Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park

We waited on the weather forecast each day before venturing out to Girringun NP and the Wallaman Falls. Each day we could see low clouds shrouding the ranges to the west of Ingham. Finally, the weatherman said that Saturday was the day to venture out, so off we went. It takes about an hour to drive out to Wallaman Falls from Forrest Beach through Ingham and the small town of Trebourne and when we arrived the falls were invisible behind a wall of mist. The weatherman was in error again. We could hear the water falling but could not see anything but mist. People were arriving and not being able to view the falls, were returning to their vehicles after about 5 minutes and leaving the park. That is not our 'style' so we took the hard option and walked the 2 km down a steep trail to the base of the falls. We felt that we were sure to get a glimpse down there. The walk down was relatively easy but we knew that coming back up was going to be hell of a lot different. The trail was very wet and the stone steps were quite slippery. We had to be very cautious where we placed our feet. Didn't want to walk back up with a sprained ankle or something like that. All the other people taking the walk down to the falls base were under age 30, that either made us stupid or still young at heart. We made it down without mishap and really enjoyed the view. The walk back up was challenging but obviously we made it back to the top. It was about 2 hours round trip to the falls base and back up. By the time we surfaced, the top of the falls was clear and we could view them from above as well. All in all, a brilliant day and well worth the drive out.

This is the view that greeted us on our arrival at Wallaman Falls. The gorge was completely full of mist.

This is the story of what we should have been witnessing. These falls are claimed to be the longest single drop in the Southern Hemisphere.

On our way down the trail we found other sights to stop and wonder at. The water droplets on this grass was one of them.

To prove that we actually made it to the falls base.

Judy too.

There was a slight breeze coming up the gorge from the right and driving the mist up the rock wall to the left, this water then ran back into the base pool.

It's not my imagination going wild but while we were at the falls base a brief ray of sunshine made itself evident and provided a faint rainbow in the mist at water level. Surely you can see it too!

On the way back up the trail I contented myself with taking some photographs of various fungi growing in the damp conditions. At least I was having a much required breather at the same time.

Another variety here.

Yet another.

Still another, this was only the varieties we noticed.

A team of ants was busily engaged in transporting this unfortunate butterfly back to their nest. The ants were working well as a team too.

Not sure wether this is a 'yeti' in the forest but it was following me up the trail. I think it became wetter inside the Poncho than outside by the time we reached the top of the trail.

A large proportion of the rock along the trail was impregnated with green stone as this photograph displays.

The view of the falls that eluded us on our arrival. What a magnificent sight. Well worth the visit. We were actually on those rocks in the bottom right of this photograph.

Forrest Beach Caravan Park.

Must be time to report on our whereabouts as we are leaving our present beautiful camp location at Forrest Beach Caravan Park tomorrow morning. The Forrest Beach Hotel/Motel/Caravan Park complex is actually located in the small town of Allingham, which is 18km, through magnificent Sugar Cane Fields, from Ingham. We booked into Forrest Beach CP for a week, as without power, we only paid $100 for the week. While we have been here we have toured the local area extensively and separate reports will appear over the next couple of days. We were able to purchase replacement bicycle tubes at Halifax another small town out of Ingham. The bikes are now repaired and we have been cycling all over Allingham.

Our camp site for the week. A quiet corner that was out of most of the SE breeze. We have just cleaned up all the gear ready for the exodus tomorrow.

The locals boast of a 12km beach, well this is half of it, looking south, the other half extends just as far looking north.

Looking out towards Orepheus Island from our beach. The tide has turned and is on it's way in. The fisherman are catching Barramundi off the beach. Need to watch out for the 18 foot croc that is lurking out there though.

This is the view of the Forrest Beach Hotel/Motel with the Caravan Park visible way down the back. The beach is just to the left of picture.

Home and Relieved

How quickly the weather changes, in my previous post I included a photograph of a bright and sunny Gin Gin RA, well, during that night events changed dramatically. Overnight we had continuous rain and buffeting winds. Unknowingly I had parked in a slight depression and morning found us in the centre of a small lake. This was of no consequence when you can walk around bare footed.

We had arranged to have the caravan serviced at Warburton Caravans in Bundaberg on the Friday and made our way to a Thursday night camp at The Oaks Caravan Park, Burnett Heads. We met up with Al and Heather, friends from Hervey Bay who had been staying in the area for a few days. The rain continued all that day and all through the night.

