Queensland
Ipswich - Character Homes
The architecture of Queenslander homes is a native Australian residential type that emerged in the mid 19th century in Queensland and it remains an important part of Australian architectural heritage. The first Queenslander houses were built in 1850.
Some key features include being built on stumps to allow maximum ventilation, and having verandahs, high tin roofs; decorative features include gables, column brackets, louvers, fretwork, fanlights, porticos, colonial railings, balustrades, battens, and timber screens. They are also referred to as character homes and are a distinctive type of home foyund across Queensland.
BELOW: Front and rear views of one special home
BELOW: Not all character homes are typical of the above and there are some variations that have been adapted or built differently - they are heritage buildings that continue to be lived-in homes.
Lockyer Valley
We did a morning drive through the approximately 2,265 hectare Lockyer Valley, which is among the top ten most-fertile farming areas in the world. Cultivation covers the most diverse range of commercial fruit and vegetables of any area in Australia. The valley is referred to as "Australia's Salad Bowl".
There are many more parts to explore in more depth and the photos below capture a small glimpse of the area.
ABOVE: View from the Gatton-Clifton Road at Mount Whitestone
ABOVE: Our dear friend Rob who knows Queensland intimately and who is very generous with his time to take us on many long and informative trips around QLD
Cape Tribulation (North QLD)
We visited Cape Tribulation which is a remote headland and ecotourism destination in the northeastern part of this State. It is a coastal area within the Daintree National Park, where we had a wonderful stay at Daintree Siesta (formerly Lync Haven) an eco friendly, family-run place.
The Daintree Rainforest is one of the most complex ecosystems on earth. Estimated to be around 180 million years old, it is tens of millions of years older than the Amazon and contains living examples of unique ancient plants as well as thousands of species of birds, animals and reptiles. We felt privileged to get a tiny glimpse into this vast and raw, wild, ancient environment that resembles a real-life Jurassic Park.
BELOW: Emmagen Creek is north of Cape Tribulation, and we left very early in the morning to experience it. It is lined with water-eroded rocks, filled with beautiful refreshing water, and occasionally has a friendly and not-so-friendly native visitor or two!
The frame below was taken around 5am in the morning during blue light and it is easy to see that this is a place to be one with Daintree Rainforest. We had to be careful though of crocodiles that could stroll from downstream ...
CLOCKWISE from Top Left: Stages leading to sunrise
ABOVE:
The roads in this part are ruggedly exciting and there are many interesting places to stop and soak in the raw nature that saturates the area.
BELOW: Morning scenes from Myall Beach - crocs and poisonous jelly fish are in plentiful supply!
BELOW: The tropical rainforests meet pristine beaches and the Great Barrier Reef - the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef and are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
BELOW: The lowland rainforest and fascinating mangrove swamps of Dubuji - there are signs to watch out for Cassowaries for whom this area is home
BELOW: Mount Alexandra lookout
BELOW: There are several other breathtaking spots ...
SAVAGES CROSSING
Savages Crossing is a beautiful spot that brings you back to nature, to unwind in this tranquil creek setting. You can also catch a fish or go for a paddle. It is located just 5 minutes drive from Fernvale which, by the way, has one of our family favourites: amazing pies! It also has (popular) country Sunday markets, another favourite of ours.
Fernvale's most recent claim to fame was that in 2008 this favourite water hole of the locals was the location for the filming of the low-budget movie of the same name starring John Jarratt - though the reviews said the movie was said by some to be 'rather pathetic'!
Savages Creek-2.mp4SCENIC RIM and O'REILLY'S in Lamington National Park QLD
The Scenic Rim region is a thriving rural paradise set in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and surrounded by World Heritage-listed national parks. Home to a population of more than 40,000 the region covers 4,254 sq km and is an hour inland from the Gold Coast. The Scenic Rim region contains more than 30,000 hectares of parkland, including national parks and council controlled parks. The region also contains three dams: Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon and Lake Wyaralong.
O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is in Lamington National Park. The park consists of lush rainforests, ancient trees, spectacular views, extensive walking tracks. The exceptional ecological importance and natural beauty make this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area an outstanding place to visit.
ABOVE: These photos were taken during an early morning drive during a typical Queensland winter. The breathtaking scenery and bracing chill of the morning were an amazing experience.
BELOW: More sceneries of the region that were shot later in the morning - and after a couple of fortifying cups of coffee!
