9 - 11 August, 2025
October 2020, saw four good friends visiting Wyberba Cottage and Girraween National Park, on the highlands west of Brisbane. An amazing 3 days were enjoyed. Jan recently decided that a return visit was due. Two weeks ago, on a very wet morning and with a very cold, wet forecast ahead, 8 of us set off. Thankfully we drove out of the rain before reaching the range.
Here ia a link to our 2020 visit if you are interested to compare our visits.
https://outandabout3.blogspot.com/2021/01/girraween-adventure-part-one-arrival.html
The clouds still hung low over Cunninghams Gap.
The black soil plains had relished the wet conditions, but the road was extremely potholed. Eventhough a major thoroughfare, the speed limit was reduced to 60 k/h for many, many kilometres.
Wyberba Cottage - With only 3 bedrooms, it was lovely that Catherine and Grant were able join us and sleep in their van.
Check in was 2 pm. We were soon settled in, relaxing and enjoying the fire. A rare treat to be mesmerised by flickering flames.
At 3.30pm, a short drive had us at the entrance to our sunset trail. Alas, no sooner than we were out of the car, than it began to drizzle. We were in luck, it didn't last long.
Eventhough light snow had fallen here the previous weekend, the spring wildflowers were bursting into bloom.
Our joy of this lovely, circuit trail came to a flooded end.
About turn! We were now walking the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.
A very friendly female kangaroo.
A pretty impressive buck.
After a kilometre, the trail passed beside the swollen Bald Rock Creek. On our previous visit we were able to cross to the opposite bank quite easily. Not on this occasion, and we soon became aware that we would have to keep to the bush path to get to The Junction, our destination.
We have arrived.
Time to enjoy our wine and nibbles, a package that Leanne had individually organised.
A colourful sunset didn't look promising, but we were a happy bunch enjoying the serenity of the hour and our surroundings. 
Well after what we thought was sunset time, the sky put on a delayed show.
The light was quickly fading. We donned our headlamps and returned to the trail.
The final sunset glow in the west and a watery full moon trying to rise in the east.
7pm saw us relaxing back at the cottage. Joc and I were on dinner duty.
As we relaxed around the fire after dinner, we were all grateful that weather had been kind, allowing us this very special start to our weekend.
I would love to read your comment.
Looks like an amazing place to walk. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Lovely in winter and early spring, but far too hot for me in summer.
DeleteYou do visit some beautiful places and you certainly have fun. Love the photos. B x
ReplyDeleteAlthough this wasn't a Hungry Hiker outing, four of us are. Over our 12 years of hiking we have hiked over 400 trails in SE Queensland - city, coast, rainforest, hinterland. We have discovered so many beautiful areas.
DeleteLooks a bit wintry, but it also looks like all had a really good time!
ReplyDeleteVery wintry for us Bill, but I guess spring or autumn weather for you.
DeleteSuch a wonderful adventure. The blossoms all around are so lovely. And the water…such an unusual sight on the trails. It is usually so dry. I hope the rain continues periodically through the spring and summer.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very special weekend in every way, Marie.It would have been lovely if Frank had been able to join us though.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place! I really like all the river-sculpted rock. And you and your friends were treated to a nice sunset.
ReplyDeleteI loved the sculpted rocks too, Linda. The water patterns on the rocks also helh my attention. The sunset was so unexpected.
DeleteWhat a great place to stay! The hike looks wonderful. Nothing like hiking with friends in a beautiful location!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Peter.
DeleteSeeing all of you bundled up in down coats and jackets caught me off guard, not something I expected to see! Such a wonderful escape from the city.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra, the temperature ranged from min 3C to max 10C. That is cold for us. It was a fabulous weekend.
DeleteWhile it looks like a chilly trek, the blooming flowers surely warmed you all up. The accommodations looked nice and cozy!
ReplyDeleteDressed in the right layers, the chilly walk was exuberating. I was surprised to see so many wildflowers given it had snowed the weekend before our visit.
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