Engage

Posted on by trekswalkabout

It’s been a while since I updated the Captain’s log. There has been lot of sorting out to do, including working out travel plans, a lot of major first events without Chris. 2025 was a year I was glad to see the back off. But starting 2026 without Chris is not an easy thing to do either. 40 years together, 40 years of travels together, fitting that in with my new life moving forward alone.

Chris and I talked about any future travels for myself, and it was his wish that I continued for the both of us, easier said than done. I also had to work out if it was something I still wanted to do without him. Do not worry it is, the travel bug is still in there. Just baby steps adjusting to the change as it is not easy doing it without him.

I had done a few short trips with my friend Judy, before we headed off on a bigger trip end of July 2025 for 3 weeks. Main destination was Charlotte Plains west of Cunnamulla, in Qld. A place Chris had wanted to go to on our last trip together, but we did not have enough time. This trip was for him and see how I go for me. Have to say we were disappointed with Charlotte Plains, but more on that later. We did find a few other hot pools we loved.

Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to us. We had rain, flooded roads, mud, creek crossings all which caused us to change our plans many times on the fly. But with your house on your back, you have the freedom to do so.

There had been a lot of rain out west before we left, most of the areas we were heading had a decent amount of rain. Being black soil country we needed to be careful where we stopped making sure our wheels stayed on solid ground. It also meant it did not take much rain for areas to start flooding.

We were thankful it was not raining the day we headed off nor did we get rain on us for a few days. Our first night was Lake Clarendon, near Gatton.

Lake Clarendon

Chris and I had called in here many years ago, but the lake was dry and the grass was very overgrown and dry. This time the lake was very full, lots of bird life on it. It was a bit wet in some areas due to the recent rain but still plenty of high and dry areas.

If it’s flooded forget it. And that is exactly what we did. We had planned to stay a few days at Bowenville Reserve west of Toowoomba about 20km’s from Dalby. But we had a flooded creek, blocking our path.

Flooding Creek heading into Bowenville Reserve.

So we kept driving, with areas off the side of the road very damp we decided to head to Tara, camp on the bitumen for a few nights. The area has changed substantially from the first time Chris and I stayed here. It is still great value, safe, lots of places to walk, showers, toilets, lagoon and potable water. We loved it so much we spent a few more nights here on our way home.

Beautiful artwork on the back of a shelter.

Lagoon boardwalk.

From there we headed to Westmar. Westmar is a small town at the crossroads of the Moonie Highway and the Meandarra-Talwood Road 116km west of St George. The Anderson brothers, owners of the Western & Maranoa Transport Companies, opened a fuel depot and rest stop for their truckies at this intersection. The name Westmar was derived from WESTern and MARanoa Transport.

Not a lot there just a big rest area, has shower toilets and bins. Popular with truckies, lots of trucks pull in. Big grass area across for them, we managed to get ourselves in a corner out of the way, further away from the trucks.

Nice hidden spot.

A servo/corner store with a bottle shop opposite. Looks quite nice and well stocked.

It was a cold night, poor Jess was shivering during the night, had to put her heat pad on for her.

Live long and Prosper.

Kilcoy and Toogoolawah

Posted on by trekswalkabout

I went away for a few days with my friend, Judy, just west of the Brisbane area to Kilcoy and Toogoolawah. It was an opportunity to do a bit of a shake down trip while I had my friend around to support me. This is my first trip away without my Chris.

Have to say it was very difficult emotionally, as I expected the first trip to be. Everything with the van went well, a couple of small issues I sorted through. It’s just sad he is no longer here. Just taking one day at a time.

Kilcoy is pretty close to where I live so a great spot for a quick shake down. It’s a farming community with a great town and friendly people. Very RV friendly with a 24hr stop. Short walk into the town area, next to a dog park and a sporting oval. There are toilets and showers only a short walk away, dump point and place to fill up with water. Plenty of walking including down to the local creek.

Would be a lovely place for a dip on a warm day.

There is also a lovely walking path around the sports field and dam.

We had a lovely sunset one night. This is a very popular spot and for good reason.

We woke to a very foggy morning and heavy dew. Did give a lovely atmosphere

Dew on a spider web on the fence.

We moved slightly further west to the town of Toogoolawah. The free 24hr camping area very close to the town and bike trail. There are toilets close by, short stroll into town.

Also the site of the old railway station.

My friend tried to milk the local cow but no luck

This was just a short trip this time. A bigger trip is planned for August out west to Charlotte Plains, with several other hot pools and places a long the way.

Live long and Prosper.

Ginger Factory

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Wow it has been a really long time since we last visited the Ginger Factory at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast in Qld. We use to bring our children here when they were little, many years later we are here with our grandchildren.

I guess not a lot has really changed in that time. A few of the walks have changed. One we thought was pretty cool was The Rainbella Project. A short walk with lots of very colourful umbrellas hanging in the tree line.

There is ZOG a Rainforest Adventure. You download an app and follow along the trail. A good fun adventure for kids. We didn’t download the app as I didn’t know about it at the time, it was getting late so only a quick look but our grandkids did enjoy what they saw, and could have easily spent quiet a bit of time there.

A old school setup with old type writers the kids thought was fun

We did the tours, The Factory Tour and Tasting. We were there on a Sunday so the factory was not operational, I think during the week seeing it operating would be better but it was still a good and an interesting tour, especially for those that like ginger.