BELOW: Some views from O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. I found the drive to O’Reilly’s as memorable as the destination. The journey takes you through the village of Canungra in the Canungra Valley. Driving up the to the Lamington Plateau, we had to take it slow on the winding mountain road, which was an intrinsic part of the beauty and grandeur.
BELOW: The view from the top of Morans Falls captures the vast splendour of the landscape
Lake Moogerah
Moogerah is about an hour south west of Brisbane. As we wanted a more scenic drive we took the route from Ipswich through the countryside of Boonah. Moogerah is derived from the Aboriginal word Moojirah, meaning "home of the thunderstorm".
Lake Moogerah is the reservoir that was formed with the building of the Moogerah Dam, which is a mass concrete double curvature arch dam with an un-gated spillway across the Reynolds Creek, located in the South East region of Queensland. The dam supplies drinking water to the towns of Boonah and Ipswich, but the main user is the Swanbank Power Station. Moogerah Dam is located amongst the spectacular scenery of the Scenic Rim.
Just outside Moogerah are the spectacular Moogerah Peaks, which were formed from volcanic activity over 22 million years ago and consist of Mt French, Mt Greville, Mt Moon and Mt Edwards. The peaks, with their rugged grandeur and extensive views in relative solitude, are popular with bushwalkers and climbers and are known for their challenging terrain. Mt French in particular is internationally renowned for its spectacular cliff faces. Vegetation is mostly open eucalypt forest with heath on exposed rock faces and some rainforest in sheltered areas.
BELOW: Driving around the lake we were fortunate to spot these evening scenes. They bring out the spectacular hues that reflected a deep sense of peacefulness at dusk. The tranquility made us stop and spend time soaking in this gift of nature till nightfall.
Hinz Dam
Hinze Dam is located in the Gold Coast hinterland. Built across the Nerang River, it was originally constructed in 1976, raised in 1989 and significantly upgraded in 2011. Hinze Dam provides the main drinking water supply for the Gold Coast region. The catchment area of 207 square kilometres includes the Numinbah Valley and Springbrook Plateau, which pools into a 3700 acre reservoir called Advancetown Lake. It is an un-gated dam, meaning that when it reaches 100 per cent capacity, water flows over the spillway and safely out of the dam.
BELOW: Hinz Dam late afternoon in winter
LAKE WIVENHOE
Lake Wivenhoe is the largest lake in South East Queensland and provides more than half of the region's drinking water. It's the name for both the lake formed by the Wivenhoe Dam, and the locality which contains it in the Somerset Region. It is one of our favorite spots to visit and relax.
BELOW: Coomba Falls - We found this peaceful waterhole a mere 1 1/2 hours' drive from Wivenhoe and Somerset Dam ... another 'hidden' gem in the area.
NATURAL BRIDGE (SPRINGBROOK)
Natural Bridge is in the western part of Springbrook National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests in the Australia World Heritage Area.
Natural Bridge is considered the jewel in the Gold Coast hinterland crown. It is home to a waterfall, glow worms and a colony of tiny bent-wing bats.
Our drive to Natural Bridge was via the Nerang Murwillumbah Road, through stunning unspoilt mountain scenery and tiny valley hamlets to the cusp of the NSW-QLD border and it is here that the turn-off to Natural Bridge lies. Note: The roads are steep, winding and narrow with several 'elbow' bends.
ABOVE: We visited the park's Natural Bridge section which features a picturesque rock formation. The waterfall was formed over millions of years by the force of the water over the basalt cave. The two frames above capture the opening (an almost perfect circle) where the water made its way through the rock to fall gracefully into the pool below.
ABOVE: The area where the waterfall finds its way into the pool below. This unique rock formation sits in a small pocket of beautiful wilderness about 100 kilometres southwest of Brisbane.
VIEWS AROUND ESK-CLIFTON-CUNNINGHAM'S GAP
This vast area, including Cunninghams Gap, is a landscape of rugged mountains, spectacular lookouts, exhilarating walks, dappled forests and unique wildlife is waiting to be explored. And it was a drive to remember!
Along the drive we came across the town of Nobby, a rural town and locality on the Darling Downs, located halfway between Toowoomba and Warwick. In the 2016 Census, there were 563 people in Nobby; a 2021 census puts the population at about 2,620.
ABOVE: The quaint yet functional General Store that also serves as the post office and gas station. It was a glimpse of a not-too-distant past and of a life that was simpler and laid back.
BELOW: This is an area that underlines that it is the journey that matters more than the destination. Seeing and experiencing the vastness is an experience to remember!
BELOW: Driving through - and pausing at - Cunninghams Gap was a journey through history.
