15-18 September

It was time to say good bye to the Landcruiser Mountain Park - we headed to Kilcoy and set the tent up at the council campground and decided on the next stop - Neurum Creek Bush Retreat - just 20km east of Kilcoy. Another campground surrounded by forest so we could go hiking. This area has more wildlife than the Landcruiser Park. Our visitor at night included wallabies, possums or bandicoot (we’re not 100% sure) and there might be platypus in the creek, we’ve already spotted the turtles.

Our first hike was going uphill - luckily there was no rain otherwise the track was impassable as it goes uphill through a waterbed over rocks and stones. We had to climb hard - it helped that we had the indoor climbing course some years ago. On reaching the top of the mountain we could see up to the Glass Mountain range which is close to the Sunshine Coast. Before returning to the tent we chilled our feet in the creek - it’s not deep enough to go for a swim and probably would be too cold anyway but it was nice for the feet to cool down. Then we used the time to relax a bit – the trip took us around 2 hours. But the guy from the campground was surprised that we were so fast and didn't get lost... we commented the track is well signposted apart of one section where you had to climb underneath a fence.

The last day we got the hint that there are waterholes in the Mt. Mee National Park close by. So car ready packed and going into the waterhole direction. While fetching our swimsuits the ranger advised that there is another waterhole which is actually much nicer – a bit more isolated, with a little waterfall and accessible via dirt road – 4WD recommended and you could even camp close by. We just stopped to have a little swim. Actually I had a little swim and Tom just a refreshing drop. The water was clear and ice cold – so you were really glad being out of the water.

On the way out of the park we stopped at another waterfall but this one had much less water and no waterholes for swimming. As this area is not far away from Brisbane (just 90 minutes by car) we enjoyed some views and have to remember the area so we can discover it further when staying in Brisbane. The area is called D'Aguilar Range and Mt. Mee National Park with camping spots open all year round (although some might be closed during spring). The other spot we've to remember is the Somerset region: www.somerset.qld.gov.au and www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au

Cu, Anja & Tom