What a well kept secret the Scenic Rim has been, only 1 hour from Brisbane and/or the Gold Coast. When you think, hear or read about the south east corner of Queensland it is always Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast that comes to mind but for a truely all-round experience we will now include the Scenic Rim. The area includes the country towns of Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra, Kalbar, Kooralbyn, Rathdowney, Tamborine Mountain and Aratula. It is host to a number of National parks, two lakes in Lake Maroon and Lake Moogerah. It is a vegetable growing area nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, with easy access to a number of spectacular lookouts, waterfalls and well maintained walking tracks not to mention some great 4WD areas for beginners.
We based ourselves at the Kalbar Showgrounds and enjoyed 7 days exploring the surrounds. The Showgrounds is a great spot, only $110/week for power, water, hot showers, large grassy sites, a dump point and great caretakers in Russ and Sandra. Although the district received some well sortafter rain during this week we were still able to visit and enjoy many of the local attractions. These included:
Lookouts
1. Mt Carmel Lookout just above Boonah, providing a view of the township and a panoramic skyline of the rim of mountains.
2. Logan's Lookout at Mt French above Kalbar with spectacular views of Flinders Peak and Cunningham's Gap
3. Mt Cordeaux Lookout, a short walk from Cunningham's Gap provided great panoramic though hazy views of the Scenic Rim.
4. Cunningham's Lookout. One of the explorer's campsites providing views of Mt Mitchell, Mt Grenville, Cunningham's Gap and Mt Cordeaux.
5. Treviot Falls Lookout taking in magnificent views of the Fassifern Valley, Lake Moogerah and the Boonah area.
6. Carr's Lookout overlooking breathtaking views of Spring creek and Cambanoora Gorge - great 4WD Road, 14 river crossings in about 20 km.
7. Governor's Chair at Spicer's Gap, in the words of Governor, Sir George Bowen an "incomparable panorama". This panorama includes Mounts Walker, Edwards, French, Grenville, Alford, Moon, Maroon and Toowoomba.
Waterfalls included Teviot, Queen Mary and Dagg's Falls.
Towns visited around Kalbar were Boonah, Maroon, Rathdowney, Aratula, Obum Obum, Peak Crossing, Warrill and Killarney. Note:Kalbar has a great bakery supplying good meat pies and coffee. Rathdowney also has pies worth mentioning.
Lakes - We walked across the dam wall at Lake Moogerah and had a fun day kayaking at Lake Maroon. Great photo opportunities at both these locations.
This morning we will pack up and the BT-50 will take on the challenge of Cunningham's Gap towing the van en route to Warwick. Will let you know how we fared when we get to the Darling Downs.