26.12.12 Fordsdale Farmstay

We are on the road late again for this trip, not actually leaving home till 0900.  We are taking the Kid with us and have to organise our things around him which takes a bit of time.  It means taking less of our things to get in more of his – tent, guitar, extra tarps and ropes, bedding, mattress, clothes, extra food, etc.  Alas we have not made provisions in our usual organising of things for his stuff as well, but we make do.  He is a bit crowded in the back seat.  Our chairs have been mounted on the trailer top and strapped down, so hoping it doesn’t rain on them too much.

19.12.12 Yandilla Birthday

19.12.12

Well I’m officially on holidays once more (yay) and looking forward to a few weeks off the doldrums that is employment.  We start our a little later than usual at 0830, but since we’ll be away for a few days, that’s just fine.  The day itself is warm and tending between overcast and sunny, but can’t seem to make up its mind. 

08.12.12 Woodford Retreat Nudist Park

If you've clicked on this one expecting to see Naked People, I reckon you'll be disappointed. 
If you've clicked on this one with a smile on your face and a sense of adventure ... read on!

Dare To Be Bare!

22.11.12 Gordon Country

22.11.12

We are on the road by 0745 and on the highway by 0749.  Destination:  Gordon Country.  The day promises to hot, sticky and possibly stormy.  After looking at several potential campsites on Google Maps, we’ve decided on one area in particular which we’ll check out first – of which I’ve been calling “The Ems” due to the Gordon Country map markings.  If not The Ems, there are a few others that we are keen to try out.  With google map printout in hand, we are on our way past Ipswich and down the Cunningham Highway.

10.11.12 City View Camping & 4WD Park

We are on the road later than usual this time.  My mum came down to stay for a few days and she’s waving us off around 0830.  Our destination is just south west of Beaudesert so not all that far really. 

The day is overcast and it’s been lightly raining at home for a day or two.  Nothing to get excited about – 10mm – but it’s better than watering again which I'll probably have to do again anyway.  The Brisbane region has had practically no rain for 3 or 4 months now and it’s really showing.  The area is on high fire alert and some sections have really been coping it hard according to the news … days have been hazy with smoke of late.

27.10.12 Rocky Creek Scout Camp

27.10.12

By now you’d realise that we like the peace, quiet and tranquility of our surrounds … where the only thing to disturb the silence are a forest filled with birds, wind through the trees and sounds of leaves falling on mass.  We had decided to go to a 4WD park that’s fairly local to us, but seems they are having a “Do” and we don’t really

13.10.12 Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails

13.10.12

Started out at 0745, which is a smidge earlier than we normally do.  Probably because we were so excited to be going to a campsite just a little over an hour from home and knowing that the day onsite would be longer than normal.  Always a good feeling!  Glenn had actually suggested we head down there Friday night, so perhaps in the future we might do that … bloody work always getting in the way J  Days are getting longer and soon sunset will be around 1900, so we might as well start doing this.  About time Glenn got eager to go camping!

28.09.12 Fordsdale Farmstay

We were lucky enough to have a second Queen’s Birthday public holiday this year thanks to the Lovely Anna Bligh (former Qld State Premier).  We decided that we’d make it a 4 day trip instead simply because we could. 

Having ourselves organised early Friday morning, we were on the road by 0810.  The forecast for the 4 day break was occasional showers and storms for Saturday and Sunday, but we weren’t worried … they did say “occasional”.   Traffic was minimal, so we made good time to site, arriving around 0945. 

15.09.12 Fordsdale Farmstay

This weekend we were off to Fordsdale Farmstay once more.  I had a few other suggestions up my sleeve for new places to go, but the one we wanted won’t answer the phone when I call or return my messages alas.  So it was up for discussion.  Glenn suggested heading back to Murphy’s Creek and when I threw in Fordsdale and their bush camping area up the creek, he said why not.  It hasn’t been raining for awhile, so we should be able to get there.  With this in mind, I made our booking.