This rain event that we were experiencing was Tropical Depression Oswald and much worse was to come. As you probably heard on the National News Services, The Oaks Caravan Park was one of those areas hit by destructive tornados, luckily for us, by that stage we had moved on.

We packed up at Burnett Heads in drenching rain and delivered the caravan to Warburtons' Service Centre, in the same drenching rain. The rain continued unabated all day. We received the call to collect the van late in the afternoon. By the time we hitched up and drove out of The Service Centre it was too late to leave Bundaberg that afternoon. The sky was dull, the rain was pelting down and we believed that the road surface would have been broken in various sections, we found a park and settled for the night, confined to the limits of the caravan interior. The rain pelted us all night and the wind gusts had the caravan really rocking. I felt as if I was a jelly, wobbling around on the bed that night!

Thanks to the convenience of modern telecommunications we were able to monitor the weather radar on our mobile phone and on detecting a brief break in the weather pattern Saturday morning we made a hasty exit from Bundaberg and made a dash for Hervey Bay. We reached home at about 11 AM. Later that day we heard reports that all roads into Hervey Bay had been cut by Flood Waters. How fortunate we were to be home and in the dry.

The caravan is now unpacked and safely stowed at The Hervey Bay Caravan Park in the care of Margy and Peter.

Now we turn our attention to issues on the Home Front for a few weeks and then begin looking at plans for our next adventure.

Gin Gin Rest Area

Another of our frequent stop-overs. Gin Gin is really close to home and is a great point for the first or last lay-over on our travels. Access to the town is via an easy walk of about 2 km. We arrived here after enduring a vast amount of road works for yet another day and we expect the same again tomorrow after we pull out of here.

Close to where we usually park, down the back away from the Bruce Highway. As usual quite a few campers in here as well.

Calliope Rest Area

Here we are again, camped on the high level side of the Calliope River. Really, we should try the low level side on at least one pass through the area. We had encountered quite a lot of road-works after leaving Rockhampton and appreciated the chance to pull off the road and camp for the night.

We usually find a good position close to the river bank with a great view along both reaches of the river. Lots of action on the other side this time with several families camped there for the school holidays.

Needed some exercise after driving for a couple of hours, went for a walk across the old condemned bridge that was the Old Bruce Highway to the low side of the river.

Yeppoon

This time through Rockhampton we turned off the Bruce Highway and stopped over in Yeppoon. We have some Hash House Harrier friends there, Kennell and MD. Otherwise known as Ken and Cheryl. We stayed at The Beachside Caravan Park, on The Byfield Road, for two nights and as the name suggests, it is beachside, we had sea views and woke with the sun coming up over The Keppell Islands. 

We also had time to drive out to Byfield National Park and visit some of the sights there. We checked out Red Rock Camp Ground in the NP for possible caravan sites and found it suitable for the likes of our caravan. Red Rock Camp Ground is the only one in the Byfield NP suitable for caravans.

Yeppoon is expanding with new development happening at a great pace, but so far, has still retained it's "seaside charm".

Jude is studying the map of local sights while I am taking in the great vista that greats us from our awning.

St Lawrence Sports Ground

On our homeward travel we are going through territory and camps that we have been to on several occasions before. St Lawrence is one of those places. On a previous visit the weather was quite pleasant but this time the temperatures were blisteringly hot. The adjacent wetlands were almost totally dry. There are still considerable numbers of travellers on the road and St Lawrence is a popular stopover. There was also a Motorhome Club from Mackay visiting on their Monthly Meeting.

The town hasn't changed at all except that the Pub is now tourist friendly and was doing good business during the hot weather.

It was just too hot to get out and be the photographer so I have included this link to one of our previous visits, the buildings in the town are the same but the country side is totally different. http://avantouring.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/st-lawrence-3rd-to-5th-march.html

Flaggy Rock

Homeward bound now, first stop over is Flaggy Rock. We are camped in behind the Community Centre there. The fee is only $5 per night and it is very quiet here. We are the only camp but in the busy season the 5 acres would be filled.

The rear of The Community Centre at Flaggy Rock. I suspect that this would have been a school building in years gone by.

There is 5 acres of grounds here and we are the only campers present along with the caretaker. Two large Mango Trees centre/left provide us with breakfast goodies.

Eungella

While staying with our good friends Ian and Sue in Mackay we went for a drive up to Eungella for the spectacular views down the Pioneer Valley back towards Mackay.

