QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – Sunday 17^th to Saturday 23^rd October 2004

Perambulations of the ‘Round-the-Worlders’

Leonard SYMONDS (54A) & his wife Brenda

[Reporter & ‘Ead ‘Itter: George MILLIE]

Day Five – Gold Coast Hinterland

Thursday 21^st October

We awoke to an overcast sky and the promise of rain to come. Marion had her heart set on taking Len and Brenda to Mount Tamborine, a beauty spot set amid rainforest in the Gold Coast hinterland. A drive of about three hours lay ahead of us and I felt somewhat less than confident about the navigation – after all, it had been at least twenty years since our last visit and during the intervening time the road system had undergone a dramatic upgrade.

We called a brief halt in Logan City for refreshment and ‘blessed relief’ before continuing the journey into territory that I no longer recognized. I am not ashamed to admit that I became completely lost, the out-of-date map being of little assistance to me. Not unexpectedly I directed Len to take an incorrect turn and we found ourselves off course. Turning back I managed to regain my composure and by some minor miracle found the correct route. We soon left the built-up area of Logan in our wake and from that point it was a clear run to our destination.

From Tamborine Village at the foot of the mountain the road climbs snakelike through the rainforest to the summit, a haven for the intrepid traveller. Since our last visit the facilities have been developed to cater for the ever-increasing tourist trade with shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels scattered throughout the small settlement. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the day was the sun that shone through the slowly dispersing clouds, to return just as we were departing at about 3 pm to commence the long trip home.

“Country Garden Café” [photo: George Millie]

“Mount Tamborine Vineyard & Winery” [photos: George Millie]

Stylised “Ned Kelly” advertising the restaurant …

… and an invitation to taste the produce.

“Fudge Heaven” – ‘Adults Only’ is open to interpretation! [photo: George Millie]

We ate lunch at a small restaurant – unfortunately not licensed to serve alcohol – and I was suffering the pangs of being denied my usual glass or two of red wine. We drove around the top of the mountain taking in the sights and stopped close to the point where lunatics throw themselves with gay abandon into the ether, relying solely upon a parachute to take them safely to the valley floor below. Clearly visible was the smoke from distant bushfires, as can be seen in the photographs below.

“Panorama” – three views panning left-to-right [photos: George Millie]

Not wishing to tempt fate and to avoid at all costs history repeating itself I made the unilateral decision to take an alternative and, on the map at least, a more direct route to the Warrego Highway. The rain fell sporadically throughout the return journey and by the time we were ‘within sight’ of Toowoomba it proved not to be so – the city, normally clearly visible atop the Range, was all but obscured from sight by an almost impenetrable pall of cloud and rain. So ended another very enjoyable day spent in superb company.

Day Six

Published: October 2004

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