Sudown National Park 19 - 20 September 2009

Luckily both Graham and I were able to have Friday off work so headed down to Stanthorpe shortly after lunch and booked into the Top of the Town Caravan Park at 3pm.  After setting up the trailer we headed into town for a look-see.  School had broken up for the holidays and the kids were celebrating while we checked out menus at the pubs for dinner with Kim and Eric who were on their way.  While crossing the road, who should we spy but John making his way to his sister-in-law’s at Ballandean where we were meeting him the following day.  He found a park in the busy main street and we had a chat.  It was quite a warm afternoon, especially on Stanthorpe’s standards so the weekend was shaping up well.

After John went on his way we went for a drive and found the local lookout which provided panoramic views of the area before heading back to camp for our own happy hour while we waited for Kim and Eric’s arrival.  It had been a few years since we had been down this way and the Top of the Town had had a bit of a facelift with a brand new amenities block having been built.  After an enjoyable dinner we headed back to camp where the boys watched the footy in the TV room and Kim and I chatted.  The temperature was quite mild overnight and we availed ourselves of the camp kitchen for breakfast before packing up and heading to meet with the others at Applethorpe.

Everyone was on time so after Eric had completed his official duties as trip leader, we headed off to Ballandean where John was waiting.   On arrival at the entrance to the park we stopped and let down our tyres for the two hour drive to our campsite at Burrow’s Waterhole.  It was very warm, very dry and very dusty on the track.  The track showed evidence of recent dozer work and in parts was not as rocky as those of us who had been before could remember.  We came to the first of the split tracks at the old mine shaft and followed our leader up the ‘more challenging’ track over the hill.

Rocks, woo-boys, rocks, holes and more rocks were aplenty as we came to more split tracks.  Some went left, some went right but we all ended up together in the end and decided most tracks were about the same.  There was much banter over the radio between the Mitsubishi and Nissan drivers.  It was good to see the shady campground appear by the Severn River and we selected our sites and set up.

After lunch the boys went for a drive to Rat’s Castle. The tracks in the area follow the river, crossing it several times however there was not much water to worry about in the crossings. Some of the hills are quite steep and several of the traction-controlled Pajeros had their warning beeps in action. This was good for some of the newer members to experience. There was another family camped near us at Burrow’s and they tagged along as well. No problems were encountered along the tracks. Eric took us on a big loop around the Rat’s Castle area and we doubled back and did it the other way. Another hill close to camp with several tracks was used as a bit of a playground.

The girls (who had all been to these areas before) relaxed back at camp.  Kaarina and her girls went for a walk to find marshmallow toasting sticks and found some kangaroo bones as well while Kim baked a cake. 

All too soon (just as the kettle boiled for a cuppa) the boys arrived back and liquid refreshments were enjoyed leading up to happy hour.  We were joined by the other family who were camped nearby.  It’s always interesting to hear what others’ adventures have been.  Communal dinner around the campfire had been agreed to begin at 7pm after which the camaraderie continued until one by one we headed for bed.  Some were pleased that the Bronco’s had won their match making it into the semi-finals.

We were all surprised that the temperature didn’t drop to the usual lows of the area and a sunny, warm Sunday was ahead.  We all had a lazy breakfast, especially Peter and Tim as Tim caught up on sleep following a late Friday night at a friend’s place, not to mention the early start when his Dad, Peter, collected him at 6am on Saturday.

The planned departure time of 10.30am came all too quickly and we were back on the track out of the park.  We visited Red Rock Gorge, a spectacular view of nature’s wonder.  A deep gorge of, in some places, jagged rocks, evidence of a waterfall which had obviously flowed at some time and native king orchids in bloom on the vertical rock face.  We could see wild goats roaming in the bush far below.  Kim’s cake was enjoyed for morning tea before heading off again.

Some tried different tracks to those driven on the way in and again there were no incidents.  With the Queensland school holidays we also came across more incoming vehicles, fully laden for their stay.  What a perfect day to start the holidays – there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

Once outside the Park, the smooth dirt road finally gave way to bitumen and we stopped in the Ballandean school car park to reinflate tyres and have lunch, being greeted by John’s relations who live next door to the school.  This was the official end of the trip and where we went our separate ways. 

Thanks to Eric and Kim and all those present for yet another great weekend.

Jan and Graham Corbett