The blue sky held promise as we left the city and climbed the winding mountain roads. On reaching Maiala Park we started with the traditional cake and cuppa before heading off into the bush. Maiala is an Aboriginal word meaning "quiet place" and is an apt name for this peaceful piece of Queensland. The quiet was broken only by the clear crisp calls of the bellbirds and their friends, and our chatter and laughter. Before lunch we completed the Rainforest Circuit and a side trip to Greenes Falls. After lunch we tackled the Westside track. The weather stayed fine, and was very warm despite being well shaded in this subtropical rainforest. |
Today we headed for Maiala in the D'Aguilar National Park, travelling from Brisbane on the Mt Nebo Road fromThe Gap. This southern section of the national park was formerly known as Brisbane Forest Park. This week we had plenty of awe in our walk with soaring gums, sprawling views, tall ferns and fallen giants of trees littering the forest.. We did a leisurely 13 kilometres in all, rain free and mostly leech free. Awesome! Thankfully we didn't need our umbrellas other than for a bit of photographic fun. Eat your heart out Mary Poppins. Again I am grateful to be out walking rather than out working.
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The joys of retirement are endless. The magic of time has been my greatest joy - time to pursue interests and pleasures, time to discover new things, time to appreciate the world around. So, last week it was with great anticipation and excitement that I was able to join some friends who are regular bushwalkers. They explore far and wide around our great South-East (see Helen's blog, Walking with Friends Down Under at http://outandabout3.blogspot.com.au/ ). Last week they were off to a place I had long wanted to visit, but never yet managed - O'Reilly's in the Lamington National Park. We drove through pretty countryside passing Tambourine Village and Canungra before ascending the narrow, winding road up into the mountains. On reaching the top we took in sustenance (food and scenery) at a picnic spot with spectacular views before proceeding to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. O'Reilly's is located in the Green Mountains section of the Lamington National Park and gives easy access to bushwalks.
From the tiny colourful fungi colonising mossy logs to the tall towering trees forming a cool canopy above, the magic of the rainforest encased us. Waterfalls and rushing rivers punctuated our journey, reminding us why this area is so green and lush. The drizzling rain kept falling as we climbed ever upwards on the final part of our hike. Being summer, the wet did not really bother us. It helped to keep us cool and probably kept our minds off the effort of an upward climb. It was, however, a bedraggled lot who finally stumbled out of the forest, clothes dripping, ready to warm up on a hot coffee before heading home. Driving home, wallabies abounded (and bounded) on the roadside - a fitting farewell and a fun way to end a wonderful day.
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