighted to report that vast areas of northern Australia have finally received drought breaking rains through the combined efforts of Cyclone Veronica in the west and Cyclone Trevor in the north. Of course, not without some damage, but I believe this event has been hugely welcomed. If only southern Australia could have some relief.

Finally, I apologise for being unable to visit your wonderful blogs at present. It's definitely my loss, but my laptop is with Apple for repairs. Very frustrating having to wait for the Mac to be free for use .

I would love to read your comment.