Brisvegas 2.0. Days 3 & 4

I finished my last blog with four simple words, "Or so I thought".

My plan was to get up early on Wednesday morning as I knew that I had at least seventy-five km's to travel. Not knowing how hilly the terrain was I wanted to be prepared time wise.

Little did I know on Tuesday night that I went to bed that I would have a dog across the road from the caravan park bark continually ALL NIGHT. Along with the barking dog, there is also a fabrication plant up behind the park that works nights.Tents being far from sound proof sleep eluded me that night, and when the alarm happen to go off in the morning all I wanted to do wanted to do was through my phone to kingdom come.

So with a stiff neck from tossing and turning and a head that was pounding like it had a built in jack hammer I opted for a layover day in Kingaroy. I did allow an extra day as a precaution if a 'just in case' scenario might arise. It was also below 0*C and I wasn't going to tackle the cold as well as the presumed hills the way I felt.

I opted for a lazy day lounging around the park and after a good sleep in I got up and attempted to get a little motivated for the day. After some scrambled eggs and several strong coffees I felt a little life return to an otherwise lifeless and lethargic body. After the breakfast clean up I grabbed my tablet and charged it up as a prelude to a supposed blog attempt. But hey what could I say, I needed much more coffee...lol.

It was probably late morning when I decided to get out and about. I headed up town once again and looked around the main central business district. A pretty lazy day indeed and it really didn't amount to much in the excitement stakes. It was never going to.

After lunch it was time for a nanna nap. It was still cool in the tent as it was well shaded...ahhhhh the serenity. Quietness welled over me and the relaxation that can come from something so simple...priceless.

After the nap I knew that I had to get going on the Thursday morning early so I began the pack up in the afternoon. I checked over the bike and gave the chain a clean and lube, repaired some bar tape that had worked it's way loose and began packing what I wouldn't need throughout that afternoon and night.

Dinner time was around, the curried chicken and vegetables along with the rice weren't far off being ready. I knew I couldn't take the left over Shiraz with me so I polished that off. After all, it had been opened. I didn't want it to oxidise too much and go off.

It was an early night that night, although a little apprehensive. But it was relatively quiet. Either that or I was too tired and I didn't hear a thing.

Thursday morning, Day Four, had come. The alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. and the temperature was down to - 1.9*C and feeling like - 4.9*C, and yes, it felt every bit of it. I am so glad that I decided to go to bed dressed for the next day.

I dragged my self out around 6:00 a.m. and eventually hit the road just after 7:00 a.m. With the temp still below zero, steamed pouring from breath, frost on the ground and with the sun was shining with no heat in it, it was time to head off.

I was particularly excited about this day. Mainly because I was getting a chance to travel the newly mapped connection route between the South Burnett Rail Trail in Kingaroy, to the beginning of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in Yarraman. When I was originally planning this trip in November/December of 2016 I was planning my route to take me up through the back of the Bunya Mountains. I would ride up and across to Maidenwell and then down via Coomba Falls onto the New England Hwy. I still wouldn't mind doing this one day. But this new route offered a chance to be off main roads more and that is an offer I can't refuse.

The trip started out via Kingaroy's airport and observatory and out via a myriad of back roads across the back of Toorong State Forest. It was the perfect day. The weather remained cool, the roads deserted, many a forestry road, fantastic scenery with plenty of daylight to do it in.

I did have a few issues in the morning. The new route was linked via Garmin Connect which I downloaded and saved as a course. It took me a couple of attempts of going in the opposite direction as I tapped in "Navigate To Start". It took me a little while to realise that the start was at Yarraman, not Kingaroy. A simple mistake and I got use to my Garmin telling me I was "off course". I just followed the yellow brick road, or in this case, the thin red line.

Even though the terrain was hilly it was quite negotiable on a laden touring bike. Although there was one hill I didn't think was ever going to end. I walk ninety percent of it and needed a good rest. Fortunately after that one it was all down hill into Yarraman.

The scenery was magnificent. It ranged from dry rain forest to open pastures, hilly lush grazing land and it was ever changing. With every turn in the road came a new and breathtaking view.

