Canungra

Whilst we were at Mount Barney we met another family on holidays who were from Queensland.  They suggested we head to Tamborine Mountain and O'Reilly's near Canungra on the way back to Brisbane, so we did.  We set up base for the night at the Canungra showgrounds, then headed to check out Tamborine Mountain.  It's this really pretty drive up this windy mountain, and much to our amusement in the middle of no where there is suddenly this traffic light.  The road narrows and was only one lane, hence the need for a traffic light.
From the top of Mt Tamborine you get these most amazing views.  From one side you can look over the Gold Coast and the ocean.  From the other side you get a gorgeous view over the hinterland and mountain ranges.  We got there late in the day which was a pain.  Then we spent half an hour looking for the local brewery only to get there to find it was an amazing looking place but was shut.  You can imagine what Mark was like, he even went up and looked sadly in the window.  We had a bit more of a drive around.  Watched the sun set over the mountain then headed out for tea.
We had driven past an Irish pub earlier and Mark was adamant he wanted to go there for tea.  Turns out it was a great little pub and we had a tasty tea.  It sits up on the hill and looks great at night all lit up.  Mark has since proclaimed that he would love to buy it and run it, thank god its not for sale and we have no money!  It's called Clancy's for anyone who's ever in the area.

Someone was rude enough to graffiti the sign, am guessing they were kept waiting a while!

Looking out at the Goldie

Looking back towards Mt Barney

Mark's new pub

This is us set up at Canungra showgrounds. Kids had time for a bit of bike riding.  We've been busy trying to teach Jake to ride without training wheels, which he can do now but lacks confidence.  Won't be long though.

We got up early the next day and set off for O'Reilly's.  It's this great area on top of the mountain right next door to a hotel.  The drive up is a real goat track, sealed but windy.  You get almost to the top then your going through this gorgeous forest.  We went for a walk along the board walk and through to the tree top walk.  It's a bit like the Tahune Airwalk in Tassie but this is free. The local community all chipped in donations to build it, they even wrote the donors names on each plank.   You walk along these suspended walk ways until you get to this giant tree. Then you can climb up these ladders to the top of the tree.  The view from the top is amazing, according to Mark and Charlotte.  Jake got scared half way up and wouldn't go any further.   

One of many fabulous views as we travelled up to O'Reilly's

Charlotte has discovered that she really isn't afraid of anything anymore, she is such an awesome girl.

Jake and me half way up the tree.

The view from the top of the tree

There is a bird feeding area at O'Reilly's and all these lovely Rosella's all fly down and land on you, much to my horror.  I have a phobia about birds flapping near my head.  But I was very brave and got used to it in the end. The kids were at least smart and wore hats!!  It was pretty awesome though.



O'Reilly's is named after Bernard O'Reilly who in 1937 rescued two survivors of an aeroplane crash.  The authorities had already conducted a search but had been unable to find the men, so Bernard decided to head into the forest to find them himself and succeeded. 

A monument at O'Reilly's

We had such a great day at O'Reilly's we could have spent so much more time there but it was Charlotte's birthday the next day and we had things to do.  On our drive home the kids asked to listen to one of their favourite songs about the Wonky Donkey.  Just as I put it on we went past a paddock of donkeys, it was so weird.  So of course we had to pull over to play the song to the donkeys and to give them a pat.

I was walking down the road when i saw a donkey, heehaw!!!

The Scenic Rim in southern Queensland really is a beautiful area and well worth a visit if your in Queensland.  We are so glad we did.  Good bye Canungra, hello Brisbane and Charlotte's seventh birthday.