Charlie Moreland: Oct. 2013

Charlie Moreland Camping Ground
Imbil National Forest
Kenilworth
January, 2013

This was Boyo’s first camping trip at 2 1/2yrs, and the first for us with two young children. So we brought reinforcements! Mr M’s brother and his girlfriend arrived one day after us. Uncle C and Aunty F were a great help and distraction, and definitely made the trip a lot easier (day 1 was very draining)!

We’ve been to Charlie Moreland before. I, in my older childhood years, went often with my family, and Mr M and I went together sometime early in our marriage (during an invasion of giant killer ants.. that.was.not.fun! Thankfully they’ve now cleared out, as far as we can tell). I have great memories of swimming in the waterhole, damming up the shallow creek, and paddling/swimming further up the creek exploring. Sadly, since the floods in 2009, the creek has been drastically changed and a lot of large debris remains. Still, the waterhole is still there and is a great spot for all the kids, especially the older ones who like to swim out a bit further to the rocks on the other side.

http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/imbil/

During this trip we discovered another swimming spot which was beautiful and just perfect for younger children, but also a great spot for everyone. The creek widens here enough for deep wading (or swimming for the littlies), and there is a little offshoot full of rocks that are ideal for shifting around and making little dams, or altering the flow of the water. Small trees grow either side and overhang, creating a cubby atmosphere. We all loved it here, but long after the children were done playing Mr M and Uncle C were still busy making dams! There is plenty of sand alongside the creek for playing in or building with as well. We also trekked further up the creek, it’s very pretty up that way. Just be on the look out, as a 4wd track runs along there and crosses the creek a little further up.

There are a few walks from the campsite, varying in difficulty from an easy stroll beside the campsite, to a challenging trek (8.8km, Class 4) up to the Mt. Allan Fire Tower. Previously closed due to structural instability, the fire tower should be open again in April 2014.

  

Photo: R Ashdown, QPWS                              Photo: Robert Ashdown, NPRSR

 

The campsite itself is a large, flat, open grassy area, with bush surrounding and plenty of trees scattered throughout. There are flushing toilets, and creek water taps. Access is via Sunday Creek Rd, which is unsealed and pot-holed, but suitable for 2WD vehicles- just drive with care.

http://www.aussiecampovenforum.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=print;num=1231397611

http://letsgotravelaustralia.com/tag/charlie-moreland-campground/

There is plenty of wildlife. Bird calls fill the air, our favourites being the bell birds and whip birds. You will also see lace monitors and bush turkeys so ensure your food and rubbish is well secured when you’re not around. Possums can be seen at night, and one time we even saw a tiny scorpion hiding beside some cement outside a toilet block!

Facilities:

• Flushing toilets – no showers
• Fire rings – bring your own wood
• Free choice of camping spot
• Creek water taps – boil or bring your own water
• Generators are not allowed
• Public dump point available in Kenilworth
• Horse paddock located beside camping area

Fees apply and bookings are required. See here.

The campsite and day use area is currently undergoing an upgrade, information can be found here.

Hervey Bay: Jan. 2013

Hervey Bay, Queensland.
January, 2013

Mr and Mrs P.

Mr and Mrs P, Amy and Red went to Hervey Bay for a week in the 2013 Christmas holidays. We camped in a friend's camper trailer and had a great time. We stayed at Pialba Beachfront Caravan Park, it is right next door to the free Wetside Water Park .

Amy brought Kanani, her American Girl doll, with her for the trip, from what I could tell Kanani enjoyed her car ride but seems to have enjoyed the lollies more. It is a 4 hour drive, so of course she fell asleep. Eventually we spotted the lovely blue ocean and it was such a good feeling knowing we'd arrived.

The park is just lovely, we had a spot closer to the water park and it felt almost like a national park as we had plenty of space around us. Each camper gets a key when they check in, the key is for accessing the amenities block. The showers and toilets were kept very clean, although I did struggle with water not going down the shower drain properly due to the build up of sand and hair in the drain and cleaning it out was icky.

The children went early each morning onto the beach, there were loads of jelly fish the week we were there. Amy and Red enjoyed playing on the shore and using the boogie boards, this was Red's favourite part of the beach. When the water park opened at 10, they scooted over there and spent many hours playing, it was really handy having the water park right next door, a very easy 2 minute walk. The water park have chairs under a huge shady fig tree, for parents to supervise from and a cafe where you can get a coffee or ice blocks. Amy wanted to be there right up until closing each day which is at 6. On Friday evenings they do a show on a screen with lights and music in the fountains. We had a really relaxing holiday at Hervey Bay and would not hesitate to go back. It had been a long time since we'd been able to get away, so it was doubly special.