Kinbombi Falls, Queensland.

Kinbombi Falls 

While camping at Goomeri Caravan & Bush Camp we checked out Kinbombi Falls. The falls were down to a trickle due to the very dry conditions in the whole Goomeri area. 

There are lots of concrete steps to negotiate on the way to see the falls.

Steps down to view the Falls

From the falls we could see another lookout so we returned to the car park and made our way to that lookout. There were a few more steps to negotiate but our reward was a nice view over the gorge.

Steps to the second lookout

View of the gorge

There is a large flat area at Kinbombi Falls where free camping is allowed. For details see below.

Kinbombi Falls camping area

Datails for Kinbombi Falls Free Camp:
Where: Between Goomeri and Kilkivan, Queensland.
Access: About 5 km along Kinbombi Road; good gravel road.
Camping: Allowed. Suitable all rigs. Flat areas. We couldn't determine the time limit because the sign had been damaged.
Facilities: Picnic tables and bins. Flush toilets are down a flight of stairs. Pets allowed. We ran out of phone reception about halfway along Kinbombi Road.
Of Interest: Beautiful gorge. Waterfall and lookouts.
Caution: No disabled access to toilets. Several flights of stairs to see the waterfall. Very dry at the moment so the waterfall is just a trickle. Some water still in the gorge.

Goomeri Caravan & Bush Camp, Goomeri, QLD.

Goomeri Caravan & Bush Camp

In October we chose to camp at Goomeri Caravan & Bush Camp while exploring the South Burnett region because we needed to stay somewhere with phone reception at the time. 
Goomeri turned out to be a good choice because this is a campground where a lot of thought has gone into what campers want and it is very peaceful. There are no cattle wandering through the campground. There isn't a lot of shade yet because the plants are still growing but we usually park in the open to optimize our solar power anyway. The entire Goomeri area is very very dry at the moment and the creek running through the campground was mostly dry, as are all the local creeks. However, there is plenty of bore water available via taps at the sites and tank water is collected at the amenities block for the showers. We were very impressed with the amenities block as the showers had hot water which is always a treat when bush camping!

The amenities block

Every night the sunset would throw out different colours to end a perfect day.

A highlight of our trip was visiting Boat Mountain Conservation Park where we really enjoyed the walk and we got to see close up the incredibly large numbers of Caper White butterflies on the move. We also visited Kinbombi Falls (which I've yet to blog about), Jack Smith Scrub Conservation Park and Mudlo National Park while staying at the campground.

Despite the dry conditions we saw quite a few birds and butterflies in the campground and we enjoyed walking around the campground when we weren't out exploring the area. There is also a ridge walk leaving from the campground but we will have to come back for that one as we ended up getting the phone call and we had to move on.

Red-backed Fairy-wren, male.

Golden-headed Cisticola

White-throated Honeyeater and Dollarbird

Glasswing Acraea andromacha

On the outskirts of the western side of Kilkivan on the Wide Bay Highway, there is a produce stall that sells pineapples and pure honey. There is room on the other side of the road to pull up if you are towing and travelling east. We had to stop for the pineapples as they were a lovely yellow colour. It's such a pleasure to eat pineapples that have actually been picked ripe! We bought some sweet potatoes as well and they were selling beetroot at the time.

Produce stall in Kilkivan

Wildlife seen on our stay: Grey Kangaroos.
Birds:Brown Quail, Australian Wood Duck, White-faced Heron, Cattle Egret, Black-shouldered Kite, Peaceful Dove, Little Corella, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Pheasant Coucal, Laughing Kookaburra, Dollarbird, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardalote, White-throated Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Willie Wagtail, Magpie-lark, Olive-backed Oriole, Australasian Figbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Golden-headed Cisticola.

Details for Goomeri Caravan & Bush Camp 
Where: Lot 147 Wide Bay Highway, Goomeri, Queensland. Phone 0418 734 060
Access: On left if heading towards Goomeri from Kilkivan. Turn off highway at signs. 2.5 km dirt road in good condition. Suit all rigs.
Facilities: Group or single sites, every site has a fire ring, communal campfire, can collect or purchase firewood, lots of taps with bore water, lots of bins. No powered sites or slabs. Small camping generators allowed 8 am to 9 pm, pets allowed. No trail bike riding allowed. Gas refills available. Nearest supplies in Goomeri 3 km away. Amenities Block has toilets and hot showers. Washing line and laundry. We had Telstra phone reception, TV reception and internet.
Fees: $15 per night for 2 people, extra adults $7.50, children 5 yrs to 17 yrs $5 per night, children 4 yrs and under free. Special: watch out for pay for 3 nights stay 4th night free deal.
Cautions: Limited shade. Creek dry at time of our stay.
Whats special: Friendly host and caretakers, excellent facilities for a bush camp. 