Ginger soaking in sugary syrup

Early ginger is not as strong and used for the above products. Ginger left in the ground longer is a stronger flavour and also more medicinal.

Late harvest ginger, there is no smell while the skin is on

Another tour was the Bee Live Show and Tasting. Very sad to hear how the bees are decreasing in numbers and that we could face a future without bees making honey. Robot bees are already happening to help with pollination due to the lack of bees. Also due to the amount of rain we have had in Qld the honey available for keepers to harvest is less as the bees are needing to eat the honey themselves. There is a honey shortage which always equates to rising prices. We were all encouraged to plant some flowering plants the bees like. We were also encouraged to buy raw honey from the markets or straight from the bee keepers. I used to keep native bees so found the bee show interesting. The guide also gave Chris and I a sneaky taste, just for us, of native bee honey. The kids all loved to see the busy bees in the hives and asked lots of questions.

Our tour guide and bee keeper

Busy bees the kids found fascinating

We also went on the Moreton the ginger train ride which is a 15min ride around the grounds.

Overboard boat ride, we joined the gingerbread man on an adventure around the world as he escapes the clutches of the hungry chefs. Overboard is a boat ride with with music, and animated puppetry featuring more than 200 handmade moving puppets. Our grandkids weren’t too sure and found the puppets a bit scary.

A small sample of the many puppets

We did buy a bundle deal which most likely works out cheaper depending on what you want to do. It included unlimited boat and train rides but we didn’t have time to do them more than once.

We bought lunch there. Of course you have to buy some ginger products when you are there. Just be aware of pricing as some are dearer than the supermarkets but you are supporting a local business and you don’t see this much variety in the stores.

A small sample of the ginger products for sale

Opposite the Ginger Factory is Nutworks. More my taste. They do a variety of macadamia nuts from raw, to salted, to chocolate coated, honey coated, salted caramel etc. so I whizzed over just before it closed and might have bought a few bags of yummy nuts , well they don’t sell these varieties in the shops.

You can also have a coffee at Nutworks

Chris isn’t up to travelling anymore, so we are trying to visit some local attractions with our family. We did enjoy the Ginger Factory, Chris is a big fan of ginger, it is a good family day out.

Live Long and Prosper.

Star Date Nov 2024

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Back home and some last thoughts. Being in a whizzbanger is very different to a wobble box and anything else we have ever had. It will still take us a while to adjust and work through the pros and cons of a small van. We are used to getting to camp, setting up, unhooking the van and then free to drive off, head into town or go exploring. It was the same with the Aussie Swag Camping Trailer and even in tent camping.

Sun setting on the gum trees

With Trek we are learning to do what we need to do before we get to camp, going someplace after camp involves packing up. Of course there is also plus’s with that, if we don’t like a spot or prefer one “just over there” it’s a lot easier to move. Moving every day is also a lot easier, setup and pack-up is very quick.

We have been travelling and exploring Australia together for nearly 40 years. We have had several different types of accommodation in that time but a camper van is something new to us.

It will all take some adjusting and a different mind set. Getting use to the limitations but also appreciating the ease, lower fuel cost, simplicity and quick setup.

Us at Donnellys Castle

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, we came home relaxed, uplifted, optimistic that if Chris kept being as well as he has been over this 4 1/2 weeks that we still could still have some more great adventures together and we could do it in our little Trek.

Trek went awesome, very nice and easy to drive. Comfortable, fuel economy was great. Our setup of the van was outstanding, we could not think of anything we would have done differently or regretted. Very happy with it, and soooooo looking forward to exploring more of our undiscovered country.

Stephen’s Creek camping

Chris has done most of the driving in the past, so this was a real test for Kate as the sole driver. Have to say, you go girl, you did awesome.

Live Long and Prosper 

Apple Pie

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Ha ha can you guess where Chris was keen to go?

We have been to Stanthorpe many many times. Every time we go there we find new stuff we did not know about. Watching a video a while back from Caravan Adventure Aus on their time here we discovered a few new places to check out. It’s worth a watch.

One of those place was the Red Bridge “Built in the mid 1880’s. Built without modern equipment using manpower, horse drawn drays and explosives. Shanties and hotels catering for the workers followed the construction of the line” is what the plaque reads.

No longer red

Apparently the bridge was red at time of construction so hence the name. It is a very short east walk from the carpark in good weather.

There is also a boardwalk across the river

Jess and Chris

We called into the visitor information centre and had a lovely chat with the ladies there. A walk about the park and a walk into town, filling in a bit of time before we went……. for that apple pie.

Suttons Apple Farm and Cafe. We have been here mmmm maybe a few times one time we shared a slice. This time it was our late breakfast. All we can say is yum yum yum

Yummy apple pie

We thought we better walk off of the apple pie, heading to Donnellys Castle. If you watched the Caravan Adventure Aus it will show what this place is like. Really is our kind of place with granite boulders to walk around and explore. Can’t believe we only just found out about this place. It is a little bit hidden out of the way.

Donnellys Castle

Jess had fun as well, as it is dog friendly

Great views from the lookout

We loved it and Chris did really really well, walking along tracks with tree roots and rocks to navigate around. Chris had a bad stroke during a brain biopsy where he was also diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He has recovered a significant amount from the stoke but still has some mobility issues. So rock hopping was an outstanding achievement.

Chris did really well

We felt very optimistic that we could do some further trips together.

Live Long and Prosper