Baroon Pocket, Kondalilla Falls & Tree Tops

[hairymick]

G'day guys,

Miz Robin and I enjoyed our previous trip to this area,


http://www.neilbank.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6333

That we decided to return for a few days to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary

We loved our previous accommodation to bits but decided on somewhere a little closer to the walks this time and had heard very good things about this place,

http://www.treehouses.com.au/

A quick phone call to the very nice staff there and the booking was made We were heading off the following day! You little beauty!

This time, we opted to drive straight down the highway, turn off at Nambour and head up th Blackall Range to Mapleton for lunch and then on to Monteville from there. (about a comfortable 3 hour drive)

After we passed through Nambour and attacked the climb up the range, we came out at yet another lookout and just had to stop there for some obligitory piccies.

Sunshine Coast with the high rise of Mooloolabah in the distance< Nambour in the foreground. This was taken with 12X optical zoom

Slightly to the north, Mount Coolum - yet another volcanic plug

Farmland below

 

[hairymick]

From there, we continued on up the range to Mapleton where we stopped at a lil cafe' for my obligitory hamburger while Miz Robin dined on hippy tucker

A quick stroll round this beautiful little town and on to Monteville. Goodness, I love this area.

Arrived at Monteville at about 1300 and after checking in at reception, made the short drive through their magnificently landscaped rainforest,

to our little cabin - appropriately named, "The Love Shack" :lol:

Some images of the shack.

Not quiet as elegent as our previous place but not bad either.

 

[bearridge]

Wow...............back on the road agin! More swell pichurs. Thanks. Got any more?

 

[hairymick]

We spent the afternoon exploring the gardens. I think they are about 40 acres, with "tree houses"/cabins discreetly and privately positioned throughout.

practicing this when the light was right,

for the planned walk down Kondalilla Falls the following morning.

Until we made our way back to reception to enquire about dinner at their resteraunt for that night

Only to be told that the resteraunt was closed on sunday nights. It was a long weekend, people were staying in the area in numbers - go figure? Anyway - not to worry, very good wine, lovely local cheeses and crackers by the fire would do us just fine thank you very much.

 

[hairymick]

Lots more Bear

We returned to our cabin, where we had been visited by one of the local camp thieves who was still in attendnce and who very quickly became my new best friend.

We opted for a "quiet" night at "home" rather than take the short drive in to Monteville for dinner and after many fine wines and cuddles by the fire turned in, Robin will kill me for posting this one

 

[hairymick]

Woke the following morning, not very bright eyed or bushy-tailed - quiet seedy in fact (must have been the crackers) ya gotta watch them communist crackers and after a hearty breakfast, headed off down the track to Kondalilla Falls Circut. Where we stayed was right at the start of the walk. 8)

About 3 kilometres in to the walk, we approached the top of the falls and turned right to head down the eastern side of the gorge on a circut that crossed the stream at the bottom and then came up the other side, back to the head of the falls

About half way down, we came to a lookout where we stopped for yet another photo session,

Then continued on down towards the bottom where we dumped our packs to climb over the boulders in to the veery base of the falls.

 

[hairymick]

Some images from the bottom.

 

[hairymick]

By now, we were both thoroughly chilled and we both needed a cuppa and some hot food but it was way to damp down here at the bottom so we started our way up the other side.

To a spot where we could get water

To boil the billy and have some communist noodles. (best thing for this caper since sliced bread) and coffee

Then on, towards the top of the falls past some big old Hoop Pines

impressive tree gardens

till we finally got there in time for lunch 8)

and another photo session. 8)

 

[hairymick]

This is what we were pracising for the previous day - images of falling water, taken with slow shutter speed and varied apperture settings.

While there, we had another cook-up 8)

and then in the late afternoon headed back up the climb to our cabin.

 

[seedtick]

excellent pics, look like they come from some slick travel magazine

 

[hairymick]

Thanks Ticky,

Here is one of the same falls, only faster shutter speed.

Heading back to our cabin, it got dark with heavy rain clouds looming

and this poor light is ideal for our slow shutter stuff. another small waterfall we passed along the way

Then back to our cabin to get cleaned up and into Monteville to a genuine "English Pub"

for a few surprisingly good pints on English ale

and a hearty feed

Definately coming back to this pub err - bar 8)

Back to the cabin for more wine & cuddles by the fire 8) and to rest up for the following days paddling. 8)

 

[a Bald Cypress]

Gosh,gollygee, wow.

Y'all sure got some good looking food there. O'h the pics of the land ain't bad either. :mrgreen:

Although you have a beautiful country. I can't wait ta get y'all over here . With Miz Robins and your eye for taking pictures, I'll bet we would see our country in a different light. Although from looking at the amount of gear you add with each trip, you may need to hire a porter soon. :lol:

Keep the reports coming.


Whoops, forgot to add. You will be mighty disapointed in the burgers if and when you do visit.

 

[hairymick]

The following morning broke cool and fresh and a blustery SE wind.

Put in was at the northern end of the lake just as the sun was hitting the water 8)

and involved punching into it to cross the lake to more sheltered waters. the water is unusually brown an murky because of the very good wet season we had this year and it has yet to settle.

and on up into Obi Obi Creek

Where the banks are lined with old growth rainforest

and even smaller creeks leading up them

to many small waterfalls. (We love waterfalls)

Where we take lots of piccies like these

 

[hairymick]

Heya Baldy, thanks for taking the time to read through our little story mate.

Mate we got a couple of the big name American burger franchise chains here and I think I know what you are referring to and they are very popular here but I don't go to them. I much prefer the little Mum and Dad - family owned type cafe' where one can order a real burger, wait a few minutes for it to be made and cooked and have real coffee with it. Even if these little luxuries cost a little more, i think they are well worth it. The Greeks do this type of thing very well here

Certainly better than some pimple faced kid asking if i want fries or a super meal deal or some other B.S. with my burger. and then having to eat the mushy thing in a place just like sesame street. A bloody burger should come as a meal in its own right.

Where was I ?

Oh yeah, continueing on up into Obi Obi Creek

The watter gets clearer

till we got as far as we could paddle

and pulled out in a cow paddock for a cuppa and more piccies (just for a change)

 

[oldsparkey]

This would be a darn good screen saver on a computer.

 

[gbinga]

That's a spectacular photo (the one Chuck just commented on). Even on the little version here on the forum, it looks like you could reach into it.

George

By the way - the steak with frys-err.. chips, and veggies, and some kinda mushrooms and sauce on top? You're killing me, man. A little late in the evening here to be running out to the restaurant.

 

[hairymick]

Thanks guys, We try The ones without my name on were taken by Robin and i will pass your kind words on.

Then off, Back down the lake to another little creek that we like very much.

for more coffee and communist noodles

Then a quick sprint across the lake to the put in and back to the cabin 8)

 

[Kayak Jack]

...to Mapleton where we stopped at a lil cafe' for my obligatory hamburger ...

Aussie newspapers decry sudden beef shortage. "WHERE'S THE BEEF??!! School children starve, while someone cruel, is eating more than their fair share of tucker."

 

[bearridge]

Mick 'n Robin put a heap a good screen savers on here. I am with Baldy.....wanna see what they kin do up here where the water goes down the drain the other way.

 

[Wannabe]

Mick,
I let Brs. B read your trip report and she really enjoyed it also. Keep em comming.
Bob