Jack Smith Scrub Conservation Park, QLD.

View over the South Burnett Valley 

When we were at Boat Mountain Conservation Park we saw information about Jack Smith Scrub Conservation Park and drove the short distance to have a look around. We had a pleasant picnic overlooking the South Burnett valley before doing the easy 900 m Orwenia Nature Circuit.

Black-breasted Button-quail are found here and we saw large numbers of platelets on and beside the track. Platelets are circular depressions left on the ground by quails spinning around. We did see more Caper White butterflies and cane toads were out and about.

Caper White Butterfly

Cane Toad

Wildlife List on our short visit in October:
Many Caper White Butterflies. Black-breasted Button-quail are found here; we didn't see any but we did see large numbers of platelets. Australian Brush Turkey, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, White-browed Scrubwren, Magpie, Eastern Yellow Robin, Rufous Fantail, Golden Whistler. 

Details for Jack Smith Conservation Park:
Where: 16 km north-west of Murgon or 9 km west of Boat Mountain Conservation Park.
Facilities: Picnic table. Small car park with a short rough driveway off Smith's Road which may prove difficult for a small sedan or low vehicle.
No Camping.

Mudlo National Park, Kilkivan, QLD

Approaching Mudlo National Park from Kilkivan.

While camping at the Goomeri Caravan and Bush Campground in October we visited Mudlo National Park, north of Kilkivan. The national park protects one of the few remaining native hoop pine vine forests in the local area.First,we drove past the Scrubby Creek Day Use Area and checked out the Mudlo Gap Picnic Area. On one side of the road there are picnic tables and the toilets are on the other side of the road.

Mudlo Gap Picnic Area.

Native Hoop Pines in Mudlo National Park.

Then we drove back to the Scrubby Creek Day Use Area where we saw three Eastern Whipbirds posing right out in the open and we were still too slow to get a photo. The walk from here to Pearson's Lookout is a 3 km return, Class 4 walk.

Scrubby Creek Day Use Area

The view from Pearson's Lookout

On the return walk we did the remaining side of the Scrubby Creek Circuit. The complete circuit is a Class 2, 1 km loop. We arrived back in time to see the national park rangers removing the fence from the picnic area.

Strangler Fig on the Scrubby Creek Circuit.

Wildlife for Mudlo National Park seen in October:
Butterflies: Blue Tiger, Glasswing, Caper White, Monarch.
Birds: Galah, Lewin, Eastern Whipbird, Wonga Pigeon, Spotted Pardalote, Spangled Drongo. We could hear Paradise Riflebird, Kookaburra and Pheasant Coucal. Sadly we saw Indian Mynas on the side of Mudlo Road as we drove in.

Details for Mudlo National Park:
Where: Mudlo Road, 8.5 km north of Kilkivan, 45 km north-west of Gympie.
Access: gravel road with some pot holes and corrugations.
Facilities: Walking trail. Scrubby Creek Day Use Area has two picnic tables and a car park. 1.4 km further along Mudlo Road the local council has provided Mudlo Gap Picnic Area with flush toilets on one side of the road and picnic tables and wood BBQ's on the other side.
No Camping.

Boat Mountain Conservation Park, South Burnett, QLD.

Boat Mountain rises 589 m above the surrounding farmland.

Although camping is not allowed at Boat Mountain it is well worth a visit. We camped at Goomeri Caravan and Bush Camp and drove there in our ute.

Car park and picnic area at Boat Mountain Conservation Park

Thousands of Caper White Butterflies rose in great clouds around us as we drove along the entrance road, Hebble Drive. We saw quite large numbers of Caper Whites over the next week but nothing compared to the thousands at Boat Mountain. On our walk we saw quite a few caper bushes in flower and this probably contributed to their vast numbers.

Caper White Butterfly, male and Caper Bush

Braithwaites Lookout, Daniels Lookout and Silburns Vine Scrub Walk, approx. 3 km.

Excerpt from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife information sign.

While it is only 250m to Braithwaites Lookout there are 179 steps!

Braithwaites Lookout

From Braithwaites Lookout to Daniels Lookout is a very pleasant, easy, flat walk along the top of Boat Mountain. 

Walking along the top of Boat Mountain.

Daniels Lookout is well worth the walk and offers great views over the surrounding countryside. Red, iron rich soil was exposed along the track.

Daniels Lookout, Boat Mountain.

View from Daniels Lookout. The Seven Sisters in the distance.

On our return walk we diverted to Silburns Vine Scrub before returning to the car park. We saw quite a few quail platelets along this part of the trail. As we are always on the lookout for Black-breasted Button-quail we got very excited when we saw a small round bird in the scrub, low to the ground. However, on closer inspection we realised that it was an immature Eastern Yellow Robin.

Eastern Yellow Robins.

