2022 September - Isla Gorge, Blackdown Tableland, Airlie Beach, Claireview, Rockhampton

  Left Rockhampton at 8:15 a.m. and arrived Home at 2:00 p.m. Our trip

  First thing we made our way back to Mt Etna National Park to do the walk to the Bat Cleft. It is the largest know breeding colony of micro bars in Australia. This was a 2km walk with many, many steps. The entry to the Bat Cleft was chained off. It can only be accessed by a tour from November to April when the bats come back to give birth. Next to the entrance are pinnacles of ancient limestone karst. We walked across the road from the Bat Cleft and there were ruins from the mining days. Then we went on to Mt Archer and did a couple of short walks at the top.  After lunch we went to Baga National Park and climbed Jim Crow Mountain. It was just about straight up with lots of hands and knees climbing. I only made it half way but Glen made it to the top. Today we walked 9.1 km, did 13 923 steps and climbed 74 floors.  Mt Etna Mt Etna Bat cleft Bat cleft Limestone karst Limestone karst Mt Etna - mined Mt Etna- not mined Mining ruins Mining ruins View of Rockhampton from Mt Archer View fro

  Left at 8:00 a.m. Arrived at 10:30 a.m. After lunch we went to the Mt Etna National Park and did a 1km cultural walk and found a disused cave. Info hut Info hut  Sunset at caravan park

Our view.  A relaxing few days at Clairview - fishing (one whiting caught but lots of bait taken), snacking on very small oysters on the rocks, walking, riding, reading and playing rumikub and crib.

  Left at 8:15 a.m. Arrived at 12:00 p.m.  

  Spent time with Luke and family and bike rides, walking and fishing. Airlie Beach Lagoon

  Football carnival both days. Parker received an award from the opposition team following his first game. Luke, as coach, dressed up in the spirit of the atmosphere. Fancy Dress as coach Parker's award

Walkway Left at 8:30 a.m. Arrived at Airlie Beach at 2:00 p.m. Had tea with Luke, Melissa, Parker and Hunter as well as Mel's parents. Braxton stayed in Townsville as he had an Oztag game, swimming and a football camp to go to.

  Left the campsite at 8:00 a.m. and walked the 3km ‘Drylands’ walk. There was a 1960‘s miner's hut at the entrance. A unusual seat was on display. Padding around a tree trunk. We left Sapphire at 8:45 a.m. Birthday cuppa and cake after lunch at Carmel's Cafe at Coppabella. Arrived a Funnel Creek at 2:20 p.m. A great place for a swim in summertime. We cooked frozen pies in the camp oven and potatoes in the coals for tea.  Entrance to Wetlands walk Sapphire Wetlands Walk Miners Hut Miners Hut seat Birthday morning tea at Coppabella Funnel Creek Funnel Creek Funnel Creek Camp oven tea at Funnel Creek

Left at 8:20 a.m. We did the Goodela (Two Mile Creek) 1 hour walk, on the way out and heard a few pobblebonks along the way. We really enjoyed our stay at this National park.   Two Mile Creek walk Two Mile Creek walk Two Mile Creek walk Two Mile Creek Walk Two Mile Creek walk We arrived at Sapphire at 2:30 p.m. and camped at a free camp at the reserve. We unloaded the bikes and decided to explore Sapphire. We thought it would be a short ride but ended up being over an hour. We found the Wetlands (dry lands) and rode the 2.7km circuit. On the way home we saw some cattle grazing in the main street.  Cows grazing in Main Street, Sapphire Cows grazing in Main Street ‘Drylands’