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

21 November - Sights of Harvey and Bunbury

21 November 2016 – 195 725

Sights of Harvey and Bunbury

This morning we drove to Harvey Visitor Information Centre. 

https://www.harveyvisitorcentre.com.au/ 

We had a quick look at the May Gibbs exhibit regarding Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

https://www.harveyvisitorcentre.com.au/listing/may-gibbs-gumnut-baby-displays/ 

before obtaining the key to the Internment Shrine.

https://www.harveyvisitorcentre.com.au/listing/internment-camp-memorial-shrine/ 

This was originally built as a roadside shrine by Italian Australian internees during WW2, it has now been enclosed in a building to protect it from weathering.  This same internment camp held the POW’s from The Kormorant after it sunk the Sydney II. 

We then took a wander around the beautiful gardens surrounding the visitor information centre.  

Our next destination was Harvey’s Big Orange – not much to look at but the surrounding citrus farms were covered in fruit and looked lovely. 

https://visitbunburygeographe.com.au/business/big-orange/ 

We continued south to HaVe Harvey Cheese Factory – here we were able to watch the manufacture of both soft and hard cheeses, as well as sample some of the wares. 

https://www.harveycheese.com.au/ 

I kept some self control and only purchased Basil Pesto Fetta, OMG Triple Cream Camembert and Sundried Tomato Baked Ricotta.  We continued south to Bunbury. 

https://www.australiassouthwest.com/destination/bunbury

We visited Taffy’s Sweet Shop, and tried the American candy Salt Water Taffy – very different to anything else I have tried. https://taffys.com.au/ 

Today’s picnic lunch was had at the beach at Kombana Bay – a lot like a river really, no waves and we were cold even with our jumpers on! 

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Koombana_Bay/59631ea7db6641663340d834 

Next stop was Marlston Hill Lookout which gave good views over Kombana Bay, Bunbury and Geographe Bay. 

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Marlston_Hill_Lookout_Tower/56b267db2880253d74c500f5 

I discovered that lighthouses are not always red and white, Bunbury has one with black and white checks. 

https://visitbunburygeographe.com.au/business/bunbury-lighthouse-lookout/ 

Then home to our peaceful campsite for a fire.  The campground is lovely, however the amount of broken glass around is a disgrace.  As we have not yet had a ranger come and collect the camp fees (even though the sign says they will and there is no honesty box to put fees in) we spent half an hour each collecting rubbish and only got a very small area done.