The back roads brought me out approximately a kilometer north of Yarraman, almost at the 80 km sign on the outskirts of town. I rolled down into town and headed left off the D'Aguilar Hwy into Millar St. Just up from the corner, on the right hand side is the Heritage Center. I stopped primarily for a map of the trail, and the booklet that the BVRT User Group has had published. The ladies here are friendly, it wasn't long before I was sitting down to a cuppa and a few bickies before heading off to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail for the very first time.
Only five-hundred meters up the road and there it was, the start of one of, if not, the main reason for this ride...The BVRT.

It had been a very long time that I had wanted to do this trail. But never owning a bike that was capable of doing it was something that had stopped me. Ever since I started touring the urge and desire only grew stronger.

The BVRT caught my attention when I was looking into the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT). The BNT is a trail that is used by horse riders, hikers and cyclists that run s from the northside of Melbourne in Victoria, to Cooktown in Qld's north. All five thousand five hundred kilometers of it.
When I was looking into this I found out about the BVRT, and when I started asking questions I found that a few of my friends had ridden it, or sections of it.

The BVRT is a trail that is approximately one hundred and sixty five kilometers long. It runs south from Yarraman through Blackbutt, Linville Moore, Esk, Fernvale and finishes at Wulkuraka on the western side of Ipswich near Brisbane.
It is an old branch line that started progressively opening from 1884 to 1913. Passenger transport ceased in 1964 with the whole line closing in the early 1990's. In 2007 the State Government announced funding for what would be 'The Longest Rail Trail In Australia'. The rest is history. A big hats off to the Lobby Group that got it all started, the BVRT User Group, and to the local councils that have joined in. They have all done a marvelous job.

Unlike the SBRT section that runs from Murgon to Kingaroy, the BVRT is not sealed. The only sealed sections on the BVRT are on the detour route that runs from Moore to Toogoolawah. But this will not be used once this section of trail is completed.  It is dirt all the way.

The trail itself isn't hard, but there are challenging sections on it. More the creek crossings than anything. The sections north of Benarkin, which was my first night's camp, are riddled with gates. There are plans in place to put better infrastructure in.

Once I hit the trail at Yarramn I was just over the moon. Again, I was surprised at the surface, the Kona loves this kind of terrain. It was getting late in the afternoon by now, my continual stops for photo and video opps, and my long winded chat at the Heritage Center had put me behind. My original aim was to make Linville but I knew by mid afternoon that this wouldn't happen, with Blackbutt being my next option.

I rolled into Blackbutt around 4:30 p.m. and knowing it wasn't far to Benarkin I headed for there. It was virtually down hill all the way, and with the exception of more gates, I made good ground. I reached Benarkin around 5:00 p.m.

I was so surprised when I reached Benarkin. I knew there was a free camp there, but hot showers as well...wow. I found a flat spot on the basket ball court and set up my tent. It was right next to a picnic table so I set up my kitchen there, and stored the bike and my gear under cover. Showers were two dollars for what seemed an eternity, I only wished the shower would have taken a twenty dollar note.

It wasn't long before the evening air began to cool off rapidly, another chilly night by the looks of it. At least my new down sleeping bag was getting a good work out. I rugged up well after my shower and settled into a hot coffee whist I was preparing dinner. An old friend that I hadn't heard from for a long time massaged me so we chatted for a while. It was good to hear from him, and I'm glad he is doing well.

I sat up for a while after that just listening to the quietness. Even though there were a few caravaners parked up there they were all very quiet and headed off to the sack long before I did. So in the end it was about 10:00 p.m. when I retired.

Even though Benarkin is off the highway a little bit a light hum could be heard, but nothing too annoying. Then,,,lol...it started. It was either the gentleman, or the lady, in the caravan just down from me started snoring. It was like an old out of tune McCholloch chainsaw ripping through the forest. I kind of laughed myself to sleep, it was just like being at home...lol.

Brisvegas 2.0. Day 2

I awoke as the sun started to rise through the thickets and trees. I looked outside of the tent to see the skies blue with only some snippets of clouds scattered throughout the lightening sky.

