Sun, 24th Sept, 2023 Rest Area, Ban Ban Springs, to Koehler Rest Area, Yamsion, Qld (Bunya Mountains)

7am 13.6 degrees, a bit clouds and breezy.

Continued on towards Goomeri as heavier cloud comes over.

Road condition not very good but less traffic. Rolling through brown grass covered hills.

Through the nice neat town of Goomeri and onto the Bunya Highway.

Cuppa at Murgon. Info Centre was closed - nice murals of things to do in the district.

Big plant market at Wondai (Terry was here recently with his caravan club rally).

Lots of little towns and dames to explore when we return and can slow down and crawl.

Into Kingaroy - should have asked Terry where the chap who restored great grandad’s steam engine (Albert Geck used it with his travelling sawmill) lives. Will have to call in and have a look one day. Terry, David & Bradley had a ride around it at his farm after he had completed the restoration. He has a few other Geck bits too.

Turned off onto the Bunya Mountain Road to meet up with Joan and Roald. They are here with Ben, Jacqui, Joel & Ella to celebrate Joel’s 13^th birthday yesterday. Should have thought about the fact it said mountains as to what the road was like. Into the Bunya Mountains National Park but have seen any Bunya Pines yet. Lots of Prickly Pear which I think is a pest but they don’t seem too worried about removing it as the trees are huge. Oh dear a tight steep hill climb - oops. Another radiator test and we got a bit hot so he definitely will be working on that issue. Got to 111 degrees on his gauge but the one on the dash didn’t move! We pulled off at the top and the temperature dropped quickly which was good as those fans moved the air through the radiator. It is a very narrow road too so luckily we haven’t met many cars. Through thicker bush and tall trees which are overhanging the road.

Passed one of the NP campgrounds - only for tents and small camper trailers according to the info. Kept winding along the narrow road past a couple of picnic spots where walks go from then another campground. Spotted some tall Bunya Pines at last.

At last we got to the Village. Pulled up as a horse and carriage trundled by.

Steve went for a wander and found a spot to park opposite another more open campground. A few vans in there so there must be a easier way to come up! Lots of big Bunyas here. The markets are on too.

Sent a text to Joan so Roald could walk down and meet us as their rental house is in a gated community. Very nice but they are on slopes so not much free parking so glad we stopped where we did. No fences either so it is nice and open and they have the tall Bunya and Cypress Pines and bush at the back. Great to see them all again. Fabulous house with a lovely fireplace that was on as it was quite chilly outside with the nippy wind. They get lots of birds visiting, Crimson Rosellas, Currawongs, Splendid Blue Wrens, King Parrots and Cockatoos who all come in for a feed. There are a few wallabies about but a wild dog is roaming and has been killing off a few.

A Currawong and then Rosellas came in for some seed which they ate out of the kids’ hands.

The info about the area and walks etc. Will have to come back. There is another road from Nanango/Maidenwell to get up here - might be the best one for us.

Joan and Jacqui made a delicious lunch then we shared in some of Joel’s birthday cake which was very rich but very nice.

Everyone walked back with us to check out the truck. The boys had to look at the new engine too of course.

Said farewell then headed back out then up the road a bit to JS Fisher Lookout. The sign said we are on Mt Mowbullan (1107m). There was a track going further up the mount but we just walked over to the platform overlooking one of the many bikes tracks around here. They are fighting a battle with disease killing off the Bunya Pines so boots, bikes etc have to be cleaned.

Further along to a knoll and more information and panoramic views.

Continued on down, thank goodness, the hill though it is very tight, windy and steep too and Steve reckons would be steeper to climb than the way we came up. More Prickly Pear.

Down through grass lands to a nice 20hr rest area (was 48hr on Wikicamps) by a dry creek. The ‘Happy Family’ birds came to greet us but wandered off when we didn’t have anything for them to eat.

Across the park and across the road is a plough statue in memory of the Koehler family.

View back across park and our home for the night.

Did some cross stitch as we have pulled up early and Steve read.

Drinks then early showers as it has cooled off quickly. A cold wind is blowing in so closed up the camper. It was a maximum of 22 today which was ok as long as you were standing in the sun. Minimum for tomorrow morning is 6 degrees!!

Watched a movie and Steve put on the heater to make sure it was still working so we were very comfortable as the temperature dropped outside.