Return to the Rainforest - West Canungra Creek Circuit.

Tuesday 28 January

West Canungra Creek Circuit, O'Reillys - 16 km, mist, cool, heat, sweat, steep paths, creek rock hopping, bush bashing, orchids, 3 snakes, 4 lamington spiny crayfish, rare Boyd’s Forest Dragon, an incredible variety of fungi, soaring trees, colourful lilypilly fruit and leaf litter, dripping trees, waterfalls, glistening ferns and slimey leeches, making the most incredible day!

Yes, a magical day but the joy started as we drove through the Canungra Valley at 6am. Green pastures, mist / fog, cloudy skies, light drizzle and majestic hot air balloons greeted us. Our happiness metres were soaring well before we set foot in the rain forest.

A winning capture taken for my Grandson in Canada.

Foggy views to the valleys below, as we partook of a cuppa at Kamarun Lookout near O'Reillys.

We felt a tad cool with the damp air, a breeze blowing, and the temperature only 19C! [normally 30C at this time of day, of recent weeks.]

Further on, the day was looking quite damp.

Super keen to get started - 1st visit in 10 months!

Now, how many k's is it really, Mary!

Enjoying the misty rain, with a false sense of security re a cool hike, very early on.

It became very hot and humid after the first half hour!

Christmas Orchid - Calanthe australasica.

Wonderful ferns, staghorns and crows nests.

Colourful leaf litter

[The sun was glowing through the leaf]

Fabulous fungi.

A rare Boyds Forest Dragon. [normally Nth Qld]

Lamington Spiny Crayfish, both in and out of the water.

Two snakes slithered quickly off trail as we approached. This carpet python didn't flinch as we walked within a metre of him. He too, must have had a cold start to the day. [I'm not sure why my camera depicted him as blueish, in the third shot.]

Rock hopping across the creek, occurred many times.

Both ancient and relative young trees, soared high to the skyline.

And how old is this magnificent specimen? [side view]

[back]

[front]

And another!

Rock pools and reflections.

Trickles and flowing waterfalls.

With an uneven trail, we had to keep reminding ourselves to stop and look up!

At times we were high above the creek bed and had to take time to stop and look down.

This huge crows nest had fallen down from a high height, into the creek bed.

The intrepid hikers, Mary and Rebecca, reached the creek bed before Janice and I.

Views as we hiked along its bank.

On several occasions we had to bush bash through tree fall.

Our 'Little People' always enjoy exploring with us.

The downside of a lush, green, moist rainforest is its leeches. Several tiny ones had been spotted before the end of the hike and quickly brushed away. Janice went to take a photo and discovered the top RH one, on her camera viewer. The bottom R was discovered when she arrived home. The bottom L was discovered crawling along my trouser leg, as we drove down the mountain. Alas he had somehow been in and out of my trousers without my knowledge. A very red, swollen upper leg has resulted.

Birds that joined us for afternoon tea. Please be assured they were NOT fed by us. 

Top and R is a baby Honey Eater and Bottom L is the Satin Bower Bird.

Janice, our inspiration and hero! 

Her 10 months of breast cancer treatment finished early December. Today she nailed the 16 k's with courage, enthusiasm, spirit and the biggest smile!

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