Fri, 23rd Jan, 2026 Gavin & Donna’s place, Korralgin, Qld (Toowoomba visit)

We woke to the rumble of thunder. 21 degree min. Pitter patter of rain on th roof as we had breakfast and it is looking very grey outside.

I did some research on my laptop then booked our ferry crossing from South to North Island, NZ.

Gavin had to get some things from Toowoomba so we all hopped in their car and off we went along the back roads. Through Cooyar - little town with a pub of course. Gavin told us about when the Cooyar Creek flooded the township and everyone pitched in to help. Continued on till we met the New England Highway. Stopped to check out the murals at the showground before we drove through Crows Nest. We realised we had visited here before after taking the photos.

Overcast and cool when we stopped at the Clock & Bull, Cabarlah for a cuppa. This was previously the Black Forest Hill Cuckoo Clock Centre - now a German-style beer hall and restaurant with microbrewery. There is a coffee shop next door.

Fabulous stained-glass windows.

Not sure if this is the chap who brought his clocks on his back from his homeland. 

Lots of clocks are still on display - for sale too. Unfortunately there isn’t any history info other than the a couple of photos but I found this on Google.

“The centre was built in 1988 by Rainer & Marita Frey, later purchased by Robyn & Jim Rick in 2004. It was a renowned Australian centre for authentic German timepieces.” The clocks are spectacular.

I found a beer stein in a glass case with some history info.

Enjoyed a nice cuppa and cake after checking out the lovely items for sale in the shop.

Continued on. Stopped at the Mount Kynoch lookout over the range road - a new one has been put in and it is a long straight hall, Steve said we won’t be taking that one. They had 3 viewing areas - need to prune more trees or put in a viewing platform to get above the trees. It was grey and cloudy so not the day for scenic photos.

Into Toowoomba past the old flour mill (est 1898) then up to Picnic Point Parkland. Lots of walks available and usually a beautiful view. The big Australian Flag is flying well with the wind.

Back down then we pulled up to check out the beautiful catholic church - St Patricks. Beautiful stained-glass windows and workmanship. There is a tombstone in there too.

A lady was practicing on the organ so we stopped for a while to listen - beautiful.

The St Luke’s Anglican church down the road had unusual things on the roof. The traffic was bad so we didn’t stop.

Lots of lovely old buildings in Toowoomba. We had wandered through the gardens on the previous visit too but not when the flowers were putting on their show. I saw them all when I came to the Festival back in 1982.

We picked up their bits and pieces then headed home via Dalby for a different view. More open farms this way. The sky has cleared and the sun is shining now.

Watched Annie drink her milk then eat some grass so that’s a good sign. Hopefully it won’t be too long till she can go in with the rest of the herd.

Drinks and dinner at the house with a lot more chatting. Lovely couple and very interesting stories of their life together.

 

 

 

Thurs, 22nd Jan, 2026 Gavin & Donna’s place, Korralgin, Qld

18 degrees min, cloudy. Nice and quiet here so we had a lovely sleep-in.

Joined the others for a cuppa and more chatting.

After lunch Gavin took us in his side-side buggy to explore their property. He explained about the different grasses and weeds, how the breeding system worked with the cows and their bulls and then which ones they sell etc. Very interesting. Great views from up the top too.

Got to 31 degrees in the camper but it was very nice sitting on their patio watching the little Blue Wrens flittering about and listening to the usual birds in the trees. The King Parrots came in for their feed in the afternoon. Such pretty colours.

More chatting over drinks and then a delicious dinner.