Brisbane to Toowoomba

Wednesday 11th March
While I spent the morning birding, Michael was tasked with preparing the caravan for an afternoon departure. Following what he deemed a ‘series of unfortunate events’ I returned to  a small amount of damage (more on that later)
Fortunately everything still worked so we departed for Brisbane into the wet weather created by the edge of a cyclone. We discovered that sometimes you are better to go the way you know than follow instructions given by Google maps. After travelling several kms along an unfamiliar road we saw an ominous sign..."road ahead not suitable for trucks and caravans"! Of course we kept going and after a sharp incline about 200m long we were back on a main road!  After settling in to Thornside van park we caught the train to Cleveland for dinner with Chris and Pam. We really enjoyed being able to use public transport to go out, just like Singapore days...they told us train time, train carriage number and there they were! A great night out with old friends.

Thursday12th March
After spending the day in the wet city at a few appointments, over dinner and a game of cards, we decided on an itinerary change. Originally the plan was to head to Bribie Island but with wet weather predicted on the coast we decided to head inland instead with first stop Toowoomba...incidently Michael won the cards! for someone who professes to dislike cards he wins with monotonous regularity.

Friday 13th March

Although it was pleasant to leave the rain behind us, as we left the coast to head inland, it was gratifying to see the landscape so lush and green. We reminisced about visiting my sister Bev in Laidley 20+ years ago and how parched the land had looked then.
As we had no time schedule to stick to, we took a detour in to Gatton to Apex Park. It was great to see a council retaining and protecting the area, which was donated land, as a wildlife sanctuary. Beside the lake we found the Information Centre which had some interesting mosaics as well as an attached transport Museum. After a coffee Michael explored the Museum while I strolled around the lake. I found a group of 4 Magpie Geese and was serenaded by a very lively red-backed Fairywren. I  engaged in conversation with a local, who assured me those 'damn greenies' were responsible for the dry lake!

We have used Wikicamps as a reference point so on recommendations found there we chose to book in to Toowoomba Motor Village, which was a good move. After settling in Michael decided to catch up on the news while I went for a stroll down the back along "one of Toowoomba's best kept secrets", according to the lady at the tourist bureau. A long meandering park area, with a waterlily covered pond and a weir, which was a bit of a bird haven. One tree had 3 different lorikeets, rainbow, scaly-breasted and musk. As I returned to the van I noticed, what at first glance I assumed to be a crow, but on a closer look proved to be a Satin Bower bird. One of the residents informed me it had lived in the backyard of the adjacent house for about 3 years, had a well maintained bower and was regularly visited by potential mates.

Musk Lorikeet, Noisy Friarbird, Little Pied Cormorant, Wood Duck family

The second positive for this van park was that it was a short walk to a pub where we had a very pleasant dinner. No-one was worried about Coronavirus here as it was extremely busy!

Saturday 14th March
After a morning walk around the little park again, where we saw a female Satin Bowerbird, we visited the local Tourist Office looking for a map for the street murals. Apparently they change so often, the organisers can't keep up so the best bet is to just wander the back lanes, which we did.

The First Coat Art Festival has transformed many of Toowoomba's urban spaces in to amazing outdoor galleries.

 Toowoomba is a city of many parks and beautiful old buildings. The city itself was very quiet, perhaps like many other rural areas the life has been sucked out of the town centre by large shopping malls. The council here seems to be trying to bring some vibrancy back to the centre with the re-purposing of many old buildings. The Art Deco Empire Movie Theatre is now a live performance venue. Mama Mia was playing there but I couldn't convince Michael to go!

After lunch we explored the Japanese Gardens, or Ju Raku En ( Japanese for 'enjoying  peace and longevity in a public place'). It was certainly peaceful and, considering the current health crisis, hopefully imparted some longevity as well!

We followed this up with a drive to Katoomba Lookout where we looked back over the Lockyer Valley and a quick stop at the Waterbird Habitat before dinner back at the van to watch the sunset. For the first time Duncan was urging us to return home and stay there, as a friend who is on special Corona Task Force has been called in to work at 8pm on a Saturday night...and we assume it had nothing to do with beer!

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