Exploring Gayndah, Coalstoun Lakes National Park (Yeppoon Trip)

 Friday 16 July 2021 – 312 771

After a sleep in we drove up the steep road to McConnells Lookout. Then on to Ideraway Upside Down Bridge – a bit like an upside-down Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

https://northburnett.org/destinations/gayndah-scenic-drives

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

We looked around town. The town clock would be very pretty with the sun on it. Mellors Drapery is an old-fashioned country store – men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, fabric etc. This store has a central point from which flying foxes run to each different counter for providing change. I purchased some quilting fabric to make a skirt.  

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

Archers Lookout provided a good view over the town. I then went to photograph some lovely old buildings that form part of St Joseph’s school and Catholic Church.

The Gayndah Museum had quite a large collection of historic items.  Two items I had not previously seen were an ambulance rail car and an early dishwasher (Dishmatic – it looked more like a top loader washing machine with racks. I would not have a clue how to load it).

http://www.gayndahmuseum.com.au/

After a picnic lunch we went to the Big Orange – I bought a gigantic bag of mandarins. 

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b264e1aeeeaaf773cf7cf9-gayndahs-big-orange

We then drove out to Ban Ban Springs – this is beautifully clear water flowing out of the earth at a significant rate. Near the rest area there is unfortunately rubbish in the spring, but only a little way downstream I could hear lots of frogs with a variety of different sounds.

https://www.bundabergregion.org/ban-ban-springs-discover-our-region

Last up for today was Coalstoun Lakes National Park – there were two quite definite craters that at times fill with water and as such attract a variety of birdlife. The craters are from an extinct volcano – Mount Le Brun.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/coalstoun-lakes

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/coalstoun-lakes/things-to-do