01.09.12 Kilkivan Bush Camping

On the road by 0800 and the day is perfect.  Cool, clear, and sunshine as far as the eye can see.  Our trip this weekend is going to take us about 3 hours (road works permitting).  This is the limit of our “area” as we won’t go any further for just a weekend.  In fact, 3 hours is a bit of a stretch on occasion, but one we are willing to make if the destination is worthy. 

18.08.12 Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails

This weekend I’ve planned a sojourn to a relatively close destination.  Somewhere we can be in the hills and admire scenery, but close to a creek in a rural setting not so far from town.  NVAT is the perfect place to spend the weekend.  Although known mainly a horse trail riding place, NVAT does also allow camping with your dog, and it’s about 90K’s from home, which is perfect for a short drive … means we’ll be onsite for longer which is always nice.

04.08.12 Gordon Country

This weekend is our 50^th trip in the camper.  It’s also the weekend for social events in Brisbane: V8’s at Willowbank and Sexpo in town.  But we are going camping because we love it so much.

So, what’s the plan this weekend?  Head to Gordon Country of course.  We love the peace and tranquillity of the place, and the fact that you can camp where ever you like.  Find yourself the perfect spot and you are home.  They have many places to choose from, and with 15k’s of creek frontage, valleys and hills to the ridge line, it’s very easy to find your ideal spot.

21.07.12 Yandilla Dry Weekend

Finally the forecast was for dry weather if somewhat cloudy at the end of a perfect weather week.  We’ll take it!  Come Friday night we still hadn’t decided or even talked about where to head for the weekend which is rather unusual for us.  So do we head for some of our favourites?  Yes of course we do.  Then it’s just a matter of which one … and Yandilla wins out for Glenn, so I ring to make a booking for us.  I’m happy to go anywhere just so long as we go ... as you should be aware by now.

07.07.12 Waterfall Creek Reserve

I made our reservation with the Scenic Rim Council Thursday afternoon, and the lovely ladies there assure me that we’ll be camping alone.  Kind of strange since this is the last weekend of the school holidays.  Glenn is rather stoked that once again, we will be alone.

23.06.12 Clancy's @ Benarkin SF

On the road by 0815 and have a very good trip up to Benarkin State Forest.  We go via Ipswich, Fernvale, Esk, Toogoolawah, Harlin and Moore.  Luckily for us as well, the climb up the range is now open to two lanes so no waiting at the bottom for us this run.  My mum came to visit last week and she said only one lane was operating when she returned home.   

09.06.12 Yandilla Camping & Farmstay

Planned this trip in advance for a change.  We made our booking at Yandilla even before we headed out last time.  It’s the Queens Birthday Diamond Jubilee long weekend so we were making sure we could get into somewhere we enjoyed.  And David promised to save our favourite spot for us as well. 

26.05.12 Glastonbury Creek Camp Ground ... Pups Far North

This week it's Glastonbury Creek Camp Ground. 

When I booked the site, we were the only people onsite, but as the weekend draws near, the numbers onsite are increasing.  A workmate tells me there is a Rally happening around Imbil, so we are hoping that no-one camping near us has much to do with it.  Last time I check we will be camping with 37 others.  We are hoping the campsite isn't

12.05.12 Kenilworth Homestead

With the best weather we’d seen for ages, we headed north.  Our destination this time is Kenilworth Homestead, about 500m north of the Obi Obi Road intersection with Kenilworth – Eumundi Road, which puts it a convenient

27.04.12 Fordsdale Farmstay ... Pups on the Farm

Manage to sneak in another long weekend, so we looked around for somewhere we haven’t been before, that promises peace, quiet and tranquillity.  Fordsdale Farmstay at Fordsdale promises to be what we were looking for.

We are on the road by 0815 and the weather is forecast for wet, wet with a little bit more wet thrown in for good measure and it’s raining as we leave.  Perfect for camping! 

14.04.12 Yandilla Camping and Farmstay … Pups on the Farm

I had a few choices up my sleeve for this weekend.  On the last weekend of the school holidays, we were expecting a couple of them to still be really busy.  One had a 2 night policy which we couldn’t fit into our schedule.  After a chat via email with the owner about our dogs, Yandilla it was.

