Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and Show, D'Aguilar National Park

 A local adventure today, another aspect of D'Aguilar National Park.  

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

This park is diverse and spreads from the Brisbane suburbs up into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.  Today we visited the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre and saw the Walkabout Creek Discovery Show, near the Enoggera Reservoir.  

https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/walkabout-creek-discovery-centre

https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/walkabout-creek-discovery-centre/things-to-do#wildlife_discovery_show

The Discovery Show was very informative and as advertised, catered for all ages.  The children present asked a variety of questions that were pertinent and well answered. The Wildlife Ranger explained the different types of National Parks Rangers as well as the goals of National Parks in protecting diverse habitats.  All the animals at the Centre are rescued animals and not suitable for release. The striped possum is one of only three in captivity in the world and was badly injured - it is believed he was dropped from a height by a bird of prey.

 

After the show we took a walk through the centre to see the other animals.  The tree kangaroo was very fast moving. The Wildlife Centre is set against the backdrop of Enoggera Reservoir - where you can swim.  It does not feel that we are just a minute or two from suburbia. The emu was very calm and stately, standing his ground quietly on the path and waiting for us to go around so he could continue on his stroll.

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

Woodford and D'Aguilar National Park

 Woodford and D'Aguilar National Park 17-18 September 2021

After an early finish from work we headed to Woodford.  We camped for the night at the free camp Cruice Park.  We have camped tonight with friends who have a new to them camper on their first trip, hence the sneaky one night away. 

https://www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/natural-attractions/cruice-park-woodford

We were all up nice and early on Saturday morning.  I took a few photos around the campsite and then we headed off to parkrun.  

Our destination was chosen because we wanted to try the Glasshouse Conservation Parkrun. 

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

This was a great parkrun on a not too technical trail with a very friendly crew happy to have parkrun tourists along.

We then headed off to breakfast with a group of over Sunshine Coast parkrun tourists.  We all had a catch up, and enjoyed breakfast sitting by the lake. 

https://theplace2b.com.au/

We then headed back to the van to pack down and drove south to Mount Mee.  We stopped at the Dahmongah Lookout Park which was well worth the stop. 

https://www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/natural-attractions/dahmongah-lookout-park-mount-mee-lookout  

Then on to the North D'Aguilar section of D'Aguilar National Park. 

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

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/150459/daguilar-guide.pdf

We parked at The Gantry and took on the Somerset Trail. 

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/somerset-trail

https://www.visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/natural-attractions/the-somerset-trail-mount-mee

The walk took us just under three and a half hours including lunch.  It was a very enjoyable walk, travelling through a variety of forest types with several types of small wildflowers seen along the way.  The view from the lookout was well worth the climb.  The track is well utilized without being busy.  Definitely recommend!

And then home.  Hopefully next time we can be away more than one night, but one night away is better than none.