We
proceeded down the first ‘transport section’ in
beautiful sunshine. On to Innisplain Road through the horse stud
area and we saw a huge goods train with 3 engines winding its
way through the Valley. Running Creek
was a running theme with one lane bridge crossings featuring throughout. On
to the 1.8km Lions Road
into NSW which follows Gradys Creek. Kyogle Lions has a collection box for
donations to fund maintenance
of this road linking NSW and Queensland. Dean and David compared notes on the
lack of appropriate gear
as they appeared to run out of puff. At the Border Loop Lookout we could track
the railway line’s loop
through the tunnels. Red Cedar used to be cut around here but then the timber-getters
turned to hoop
pine when the cedar ran out. Border Ranges was declared a World Heritage
area in 1986.
Morning
tea was outside ‘O’Grady’s General Store’.
Everything you could ever want was here: boxes of old spectacles, discarded building supplies, questionable hardware, time-weary
bric-a-brac and things like
multicoloured steering wheel covers and an Ugly Dave Gray LP as well as the
scooter which caught Rob Bob’s
eye. From there it was on to the Tweed Scenic Drive where we paid $7 for a
day pass to drive the 40 km
road. On the way, we stopped at the Brindle Creek Lookout with huge Helmholtzia
Lillies by the
creek bank. Cameramad Kaylum was leaping around the tree roots like the great
athlete he obviously is. The next overgrown lookout was a bit ho-hum until
Larissa lost her wedding ring alighting from the car. David heroically crawled
underneath to retrieve it. The Pinnacle Lookout was worth the 200m walk although
it has become so overgrown we couldn’t actually see the Pinnacles but
Mt. Warning and the Bluff Lookout were impressive. It was a much easier walk than the one to Brummies on the
other side of the valley which
we did in May. We had lunch in the chilly but clear air at Bluff Lookout and
stopped at Bar Mountain lookout after that where the Beech Glade was greeted less enthusiastically than the
mossy table.
Brakes
in a couple of the Rangies were smoking as we descended the
long hill so the drivers judiciously
selected low range for the remainder of the hill. Once on Kyogle Road, the
decision was made to stop at
the Mt Burrell Fruit Shop for coffees or ice-creams and the plan was to continue
home through
the Currumbin Valley. We elected not to stop as we were leaving early the next
morning for Thargaminda.
Although
we had an ignominious end, it had been a great day with Paul
making sure we didn’t miss anything.
Thanks Paul and Kay.
Deidre |
