Located in Queensland, close to the border of New South Wales, and only one hundred kilometers south of Brisbane is the remarkable area of Springbrook. With lush rainforests and incredible waterfalls, it is a beautiful place for photographers and nature lovers.
Springbrook National Park is almost 3000 hectares and is divided into three sections – Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal, and Natural Bridge. Walking tracks in the park are generally of an easier nature, allowing all visitors, including children, to enjoy the rich scenery. Do supervise children closely as there are sheer dropoffs, particularly near waterfalls and lookouts. The waterfall at the Goomoolahra picnic grounds in the Springbook Plateau provides an excellent backdrop for lunch, and there are two excellent lookouts here as well. The Tallanbana picnic area also has a short walk to the spectacular Twin Falls. The Purlingbroke Falls are famous for their one hundred meter drop into a pool surrounded by ferns and lilies, so be sure to stop at the lookouts here, or take the walking tracks that lead down to the Waringa rock pool, a popular swimming hole.
The Natural Bridge is a unique rock formation where water falls through the roof of a basalt cave. The walk to the bridge is an easy trek through beautiful rainforest filled with birds. Natural Bridge is most famous for its glow-worm colony and luminescent funghi. Walking unattended at night is not recommended, so join one of many local nocturnal tours that take visitors to see the glow-worms up close. Orchid walks and bush tours are also available. Also in the area is the Springbrook Homestead, home to the local observatory. Evening tours can be arranged for viewing of the moon and stars, and astrophotographers are warmly encouraged to visit the centre.
Located on the Gold Coast, Lamington National Park is made up of two distinct sections, the Binna Burra area and the Green Mountains. Overall, the park encompasses more than 20,000 hectares of land, and is mainly made up of ancient rainforest. There are extensive walking tracks in the area suitable for all fitness levels, and the forests are filled with exotic birds. Lizards, snakes, and small mammals can also sometimes be seen. Visitors that make their way up to the mountainous lookouts, either by hiking or by road, will be rewarded with phenomenal views of Queensland and its neighboring state of New South Wales. The area is full of fast-flowing streams and waterfalls which create pools where it may even be possible to spot an elusive platypus.
There are two mountain lodges located inside the park, both offering excellent eco-tourism programs. O’Reilly’s offers guests excellent views, luxurious rooms, and even a spa. They offer a multitude of day trips, including guided walks and four wheel drive excursions, as well as nature presentations and tours as part of their Discovery Program. The Tree Top Walk is a 300 meter long walk along nine suspension bridges 180 meters from the ground. It offers an exceptional opportunity to view the forest and its inhabitants from a very unique perspective. The Binna Burra Lodge is located on the other side of the park, and offers both rustic cabins as well as hotel rooms for accommodation. A variety of day trips are available, including adventurous activities such as abseiling and zip lining through the tree tops, as well as guided day hikes and birdwatching. A health spa and evening entertainment round out a visitor’s stay.
The southern area of the park can be accessed through Christmas Creek or the Lost World Valley, both of which offer varied accommodation options including bed and breakfasts and farmstays.
When gold was discovered in Melbourne in 1852, it prompted a gold rush that had far reaching effects – immigrants in Britain purchased more tickets to Melbourne in 1852 than to any other place worldwide. It also had far reaching effects on the city, and to get a taste of how the gold rush impacted Melbourne you’ll want to take the Golden Mile Herigate Trail.
The trail starts in Federation Square at the Melbourne Museum. Guided tours are available daily, but be sure to call ahead for bookings. You can also explore the trail on your own with a booklet purchased from the visitor’s centre, an option that provides a very flexible way to enjoy the city. The trail is an easy walk of about four kilometers, taking about two-and-a-half to three hours and explores the so-called ‘golden mile’ of outstanding architecture built when the city was flush with money from the gold rush. With thirty-three stops, there is really no better way to begin exploring the sights of Melbourne.
As you make your way along the route, your tour guide will share stories of colorful characters and historic places. The trail opens with the Immigration Museum, which was the old Customs House. Further along you’ll see the La Meridien Hotel, formerly the Rialto, which was created by its architect to look like a Venetian building. Enjoy Melbourne’s equivalent of England’s Chancery Lane, and in the financial district marvel at the gothic architecture of the ANZ Banking Museum. In the Parliament area you’ll notice several prominent statues, and you can explore the supposedly haunted Princess theater. The tour ends at the Royal Exhibition Buildings where visitors can head back to the museum or enjoy a stroll around Carlton Gardens.