I knew I had only about fifty kilometers to do today so I wasn't in that much of a hurry to rise completely. Being overcast throughout the night had made it warmer with no dew to drench the tent and fly, so I just laid there listening to the bird singing in the dawn.

I suppose it was about 7:00 am when I finally rose and it wasn't long before the billy was on an the porridge was simmering. Once breakfast was finished I began to pack up my gear and attempt to get ready enough to embark on the day's journey. I didn't rush with this task so I assume it was around 9:00 am when the Kona was packed and raring to go.

I continued West along the SBRT excited about my first ride on an official rail trail. The trail continued to be relatively flat as clouds started to thicken above. I thought to myself, "I'll just make sure my rain gear is handy". But within the next ten minutes there wasn't a cloud to be seen.

The sky blue, shade from the trees lined along the side of the trail and with a very slight headwind the morning seemed to be getting cooler as it progressed. Hey, I didn't mind cool, it's far better than wet.

I hadn't been traveling along the trail that long when I couple riding approached from the opposite direction. We met in the middle of the trail with hellos and chatted for a good fifteen minutes and they informed me about the trail ahead. After hearing my planned trip they were able to give me a heads up for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail as well. We parted ways and continued to travel our respective ways.

Remnants of a by-gone era. Wondai Butter factory

By mid morning I was coming into Wondai and thought that I would look for a bakery or cafe for a coffee. As I stopped a gentleman came over and started asking about my bike and where I was headed. It was here that I found out that if I had ridden an extra eight kilometers the day before I could have camped at a designated free camp with full amenities. Yes, toilets and hot showers...the things you learn along the way...lol.

The old freight scales at Wondai

After stopping and checking out the amenities and a small ride around town I found a bakery close to the trail. Coffee and a pie was the order, I scoffed it down and continued merrily on my way.

It is from Wondai that the trail appears to follow the Bunya Hwy with very little deviance. Traffic can be heard, but to be honest, rarely seen. It is also from Wondai that the scenery begins to change as well. The trees seem to thin out and give way to grazing land and crops. The soil deep red with the dryness of the grass set with a background of deep green of the mountains in the distance was breathtaking. All this amidst a clear blue sky, what more could I hope for.

Wondai also gives way to small towns being of closer proximity to one another. I suppose this is the wonderful part of the Murgon to Kingaroy section; the fact that a town is not much more than ten kilometers apart from the next.

Heading pretty well south now, I made my way through the little townships of Tingoora, Wooroolin, and Memerambi before entering via the North Western side of Kingaroy. These little townships are small and quaint and offer as much as a general store, a coffee stop and, oh yes, the great Aussie icon; the country pub. They, like Wondai, off the usual are for free camping with toilets and a playground for the kids.

As I approached Youngman Street (The Bunya Hw) in Kingaroy I pulled over to the side of the trail to check to see where the Showgrounds were. A couple of gentlemen I had passed on the trail earlier in the day came up to the end of the trail. We chattered for around fifteen minutes before I headed south through town to set up camp.

I rolled into the Kingaroy Showgrounds Caravan Park around 2:30 p.m. booke in and began to set up. The people here are friendly and far more than accommodating. As they were expecting tempuratures to drop below zero over the next couple of nights they had me set up in a small hut like structure similar to a small camp kitchen. There wasn't any power as I didn't want or need any, but the amenities were close by and a picnic table was in place in the hut.

After setting up I decided it would be nice for a little walk. I headed up town and found the local shopping center and went inside. I found a good butcher where a sirlion steak was the order. I also found another necessary shop, the bott-lo (bottleshop). The proprietor dragged me inside and forced me to purchase a couple of tallies (long neck bottles of beer) and a fruity little Shiraz. I surrendered to the idea in the interest of good will.

After stretching my legs around town a little longer I headed back to my restful spot and partook in a cold beer, some smoked oysters I had with me, along with some cheese and crackers. There's no need at all to do it tough folks.

 had intended to blog and update things, but it was getting chilly and a little dark by now. The steak was prepared, rare as always, with some vegies and packet pasta. Washed down by a little of the Shiraz then finished with a good strong coffee, it was the perfect finish to an otherwise perfect day.

Or so I thought...

