It was my daughter's birthday on Thursday ( a day earlier and MUCH younger than Dazzler
). She wanted a drive in the country so we set off from The Sunshine Coast, through Beerwah, Peachester, Dayboro, Kilcoy and Toogoolawah. From there, up the range to somewhere north of Crows Nest. Normally I'd have gone further south to Esk and up the range there but thought we'd try something different.
About 25 klms of gravel.
Although my wife was less than happy.
At one stage we came to a fork in the road with signs saying both went up the range but the LH one was unsuitable for trailers, caravans, boats and busses. I took the prudent option. Still winding and steep. There was a VW behind us which went the other way. Before the top, I stopped to set the Tom Tom, went back a few hundred meters and continued on. We got to the to and continued towards Toowoomba. About 10 klms along, the VW pulled out just in front of us.
Had morning tea in Toowoomba at Picnic Point, looking back over the coastal plain, then drove down towards Ipswich and turned off up the Brisbane Valley Highway.
First stop was Fernvale which used to be about 6 houses, a pub and a couple of shops. Plus a turnoff to Savages Crossing.
Savages Crossing - Attraction - QueenslandHaven't been here for about 35 years. Still beautiful.
Fernvale has even got a high school now and is pretty well developed. I reckon it's probably a reasonable commute for Ipswich workers - probably 30 - 40 minutes so I can see why its grown.
On, to Esk, via crossing the Wivenhoe Dam wall. Lunch in Esk.
North of Esk we detoured to pass the Somerset Dam and back to Kilcoy and on to home.
Home by 5pm. Fun drive.
Only pics are at Picnic Point, Toowoomba.
Picnic Point Lookout And Parkland, Toowoomba - Southern QLD CountryI'll add them soon. Photobucket is doing its usual super slow thing.'
View east from Picnic Point with Table Mountain close by and the east coast of Australia hidden in the mist.
Have a look at the age of this rose bush.
For over a 100 years these were known as "Blackboys" owing to the fact that they would survive bushfires despite being blackened and they grow a spear like flower periodically. However, in these politically correct times they have become the Australian Grass Tree. They can grow for 200 years.
