BINGARA-BONSHAW-DALBY

It was again pouring rain as we left Linda and Gary at Bingara, so we decided to drive on as far as we could before dark. Dalby, it was here we had discovered that a 100 angels had been sitting on top of the Avan since Armidale, as someone, that would be me, forgot to lock down the towball clamp, Yikes!! We thought it was rather squeaky compared to normal and Kerry was getting messages to check the trailer, but no, Paige did it so "it'll be fine". Oi Oi Oi, we are extremely grateful for our traveling companions!!
Friends, Cecilia and Phil and their beautiful four kids are moving up to a little place called Bonshaw which is almost on the NSW, QLD border. They have a fantastic opportunity to be renting a cottage on a station in this area, so we called in to check it out as we passed through - we look forward to visiting them in their new home in the new year!
We then meandered up through some stunning country, through Texas and then further on up to Dalby. Here we decided to stay for a couple of days, as we were in need of some national park therapy.

Bunya National Park is about half way between Dalby and Kingaroy, and can be accessed from both places. We unhitched, thanks to the advice of "Prue and Trude" at Dalby Info centre, as the road in was definitely designed for single vehicle only, crawling up in first gear is what I call steep!

The walks we chose were on the eastern rainforest side, leaving from Dandabah Camp ground. We did notice there were a few camper trailers and vans, despite the very clearly marked sign posts - I wouldn't wanna be meeting them on the very narrow, shear drop edged roads.
There were several walks ranging from 20mins to 5hrs. We decided we'd start out on a 5km walk to the look out and back, thinking that we would run out of daylight if we did the 10km circuit and since we have experienced that very unfortunate event, walking in rainforest in tassie, we did not wish for another trepidatious trek, as it ain't fun when you realize it gets dark VERY quickly beneath the rainforest canopy. Thank God it was full moon, and we had eaten our carrots!!!
So off we went, walking through magnificent rainforest, in awe of the great trees, ferns, wild flowers, butterflies, and the earthy sweet smell of rainforest. Some people think, seen one seen 'em all however I cannot agree. Each forest, each section of the forest is as unique as you and I. Full of humour, character and personality. Just brilliant.
The route we took passed by three waterfalls, not overly significant, but beautiful all the same. Paradise falls had a little rock pool at the base filled with tadpoles at various stages of froggy development. Just like kids, we were engrossed in spotting them- pointedly exclaiming 'There's one! Did you see it?', whilst delicately balancing as to not fall in on top of them!
Onward we trundled toward the Barkers Creek Lookout where we had the awesome pleasure of hanging out with a Goanna who was sunning himself on the rocks. Kerry had just been saying the day before, how she had never seen a wild Goanna - desire purely, and you shall receive!! He was gorgeous, vibrant yellow specks among his grey and brown tones. He sat with us about 2m away for some time until, I realised after, I wanted to get a photo of him - he was so beautiful, yet as soon as I WANTED him to stay put, he felt my emotional demand and took off before I could get the camera sorted. Mmm, wasn't very happy with myself when I realised what I had inadvertently done, scared him off and shortened Kerry's experience with this beautiful creature. We do this so often, 'good intention' loaded with emotional baggage of unloving demands and expectations, and everything living around us has no option but to feel it!
At this same site we found a stack of Helichrysum, native straw flowers growing. Why are they called straw flowers? Because the petals literally feel like paper and straw - fascinating! Who says you need to be in a class room to learn! Ha, this was an awesome day!
We ended up completing the 10km circuit, and made our way back to Dalby for a bowl of Jade's minestrone soup - thank you miss Jade!!