Brisvegas 2.0. Day 1.

Finally, a chance to do my Brisbane do-over. Six days to get it done and a whole lot of enthusiasm to back it up.

I can't really say that this was a Bundaberg to Brisbane ride, but rather a continuation of my faulted trip to Brisbane in January of this year. I decided that instead of retracing my steps from Bundaberg, I would start off from where I finished last time, Kilkivan.

I loaded up the bike and gear into the car on Sunday morning with my loving wife, along with the kids, and we headed out to drop me off. After fitting the wheels back onto the bike and my gear it was getting close to lunch time. I knew I only had about fifty kilometers to go that day, so we had lunch together as a family and bid our goodbyes. So I suppose it was around 12:30 pm when I eventually headed off.

My plan was to head out onto the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail from Kilkivan, but I didn't get too much positive information about the Eastern end being open. In light of this I decided to head out along the Wide bay Hwy to Murgon, something I really didn't want to do. But it was Sunday after all and I hoped the traffic would be at a minimum. It was reasonably quiet, with most vehicles on the road giving plenty of room, with the odd exception of one or two.

I arrived at Goomeri mid afternoon and stopped for a quick refreshment, not for long though. But enough to check in with my wife, and make a post to Facebook. I then continued from Goomeri for Murgon along the Bunya Hwy. Traffic had lulled even more but the sky looked ominous. It was long before the sky deepened in blackness and the rolls of thunder sounded like they were on top of me. I pulled to the side if the road and donned my wet weather gear just in case. Well, just in case happened. Not two minutes of being back on the road and the heavens opened up. The storm lasted until I was at the Cherbourg turnoff, probably about an hour. But as I rode into Murgon, the rain subsided and I began to look for one of the reasons I wanted to do this trip, The South Burnett Rail Trail.

As I looked for the start of the trail, I missed it...of course. But a trip around a back street soon found me in the right spot, and westbound I headed. A sealed surface is what met on the Trail, smooth, consistent and not overly too undulating. It was peaceful, no cars and very few people were around this time of the afternoon. I think by memory it was just after 4:00 p.m.

I continued heading South-West stopping to take photos and video footage. This was the first time I had ever ridden on an official rail trail, and it was far from what I expected. I can't rave about the South Burnett Rail Trail enough. As I write this blog the eastern end from Kilkivan has been opened.

The trail itself is divided into two sections. The first being the eastern end from Kilkivan to Murgon. This section is under the control of the Gympie Council. The second section, the western end is under the control of The south Burnett Council. The two councils have received funding separately from State Government and have banded together to build this wonderful piece of infrastructure.

Note: Map divided into two sections.
Red = Gympie

Orange = South Burnett

Whilst the eastern end is not sealed, it is open to horses for use. Kilkivan is also a major center and stop for those traveling on the Bicentennial National Trail, a trail that runs from just north of Melbourne in the south to Cook town in the north, 5,500 km,s in total.

The western end of the SBRT that runs from Murgon to Kingaroy is not horse friendly. Although the surface is great, there are restrictions on livestock throughout this area due to tick quarantines that are in place. That is a shame for those who wish to travel via horseback but I suppose it is necessary.

Anyway, back to the trip. I contently persisted with my travels, remnants of the old infrastructure remain to remind me that this indeed was an old rail way. Rail speed sign and evidence of old rail pieces and sidings, one could be forgiven for expecting a train to come around the next corner.

The scenery along the trail is beautiful, to say the least. The terrain is mostly flat, but there is also plenty of undulation, not overly steep, for you to keep working the pedals. Although in saying that, I have no choice but to declare this section of the trail "FAMILY FRIENDLY". I can't wait to head out again one weekend with the family.

It was getting close to 5:00 p.m. by now, not knowing the trail I began to consider keeping an eye out fora suitable place to camp. Then all of a sudden...pffffttttttt from the front tyre. Damn, a puncture. Well, it was getting close to dark now so I gathered I wasn't going to be too much hindrance on the trail, so off came the front wheel and I casually repaired the puncture. A sharp piece of blue metal, the primary layer for the surfacing of the trail, had punctured through my tyre. Keep this in mind when travelling this section. Even though the trail is more than suitable for a road bike, I would be more inclined to lean towards using a more robust tyre. After all, I have Clements all terrains on my bike and still suffered a puncture. Ok, I will admit, my font tyre is getting a little worn, but still ok, and it had been raining so this would help adhere the gravel to the tyre itself. So I would say that under normal conditions all would be fine.

