Cedar Grove Camping Ground: October, 2014

Amamoor Creek Road,

Amamoor

October, 2014 

Oh happy days. The P and M families went camping and they got to take Mrs P's mum with them. Grandma didn't arrive until the day after we'd arrived, she was an absolute boon on the day we packed up. Her calibrated eyeball knew just how big to fold things, all her years of camping held her in good stead. We really enjoyed taking Grandma with us and hope she can come again, it was such a good family time. 

Grandma and my foot working hard at relaxing.

We spent 4 nights at Cedar Grove, setting up the first day took a lot longer than we thought it would. It was incredibly hot, 35 degrees and choosing a site that was perfect took some time. It was perfect until we discovered the tree roots. Argh. Thankfully Mr. P had bought stronger key head pegs and they were able to go in, the thinner pegs bent (no surprise there). I decided that it would be really handy if someone invented a spear gun that shot the tent pegs into the ground. How to stop them entering the centre of the earth and then getting them out again, would be a job for the experts. Our site continued to be perfect as was our whole camping trip. 

It takes about 2 1/2 hrs or so to get to Cedar Grove from Brisbane. It is a dog free campground with no showers, just taps that bring water from the creek and fire rings. As per other National Parks, bring your own firewood and drinking water. The rangers pop in from time to time and removed a man who decided to come and camp with his 3 dogs. You can camp at Amamoor with dogs, it is only a few minutes further up the road, but not Cedar Grove. 

Looking towards the entrance to Cedar Grove Campground

I was disappointed with how clean or rather neglected the toilets became. When we arrived they were nice and clean but over the course of the 4 days (included in that was a weekend) they were not cleaned once. I caught myself wishing I had packed cleaning products so I could give them all a good clean. I need therapy. Sigh. 

Toilet block, there are two of these

Cedar Grove looked very different before the floods, it has recently undergone an upgrade and while there were once cold showers, there are none now. Not that I can ever imagine having a cold shower, so that part doesn't bother me at all. It is a fenced campground to keep the cattle out, the walks around the campground are nice but you do need to watch where you are stepping and also be on the keen lookout for the stinging tree. I was not happy to see that I had walked past 2 little bushes (they eventually grow into huge trees) growing right by the side of the path without noticing. The mind boggles at how awful it would have been had I touched it or worse had the kids touched it. There are still many, many trees down from the floods and it looks like they'll be left there. On one of the walks we saw this very big tree that once had decking around it over on its side, it must have been just beautiful, but now it just looks sad. It all looks sad with so much flood damage. 

There are no Bellbirds at Cedar Grove and therefore that stops it being the perfect camping area. There are lovely Magpies, Whip birds and the Wompoo Fruit Dove. Possums, Lace Monitors and bush turkeys are plentiful. There were also flies that we took to be  March Flies, that buzzed around but didn't seem terribly interested in biting us, although we didn't give them much chance to. They were more bothersome on that first hot day, than they were on subsequent cooler days. I got bitten by a yellowy-green fly but have no idea what it was and it itched regardless of what cream went on it, for about a week. I still have a round mark the size of a 5c coin on my arm. 

Cedar Grove is wonderful fun for the children, it is mainly small streams with little rocks that are great for building dams, waterfalls and other water features. The kids spent time catching the little fish with their nets and letting them go again. They all liked looking in the Wildlife book and seeing what animals they could identify. There are some deeper spots but mainly it was shallow which was perfect for Missy and Boyo and perfect for letting the creativity flow. Amy and Red took their blow up boat down to cruise the deeper parts on the last day, Missy and Boyo had such fun being towed around, so much so Boyo didn't want to stop. 

Stream showing flood damage

Facilities:

• free choice camping spot
• flushing toilet blocks
• creek water taps throughout the park
• fire rings
• swimming in one deeper part but mostly streams with rocks for building dams
• bush walks

Things to remember:

• bring your own drinking water or boil the creek water
• bring your own firewood and only use the fire rings
• remove all rubbish, there are no bins, what you bring in, you take out
• no showers

Fees: 

There are only unpowered sites, and they are $5.95 for a single person or $22.80 for a family per night. 

               

Island Reach Resort, Imbil: June 2014

Island Reach Resort
5 Island Road
Imbil
June, 2014

Mr and Mrs P.

