Leaving Brisbane I travelled up over Cunninghams Gap and onto the Darling Downs passing several bushfires along the way.
The main highway leads you to Ballendean where you make the turn for Sundown
The road wanders through private property before coming to the gate leading into Sundown National Park
I drove up to Red Rock Gorge and walked down to the lookout
I was treated to a magnificent red sunset over the gorge.
The small dam at the camping area was alive with several different frogs
The camping area has a toilet but no fences ... great spot to spend the night :)
Next morning i packed and after a bit of a walk around the place, headed out.
The track leads past the old Beacroft Mine which has been fenced off but allows a close up view of the shaft as it drops into the depths.
The cleared areas allow a fantastic view of the surrounding hills
This Prickly Pear was actually growing out of the top of an old fence post
I took the right fork and headed down the hill, the area used to host cattle so there are quite a few old yard left around
The track stops at Reedy Waterhole and with the hot day and lukewarm water i couldn't resist a swim although the rocks are very very slippery.
I backtracked then turned right and headed for Burrows Waterhole where i again jumped in for a swim.
There are some nice shaded campsites along here right next to the Severn River.
When i tried to climb the steep rutted hill towards Hell Hole i broke an engine mount and shorted out the fridge wiring so had to disconnect the battery and carefully reverse off the hill.
I crossed towards Rats castle and found a shady spot to make some repairs.
A ratchett strap around the chassis held the engine down as i had a fairly rough climb coming up as i neared Burrows Waterhole.
We made it back up the hill and i stopped at the old yards on top of the hill to check over everything and have a look around.
This Old Roo was not about to be moved along easily from his shady spot under the old watertank.
On the way out of the park i took the "Lower Track" back to the park entrance, this track is much more interesting than the main "Upper Track"
Sundown is a place where it is very cold in winter and very hot in summer but its good fun for a weekends camping and exploring.
The 2WD section:
After a day down at Southpoint i decided to check out the 2WD section at the south west end of Sundown National Park.
There is and old homestead and some old equipment just opposite the Ranger Station at the entrance to the park.
Not far away is the Broadwater Camping area and end of the track, I'm afraid the fenced in area doesn't really do it for me :(
I decided to take a walk and have a bit of a look around, the track followed the fence for quite a while.
There was no water at all in Ooline Creek.
Permanent Waterhole on the Severn River still had plenty of water so i took the opportunity to have another swim.
Back at the campsite there is an old Donkey Boiler.
To operate you fill it to the top with water and light the fire under it then when its hot you pour some more water in the funnel and it flows out into the metal bucket which you then carry to the shower cubical and fill the shower head, then just hoist it up and your away. :)
I passed the old homestead again on the way out.
The campsite are all right beside the road so you would be getting pretty dusty so i would much prefer the 4WD section.
Still ... anywhere is better than sitting at home :)
4WD section:
2WD section:
2 comments:
Hi there, I am interested to know, when you say that one end is for 4x4 and the other for motorcycles, is this an enforced rule, or are you just making a recommendation?
Also, do you have any GPS track logs?
He said 4wd only on the northern side ( you would not be able to drive a standard car there) while the southern side is accessible by all cars ie standard 2wd cars.
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