A Long Hike

This morning we visited the information centre. It is run by Qld National Parks. Lots of info about how the unusual land formed here, the indigenous history, which is dated back at least 28000 years, and the recent few hundred years of settlement in this area.

This place is special. It feels special. It feels light and welcoming yet so very old and solid and predictable.

We walked 6ks return to Royal Arch Cave but it was locked. You have to pay to tour there. Thete is plenty to see and do for free. This walk helped us feel the country. And I got to see a pretty big snake (dont ask me what) that crossed my path. I heard a rustle in the grass to the right of the path. I thought it was a lizard at first, and propped, but then a brown/blackish/reddish 1.5m snake slithered very fast across the track into the higher grass on the other side. How awesome was that.

And we were so surprised to have to cross a little stream. It is the dry season and this walk would not be happening when the rain increases.

We then had lunch at the local pub. I had THE BEST freshly crumbed whiting and chips. Bara for Mick. What a surprise this meal was. I will get online and give them a great review.

We drove out to the Mungana section of the park. Lots of photos. A person can't help it because its quite amazing.

This is one of the caves you can visit on your own. Mick crawled through in one and ended up a bit disorientated. Though there was no way to get completely lost he was glad to meet two people who passed me in the previous chamber where I waited and they explained to follow the rope. In these caves everything looks similar.

We have decided to stay another night.

A few more sites to see. 2 more free caves to explore and balancing rock and the old smelter and weir to visit tomorrow. And also a motor museum collected by an 88 year old collector. He is next door to the park. And the man at the post office told Mick about this old man and his motor collection.

Mick is of doing the observatory tonight. He might have some photos of that to share tomorrow.Read more