Anyhoo...by now evening was well truly setting in. I traveled about another kilometer down the road after the repair. I found a perfect spot, virtually on the edge of the trail; and here were no houses around. So this is the place I would call home for the night.

I leaned my bike against a tree and began unloading. The tent was set up, my bedding in place and my hiking fly set up as a lean to between two trees. There was still plenty of cloud around so I was getting prepared just in case.

I had decided to take a folding hiking chair along with me for the first time, I have to say, the extra kilogram was well worth it. Sitting under the fly with the billy on and making some salad wraps for dinner as a cool breeze gentle wafted through the air was wonderful. There was very little noise except for the odd bovine billowing in the distance. Later that night you could here a very faint evidence of vehicle traffic, but you had to listen hard.

I had no phone or internet service so I sat up until about 10:00 p.m. listening to some of my favourite podcasts, gotta love modern technology. My original intent was to blog nightly, but...well...between no service and just the desire to kick back...really, who needs to blog...lol?

So ended my first day's travels with a weary rider retired for the night.

Cheers guys!

Goodnight Goodnight. Day 3.

The morning attempted a start at 6.20 am, but with the still dawning sun's light being washed out by heavy fog, it was difficult to justify an early rise from the comfort of my bed. So, I lay there listening intently to early calls of crows, warbles of magpies and the myriad of other bird calls. It was Sunday after all, and I would get up soon. Yep, soon, that's for sure.

The photo doesn't do the fog justice, but it was clearing as I exited the tent.

So who hit the snooze button? I awoke for a second time about an hour later. I did this time however, manage to drag my backside out of the tent. The air was still thick and moist and the fly I had draped over my small tent was drenched like it had been drowned in a heavy downpour, even the under side.

The chilly dampness gave me a brazened wake up call as I tucked myself down to exit, only to drag my back along the top of the fly. It was still a little chilly so I rummaged through the small pile of sticks I had laying on the ground for some dry kindling. It wasn't long before I had a small billy fire ablaze and the subtle heat was enough to warm my hands. Coffee was on.

Again, I had great plans of getting up early and attacking the dawn with pedal power, but... I took my time with breakfast and then attempted to catch the now shining sun's rays to dry out the fly and tent somewhat. I did eventually get  packed up.

It was now about 9:15 in the morning and the steed was mounted for the ride home. I had worked out that it was approximately 75 - 85 km's, so I took the later as an estimate. Riding out of the forest was so much easier then entering. One, because I suppose my legs were fresh and two, it was a lot more down hill than uphill. Although I still wasn't without a great many climbing challenges.

I just love roads like this

My plan was to head out of Goodnight the same way I headed in. But instead of heading back towards Wallaville, I would head South-East for Booyal. It wasn't long before I was back at the Goodnight-Booyal Road. I had knocked that eighteen or so kilometers over rather quickly. I now only had 11 km's to go to get to the Bruce Hwy at Booyal, and the road was sealed. This was going to a sinch. Or was it?

Although the road remained sealed for a short way, it was a continual uphill run. Not a steady 2% climb, oh no. I was excited when a climb was only 5-6%. Now, the sealed road had run out and the hill continued. I say hill because there was only one, it just started a long way back.

Wow, now a down hill run and the road was sealed again. Down over the Burnett River through Booyal Crossing I hurtled. But that was it, it wasn't a hill that faced me, it was a mountain. I think the Garmin showed about 27% at one stage, and yes I was walking. It was so steep that even walking I had to stop. But the problem with stopping was, it was so hard to get started again. Who's idea was it to come this way?

I eventually made it to the top, I laid the bike against a small tree and just sat. After getting to my feet I just stood there slumped over the handle bars. Ok, it wasn't far to Booyal now, and it wasn't. It was also down hill...YOU BEAUTY.