Leaden Flycatchers serenaded our walk and one seemed as interested in us as we were in it.

Leaden Flycatcher, female.

Wildlife we saw in October:
We did catch a glimpse of one wallaby and heard some others but we didn't see enough detail to identify them.
There were huge numbers of Caper White Butterflies both on the entrance road and along the walk. We also saw a few Lesser Wanderer Butterflies.
Cane toads were evident in broad daylight.
Birds: We saw many quail platelets along the Vine Scrub Walk but no quails. Willie Wagtail, Eastern Yellow Robin, White-browed Scrubwren, Lewin, Galah, Rufous Fantail, Grey Fantail, Eastern Whipbird, Pheasant Coucal, Magpie Lark, Pied Currawong, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Leaden Flycatcher, Striped Honeyeater, Pale-headed Rosella, Brown Thornbill.

Any form of trailer is prohibited on Hebbel Drive.

Details for Boat Mountain Conservation Park:
Where: 94 km west of Gympie or 58 km north of Kingaroy.
Access: the roads are all sealed however the entrance road, Hebbel Drive is very steep and is signposted as prohibited for towing any form of trailer or large vehicle.
Facilities: Parking area, picnic table, walks.
No Camping.

Woowoonga National Park, QLD.

While staying at Biggenden in July, we drove to Woowoonga National Park for afternoon tea and a look around. 

Day Use Area at Woowoonga National Park

Summit Walk, 1.6 km return, Class 4, allow 3 hours.
We didn't have the time to climb to the summit of Mt Woowoonga but we did walk part of the way.

Trail head at Woowoonga National Park

Yellow-faced Honeyeater.

Birdlist: Australian Brush Turkey, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Quail.

Details for Woowoonga National Park
Where: 14 km north of Biggenden, 42 km south-west of Childers.
Access: The Day Use Area is reached via Giles Road and Mt Woowoonga Road. Good gravel roads for the last few kilometers.
Facilities: Picnic shelter, open fireplace, tank water, bin. Walk to the summit of Mt Woowoonga.
No camping.

Coalstoun Lakes National Park, QLD.

Coalstoun Lakes National Park

At only 26 ha, Coalstoun Lakes National Park is Queensland's smallest national park. This small area protects an extinct volcano, Mount Le Brun, and it's two crater lakes. The lakes were dry when we visited recently but sometimes they contain water. 

The car park is only about 1 km off the Isis Highway between Ban Ban Springs and Biggenden on a narrow gravel track with limited room to turn around at the end. We stayed at Mountain Views Caravan Park in Biggenden for a few days while we explored the national parks in the area.

Excerpt from a sign near the car park.

The walk from the car park to the lookout and picnic table is a steep 350 meters. The views at the top are worth it. 

Views over the countryside towards the small town of Coalstoun Lakes.

Views of Mount Walsh National Park.

The walk along the craters rim is listed as a Class 4, 2 km return walk of approximately 30 minutes. The track has been damaged by cattle in some places and requires stepping over small volcanic rocks in other sections. We spent about three hours exploring the craters, checking out the interesting volcanic geology and bird watching.

Bird hide at the first crater lake.

The crater lakes are lined with volcanic rocks and rimmed by melaleucas and blue gums.

Edge of the first crater lake.

We saw a great variety of birds on our walk. There were Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring overhead and along the edge of Mount Le Brun. A Brown Falcon shadowed our every move and seemed to be playing peek-a-boo with us. We saw lots of Varied Trillers, Rufous and Golden Whistlers and Australasian Figbirds in the surrounding melaleucas. Dozens of Double-barred Finches were scrabbling about on the crater floor sharing the dead sedge grass with Golden-headed Cisticolas.

Brown Falcon

Varied Triller and Striped Honeyeater

Golden Cisticola and Double-barred Finch

After a full morning of exploring we headed back to the picnic table for a well earned break.

Coalstoun Lakes Lookout: our kind of picnic spot!

As we descended along the track we noticed that some cattle were crowded around our ute. It seems they love it has much as we do as on our return we found that it was covered in cow licks! 

Yum, a nice new ute to check out.

I've had Coalstoun Lakes on my bucket list for a while and it didn't disappoint. However, I've popped it back on the bucket list to return when the lakes are full of water.

Details for Coalstoun Lakes National Park:
Where: 105 km west of Maryborough, QLD.
Access: Turn off the Isis Highway, 20 km south of Biggenden. Entry road is a 1 km gravel track.
Facilities: Car park. Steep 350 m walk to a picnic table. 2 km walking track. Bring your own water.
No Camping.
Cautions: Cattle.

Bird List: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Varied Triller, Grey Fantail, Grey Shrike-thrush, Little Shrike-thrush, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Willie Wagtail, Golden Cisticola, Double-barred Finch, Australasian Figbird, Striped Honeyeater.