We knew we wanted to go away for the long weekend in June, but didn't realise so would most other campers. It was beautiful weather with warm days and cold nights and mornings. Perfect weather for enjoying the river and a campfire. Last time we went camping on the long weekend was many years ago in a national park. It was freezing, freezing cold and there were only about 5 other campers there. No surprise really.

Our destination was to be Island Reach Resort at Imbil, we left early Friday morning, it was a very easy drive taking around 1 hr 40 minutes, the office opens at 8am and we were there about 8.30 am. The camping ground is on the edge of town coming from the south, it is on your right. Look for the red sign, it is easy to miss.

http://www.pradopoint.com/

On entering you need to park, and pay at the office, there are no credit card facilities. We drove in and were surprised by the crowd already there, we found a lovely spot on the river and set up camp. All day people arrived and arrived and arrived. By late Friday we were starting to wonder where they were all going to fit. A few drifted in Saturday morning, and the park ended up very squeezy indeed.

After we set up camp, we went for a walk to look at the campground. There are two clean amenity blocks each for men and women with showers, yes hot showers and flushing toilets. Only one basin though, which seemed to work, despite the hand washing, teeth cleaning and beauty routines of the campers. Even though the campground was very busy, there was plenty of hot water. Close to the shower blocks is a dump point for you if you need to empty your portable toilets and rubbish bins. There is a large cage for cans and both green and yellow wheelie bins. On the side of the older block is the laundry. It costs $4 a load for either the front loading washing machine or dryer. There is a communal clothes line as well.

The newer amenities block

The dump point is in the fenced area, showing bins.

  

Laundry facilities

Island Reach is a dog friendly campground, all dogs must stay on a leash at all times and be cleaned up after. Red became great friends with the dog in the next camp site, she would just lay back there and take all the tummy rubs she could get. For the number of dogs there, they were remarkably well behaved. We'd never camped with dogs before so it was pleasing to see how it can work so well.

There are rules at Island Reach, music has to be kept down, and turned off at 10pm. Oh how I wish someone had enforced that rule. Profanity is not accepted and I wish someone had enforced that rule as well. Had we been in a caravan like the campers next door, I doubt it would have bothered us as much but as we were in a tent you can't really escape it.

The river would have to be one of the loveliest I've seen. It was quite long and there are plenty of camp sites where you can camp alongside it, or higher up the campground where you can see it. Across the river from our campsite in a tree lives an eagle or hawk, there are 2 nests in the tree one is very large. I wished I'd had some binoculars for a better look though.

You can hire (for very reasonable prices) canoes that hold 2 people or kayaks that hold 1 from the office, or you can take your own.  Amy and Red enjoyed their blow up boat that Red found on a throw out rack in Kmart. There is also a large earth slide, you need to swim out to it and then climb up, jump off into the water or slide down the well worn muddy slide that is on it. The river has a large beachy area where you could see parents sitting watching their children swim and play.

Fires are welcome in designated spots, there are no metal surrounds. You can buy split wood from the office, $20 for a wheelbarrow full. We took wood but ended up buying some as well, it was cold at night and in the mornings and the fires were enjoyed by us all. Amy and Red loved eating porridge by the fire in the mornings. I have to agree, porridge tastes much better in the outdoors.

The camp kitchen is really good, although as a National Park camper I have not come across one before, it was very clean and had all you could need. There are picnic style tables, cooking facilities, 2 sinks, a fridge and freezer for campers to use and a microwave oven. The fridge and freezer were both clean and ready for use. We never needed to use the camp kitchen but I am sure it would be a help if you had forgotten your gas stove.

On Sunday mornings from 9.00 there is a little market in the town of Imbil itself. It is an easy walk and there are lovely trees running down the centre of the street. I bought a funky beanie for $2 which I put to good use that very night and the next morning and the next night and so on. There were stalls selling jams, chutneys, books, toys and clothes. 

http://www.maryvalleycountry.com.au/

themaryvalley.com.au

                  

Despite the busyness of a long weekend, we enjoyed our stay at Island Reach Resort. The owners were always smiling, very friendly and helpful despite having six things to do at once. Unless you went up to the office they left you alone to just camp.   We really enjoyed that we could drive around and choose where we'd like to camp. There are a lot of Jacaranda trees there and we have plans to come back when they are flowering, it is very pretty from the pictures I've seen.           

