Sundown National Park

Sundown National Park

The trip began in Toowoomba. We had both driven from our respective towns and met in the middle roughly, stayed overnight in Toowoomba in a lovely hotel room and then we left first thing in the morning and headed south towards Stanthorpe.

We just missed the town of Inglewood as we headed south towards Texas and Sundown National Park 

Day 1

There are two ways to drive into the Sundown NP, the Stanthorpe side which I believe is the biggest mission (20-30kms and travel time of 3-4hours) so we went the back way which was more kilometres but only an hour or so to drive.  We put up our tent and went off for a quick walk.

The camp all set up and we are ready to go for a walk before it gets dark!

This was out first hike as soon as we arrived up one of the gullys.

Looking at the dry river bed.

Shahn as we headed around some of the pools along the track. It was nice a cool in the gorges.

Some cool rock formations. There were three main rock types visible as we tramped up the gorge; greywacke, argillite and granite.

Hiking back to the camp, following the Severn river.

Getting ready to relax, pouring the beverages after our first walk.

There were some rudimentary showers at the campsite, so after a day of travel and a walk we were loving the billy of hot water in the shower bucket (which was a two person job - needed the extra person to hoist the bucket above your head so you could get ALL the water, would have been a mission but who doesn't enjoy a shower in the bushes!).

Day 2

Last day of our weekend in Sundown NP, we headed off on another walk.  There was relatively long walk up a dry river bed with a waterfall (that when flowing would be quite impressive but no luck this particular day)

Michael standing at the bottom of "waterfall", it was quite eerie standing there!

Looking pretty stoked with life - I was cold, but I was there!!

Bottom of the waterfall

Eak standing in the background, where we had to climb around the side of this pool and it was pretty tricky.

Eak checking out the small lake.

It was not a visually exciting trip but was good to get out for a walk in a somewhat remote national park.

Chris's Trip to Australia

Chris and his trip to Australia.

 

Earlier in the year, Chris was meant to be visit Richard and Michael with Bethanne but he had forgotten that he needed to attend his (Formal) School Ball, so we postponed his trip from April to October.

 

The trips are back to front but the photos below, are from our trip to Girraween National Park with Richard coming down from Rocky for a long weekend.

This is not a happy face - this is fear, pure fear, as he is standing in long grass in jandles. Chris can feel the snakes around him. Hahaha!!
 

Michael leaning on the archway.

Chris showing everyone that if you are still young and fit, you can run up the pyramids.

Shahn was feeling the burn. (and the only one carrying a bag, just saying!)

Shahn sucking it up trying to keep up with Chris (like the rest of us).

Chris standing on the highest point of the pyramid. Richard is looking around.

Enjoying the walk.

Bit windy up there, just looking over the edge to see how far the fall was; we decided unlikely to survive. The second pyramid behind Chris looks like a hard climb but would be cool trip.

Making our way back down before the rain.

Chris obviously still concerned about the possibility of snakes.

Following the pathway down.

Down the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.

RAIN STORM, just trying to make it back to the car without getting too wet for the 2hr drive back home to Ipswich.

Loving the warm rain.

Trying to hide from the rain or hugging a tree?!

Temporary relief from the rain…..

Trip to Moreton Island

This was the weekend after Chris had flown north to catch up with Richard in Rockhampton. We had got up early to get the ferry across to Moreton for a day trip.

On the ferry heading to Moreton, almost missed it just got there as the ferry started boarding.

Everyone was looking happy and excited to be on the boat.

Chris thinking he was on a tropical island.

Dosen't look like we just got out of bed at all and were running late so haven't had breakfast yet!

First activity of the day, Stand-up Paddle Boarding to the wrecks from Tangalooma, an hour round trip before we booked in to go banana boating.

Shahn killing it, paddle boarding like a pro - in reality, trying to keep up with the boys!

From left to right, Chris, Richard and Michael

Finally arrived at the wrecks, beautiful morning

Manoeuvring around the wrecks

Enjoying the sun and the wrecks

There were a good 30 starfish in one little patch while we were paddling back and it was very difficult to take pictures of them, so pretty.

Someone off on their own rouge mission

Chris and Shahn getting ready for the ride on the biscuit, just a minute or so until Chris managed to kick Shahn in the head, giving her bleeding nose and a cut her lip…….lol

Shahn and her cut lip….. (it doesn't look bad, but it was an awesome fat lip!)

After the sea biscuiting saga, we decided to hire a boat instead of kayaks to get to the wrecks - plus it meant we could get in and out of the afternoon wind.

We are on a boat...

Wrecks in the distance

Coral reefs formed on the barge wrecks with reef fish

Snorkelling the wrecks

Wrecks from above the water

Everyone was a bit cold, but stoked to have had such a great day

That face!

Sea Turtle - not sure exactly, ?Green Sea Turtle

Go Pro pictures of the wrecks from above water

Shahn & Eak adjusting masks before having a look at the wreck reefs

Fabulous day at Moreton Island, we got home and everyone was exhausted.  We ordered some great woodfire pizzas and played a board game called, Articulate.  Was pretty funny!  Great to spend time with family - Chris seemed to enjoy his time with us in Ipswich and his time up in Rockhampton with Richard.