Jimbour Station, Jimbour QLD.

Jimbour Homestead

Truth be told, we hummed and hawed about visiting Jimbour Station. We love the great outdoors, bush walking and wildlife but our interest in history is more incidental than passionate. Fortunately, we decided to stop by on our way from Lake Broadwater Conservation Park to Bunya Mountains National Park, as we really enjoyed our visit.

Water Tower built in the 1870's.

There is a huge parking area suitable for all rig types which is perfect for travelers. Entry is $3 per person and this includes an excellent brochure for self-guided exploration of the grounds.

Chapel built in 1868.

Jacaranda Avenue, glorious even when not in flower.

Summer House seen from the shade of enormous fig trees.

We especially liked the Millicent Russel Kitchen Garden and so did a host of butterflies. Meadow Argus fluttered about, the lavender was alive with Cabbage Whites and the leek flower heads proved irresistible to hordes of Lesser Wanderers.

Millicent Russell Kitchen Garden.

Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus on a leek flower.

We were impressed with the number of birds that we encountered on our stroll about the grounds: Red-rumped Parrots, Red-winged Parrots, Pale-headed Rosellas, Grey-headed Babblers, Crested Pigeons and Common Starlings.

Grey-crowned Babbler.

Even the back of Jimbour Homestead is stunning and the Blue Stone house impressed.

Deborah Russell Garden at the back of Jimbour Homestead.

Blue Stone building built in 1868.

There had been very dry weather prior to our visit but the grounds were quite green, perhaps due to the large water tower on the grounds. We didn't encounter anyone on our visit but special mention needs to be made of the gardeners as they clearly do a magnificent job.

Water tower overlooking the airfield.

Details for Jimbour Station:
Where: 238 km north-west of Brisbane. 30 km north of Dalby.
Access: Sealed roads suitable for all rigs. Huge parking area.
Open: 7 days a week during daylight hours.
Fees: $3 per person.
Walk: Easy, suitable for strollers. Allow a couple of hours to look around.
Contact: www.jimbour.com   07 4663 6108
Facilities: Modern toilet block in the back corner. You can picnic in the grounds but there are no tables. Brochures at the entry.
Camping: It appears that there may be camping allowed here during special events such as "Opera at Jimbour".

Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, QLD.

Lake Broadwater

Truth be told, we were keen to camp here due to the hot showers which were very welcome after so many days on the road! We were also looking forward to camping on grass after the severe drought conditions we had been encountering. Unfortunately, it was very dry here as well and the grass was a shadow of its former self. At least the lake was full and we found it very soothing to gaze out over the water. 

Tent camping at Lake Broadwater.

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll from this campground to the Wilga Bush Camping Area and back; approximately 4 km. 

Walking track to Wilga Camping Area

We got quite a shock when we were confronted by a Landcruiser driving towards us on the walking track. We could see a couple of dogs in the back on the open tray. We stepped aside, and as it passed us, we clearly saw the dogs standing next to a huge dead feral pig. Previously, we have enjoyed seeing lots of reptiles on this walk but this time, although we saw lots of goanna tracks, we didn't see any wildlife other than birds. Perhaps not surprising given that we had seen the pig hunter and his dogs.

Galahs

Little Corellas

Red-rumped Parrots: male (left), female (right)

Black Swans on the lake.

Black-fronted Dotterel and White-headed Stilt.

We checked out the bird hide but although we did see a few more shore birds on this trip compared to our last trip  there still weren't a lot of birds to see from the hide.

Bird hide at Lake Broadwater.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos near the bird hide.

I also wrote a blog about Lake Broadwater in May 2017.

Details for Lake Broadwater Recreation Area Campground in Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, QLD:

Where: 30 km south-west of Dalby. Off Broadwater Road.

Facilities: Two amenities blocks with flush toilets (one with hot showers, one with cold showers), bins, tank water, variable limited phone reception, TV reception, gas BBQ’s, fireplaces, picnic shelters and tables. Children's playground. Boat ramp.

Campsites: Suitable for tents and all rig types. Large campground. Grassy areas with some trees. No defined sites. No power.

Fees: $6.20 per adult, self-register, no bookings. Maximum stay 21 nights. Caretaker comes round every evening and checks payments.

Prohibited: Pets. Collecting firewood.