Click HERE for more background on Cunninghams Gap.
GOLD COAST
The Gold Coast is well known for its beaches and as a surfing destination. While these are indeed spectacular, there is also what is referred to sometimes as the 'green behind the gold': the rolling hills of it's breathtaking hinterland and beyond. During our many trips exploring this side of the Gold Coast, we were treated to a treasure trove of foliage and forests with all kinds of plants and trees. It is true to say that what this inland area lacks in golden sands, it makes up for with ample green lusciousness. The following photos give a sampling of the visual delights in store for anyone looking to explore this part of Queensland.
Southport Pier, 1915 - A FILE PICTURE
ABOVE: Rocks, clothed in different attire at different times of the morning, are the ever-present sentinels in these frames from around the Spit in Southport - just 10 minutes from downtown Gold Coast.
Tugun
Tugun is a beachside suburb of Gold Coast. For me it has the soul of a lived-in town as opposed to a commercial itinerant city of tourists and visitors constantly in a state of churn. The frames below try and capture its appeal and soul.
Tugun holds a very special place for us because of significant family holidays, events and occasions here.
Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Head is a cape jutting into the Coral Sea at the northern mouth of Tallebudgera Creek.
BELOW clockwise from left: The frames capture progressive and interesting perspectives: (i) a brooding overcast sky, (ii) the wind and blue sky beginning to sweep away the brooding, leading to (iii) the later transformation in the brighter scene. These frames were shot during the same afternoon.
Manly
We visited Manly (about 30 minutes from Brisbane city centre) which is known for its relaxed yet sophisticated nautical atmosphere. With its immediate access to Moreton Bay, Manly is truly a boat lover's dream. The centrepiece of Manly is Manly Harbour, the southern hemisphere's largest marina.
As we visited quite early on a winter morning, we didn't get to sample Manly's very nice tapas and wine bars, specialty coffee and other foodie gems. Every first and third Saturday of the month there is the Manly Farmers Market on the waterfront at Manly Harbour Village. We were there on a couple of these Saturdays and were able to sample some market food and do some grocery shopping too.
Lake Somerset
The Somerset Dam creates Lake Somerset at an elevation of 108 m (354 ft) above sea level, with a surface area of 4,350 hectares (10,700 acres).
We visited the dam, lake and surrounding village of Somerset, which are named in honour of Henry Plantagenet Somerset. Somerset was a local grazier and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1904 until 1920.
We found the surrounding rolling hills and lush fields Somerset Dam an amazingly relaxing experience and the photos below, taken in autumn, try and capture the awesomeness of this beatiful part of Queensland.
Revensbourne
We took a winter-evening drive to the Gus Beutel Lookout where you get some panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range and the Lockyer Valley (and Border Ranges).
ABOVE: Sunset with two very special people!
Mount Coot-tha
Mount Coot-tha forms the eastern extent of the Taylor Range, a mountain range on the Western edge of Brisbane. It is a prominent high-point approximately six kilometres west of the Brisbane central business district. Known by the Turrbal people for its plentiful beehives, the traditional name for the hilly area now known as Mount Coot-tha is Kuta, meaning 'place of wild or black honey', or a 'place of many hives of wild, stingless bees'.
Around 1880, H W Radford, Clerk of the Parliament and Honorary Secretary to the Trustees of the Public Recreation Reserve, consulted with a member of the Turrbal people and the name Mount Coot-tha was assigned.
On a chilly 7 degree late evening we drove up Sir Samuel Griffith Scenic Drive which is a loop road around the mountain and were surprised with the relatively high number of visitors enjoying the invigorating chill and beautiful view of Brisbane. We were also rewarded with an aircraft that did a 'slow' stroll through our photo frame!
BELOW: On a chilly 4 degree night we drove up Sir Samuel Griffith Scenic Drive which is a loop road around the mountain and were surprised with the relatively high number of visitors enjoying the invigorating chill and beautiful view of Brisbane. We were also rewarded with an aircraft that did a 'slow' stroll through our photo frame!
Logan's Lookout - Mount French
From Logan's lookout you can see the Main Range section of the Great Dividing Range, including Cunninghams Gap. As visible from the two frames below, you look directly down on the rural village of Kalbar, with its tapestry of cultivation encircling it. In the distance, on a clear day you can make out the buildings of Ipswich and, even further in the distance, Brisbane - it wasn't on the winter day when we visited!
An average tree takes on a giant's stature from this angle
A wild Wallaby with her joey visited us up close and personal
