Mon, 19th Jan, 2026 Picnic & Camping Area, Musket Flat to Bush camp off Thomas Road, Woolooga, Qld (Utopia Falls & family history)

Min 23 degrees, cloudy with a cool breeze. Lots of birds singing but otherwise very quiet here.

Misty shower of rain as we packed up and headed back to the main road and back to Brooweena. Will come back and do the museum another time when it is open.

Continued on then turned onto the road to Biggenden through cattle grazing farms. I think this is Mount Walsh.

Turned off onto a road - no signs but we had the info from Facebook about Utopia Falls. Passed a few homes then entered the Mount Walsh National Park and onto a narrow track full of water-filled pot holes and overhanging trees.

Roomy carpark though so must be popular. Parked and made a cuppa and put out togs on. A lady pulled in with her sons from Bundaberg. She said it is usually packed so we are lucky.

3.1km return walk on a Grade 4 track. The signs says it is Rock Pools so maybe someone has now named it Utopia since it is so nice.

It was a nice walk, uphill then down to Waterfall Creek.

The lady and her sons were in the bottom pool having fun jumping off the rocks.

Selfie time above the big pool.

We continued up, looking back over the pool then across to the next pool.

Up a bit further and we found the pool that was posted on FB - Utopia Pool.

We continued up to the end of the falls section - Steve says it is all cascades really rather than waterfalls.

Back to Utopia Pool. The lady and her boys were in it and said it was very slimy to get out so we will have a dip in the big pool instead. Steve got in first so I could get a photo. Very cool and refreshing. More clouds came across then the sun would come out again making it quite hot.

We floated for a while then Steve got out to get my photo. Need to prove we got in, haha.

Dried off then headed back - at least it is mostly downhill. I stopped when I saw this little snake - he took his time getting off the track. I looked it up and we think it is a Burton’s Legless Lizard as it has a very pointed face compared to normal snakes.

Back to the camper for lunch. More people arriving so we timed it well.

Headed back out and back to the turn off to continue southward towards Kilkivan. The wind has picked up. Through cattle grazing land - lovely and green with tall straight gum trees.

Stopped at Memorial Bridge over Bridge Creek on Woolooga Road. Steve parked on the old road. Info off Wikicamps.

I walked across it - closed to traffic in 1972.

Nice park and picnic area with information too.

I recognised some surnames that are from Steve’s family. I looked them up and David Boldery and Edward Nichol are Robert Grout’s great grandsons. I have all the family history on a program on the laptop so I can find our relations on it. Will have to add these photos to the family tree.

While I was looking up the files I found more photos, from one of the relations (taken in 1986), of Robert Grout’s house (3 photos), the Post Office Hotel and blacksmith shop at Musket Flat.

Continued on the narrow bitumen road and entered the Gympie Regional Council and onto a narrow gravel road! As we neared Woolooga we turned off onto a little road to check out a free camp. Another traveller was parked up in the big grassy area so we did too.

Nice breeze blowing. I worked on my blog and uploaded that by drinks time so we got out the cards for a couple of games of Skipbo.

Much cooler afternoon. I had posted some photos on FB and heard from Sue & Ian - they are hiring a camper and touring NZ for a month (mid March to mid April) with Graham & Sharon so you never know we might see them there.

Rang Ray and Carol to catch up on their news and to say we will see them in a couple of weeks.

Margaret and Bob rang to say they had bought a car for Margaret - a bright yellow Mini Cooper. She is very happy to have her own run-around car now.

Cooler evening which is very nice.

 

Sun, 18th Jan, 2026 Mal Chard Memorial RV Park, Howard to Picnic Area & Campground, Musket Flat, Qld (exploring & history)

Min 25.2 degrees and cloudy. Only heard a couple of freight trains roar past in the night.

Packed up and continued along the road, passed the old sawmill then across the Burrum River.

Through Torbanlea - went around to the Hotel as there is a mural of the Pit Ponies but it must be inside and the hotel wasn’t open yet. I love the old Queenslander style homes though the maintenance is a killer!

Back onto the Bruce Highway. Turned off onto a gravel road into Wongi State Forest. Lots of pine trees growing - reminds us of going into Fong On Bay at Lake Tinaroo.