Wildlife: Common Brushtail Possum, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Feral cats. As well as the dead feral pig.
Bird List: Apostlebird, Grey-crowned Babbler, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Whistling Kite, White-winged Chough, Cockatiel, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Little Corella, Galah, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Peaceful Dove, Superb Fairy-wren, Little Friarbird, White-faced Heron, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Australian White Ibis, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Magpie, Magpie Lark, Masked Lapwing, Noisy Miner, Common Myna, Striated Pardalote, Australian King Parrot, Red-winged Parrot, Red-rumped Parrot, Australian Pelican, Easter Yellow Robin, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Bee-eater, Eurasian Coot, Black Swan, White-headed Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Weebill, Willie Wagtail.

Lake Murphy Conservation Park, QLD.

Sunset over the dry lake-bed of Lake Murphy.

We decided to camp at Lake Murphy, even though the lake has been dry for about three years. We turned off the Leichhardt Highway onto the Taroom Bahinia Downs Road and pulled over on the side of the road to make an online booking before loosing phone reception. National Parks Queensland has been phasing out self-registration, even in remote locations, and we weren't sure if we would be able to pay on arrival. A truck coming the other way pulled up and told us not to drive up the road because the corrugations were a foot deep but when we told them we were going to turn off to Lake Murphy they said that would be fine. I love country people they are always so helpful.

We enjoyed our stay at Lake Murphy but flies were a pest during the heat of the day and it was surprisingly cold during the night. 

Lake Murphy Camping Area.

Lake Murphy Day Use Area at sunset.

Lake Murphy Circuit: Grade 4 walk.
The track runs along the southern side of the lake past Red Gums and Dawson Palms before running alongside Robinson Creek and returning to the campground. Both Robinson Creek and Lake Murphy are completely dry. 

The walk goes past Dawson Palms and Red Gums.

I particularly liked these magnificent gum trees that had a "tessellated" bark at the base.

Apostlebird 

There were still lots of birds about including a number of Whistling Kites.

Whistling Kite

A large echidna crossed the path in front of us and hid in the long grass with its head buried in a small log. There were lots of kangaroos and wallabies grazing in the long grass.

Echidnas make sure only there spines are visible when they "hide".

Details for Lake Murphy Conservation Park:
Where: 495 km north-west of Brisbane via Miles.Turn off the Leichhardt Highway 18 km north of Taroom, onto the road signposted Fitzroy Development Road, (north onto Taroom Bahinia Downs Rd) travel 2 km to the Glenhaughton Road turnoff. Turn left and drive 10.5 km to the Lake Murphy.
Access: The last 10.5 km is unsealed and has some corrugations. Suitable for most rigs in dry weather.
Campsites: Grassy area with defined sites. See photo. Suitable for tents and all rigs.
Bookings and Fees: Self-registration is available and is the easiest or book online before arrival. Normal QLD National Park fees: $6.30 pp.
Facilities: Compost toilets, fire rings BYO wood, tables. There is one tap with non-potable water for washing hands at the toilet block but it is better to BYO water. Walk. Day Use Area with picnic tables, a picnic shelter and wood BBQ's. No phone reception.
Prohibited: Pets. Generators. No boating or fishing when there is water.
Of Interest: The lake has been dry only a few times over the last hundred years. Unfortunately it is completely dry now and has been for about 3 years. There were lots of flies.

Wildlife List: Echidna, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Bearded Dragon.
Bird list: Apostlebird, Grey-crowned Babbler, Whistling Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Pacific Bazza, Grey Butcherbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Little Corella, Galah, Peaceful Dove, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Little Friarbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Noisy Miner, Red-winged Parrot, Red-rumped parrot, Crested Pigeon, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Bee-eater, Grey Shrike-thrush, Willie Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow. Emus were seen alongside the entrance road.

Isla Gorge National Park, QLD.

Views from the Isla Gorge Campground.

After leaving Blackdown Tablelands National Park we drove to Isla Gorge National Park. As we climbed the range towards the turn off we saw a sign stating that there had been 8 caravan accidents in the last 5 years. Little wonder, we thought, when we saw the turnoff. There is no turning lane and the turn is very sharp as the entrance road effectively doubles back and runs parallel to the highway.

I took this photo (facing south)  on the way out to show how sharp the turn off is when coming from the north.

The views from the car park, lookout, Day Use Area and one end of the campground are absolutely stunning. 

