White Rock Conservation Park

Wednesday 12 August

We were down to 2 this week and undecided where we should walk, as it was Peoples Day at The Royal Brisbane Exhibition. [ Agricultural Show]
Which road was going to be least crowded?

I met Margot at her unit, in an inner suburb of Brisbane and we concluded that heading west would be the best bet. White Rock had been added to my list of hiking possibilities earlier in the year, so we decided to head there. It was my turn to drive and as I hadn't had time to check out google maps, I asked Margot if we could take her Tom Tom with us.

Now, I must add here that Margot totally relies on her Tom Tom and still manages to get lost. I, on the other hand have a very good sense of direction, once I've seen the map or previously driven it.

Sailing merrily along the motorway towards Ipswich, I suddenly realised that Tom Tom had us on the 'long' route, so I took the next exit -  Redbank. Well, poor old Tom Tom got in a state and had us turning here, there and everywhere, until we suddenly drove onto the poorest gravel road I have seen in a long time. The signage said, 'Unnamed Road' I burst into laughter at our predicament and the fact that this was happening to me! The further we went, the more I laughed. There were other cars following us, so we decided it must be a through road. Well blow me down Charlie if we didn't turn a corner and found ourselves entering White Rock Park, along with half of Brisbane, out to enjoy this beautiful area on People's Day. Then, to add to the humour of the day, the parking space was small and I could hardly get out of the car. My bum all too quickly landed on a clump of grass that was impeding my way. Very comfortable I might add.

The bush was alive with the sounds of a large variety of birds. I spotted my favourite Blue Fairy Wrens, flitting from branch to branch, but as usual, they were impossible to photograph. Much of the path was on a  wide, dusty, vehicle track, with the surrounding bush full of the sunshine of flowering wattle. Alas, my small camera just never seems to be able to focus clearly on these blossoms.

A short way into the park, the unimpressive Six Mile Creek, boardwalk traverses a loop through Paperbark trees. A steep incline had us standing on the 'pebble' of the day - The Bluff.

Nature knows how to impress.

 Is this nature's own hand or not?

After about 4 kms the trail began to climb and, on reaching the ridge line, we were treated to our 1st view of the spectacular White Rock, one of many sandstone outcrops on this ridge.

             West views

    
                               North face

                 East face

The trail wound halfway round the rock and suddenly had us climbing up onto its back face.

At this point we decided to be sensible and retrace our steps. Oh, how I hate having to be sensible.

Further along the ridge, we climbed another outcrop with views to the city and back to White Rock.

        Oh I wish…….

At 10 kms the hike wasn't long, but it certainly got our heart rate moving. We were going to take another trail, but we received a severe storm warning and made it back to the car, just as the 1st drops were falling. Thankfully it wasn't fierce, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

'Hiking down under' has again brought us unexpected beauty.

As a senior, would you have climbed to the highest point? Hope you enjoyed the hike. I would love to read your comment.

Return to Lennox Heads

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Wednesday 5th August - 17 kms, Lennox Headands to Ballina Lighthouse return.

An early start saw us drinking a much needed hot coffee by 9am, on Lennox Headlands, on this very chilly but beautiful morning.

Yes, another return hike, but after nearly 3 years of 'hiking down under', we have done very well not to repeat ourselves too often. Some hikes just beg to be repeated. This is one of them. It is only the second time I've hiked it with this group, but 4 times overall. Each time it has been like walking in paradise and today was no exception. So to the people who ask us why we travel so far to hike [2 hour drive], it is for the sheer joy of walking green, grassy headlands and wide, sandy beaches. It is for the sheer joy of watching and listening to the drama of the waves as they meet the shore, under magical blue skies and today, we were time and again to witness whales playing and dolphins surfing the waves. 

Thanks Jocelyn for these 2.

Sadly I was too slow to snap the dolphins surfing.

But I just managed to get this framed shot of a yacht.

My second angle proved more successful and the crab didn't escape.

My final pic was also taken by Jocelyn and totally captures why I will make the drive again some time in the future.

'Hiking down under' on such a glorious day is definitely hard to beat.

I hope the sunshine has lifted your spirits as it did mine. I would love to read your comment.

Return to Mooloolah

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Wednesday 29th July - 17 kms

After many frustrating weeks, looking after the stress fracture in her left foot, Jocelyn was ready to rejoin us this week. We wanted distance, but reasonably gentle walking. We decided to return to Ewan Maddock Dam and the Dulchara National Park at Mooloolah, which we had hiked in April last year.
[You will find the link under Blog Archive, April 2014, if you are so interested]

On this occasion I didn't take many pics, which I regretted once I got home. Laurel is very creative with both word and photograph and has given me permission to add the link to her blog report of the day.

http://strikhedonia.weebly.com/blog/ewen-maddock-dam-and-dularcha-national-park

These 2 photographs are a big improvement on shots I took last year.
                               Entering the tunnel

                                View at opposite end

Today, Monday, I took a leisurely stroll around a pretty lagoon that I have recently discovered, not too far from home.

Sipping a coffee before I set off, I was delighted to spy a family of Black Swans swimming into view.

The She Oak Trees attracted the Blue Fairy Wrens, but alas they just never sit still for long.

Back at the car, the raucous call of the white cockatoos disturbed the peacefulness of the afternoon.

These 2, were just quietly going about their business, whatever that was.

I'm in the process of down sizing my photo files. This afternoon my eyes alighted on the following and so I decided to include them.

The hungry White Crane fits in with this afternoon's birds.

The spider I just love, especially when enlarged.

You will have noticed that I have often taken shots when out and about with my lady bird. The mushroom shot was taken on my front lawn and recently I finally managed to snap an actual one.

Last week's temperature was a wintery 19C. Today a summery 27C. 'Hiking down under', no matter what the conditions, always bring delight and awe in nature's beauty.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting some of our wonderful birdlife. I would love to read your comment.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

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Wednesday 15th July

It was a chilly morning, as we set off from Fernvale along the old Brisbane Valley Railway for Lowood. Not as chilly as it was going to be several mornings later, when an Antarctic blast arrived, dropping snow on the range [800m] at Stanthorpe. Such an unusual occurrence had Brisbane folk driving for 3 hours so their children could experience 'snow magic'. A lovely friend of mine took her 8 and 5 year olds up. Kaye said they had an amazing time making snow angles, snowmen and leaving their footprints in the fresh snow and it was worth every moment of the long drive to witness the excitement on their faces.

 [Kaye]

 [Kaye]

[ L Scott]

 [L.Scott]

One of the highlights of the walk was the birdsong that accompanied us throughout and finding this huge flock of birds. Unusually feathered, they importantly strutted across our path, but as we neared, took flight as one and regrouped just 500 metres away. They were still there on our return journey. Research revealed they are the Plumed Whistling Duck and live extensively on our east coast. 

Another highlight was hiking close to the banks of the Brisbane River, with the views west and east quite different.

The only metal rail on the trail was as we chugged up the long rise to Lowood Station.

The Brisbane Valley Railway ran for approximately 100 years, finally closing in 1991. Fernvale was one of the busiest stations for transport of people, dairy and agricultural produce, timber and cattle bound for Ipswich and Brisbane. Thankfully the councils along the track have seen the old trail as a source of tourism and recreation. 161 kilometres can now be hiked or cycled. We have now covered 33  of these and next year, hope to organise the rest as a through walk.

What better way to keep warm on a cold, dreary winter's day, than to 'hike down under with friends.'

I hope you enjoyed the walk along the old rail trail. I would love to read your comment.