The Eungella Chalet has survived many cyclonic storms and is still functioning well today.

Looking up to the Dining Area of The Chalet over the swimming pool.

The launch platform for 'Hang Gliders'. Step off here and soar down The Pioneer Valley.

This is a great vista looking down along The Pioneer Valley. Any wonder Mackay has had serious flooding issues in the past.

Bundoora Dam

While travelling from Sapphire to Mackay we stopped over at the small Bundoora Dam. There are not many spots for caravan camping here but we managed the perfect location. There is a concrete pad remaining from some structure and we parked the van on that, perfect level, perfect view. A couple of campers down by the water's edge were doing alright netting Red Claw.

The dam wall is visible behind our caravan. The reservoir opens out much wider as the water extends out to the right.

Sapphire Caravan Park

While at Sapphire we stayed at The Sapphire Caravan Park. The park is situated at a most unusual location, at the top of a fairly steep hill but still easily accessed by large caravans. I do not usually make extensive comments about the caravan parks we visit but on this occasion we were made extremely welcome and the caravan park has a genuinely unique character that warranted this special report. The owners, Lee and Norm provide a very friendly atmosphere at this extensive caravan park. You can check out the full details of the Caravan Park at www.sapphirecaravanpark.com.au 

Your welcome at the entry to Sapphire Caravan Park Retreat.

The booking Office and Main Residence.

Another Happy Fella outside the relaxing pool area.

The main drive past cabins and Camp Kitchen.

Outdoor Dining area at The Camp Kitchen.

I guess this is the smokers area outside the Camp Kitchen.

At one end of the Camp Kitchen there is an extensive library for guests.

The 'business end' of the well equipped Camp Kitchen.

Squeeze Box musician outside the BBQ Area.

Lots of tables and chairs in the BBQ Area that boasts overhead fans and TV for your comfort.

The Wallaby and bird feeding area as viewed from the BBQ Area.

An unusual visitor to camp.

Cabins and Huts aplenty at The Sapphire Caravan Park Retreat.

Our camp site provided plenty of space and was handy to all facilities.

Most caravan sites seem to be in individual locations and all are at different levels.

The view down the gully we had from our awning.

Sapphire and Rubyvale

We had stopped at the very neat and tidy town of Capella for lunch on the way through to Sapphire. We were actually stopped alongside the road that would take us directly to Rubyvale but our Garmin GPS would not recognise either of Sapphire or Rubyvale, these towns simply did not exist! We tried to be smart, difficult, I know, but we simply entered the co-ordinates for the free camp in Sapphire, surely that would get us there! We were presented with directions that would take us kilometres out of our way through the City of Emerald. We settled for using human grey matter and driving the shorter more direct route.

We hadn't been to Sapphire before and were keen to see what was there but the main purpose for heading that direction was Jim and Lee, people we had met at Apollo Bay in March 2012 were camped there and it seemed like a great opportunity to meet up again as we were passing through the same general area.

The towns of Sapphire and Rubyvale are unique in that most of the land cannot be owned freehold, but must be leased from a mining company. The leases are for a term of only 5 years, hence most of the residences are only constructed in a temporary manner. The up side is that there are no Council Rates, but also there are no services either.

To fossick for Gem Stones in the open fossicking areas a permit is required but this is relatively cheap considering the value of the stones that can be found. Be very careful not to enter on another person's lease though!

As most of the land is "Common Land" in both Rubyvale and Sapphire beef cattle are free to roam anywhere they desire and they have 'right-of-way' on the roads.

Between Rubyvale and Sapphire, a distance of only 8 km, you will see piles of rubble brought to the surface by the gem seekers.

Several of the miners have permits to use heavy machinery to seek their fortune. For most, a pick, a shovel and a bucket is all that is allowed. Only recently pneumatic jack hammers have been permitted.

One of the very few well established homes in the area.

The Pub at Rubyvale.

Jude and I had lunch at Tea Rooms at The Gem Gallery and this rather cheeky intruder tried to fly away with Jude's Toasted Sandwich.

One of the Tourist Attractions in Rubyvale, tour a working underground mine.

How mining was once performed, but back then there was only candle light.

Notice the regulation mining apparel. It was a quite cool 22 deg C underground while it was closer to 40 deg C up top.

One of the Gem Galleries in Sapphire.

Sapphire General Store and fuel.

Sapphire Hardware. All the businesses in Sapphire are spread over a wide area, you need to drive between each business.