From Byron Bay a narrow and steep road winds up the slopes, on the way passing rural hinterland farms and lovely valleys. Some sections are so steep that thanks to the heavy trailer I have to change to second gear. Up at 750 metres altitude we find a lookout with views over the Gold Coast with its gleaming skyscrapers. Why would anybody want to spend their holidays there?
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| Gold Coast tourist accommodation |
In Springbrook National Park the sign at the hiking tracks announces a 1-hour walk — for 1 kilometre distance! It turns out that this estimate is overly optimistic. The track is so stunning that it actually takes me 2 hours. Admittedly 1 hour 45 minutes are spent on taking photos. No surprise, as this park is home to a natural wonder, the Natural Bridge waterfall: Through a hole in the ceiling, the water drops into a cave, which it leaves a few metres further down the stream. The light, the colours, the sounds leave you speechless. Apparently at night time there are glow worms on the ceiling. A phenomenon that we unfortunately miss.
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| Natural Bridge |
Instead, we set up camp on a site operated by the Queensland National Parks management organisation. $5.95 per person, the Milky Way above our tent, the night sky only spoiled by light pollution from the Gold Coast in the distance. This is the sort of experience we had been looking for when preparing the trip.
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| Our tent under the Milky Way |
[Springbrook National Park, 13.-14. July]
