2.5.25
The fact that sunflowers were growing on the Darling Downs, west of Brisbane, first came to the attention of the Hungry Hikers in early 2021. Google told us there was a sunflower trail, but little more. On one excursion we managed by good luck, rather than good research, to find several impressive fields. A lot of driving for a few minutes of enjoyment.
In that year, Scenic Rim lucerne farmers, Jenny and Russell Jenner, were struggling to keep their crops alive during a very long drought. When Russell brought home a bunch of sunflowers for Jenny, a light bulb moment occurred. Sunflowers don't need much water to grow and they look spectacular. The first festival was held in late 2021 and the event is now so popular that tickets can only be bought on-line. The moment they are released they are rapidly purchased. This year there were 12 000 visitors over three days.
My friend Jocelyn and I visited in April 2022. A sunny day, but the drought had been broken and the black soil after the rain clung to everyone's shoes. We were impressed not only with the spectacular fields of sunflowers but also total organisation of the event - food trucks, craft stalls, cut your own sunflowers, devonshire tea marque, yoga in the sunflowers at dawn, paths through the sunflowers, a maze, art classes. Our cameras clicked endlessly.
Two weeks ago Joc, her two sisters and myself arrived at the farm for our 8.30 arrival time slot. It was a perfect sunny day, unlike the weather of the past week. We were greeted by friendly volunteers helping with parking. Had we needed it, sunflower decorated buggies would have transported us to the entrance. Later on we discovered that these buggies were taking people with disabilities through the fields. Just one of the extraordinary number of innovations since our previous visit. As you know, Hungry Hikers love to pose and wherever we walked, there was a new prop to use amongst the glorious, gold, shimmering sunflowers. [Marlene, Joc's youngest sister was the only non HH'er.]
Arrival.
The Jenners took potential disaster and made sunflowers. How enterprising is that! Such an incredible set of photos, Helen. I especially love those featuring your group enjoying the setting. And that second to last one…priceless! It encapsulates the way you enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
So much beauty, caring and giving has come out of a great sadness. It was an extraordinarily beautiful day.
DeleteBeautiful photos and lovely smiles.
ReplyDelete2 million sunflowers! Impossible for anyone to keep the smile off one's face!
DeleteHappy bees, happy girls, happy doggies, happy yellow tractor, and happy me for seeing it all!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy, filled with golden sunshine, all day, Bill.
DeleteHow could one not be "bright, sunny, and positive" while out & about getting lost in everything this location beholds! I like that you get to take home a little piece of this paradise!
ReplyDeleteImpossible to be otherwise, Alexandra!
DeleteI so love sunflowers. Amazing photos of an amazing place :) B x
ReplyDeleteJust an amazing day, Barbara with so much love and generosity behind it.
DeleteThose sunflowers are so beautiful, and so many fun photo opps for for you ladies. Every one of these deserves to be printed and hung on the wall!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. So true about photo ops for us, and how could we not make the most of them?
DeleteOf course, this Kansas sunflower girl LOVED this post. What a beautiful place! You lucked out with the perfect sky background, too! It looks like they have thought of every way to make their visitors' day brighter. It is reminiscent of venues in Kansas that do similar events in the fall.
ReplyDeleteIt was stunning, Linda, I guess the Kansas fields are huge in comparison.
DeleteOh what a beautiful place! I just love sunflowers and you have shared some amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I was constantly stopping and pinching myself, it was so beautiful!
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