Canungra and Lamington National Park

Friday we were up and about again having planned a rather full day travelling to Canungra, into Lamington National Park to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat then down the mountain again and on to Rathdowney and Maroon Dam.  A 300klm round trip.  We left home via Beaudesert and made our way to Canungra.

  Canungra is more than 125 years old and owes its existence to cedar getters and sawmillers.  Today it is used as a base to drive to the National Parks to go Bushwalking in the Lamington National Park where you'ldiscover an unlocked world of hidden beauty, walking trails, cascading waterfalls and breathtaking lookouts that reveal the most subtropical rainforest in the world.  Then we followed the Lamington National Park Road from Canungra up to Tambourine Mountain.  This track was a very narrow winding one lane with many blind corners meandering its way up the mountain.

 We followed the Tambourine Circuit on the Rainforest Way, a very scenic drive up to the Lamington Plateau and the community of Beechmont.

 I see Nasturiums I am reminded of my Mum.  It was one of her favourite flowers.  I always say" Mum was here" when I come across them

 Half way up we stopped for lunch at Rosemount Alpacca Farm Rainforest Gallery and Cafe.  In the gift shop beautiful jumpers, clothing and wool were displayed for sale.  The knitted garments were so soft and fine and the wool was absolutely lovely to touch.  I could be tempted..very tempted.







  Our next brief stop was Kamarun Lookout where we were impressed by the lovely views from all over the valleys.

 At the top was O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat where we went on the Booyong Walk through the rainforest

and wandered through the Botanical Gardens

 and we went on the famous tree top walk.

I am smiling cause I am at the end of the tree top walk.

  Bill took the plunge and climbed 30 metres up a tree via a very narrow & winding ladder.  He said the view was worth it.

  I didn't follow you are very lucky to get me on the tree walk never alone climb a tree!!!I shall look at the photos later.  They were also feeding the Lorikeets when we arrived back at the resort.  We decided to drive back through Rathdowney so that we could cross another visit off our list.We also checked out Maroon Dam on the return trip.  Another lovely picnic and camping area but in my opinion not as nice as Lake Moogerah.

 Saturday night we tried the fare at the Dugandan Hotel for dinner.  It is a lovely old well restored country hotel, typical of the area and the food was cooked to perfection.

  We arrived back from Brisbane today after driving there for our youngest granddaughter's 6th birthday.  She was one happy little girl, I think the celebrations went for about 4 days.  She received lots of lovely presents.  We joined them again for a birthday celebration at the Manly Trailer Boat Club for dinner.  We miss them all already. We have spent some quality time with them since we have been in Queensland and we feel that we know them a lot more.