natural grandeur | alligator gorge

A lovely sunny morning walk in Alligator Gorge this past weekend. There was more water in the creek than when we last visited, burbling over the rocks in some places & still pools in others - reflecting the grand walls of the gorge. With rich colours, beautiful scenery, some lovely flowers, a profusion of butterflies & a gentle breeze - it made for an altogether lovely outing.

a walk in the (national) park | Alligator Gorge

We had gorgeous weather over the Easter weekend & spent Good Friday exploring Alligator Gorge. It was the perfect day for it - mild & a little sunny, with a nice breeze - & we thoroughly enjoyed our wander, listening to birdsong, enjoying nature & being awe-struck at the magnificent scenery.

After enjoying the views from the look-outs, we ventured down the stairs into the gorge, walked along the terraces, followed the path (&/or creek bed) through the gorge - marvelling at the vast, layered walls (& the trees & grasses managing to grow there) - & climbed back up to the top for lunch.

It was an altogether lovely way to spend the day...

more photos from our walk over on Kathryn's blog...

twin falls | queensland { part 1 }

from the Canyon lookout, down towards Twin Falls - ferns, streams, trees, clefts, scattered light & mossy rocks...

{ part 2 }

bundaleer forest | part 2

{ Part 2 of our visit to Bundaleer Forest - see Part 1 here }

By the time we finished morning tea there were more showers, but undeterred, we set off on the 'Scenic walk'. The first challenge was crossing the flowing creek without getting our feet totally soaked - with a bit of team work we managed pretty well. The sun came out briefly as we looked at the forest sculptures along the way.

It was soon raining again, alternating between light & heavier showers, with the occasional burst of sunshine. This walk is supposed to include a view over the valley, but we managed to miss that loop of the walk - a little disappointing, but considering how wet & windy it was, probably just as well. The track follows the road for a while & there were some nice views over the farmland.

We'll just have to go again some time soon, perhaps on a drier day. Despite the sogginess it was a fun outing - we even saw a rainbow - and it finished well with lunch back at the picnic ground.

part 1 | a past walk in a forest in the rain

a walk in the rain | Mt Ellen

Last week we headed into the Wirrabara Forest to walk the trail up Mt Ellen (there are a few steep bits, but it's not a big climb like Mt Remarkable). The plan was to have morning tea & take some family portraits at the top.

As we drove into the forest though, the rain started falling - we decided to go on anyway & it was a wet but fun walk. It rained pretty steadily for most of the time, with a few breaks & a couple of heavier showers in between. You can't really tell in these photos, but it was pretty wet & mushy under foot.

Normally you can see a long way from the top, but everything was shrouded in misty rain, that & the wind meant we decided against tea & portraits at the top. Instead, after we made our way back to the car we drove to the picnic ground & sat under the shelter there to have our lunch/morning tea.

photo 4 (of the lookout sign) was taken by Kathryn, all the others are mine.

a loooooong walk...

So, last Wednesday we went for a little 20km walk. From home (Laura) to the Wirrabara Forest.

(I didn't take any photos during the walk, these two are courtesy of Amy....more here)

We (that is - Amy, Kathryn, Adam & yours truly) set off at about 9am, arriving in Stone Hut (almost half way) in just over two hours. Mum & Dad met us there with lunch, extra water & juice.
Dad joined us for the remainder of the walk, while Mum headed home to collect the others & also the cupcakes, tea & coffee.
We were very, very glad to arrive at the picnic ground & sit down :)

 after our delicious afternoon tea, we hung around for a while & took some instants....these are mine

It was all Kathryn's idea....I'm glad I chose to go, but I won't be doing it again any time soon :)

oO oo o { bubbles } Oo oo O

& a bonus photo of Archie :)

these photos are from a recent family trip to Wirrabara Forest.
all photos taken by me :)