Welcome shade was found in the picnic shelter which has an amazing view.

Prime spot with a view in the Isla Gorge Camping Area.

We had planned to camp here, however, we changed our mind because it was very hot in the middle of the day and the dusty and rocky surface was not inviting for tent camping. I'm sure the sunrises and sunsets are mind blowing though.

The main camping area.

There are a couple of short unformed walking tracks to explore. We saw Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring over the sandstone gorge.

Walking track along a ridge; views all around.

View to the south.

Details for Isla Gorge Camping Area:
Where:  524 km north-west of Brisbane. Turn off from the Leichhardt Hwy is approximately 60 km north-east of Taroom or from the north it is 39 km south-west of Theodore, QLD. Please note the caution below.
Access: 1.3 km of unsealed road from the turnoff. Can be reached by all rigs in dry weather.
Bookings and Fees: Self-registration on arrival or book online prior to arrival.
Facilities: Day Use Area with covered picnic shelter, tap (non-potable water), lookout and parking. Composting toilets shared by campground. Fire rings (BYO wood). No phone reception. BYO water. Class 4 walking track to natural lookout.
Sites: Undefined sites. Dirt and gravel with rocky hard surface.
Prohibited: Generators. Pets.
What's Special: Amazing views.
Caution: Coming from the north the turn off from the highway is very sharp (practically a U turn) and there is no turning lane. Extreme caution required.

More Walks at Blackdown Tablelands National Park, QLD.

View from Yaddamen Dhina Lookout

Yaddamen Dhina Lookout, or Horseshoe Lookout is an easy 200m return walk. We visited this lookout in the afternoon and we loved it so much that we returned and had breakfast in the Day Use Area the day we left Blackdown Tablelands so that we could go to the lookout again.

Yaddamen Dhina Day Use Area has tables, BBQs, an amenities block and is the only place in the national park that has taps (non-potable water). There is an emergency phone at the entry shelter across the road. Both the Lookout and Goodela Walk leave from here. It is a further 8 km from here on an unsealed road to Munall Camping Area.

Breakfast at the Yaddamen Dhina Day Use Area 

Goodela Walk: 3.6 km return, moderate grade. The Goodela walk also leaves from the Day Use car park. The walk along the escarpment in a eucalyptus forest offers similar views to those that can be seen from the Yaddamen Dhina Lookout. 

Goodela Walk

Gudda Gumoo, Rainbow Falls Walk: 3.6 km return, moderate, to the lookout or 4 km return, difficult, into the gorge to see the falls.

The trail-head for the Gudda Gumoo or Rainbow Falls Walk is about 8 km past Munall Campground by unsealed road. At the trail-head there is a car park and bush toilet but no picnic area. The walk descends gently to the lookout, however, there is no view of the falls. To see the falls, it is necessary to descend to the base of the falls. The last section descends steeply via 240 steps. 

View from the lookout on the Gudda Gumoo walk.

240 steps down to Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls

We enjoyed the walk and saw many birds along the trail.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater.

Blackdown Tableland National Park: Mook Mook and Goon Goon Dhina Walks.

Mimosa Creek in the afternoon.

The Goon Goon Dhina trail-head is located between campsites 12 and 13. The Mook Mook walk starts opposite the campground entrance. However, it is possible to join the two walks together by walking alongside Mimosa Creek and through the campground. 

Mook Mook: 2.4 km return, moderate grade. 
Cross Mimosa Creek and past interesting rock formations to a lookout. We were lucky to see the Blackdown Tablelands Fan Palms in flower.

Close up of a Blackdown Tablelands Fan Palm, Livistona fulva, in flower.

Rugged landscape on the Mook Mook walk.

Approaching the Lookout, Mook Mook.

Excellent views from the edge of an escarpment.

Goon Goon Dhina circuit, 2.5 km, moderate grade. There are excellent information signs along the walk.

Remnants of an old fence.

This walk follows Mimosa Creek upstream and we heard many frogs, possibly Scarlet Sided Pobblebonks, even during the daytime.

Crossing Memosa Creek

The walk is wanders past many interesting rock formations and a Ghungalu art site.

Gungalu art site, Mook Mook.

Detail of at the Ghungalu art site.

We enjoyed this walk a lot and as an added bonus we saw lots of birds.

White-eared Honeyeaters.