The Summerland Way to Tamborine Mountain

Isn’t funny? When you have to be somewhere at a particular time, your travelling takes on a slightly different aspect. Since beginning our Australian adventure we have had no time pressures put on us at all. However for personal and business reasons, Rod is catching a flight back to New Zealand on the 18^th October for four days and we are having to plan our travel just a little more precisely.

I will not be alone while he is gone. Nicky (my sister) and my daughter Tiffany are making the journey from Perth to Brisbane to keep me company in Rod’s absence. I am sooooo looking forward to a bit of ‘girl’ time.

Mt Lindesay from The Summerland Way Highway

When we departed Kyogle on Sunday morning we continued north along The Summerland Way, through the Border Range National Park and Unumgar National Forest and into a little settlement called Woodenbong. It was our intention to stay at Woodenbong but on arriving we found there was limited opportunities for an overnight stay.

After an ‘in van’ lunch we decided to continue north to Rathdowney where we had identified a free rest area just north of the town. It was getting late in the day and as we passed the rest area we could see it was already quite full.

We did a quick u-turn, drove back 5km and then headed 40km inland to area called Lake Maroon. The lake was reputed to have some of the best camping areas in the region. It was the best decision we had made all day.  When we arrived at the Lake we were the only ‘campers’ on site (the long weekenders had gone home) and we had the whole 40 acres to ourselves.  Our lake visit was further enhanced as it was the first time that we had encountered turtles in the wild. Much excitement.

Canungra Village at the base of Tamborine Mountain

On leaving Lake Maroon on Monday morning and we ventured towards another one of our must do’s – Tamborine Mountain on the Canungra Range. Canungra village is the gateway to the Lamington National Park and thousands of hectares of stunning rain forests. When we drove into the village it reminded us very much of Titirangi Village in Auckland.

Our current home is at a bush campsite beside the Coomera River. We have been reliably informed that at the end of each day and early in the morning platypuses play along the riverbanks.  We shall see! We are here until tomorrow so I foresee sitting on the riverbank this evening, camera at the ready, a cool Pinot Gris in hand and awaiting the appearance of the platypus.

We have arranged to catch up with friends back in Maroochydore this weekend. On leaving here tomorrow we will continue to drive north (destination unknown at this stage) and on Saturday park up at the Cotton Tree Holiday Park in Maroochydore for the weekend.