Took the right fork at the Y-intersection to continue on to Lenthall Dam and Lake. Across a grid into thin paperback trees - wetter area. The dam wall came into view then we climbed up to a park area near the Ranger’s office. We continued down to the boat ramp and camping area. Lovely green grass to camp on. There are engine and speed limitations on the boat motors as this is the drinking water for Maryborough area though it is stocked with Barramundi etc like Lake Tinaroo.

Walked out onto the viewing platform - sign says ‘no swimming’ - doesn’t look very appealing to swim any case. View from left to right - around to the dam wall.

Walked around closer to the dam wall. Three chaps were just coming back in from an early morning fish. The cicadas are in full force in the trees nearby.

Drove back up to the carpark near the Ranger’s office - cute shape.

There is a picnic area here with lots of information. Great aerial photo.

Walked down to the dam wall - there is a fenced concrete path up to a viewing area.

Headed back out to the Y-intersection and continued on the other road to Wongi Waterholes. Met a cross intersection and turned right - lots of roads in state forests! Stopped for a photo of the fire tower - I wonder if Terry has been up this one when he worked for the Forestry.

Across a causeway over part of the Wongi Waterholes.

A bit further along we pulled into the day use area. Definitely dark and gloomy water with the tanin stained water. Though people must swim as there are a couple of swing ropes from the tree. Very still at the moment so great for reflection photos.

Walked down to the other end of the picnic area - more weed further along the pool.

Had a cuppa then headed along to the campground area - also a day use area. A goanna darted around the back of the truck when I got out.

A chap is parked up and by the looks of it he has been there a while with pot plants and lots of stuff around his van. He gave us a wave and held onto his dog. Read the camping info board then walked down to the water.

Not very nice as the weed has taken over here.

As we drove back out a swamp wallaby jumped across the road. We got back to the cross intersection and noticed a sign directing us to the Maryborough-Biggenden Road which is where we are headed. Decided to follow it rather than go back out to the highway only to turn off onto that road. Still gravel but in good condition.

Left the forest pines, crossed under big power lines then entered rural acreage homes. Eventually we got back on bitumen then we turned onto the M-B Rd. This is a new road to mark off in my book. We have lots of back roads still to explore in Qld.

Through native forest and some farms as we went up and down the small hills and over many little creeks. Across an abandoned railway line as we near Aramara. Then I spotted an old rail bridge but missed the photo.

Pulled into the park but there was no information about the area. A few house on the other side of the road. Continued on - passed a little church on a rise that is for sale, would make a cute little home.

Turned off into Brooweena and stopped to read the info board and check out the old log wagon. Interesting ‘claim to fame’ detail.

We drove into the township - past what looked like the old service station then post office then across a creek and around to the Museum. Unfortunately we are on the wrong Sunday so it is closed. Will put that on my ‘come back and visit’ list. Around the edge of the park where we can free camp which was nice but we couldn’t work out where we were to park as there was just the narrow bitumen road and lush green grass that we didn’t want to drive on.

I remembered that one of Steve’s ancestral relations lived at Musket Flat so we decided to head back there and have a look. There wasn’t any signs off this road directing us but it is on the Hema 4WD map! 

Back to Aramara and then turned left where we saw the old rail bridge. Went under it on the left (4,2m) as it said only 3.2m clearance on the bitumen section.

Narrow bitumen road to North Aramara, a few homes then the nice old hall at the sportsground.

Continued on through farms again. Onto gravel road when it changed to the Musket Flat Road. Across a little creek then a Musket Flat sign. Little picnic and camping area on the left but we continued on to do a block around the houses. Nothing historic to see. This place had lots of wind driven things in the yard and they were whizzing around as it is quite windy now with more clouds building up.

Back to the camping area and set up. No phone reception here.

Had lunch then checked out the info. The town was also called Elliot so I figure that is what is whited out on the sign. Robert Grout was Steve’s great great grandfather, Edward Grout’s older brother. Will look up the info I have in the family tree file.

Some old timber being reused.

Further over is the old signpost for Musket Flat showing the way from Maryborough to Port Curtis (now Gladstone) or Gayndah.