I pulled into the roadhouse at Booyal and purchased a Gatorade and a Snickers then went over to the grassed area and sat under a tree to prepare some lunch and a coffee. I sat there for about an hour before packing up and moving on. I headed out along Old Booyal Rd as I didn't want to be on the Bruce Hwy. I knew that there was a turn off somewhere to travel along the old Isis-Dallarnil Branch Line, but I missed it and came out onto the highway...bummer.

I travelled along the Bruce for about 200 meters and by then I'd had enough. I stopped at the turn off to Uphams Rd and searched Google Maps for a better way, and I found it, a track approximately 100 meters in off the highway. It didn't take me long to work out that I had stumbled onto the branch Line that I wanted to find 15 minutes prior.

Gotta love adventure

I followed the tracks along and it eventually bought me out onto Marule Rd. I knew now where I was. I had thought of continuing along the line but as I was unsure of it's condition and accessibility I opted for the way I knew, Svensons Rd. Back to Promiseland through the forest via a familiar way it was. It was along this stretch I was stranded for a night on a previous trip due to my own haste, ahhh, the memories...lol. As I knew where I was, I just casually strolled along in no great hurry. I stopped for the odd photo, snack and rest.

Quiet forestry roads. The Kona eats these up.

Onto Promiseland Rd and Phillips Rd I now wasn't far from home. Around 20 km's to go and my short trip would be over. My last stop was at the corner of the Isis Hwy, where a quick muesli bar and gulp of water was had, then it was hightail it for home. The traffic wasn't bad so that was a good thing, and the usual easterly Bundaberg wind was at a lull.

Reaching the airport I started to dream of my next trip, as I always do. Where to next? How long could I go for? I finally arrived home about 4:30 pm and then, of course reality bit. I was due to start work again at 2:00 am and thus on the mouse wheel once again.

But it was fantastic, I hadn't been to this part of my area before, and to do it by bike...wow. A 200 plus kilometer weekend away was what I needed, it rejuvenated the soul as it always does. It also hammered home of bicycle touring not only being the grand months or years long travelcade, but also the smaller weekends away. The weekends that are much more a reality for the most of us.

Cheers, and as always Ride Safe.

Goodnight Here I come. Day 2.

The morning started with the sun trying it's hardest to break through the thick fog and heavy dew that had settled through the night. I poked my head out though the fly of the tent and thought to myself, "Five more minutes".

7:45 am was more than five minutes later. I had dozed again and was only woken by a small cricket that was excitedly jumping around the inside of the tent. I knew this time I had to get started. You see, when I travel I have all these great intentions of getting up and hitting the road early. Ah well, it is a restful recharge and break after all.

Up and at it the billy was on, the Aeropress charged with some of my home roasted finest and the porridge was simmering away. I steadily stripped the tent down, hanging the fly over a railing nearby to dry in the now shining sun. Bedding was packed, panniers were packed as much as I could and all was ready to  make a move after breakfast and coffee was finished.

The Aeropress is a marvelous invention

I suppose it was around 9:45 am when I finally departed, much later than I intended. The plan for today was to make my way up to Goodnight Scrub National Park via Bullyard and Wallaville.

Down over the weir and out onto Bucca Road and south west for Bullyard which is a small village with a schools and a few houses. I used to work at the school as a cleaner, so iut was a very familiar sight to me.
From here I decided to head down Delan Road and then onto Wallaville Road. I was able to find a few good stealth camping sites along here. The things you miss when driving, or racing along this section of road. This area is a regular racing loop for Bundaberg Cycling Club throughout their road season. It was actually good to travel along this section and take it in stopping along the way for the odd photo or drink.

The Bucca Weir

It was around lunch time when I made it into Wallaville. It was time for a needed coffee and something to eat. I decided t buy a coffee from the local coffee shop and eat an olive and cheese focaccia that I had bought along with me. It was a restful stop, the sleepy little township was at it's usual low hum, the people friendly and the coffee reasonable.

Delan Hall

Wallaville Hotel

After about an hour I decided it was time to move on and after a quick check on Google Maps I thought I had only another thirty one kilometers to go...thought being the operative word here.