We were packed and on the road by 0810.  Up the gateway motorway, it’s a left turn at Caboolture to drive along the D'Agular Highway.  Once near Kilcoy, we miss our turn on purpose and stop for a sausage roll at the bakery

30.03.12 Gordon Country … Pups On The Run

30.03.12

We managed to squeeze an extra night into our weekend, so spent no time hitting the road and getting things under way, passing our last set of traffic lights by 0815.  The day is gorgeous and we hope the entire weekend will stay this way. 

Our last trip got rained out (literally) and now the camper has a musty smell when you open the rear draw door … not happy Jan. 

17.03.12 Cobb & Co 9 Mile Camping Ground

On the road at 0800.  Day looks perfect all around.  A little cloudy, but fine.  On the highway, over the Gateway Bridge, traffic is excellent. 

Extreme Swag II - built by gaffer, velcro and beer.

Passed this guy on the way up and the way back.  He headed toward Caboolture.

03.03.12 Murphy’s Creek Escape

The weather bureau predicts hotter than yesterday … so over 32°C … and very sunny.  Excellent camping weather.  That’s what it’s been like all week, but overnight we hear rain on the roof and wake to a dismally overcast day.  And it starts raining as we pack things in the car. 
Glenn has built a ramp for the pups to get in the dog box on their own and surprisingly, by the time we finish camping for the weekend, they are getting used to coming up and down it which is fantastic.  However, the first few times we use it, it’s hilarious. 

18.02.12 Paddys Flat (ClarenceRiver)

We started our day even earlier than usual and were on the road by 0738.  It’s overcast and has sprinkled.  Not the gorgeous weather predicted.  Oh well.  Never mind.  I’m happy just to be leaving suburbia behind for a short while.

Our destination reportedly a 4x4 must do in northern New South Wales.  I’ve done a bit of research into Paddys Flat Road and found 2 4x4 campsites along this road.  As we have the pups with us again, we can’t stay in either.  A bit disappointing, but living with dogs you get used to not being able to access all areas.

04.02.12 Gordon Country ... Pups Out In the Country

So we are packed up and on the road at 0755.  Pretty early for us Weekend Warriors, but we wanted to be on the road earlier than usual … see if we could actually do it I guess.  We head out to Ipswich, where our NavWoman (me) makes a mistake.  Easy enough though since they’ve changed everything around … or at least that’s a great excuse.  We end up heading for Toowoomba rather than Warwick, but I know a quick way back to the highway we need.  Thankfully the shortcut is still where I last saw it.  We are back on the Cunningham Highway losing about 5 minutes.

The trip to the Aratula is fairly uneventful.  We do get stuck behind a bloke doing 80 for about 40k’s though … that’s about the highlight.  Once in Aratula

21.01.12 Murphys Creek Escape – Pups Are Out Again.

We are packed and ready to leave at 0915.  I had to stop at the Post Office to pick up a magazine I’m subscribed to … they won’t leave it in my PO Box alas.  It’s an uneventful drive west on the Darren Lockyer Way(recently named) from Ipswich to Helidon, where we turn off heading north towards Murphys Creek.  Once on Thomas Road, it’s just a few short kilometres to our destination.

As we drive through the property, we count only 5 or 6 filled campsites, so they aren’t overly busy this weekend.  There is room for hundreds of campers, but today lots of empty spaces. 

07.01.12 Riverbend & Sharp Park – Puppies Big Weekend Out

Wanted somewhere close to home this time, somewhere we could go and be in some water before lunch with the pups.  Two solutions are within 100k’s of home, so it’s a choice between the two … which ever is the least busy I guess.  So we decide to check out the 2 sites a short drive from Cunungra … Riverbend & Sharp Park and the alternative being Spring Gully Stays.

We are in 2 cars, as we have The Kid with us for 2 weekends, so that we can bring all the pups as well.  Working on a solution for a one vehicle ride, but that’s a little while off yet