Sunshine Coast to Injune (Carnarvon Great Walk Trip)

 Saturday 9 September 2023

We got up to our alarm at 4am, and were on the road by 4:25am, driving to Nanango for Parkrun.  We stopped off in Blackbutt on the way to line up for opening time at the Bakery – definitely worth it.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbuttbakery/

When we arrived in Nanango there were piles of small marble sized hail remaining in any low points of the ground and like mulch in the garden bed.  Plenty of branches were down and there was leaf litter everywhere.  Ros Gregor Parkrun was cancelled due to puddles of hail on the path.  

https://www.parkrun.com.au/rosgregortrail/

We quickly headed back to the car and returned to Blackbutt for a slightly late start to parkrun, followed by breakfast at the Bunya Nut Café.

https://www.facebook.com/bunyanutcafe/

Chinchilla was our next stop. We visited the big watermelon.  We explored the botanic gardens, including the watermelon themed water play area, before enjoying a picnic lunch.

https://www.westerndownsqueensland.com.au/towns/chinchilla/

https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/Community-Recreation/Parks-Outdoors/Parks/Chinchilla-Botanic-Parkland

Driving west, toward Miles, we saw a large solar farm under construction north of the road, and then a wind farm between Miles and Dulacca, both sides of the highway with about forty wind turbines.

After turning north at Roma, we stopped at Gunnewin Soldier Settlement to have a look and were delighted to spend some time watching an echidna in the wild.  I found if I stood still, it came quite close to me, but as soon as I took a step in any direction it curled into a ball at the perceived threat.

https://romarevealed.com.au/travel-idea/gunnewin-soldier-settlement-monument/

The last stop for the day was at Old Injune Coal Mine site – which has a simple but tasteful memorial.

https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/attractions/old-injune-coal-mine/

We are staying the night at Injune Haven – it is spotlessly clean.  The whole town appeared neat, tidy and well maintained.

https://www.injunehaven.com/

Day 2 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Blackbutt to Linville

 Saturday 3 June 2023 – Blackbutt to Linville

https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/BVRT/Trail-map#onPageHeaderIdentifier2

As keen parkruners, we began the day with a parkwalk at Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Parkrun, that starts near the old Blackbutt Station, a few hundred metres from the showgrounds. 

https://www.parkrun.com.au/brisbanevalleyrailtrail/

I then walked into town to go to the bakery – the queue went across the shop and out onto the street.  After eating my purchases I could see why – divine!

https://www.facebook.com/blackbuttbakery/

https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/towns/blackbutt/

Then off on day 2 of our hike. The first 15km of this is through woodland, which provides lovely shade.  It is less than 5km from Blackbutt to Benarkin, so we didn’t stay in this town.  However there is a free camp with showers and toilets, right on the rail trail.  

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b263902cbcbe7073addd84-benarkin

About 10km from Bernarkin the shade and woodland finish, with the remainder of the day fairly exposed.  There is a picnic shelter and toilet about half way between Benarkin and Linville, where we stopped to enjoy lunch.  This is MacNamara’s Camp. 

In the afternoon we did have the sun in our faces some of the time while walking, so sunscreen on.  Most of the BVRT the sun is behind you while walking – so either have a hat with neck protection or where a buff to avoid a sunburnt neck and back of head.  The section from Benarkin to Linville has five steep creek causeways.  Being a Saturday we saw a lot of cyclists of all ages and skills.  The last few kilometres before Linville had cattle sharing the path; they are quite walker aware and generally move away or stand and stare.

This was overall a fairly tough day- the terrain was much rougher underfoot and the constant downhill took its toll on our quadriceps and the soles of our feet.  We camped for the night at the free camp in Linville – toilets and hot showers (operated with $2 coin).  When choosing a campsite, be aware that the pub and the toilets both have bright lights on all night.  The Linville Hotel had live music on a Saturday night, but was quiet by 10pm.  Unfortunately the local roosters are not so time aware and went off at random times throughout the night. 

https://thelinvillehotel.com.au/free-camping/

We had dinner at The Linville Hotel – beef and mushroom stew with mash; salt and pepper calamari – generous serves and delicious.

https://thelinvillehotel.com.au/

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b266352cbcbe7073adfd76-linville

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Parkrun and Northern Section of D'Aguilar National Park

 This morning we awoke early to head west to Blackbutt to try the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail parkrun - no surprise, the course is along a section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.  It was a good quality trail surface with a gentle gradient and areas of shade - a lovely run!

https://www.parkrun.com.au/brisbanevalleyrailtrail/

We then headed to the Bunya Nut Cafe for breakfast with friends - very good value bacon and egg muffin.

https://www.facebook.com/bunyanutcafe

Today's main adventure was the northern section of D'Aguilar National Park, in particular the Mount Mee Forest Drive and its various stops along the way.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/159028/mount-mee-trail-map.pdf

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/mount-mee-forest-drive

First stop was the Broadwater - aptly named.  The angle of the trees showed the power of the water that must flow through here at times.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/attractions/broadwater

Continuing through the National Park we came to the understandably very popular Rocky Hole swimming spot.  The water must be very deep as it was divinely cool in spots with vertical sides to the gorge.  On a quieter day or first thing in the morning this could be a serene spot to contemplate the world.

Rocky Hole walk | D'Aguilar National Park | Parks and forests | Department of Environment and Science, Queensland (des.qld.gov.au)

Falls lookout was a short walk with views of several small waterfalls and of the waterhole at the top of a cliff that flows over - this is a different perspective to the standard waterfall view as you see the water running off the edge and disappearing.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/falls-lookout-track

Our final stop for the day was The Gantry picnic ground for a late lunch before heading home. A very enjoyable day.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/attractions/the-gantry

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar