National Park Odyssey: Warwick

Monday, October 27, 2014

Lake Leslie, Leslie Dam, QLD

Continuing our September school holiday mini odyssey we made our way to Lake Leslie, a popular fishing spot about 14 km from Warwick. We were shocked at how dry and barren looking the whole lake area was on this trip.

Lake Leslie

There is a lovely park, picnic area and lookout at the dam wall, about 3.5 km from the campground. There are two large stone sculptures of Patrick Leslie and his wife Kate in the park. The dam was named after the Leslies who established a large station in the area.

Sculpture of Kate Leslie

Leslie Dam

Eastern Rosella

We drove past Lake Leslie Tourist Park on our way to the campground.

Lake Leslie Tourist Park

Washpool Camping Reserve is set on several acres alongside Leslie Dam. There are a large number of sites which cater for tents through to large rigs. In the September 2014 school holidays the fees were $12 per night for 13 year olds and over, and $5 for 12 year olds and under. With an extra $4 per site per night for power or $18 per site per week. There is a park office, kiosk/shop that sells bait and ice, a boat ramp, toilets and hot showers. No pets are allowed. Areas close to the lake were busy but there was still plenty of room to spread out further back.

Washpool Camping Reserve

Cabbage White Pieris rapae

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Warwick, QLD

On our way to Lake Leslie we visited Warwick. We pulled up at the Womina Railway Siding Revegetation Project on the corner of the Cunningham Highway and Womina-Willowvale Road. This turned out to be a scrap of dry bush on the side of the highway, however, we were excited to see Musk Lorikeets for the first time. They were busy feeding high up in the gum trees making them a challenge to photograph.

Musk Lorikeet

After lunch in Leslie Park we moved to Queens Park and went for a stroll along the Condamine River. There were Galahs, Little Black Cormorants and Wood Ducks on the riverbank.