Our journey has taken us north, camping near the beach at Moore Park, enjoying afternoon and morning walks along the beach. The birdlife is abundant but the urban footprint has expanded into the coastal woodland and dry rainforest habitat, diminishing the abundance and variety of birds. Long ago I use to walk through this coastal thicket looking for the elusive Coxen Fig parrot as the area supported many types of large fig trees, I often came across scatter maidens (old piles of cooked shellfish discarded by indigenous folk who were long removed from this region). Now much of this land has been replaced by houses and their exotically grown plants.
We spend one night at Moore Park and travel the back roads through Gin Gin, then along the Gin Gin Mt Perry Road, through the old Boolboonda train tunnel to Mt Perry. The tunnel is the longest free standing tunnel of its type in Queensland , it also supports a wonderful population of Large Bent-wing bats.
We do enjoy exploring the less travelled roads, less traffic and many interesting sites along them.
Mt Perry is an historic town it’s very worthwhile exploring the town with its mining history and beautiful old buildings. We visited the lookout and the site of an old copper smelter. There is an old Melbourne tram at the Men’s Shed, the significance is that it was given to them as the gold in the 2018 Melbourne Cup came from Mt Perry.
We stop for lunch adjacent to the local council caravan park at Mingo Crossing on the Burnett River located on the back waters of Paradise Dam. It appears to be a very clean and well run park.
We continue via Yenda Road to cross the Burnett River then onto Mundubeera. The road is chiefly dirt, quiet and gives you a picturesque view of the Burnett River, worthy of a stop to paddle and take photos.
We camp at the show grounds and spend the afternoon exploring the town. The story about the Allbrand wagon gave an interesting insight into past lives, the horse drawn wagon was built to carry possum skins, perform farm duties and racing. Thankfully possums are now protected.