Prices for an unpowered site per night are:

Adult $12

Children $6

They do not have card facilities as yet. Further details may be found on their website . 

Cobb & Co. Nine Mile: Apr. 2014

Cobb & Co. Nine Mile Camping Grounds
1484 Noosa Rd.
Tandur, QLD.
April, 2014

Mr and Mrs M.

We'd been trying to get away for some camping for a couple of months and finally found some time at the end of April, which is really as late into autumn as this cold frog would want to go! It was our first time trying a privately owned camping ground, rather than a national park, and while there were a lot of differences, overall we had a great time and loved all the extras that come with private places. Uncle C and Aunty F came with us again, as did Missy and Boyo of course.

It was Anzac day weekend, and while we arrived on Thursday afternoon to many campers spread throughout the huge property, by Saturday it was very busy everywhere. Mr M and I are the kind of campers who love to go mid-week if we can (which is rare), for the peace and quiet. However, with so much space everywhere, it really wasn't a bother at all. We were on one side of the property with a huge expanse of grass in front of us where a lot of the children played, so we still had a lot of space to ourselves.

Our first night was very cold, but as Gympie is only 15mins away Mr M and Uncle C were able to make a short trip for a blanket and a couple of extra supplies! Reception does sell a few basic items, such as water, marshmallows and iceblocks. They also sell firewood, $15 for a big 20kg bag, and have the swap n go gas tanks.

As I said, the property is really big. We walked around and explored the place and came across quite a few different areas tucked away where a large groups of campers could set up. There is a fantastic day use area that has a huge shelter which holds a big camp kitchen, able to be used by a few different families at once, and long tables and bench seats. Next to the shelter is good access to the creek for those with kayaks, canoes, tires, or those wanting to swim. The creek has a clay bottom, so the water looks very muddy and brown, but that didn't seem to bother the many children we saw playing in it. Missy convinced Uncle C and Daddy to get in with her, and Boyo paddled at the edge. The creek gets deep very quickly, so make sure young children are with an adult!

The other way to access the creek is from the opposite side. As you follow the main drive through the property, it crosses the creek at a dry point. There are many campsites up along the creek here, but keep in mind you will have to walk back across the creek to reach the toilets and showers if you want to use them. While we were visiting the creek was still gorged from recent rains, so looked pretty muddy and messy. But it only seemed to turn off the grown-ups, many children spent the whole day playing there. The owners have a couple of kayaks and tire tubes for public use, but they are limited in number and very popular.

The owners also have a collection of old bikes and go-carts for public use, and many children could be seen riding round the property on these. Boyo had one of the go-carts down at our campsite and used it as his racing-fire-engine-ambulance-rescue-car. The other great attraction for the children were two flying foxes set up on the large area of grass that we camped beside. One had a saddle as the seat, and the other was wrapped tightly with what looked like carpet and duct tape, though it looked like it had also had a saddle at some point. Our children absolutely loved these, as did many others, including the group of teenagers camping nearby.

One of our favourite features of this place was the block of hot showers! There was some coordination required in making sure our clean feet and PJ's didn't touch the wet floor once we were done, but the lovely hot shower was so worth it. Previously we've set up our own shower, and we enjoyed having this convenience done for us. We saw two toilet blocks while we were there, each containing four toilets of the eco-friendly kind. I don't really like those sort of toilets, but I was very impressed with these ones. Even though it was just a pit, with no flushing system of any sort, there was no smell at all (until Sunday, when they'd put up with a very busy long weekend), and the owners kept them very clean.

Beside the shower block is another sheltered camp kitchen, with two gas BBQ's, a single burner with kettle, a double sink, hot and cold drinking water, washing up liquid and cloths, and a variety of cookware, dinnerware and utensils for public use. We made the short walk up here twice a day to wash and dry our dishes. It also features a big table and bench seat for extra space.

The thing we missed most while we were here were the sounds of the birds we usually hear in the national parks. Bell birds, whip birds, the typical sounds of camping for us... they were replaced with cockatoos and magpies (also very lovely), and some others like noisy miners and butcher birds, and crows. Also lacking were the lace monitors, bush turkeys and possums. Not that we missed those particularly, it was actually nice to not have to worry about our rubbish (which we left out overnight) or pantry food getting broken open.

