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Kids Enjoying Gardner's Falls at Maleny
These boys were really having fun climbing up this rock face and jumping down the falls into the deep pool below. We had a bit of a lie-in and then went into Maleny to find the electric cable. I also managed to find a little steamer to use for reheating food when we have no power. Then we strolled around the centre and I took photos of all the lovely carved roof-animals I could find, including an elephant, a gorilla, a kiwi, a dingo, several possums, a rooster, a black cockatoo, a bilby hiding in a log, an Alice-in-Wonderland caterpillar sitting on a mushroom, and – to my delight - a dragon. I also looked in a couple of the galleries, much to Barry’s disgust. The “Peace of Green” Gallery was the nicest and had some lovely glass vases and sculptures, wood-turned decorative pieces, nice jewellery and a gorgeous copper dragon wrapped around a tree stump.
We then went into the Tourist Information Centre to get ideas for the rest of the day. The lady also recommended trying some amazing ice-cream from Colin James’ Fine Foods just a few doors away. We took her advice and indulged. I had a double tub with Rockmelon Sorbet and Lychee Ice cream with bits of ginger and dark chocolate all through it. It was
The view from Gerrard's Lookout, Maleny
This lovely spot is popular with Paragliders but not today. all totally scrumptious! Barry also had the Lychee and some Honeycomb, of which he preferred the first.
We then set off for our first sight-seeing spot, Gardner’s Falls, which is a cascade rather than a falls, with a small drop into a deep pool at the end. It is a favourite swimming and picnic spot for families and very pretty. We watched a group of lads jumping off the rocks into the pool and then getting very brave and swinging on a rope higher up the slope and dropping into the water. They were having a ball, despite complaining that the water was cold. On the way back to the ute I stopped to look at a broad-leafed shrub. A couple passing by told me not to touch it as it was a stinging tree and very painful. They said that the sting could last for months and the only thing that would stop it was leg wax, which pulled out the fine hairs it left in the skin! Needless to say, I left it alone.
The next spot on our tour was Gerrard’s Lookout, which is a popular spot for Paragliders to launch from at 1,230 feet
Glasshouse Mountains
These are just a few of the Glasshouse Mountains (I couldn't fit more into one shot). They are the cores of long dead volcanoes that have eroded away leaving these strange and wonderful shapes. high, but the wind was in the wrong direction today. The view was lovely, though.
We then went to the Mary Cairncross Park, another very popular spot for families to picnic and enjoy the views. There was also a Rainforest Walk and a small information centre about the rainforest. We had lunch in the park first, sitting under a Red Cedar tree. Then we crossed the road to look at the wonderful view of the Glasshouse Mountains. These strangely shaped mountains are the basalt cores of long gone volcanoes. Beyond them we could see all the way to the sea and, away in the mist, we could just make out the tall skyline of Brisbane.
We then paid our gold coin donation and were given the guide sheet for the rainforest walk. It was quite dark, despite the bright sunlight outside. We could hear lots of birds singing and calling throughout the forest. The walking track was easy to walk on and sometimes became boardwalk, where it passed over a swampy area. It would have been very peaceful under there if it weren’t for all the children racing through with their families and the constant stream of people
The Rainforest Walk at Mary Cairncross Park
The trees all through the rainforest were really tall. You can just see Barry at the base of this tree which is covered by a Strangler Fig. You can also see some of the Walking Stick Palms. (of which we were part, of course!)
There were lots of Black Bean trees, with the huge black bean pods lying on the ground underneath. They have four or five seeds inside, the size of conkers, and can be eaten but require a lot of processing to make them palatable. The Aboriginal people turn them into a kind of flour to cook with.
We also saw some very tall and straight Walking Stick Palms and some Piccabeen palms that the Aboriginals use the base of the leaves as containers, which we could understand when we saw one on the ground full of water and smaller leaves. In fact most of the trees were very tall including a highlight of the walk, the group of Strangler Figs that had killed the host trees and were now self-supporting, huge and hollow. There were also some Rose Gums, which were about 500 years old and shouldn’t even be in the sub-tropical environment. They had evidently grown there before it became so hot and wet and would not be able to reproduce as they need fire to open the seed pods, which is unlikely in the rainforest. There was also a large
Grey-headed Flying Foxes roosting in a Rose Gum.
They have lovely golden fur on their chests, which gleamed in the sunlight above the canopy, they were so high up in these tall trees. The Rose Gums are more than 500 years old. colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes roosting and squabbling in them, with their bright orange chests gleaming in the sunlight at the top of the trees. We’d been told there were Pademelon Wallabies in the forest, too, but we didn’t see any.
We did spot a few small birds on the ground feeding as it got darker but they were hard to identify. We’re pretty sure some were Eastern Yellow Robins and we could hear the sound of babies crying deeper in the bush, which is the call of the Green Catbird, although we never saw one.
We emerged into the late afternoon sunlight and walked across the road for a last look at the Glasshouse Mountains, gleaming in the lowering sun. Then off to our last stop before it got dark, McCarthy’s Lookout. We passed a wedding party arriving to have photos taken against the amazing backdrop of the mountains. Something for them to remember.
At McCarthy’s Lookout, we discovered that we were looking at a different view of the Glasshouse Mountains, more side on, but equally lovely.
Feeling pleasantly tired after all our fresh air and exercise, we headed back to the van.
The Gorgeous Copper Dragon, Maleny
This lovely sculpture was in a gallery in Maple Street, Maleny. I wanted him but he wouldn't fit in the van. We’re in for an early morning wake-up tomorrow as the “Muscle on the Mountain” Car Rally is at the Maleny Showgrounds, opening at 9am, so all the cars will be arriving early.
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Snap Shot Stacey
Snap Shot Stacey
Stunning! Love the quality of the light.