On the other side of the shelter is this ‘map’. Port Curtis road built in 1862, Musket Flat road built late 1800s, Old Gayndah road built 1850. Blacksmith depot (Robert Grout’s) built 1858, Musket Flat settled 1860.

The National Trail went by here too.

I looked up the family tree info. We should have visited the Howard Cemetery as Steve’s great great grandfather, Edward Grout, is buried there after he drowned in the Burrum River in 1884. This is on his father’s side - Steve, Terry, Letitia, Latitia, Edward.

Two articles we found about Edward’s drowning.

Grout, Edward

1884 - February 5 - News reached town yesterday morning to the effect that it had been reported to the Howard police that a timbergetter in that vicinity named Edward Grout, late of Musket Flat, together with two men named James Quinn and William Boldery, left Howard at eight o'clock on Friday evening last with the intention of riding to Maryborough. When they reached the Burrum crossing they found that the river was swollen by the late rains and impossible to cross with a swim for it. Quinn and Boldery would not venture into the current, but Grout was determined to cross and drove his horse into the stream. This was the last seen of the poor fellow alive, for his mates turned back. The next day the two set up, but on crossing to the Maryborough side of the river they found Grout's horse with its saddle and bridle on, but no trace of Grout. Sergeant Gallagher and Constable King, on being informed of the fact, made a search down the stream all Sunday, and it was not till yesterday morning that they succeeded in finding the unfortunate man's body almost covered up with debris. The deceased leaves a wife and family at the Six-mile on the Gayndah Road. A magisterial inquiry will be held this day, which will be the second of the kind held at Howard within a week.

The Capricornia (Rockhampton) 16 Feb 1884

On Friday evening (says the Wide Bay News) about 8 o'clock, Edward Grout, timbergetter, late of Musket Flat, accompanied by James Quinn and William Baldry, set out from Howard, on the way to Maryborough, on horseback. On coming to the Burrum crossing, which was greatly swollen by the late rain, Quinn and Baldry determined not to cross that evening, though Grout said he would attempt it. The two men truned their horses' heads for the township, thinking that Grout would follow them. Next morning, however, as Grout had not made his appearance, they went in search, and saw his horse, with saddle and bridle on, on the opposite side of the river. He had evidently tried to cross, and probably had been swept off in the middle of the river. All doubts as to the unfortunate man's fate were set at rest on Monday morning, when his body was found by the police on the bank of the river, about half a mile below the crossing.

 

Edward’s elder brother was Robert Grout (1839-1881).

Robert and Edward came to Australia as crew aboard "Camperdown" arriving in Sydney on 24th March, 1857. Under Seaman's names - Robert Grout, age 18, station - Boy and Edward was 15, station - Boy. Robert listed under Groat and Edward as E Great. Master was Henry Denney, Burthen 994 tons, from Port of London to Sydney, NSW

Robert and Catherine lived at Musket Flat, also known as Elliot, grew because of the very large and numerous consignments of wool, tallow and hides which were being transported from various stations to Maryborough during the 1850s and 60s. The road from Maryborough, little more that a bullock track during the 1850s, with deep gullies and many creek crossings, linked Maryborough to the Port Curtis Road. This article from the paper on the 1st May 1869 speaks about the road conditions.

"Mr Grout, of Musket Flat, met with a most unpleasant accident yesterday as he was journeying to Maryborough with his family in a cart. In the vicinity of the Blossoms Inn, at a part of the road bearning an evil reputation for ruts, bogs and pitfalls of every size and shape, the cart was overturned and its occupants precipitated into the road, fortunately without suffering material injury. The horse being a quiet one, Mr Grout was enabled, with some difficulty, to restore the vehicle to an upright position and drive into tow. Such an occurance as this speaks for itself."

In 1862 the settlement of Musket Flat was surveyed and the township of Elliot was established. The name Elliot never stuck, it is still known as Musket Flat to this day. One of the original purchasers of land was Robert Grout. In March 1863 an official Post Office was established at Elliot, the first postmaster was Robert Grout who was appointed at a salary of 12 pounds per annum. The Gayndah to Maryborough telegraph line was opened two years later in Feb 1865. In 1873 the Post Office Hotel was opened. The first license was Robert Grout. The license was granted on the 14th October. This is the application for the licensee he made in 1873.