Heading out of Wallaville for the Bruce Hwy, a road I din't want to be on for long, I opted for the service roads that run along either side of it. Much quieter and safer from the speeding cars. Although I have to say that the short times I did travel on the Bruce motorists were more than generous in regards to distance. A thankful and appreciated bonus.

I didn't have far to go along this stretch before I was on Walla Road  heading for Goodnight Scrub. Now I thought I would share a little history here.

Turning onto Walla Road. Glad the logging trucks don't work Saturdays

Why is it called Goodnight Scrub you may ask?
Well back in the day before it was a National park, it was cattle country. It is reported that the scrub was so thick that if your cattle got loose and went into it, it was goodnight for those head of cattle. Goodnight meaning that they'd never be seen again; and hence the name Goodnight Scrub.

The scrub thickets only remain in sections now and have been replaced mainly by State Forestry plantations, with logging trucks running instead of cattle drovers. There is still cattle bred in the area but not as significantly as in the past.

Walla Road was awesomely quiet, hardly a car to be seen. I think in the afternoon's travels I was doing well to see four cars, all slowing down with a friendly wave. Not to mention the strange look from one or two. They must have been thinking to themselves, "What the ....".

I had earlier estimated that it was around sixty-five kilometers from Bucca to Goodnight. Although this was correct, it was entirely true. It was sixty-five kilometers to the border, or start, of the national park. I still had another twenty-three to pedal to my intended camp.

The many hills were now wearing out the legs and walking the bike became a much more viable option for many of them. Now I was on a gravel road I was worried about slipping like I did on my attempted Brisbane trip. But this didn't happen, the road was in really good condition. It was well graded and rolled with very little loose gravel on the sides. The perfect gravel experience...lol.

After checking Google maps several times I decided that it might be better to head down a road call River Road. This would take me down to the banks of the Burnett River were I could camp by and draw water from the river. My intended spot was a lookout/picnic area overlooking the back of the Paradise Dam wall.

Once I got to River Road this option was canned as it was a private access road only, so onward I pursued. After checking Maps again I noticed a lookout called One Tree Hill Lookout about half way in. It was only a couple of hundred meters off the main road so it was worth checking it out. Well wallah, not two hundred meters in was the perfect camping spot. It wasn't all the way up to the lookout but it was flat, sheltered and with a water tank...just perfect.

This was it, I had pedaled enough for today and the afternoon sun was setting fast. I set up the tent and found some good sized rocks to make a fire ring. after scavenging a short time for some wood the fire was going, all just in time for darkness to set in.

With the fire ablaze and keeping the light chill at bay, and a wash, it was time to just sit and relax. Even though I was starving and the worms were biting, I just needed some "ahhhh" time. Just some time to sit, relax, reflect and let the quietness of the bush set in. To me I had found the perfect spot for this, just crickets, some night birds and the odd howl from a dingo in the distance. At least I hoped they were dingoes and not wild dogs.

Ok, time for some grub and a much needed coffee. On the menu tonight was some packet Alfredo pasta with a tin of chicken added. The powdered milk I carry gives me a great substitute for cream. A serving of three per packet didn't last long at all, time to finish off the left over focaccia.

By now a stiff chill was settling in with a dampness to it. I knew I was going to be in for another foggy and dewy morning. On this particular night I decided to set up my hiking tarp over my tent just to give me a little extra cover from the dew. By finding an old branch I was able to drape the tarp over the tent and open at the front giving me an awning.

After eats and a clean up, another coffee was on and it was more relaxing time. Just sitting there under the stars with an open fire crackling in the night's silence, it's just what my soul and mind needed. It was a shame this was only a weekend's trip, I could have easily had this last longer.

As I lay there on my seating mat I started to doze off as another spine tingling howl opened up the silence once again. These howls in the distance had a way of standing up the hairs on the back of my neck. But they didn't appear to be getting closer, so that was a bonus.

Spreading the fire out it was time to hit the sack, and sleep didn't wait long to cover me.

So ended day two of my brief weekend away, I couldn't believe that I was heading for home the next day. But that was tomorrow, for now sleep...