The 'wildlife' we did see included a few horses (one by the name of George, who apparently has a habit of getting out of his enclosure and finding popularity with the children), one very friendly cat, a resident caged bird up at reception by the name of Louie, and some dogs. Cobb & Co is a dog-friendly campground. We were unsure how nice this would be (expectation: inquisitive dogs, barking, jumping up at our small children, barking, wet dogs getting too friendly, barking.... can you tell we're not exactly dog people?). But I have to say that we barely even noticed that any dogs were there. They seemed to keep to their own campsites/families, and I can't remember hearing any barking at all. The owners also have a dog that came to greet us when we arrived, but it was in no way pushy or intrusive, and stayed with its owners. There was one exception however, with a dog from a neighbouring campsite. He was very (too) interested in our campsite and had a keen nose for anytime we were about to prepare food, or happened to have dropped some food on the ground. His owners were paying him little attention and usually didn't even realise he was visiting us until we brought him back. After asking them to keep their dog tied up (we were trying to cook) they watched him more closely and we had no trouble. Clearly this was the exception to what was actually a pleasant experience of a dog friendly campground.

Unpowered campsite rates:

• $12 per person per night
• $7 per child per night

When booking there is no deposit required. You pay on arrival, and if you have to cancel they just require a courtesy call to let them know. This was another favourite feature of ours, as the weather can be so unpredictable it is good to know we wouldn't lose any money if we had to cancel.


Facilities:

• Hot showers, no charge
• Clean eco-friendly toilets
• One fully-equipped camp kitchen: two BBQ's, one burner, a double sink
• One very large camp kitchen: two sets of BBQ's and double sinks
• Water taps at camp kitchens only - BYO drinking water
• Fire rings at each campsite
• Firewood to buy: $15/20kg bag
• Swap 'n Go gas tanks
• Kiosk selling marshmallows, soft drinks, water, iceblocks
• Limited number of public use kayaks and tire tubes for the creek
• Free loan of the many bikes and go-carts there
• Two flying foxes
• Swings, and two seesaws (the seesaws are currently broken)
• Small stage set into a half shed
• Generators are not allowed
• Bins available
• Creek for swimming, clay bottom so expect brown water
• A very large property, providing ample walking and activity space
• Assigned camping sites (flexibility to choose your own once you arrive so long as you let them know)
• As with all privately owned campgrounds, reasonable rules apply and are expected to be adhered to. Cobb & Co state that one warning will apply before police will be called upon (we find this a reassuring aspect that can't be applied in national park settings).

Further details can be found on their website here.

Charlie Moreland: Jan. 2014

Charlie Moreland Camping Ground
Imbil National Forest
Kenilworth
January, 2014

Mr and Mrs P.

This year was the year that we decided to start camping again. We celebrated with a return to our favourite camping ground, Charlie Moreland. We went camping with some friends and their 4 children. We stayed for 4 days and had a wonderful time, it was a great time of friendship and relaxation. Listening to the bellbirds is a particular favourite pastime of Mrs P's while camping.

There is a swimming hole which the kids played in most of each day. Amy's white suntop ended up a nice beige colour and despite numerous soakings, it never was as white as it once was. Red wore black, a much more sensible colour.

Charlie Moreland is about a 90 minute drive from Brisbane heading north. Sunday Creek Rd is a long gravel road about 5km off the bitumen that leads to the actual camping ground. It is a great surprise coming around the last corner, driving across the causeway and seeing the vast open green of the campground.

For your camping pleasure there is:

• free choice camping spot
• flushing toilet blocks
• creek water taps throughout the park
• fire rings
• swimming hole
• bush walks

Things to remember:

• bring your own drinking water or boil the creek water
• bring your own firewood and only use the fire rings
• remove all rubbish, there are no bins, what you bring in, you take out
• no showers

The children can ride their bikes around and while we took bikes, they tended to swim most of the time. Charlie Moreland has never quite recovered from the flooding in 2009. The lovely bush walk we used to enjoy has changed, that's the nature of floods.

Charlie Moreland started undergoing a refreshing and refurbishment upgrade in February of 2014. It is due for completion in May of 2015. The campsites have been reduced to 100. I suppose it is a good thing, now we are off exploring new areas to enjoy until it is open again.

Charlie Moreland camping area.
Photo:Ross Naumann.