"I, Robert Grout, now residing at Musket Flat, in the Wide Bay district, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the next Licensing Meeting to be holden for this district on Tuesday, the 14th day of October next ensuing, for a Country Publicans License for the sale of fermented and spiritous liquors in the hours and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and which, I intent to keep as an Inn or Public House, under the style and title of "The Post-Office Hotel". The house contains five bedrooms and two sitting rooms, exclusive of those required for my own use. I am married, and have not held a license before. Given under my hand this 17th day of September, 1873. Robert Grout."

As well as the Post Office Hotel he had a large black-smithing and wheel-wright business and horse breeding. This was also the stage-change for the Maryborough-Gayndah Coach.

After Robert's death in 1881, the Liquor licence was transferred to his (second) wife, Margaret Grout. In 1882 Margaret Grout authorised her step daughter, Frances Margaret Grout to receive and pay all accounts due to or by her late husband. In 1882 the licence was transferred to James E Grout. 1883 it was transferred to William Nichol. In 1885 it was again transferred to James E Grout. The application for renewal was refused in 1897. Between 1897 and 1912 James is listed as having the Elliot Hotel. This does not appear to have been a licenced premises, but possibly run as a private hotel or a boarding house. Presumably this was the same building as formerly known as the Post Office Hotel.

Robert's town blocks were back to back on left hand side on E in Elliot in Town plan. Site V.

He is buried in the Maryborough Cemetery.

Grout, Robert (obituary)

1881 - November 15 - One of the oldest residents in the district passed away in his long home on Saturday last. Mr Robert Grout, whose death is announced in this issue, resided at Musket Flat, on the Gayndah Road, for at least 20 years past. Probably no man was more universally known and esteemed in the district, and in his various branches of business he invariably proved reliable and straightforward. His name, which appears on hundred of vehicles built at his works, will thus be kept for years to come in the memory of many who have good reason to regret poor Bob Grout's recent severe illness and its unfortunate fatal termination.

From an article in Gold, Gem & Treasure 2019

James & his father Robert, J Daly who married Caroline Abel (after Edward died) and the local postmaster with a journalist who called himself the Musketeer went looking for gold stolen by The Wild Scotman, James (Jim) McPherson. 30 years before he had said to anyone who would listen, when he was being taken away in handcuffs from the Musket Flat Hotel, 'the place where you'll find the kettle is about 2 miles from here, close to where the creeks meet. look for a high rock and a rock bridge across the creek. You won't see them until you are right up against them. Search there for a cave. So long." Lots of people went searching.

They set off on horseback along the Childers Road for about 6 or 7 miles until they came to the general area they wished to search. The journalist wrote, "having tethered the horses we proceeded on foot for about 100 yards when we ran against an enormous mass of rock situated in a depression. At this spot the rock has crumbled away for about 30 feet of its height leaving an overhanging ledge. The creek here is spanned by a natural bridge of rock.' Unfortunately the rock terrain was too much for them and they didn't discover the cave.

I had an article from Erica’s family history research but I notice it is the same photo they have on the board saying it is the Robinson’s Travellers Rest Hotel - someone got confused between the two hotels. Interesting too the article mentions the Wild Scotman’s loot but he is called James not Alpin as mentioned on the info board at Brooweena. Googled it and his name was actually James Alpin McPherson! They have a festival in March celebrating his legacy in Gin Gin. He was captured near Gin Gin in 1866, sentenced to 25 years but then released after 8 years due to public petitions. Interesting. I had a James McPherson in my family line but there is not relationship.

I finished off my itinerary for NZ at last. Steve read his book as usual. The wind has moved the cloud around. Lots of birds about and a few cows wandered down to the fence for a look. Up to 33 degrees max today - has dropped a couple of degrees now.

Got out the chairs and had our drinks in the shade shelter and read our books in the cool breeze watching the clouds move across the sky.

As we headed back inside we noticed dark clouds coming from the south-east.

6.30pm a shower of rain, just enough to make me close the top windows! Continued to mist for a while afterward but by bedtime it was all good again and we could open up. Nice quiet place.