Exploring Bundaberg

9 July 2018 - Exploring Bundaberg

Hinkler Hall of Aviation was stop one today.  This tells the story of Bert Hinkler, born and raised in Bundaberg, who became a pioneer in aviation.  He set world records for solo flight several times and served as a pilot in WW1.  The things that impressed me most were: 1) his ability to design, build and successfully fly a glider as a teenager based on his study of the ibis, and 2) that as well as being a pilot he was an aircraft mechanic, problem solver and designer.  The hall included flight simulators for three different types of aircraft: Sopwith Camel, De Haviland Puss Moth and F/A18.  They were each very different to fly.  The house Hinkler had lived in in England has been moved in its entirety and we also looked through this – very English – and watched a short documentary on its relocation. www.hinklerhallofaviation.com/

Stop number two was the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.  This involved a self-guided tour of the museum followed by a guided tour of the plant (unfortunately photography was not allowed on this).  It was a well-done tour, providing a wealth of information.  After the tour were tastings – Drew and I tried Solera (nice, but $180/bottle!), Small Batch Vintage Barrell (too flavoursome for me), Coffee and Chocolate Liqueur (nice with cream) and Salted Caramel Liqueur (my favourite, served with milk).
 https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/distillery

 Stop three was Bundaberg Brewing Company.  The tourist facilities were closed, however the tastings, of all fourteen different varieties, were open and great.  We went shopping! 

https://www.bundaberg.com

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Stop four was Hummock Lookout.  The Hummock is an extinct volcano, giving 360-degree views over the surrounding coastline and cane fields.  Last up was the Jayco dealership for a few spare parts.

10 July 2018

Today was simply a drive to home, sweet, home!

Travel Day

8 July 2018 - Travel Day

Dingo Campsite

Today we spent driving from Dingo to Bundaberg.  We have camped at Wyper Park Scout Camp.  After setting up we headed to the tourist information centre.  Unfortunately, one of the places we were hoping to do a tour of has recently closed for a six-month refurbishment of its tourist facilities.

Wyper Park Scout Camp

Blackdown Tableland National Park

7 July 2018 - Blackdown Tableland National Park

Blackdown Tableland National Park filled our day. Gudda Gumoo (or Rainbow Waters Falls) was our first walk.  This was a lovely, serene spot with beautifully clear water.  It would be a delightful spot to relax on a hot summer’s day.  Then onto the 4WD loop – this was highly variable, in some spots it was a very good dirt road, and in others I had to get out and guide Drew down.  We had one wheel in the air at one stage.  This took us to a lookout point on the edge of the escarpment called Mitha Boongulla – worth the challenging drive. After a picnic lunch, we walked to Mook Mook (Officer’s Pocket) on the eastern side of the escarpment, crossing a picturesque creek over sandstone sheets.  Once again, the view was awesome! The Aboriginal Cultural Circuit (Goon Goon Dina) was interesting but less spectacular than the other walks, they were however very hard to beat! Yaddaman Dhina (Horseshoe Bend) was another amazing view off the escarpment.  It also allowed a view of the escarpment cliffs due to the horseshoe shaped bend in the cliff edge.  Last stop for the afternoon was Goodela Falls (Two Mile Creek Falls) which involved a moderately tricky climb down the creek to the most beautiful waterfall! This fall is beautiful due to its structure, not just the quantity of water passing down it.  This is a great National Park!

https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/blackdown-tableland/

Old Rainworth Fort, Emerald and International Coal Centre

6 July 2018 - Old Rainworth Fort, Emerald and International Coal Centre

 Old Rainworth Fort was our first stop.  On arrival I slammed my thumb in the car door, producing an instant purple thumb.  The pain was overwhelming and for the first time in my life I fainted, much to the distress of Hayden and Drew.  After about twenty minutes I started to feel better and we went in.  The lady running Rainworth Fort is a lovely, lively elderly lady who has lived on the property since childhood.  She assures us that the stone house was built as a house with a storage cellar underneath.  The time of its building coincided with the local aboriginal population killing most of a party of white people, so it became known as a fort.  This was a very picturesque and peaceful part of the country and was a lovely spot to sit and have a cup of tea.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Rainworth_Fort

On the road heading north from Springsure to Emerald we had to slow to cattle walking pace and sometimes stop altogether; as we made our way through a mob of about 2000 head of cattle, including a lot of calves, being driven by young ladies on horseback.  Great to see droving still happening, sad that it is due to the dry conditions. In Emerald we looked at the Giant Easel and the Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway.  This has many mosaic pictures representing times from creation to 2001 – beautifully done!  

monumentaustralia.org.au › Themes › Culture

Then onto Blackwater for the International Coal Centre.  This looks like it was a very well designed and informative centre but unfortunately many of the interactive exhibits need maintenance.  Tonight, we are camped in a small town called Dingo.

https://bicc.com.au/

Salvator Rosa Section, Carnarvon National Park

5 July 2018 - Salvator Rosa Section, Carnarvon National Park

 Our destination today was the Salvator Rosa Section of Carnarvon National Park.  
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/carnarvon-salvator-rosa/
This involved a couple of hundred kilometres of dirt roads and 4WD tracks.  The first feature was China Wall Rock, which looks like lava has flowed down into a crack in a rock and set, and then the surrounding rock has eroded away.  The second feature was Spyglass Peak – this is a large rock feature with a hole 10m in diameter through its top.  Next up was Homaranthus Hill – a short steep climb to the top rewarded us with views of the surrounding area, including Three Sisters and Pythagorus Rock.  Going further along the track, we stopped at Belinda Springs – the water flows from a creek, under the rock and gushes out at Belinda Springs at an amazing rate.  Last stop for the day was Mitchell’s Spring – a very large reed filled area that was another campsite of the explorer Major Mitchell.  On returning to camp tonight we joined a very friendly crowd with most of the campers gathered together for a chat.