From the top of the tide to the tip of the trees
Most people think I have my head in the clouds, which I probably do, but during the last 24 hours my head has been in foliage…
A new experience…
Once a year it’s a good idea to venture away from the safety of the shore and partake in adventures a little beyond sea level and experience a diverse change in atmosphere. So that’s exactly what I did. Yesterday, for the first time in months, I travelled inland 1000 metres above sea level for the Green Triangle Experience.
My adventure began on common territory at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, however this was just the pick up point, for I still needed to travel 2 hours in and up before reaching the final destination being O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat on the heritage listed Lamington National Park.
My tour guides for the day were Lee and Nathan who are the faces of the Green Triangle Experience. They threw me into the back of the GT Troopie large enough for nine other tourists and it was off to for our first stop, the Canungra Pub for a good old fashioned country lunch.
After indulging their home made delights, it was back on the winding road bound for Lamington National Park were some of South East Queensland’s and Northern New South Wales most arousing views can be admired.
The sweeping landscape escalated from volcanos some million years ago are responsible for the amazing scenery displayed in this region, but the incredibly narrow roads are thanks to council workers who sweated relentlessly to ensure the tour buses and thousands of local, interstate and international visitors could experience this natural empire.
As I gazed out the window of the GT Troopie I pondered the events that were taking place on the bay. The day was crystal clear with not a breath of air to sway the tree tops. A much better option was altitude training at Lamington National Park instead of practicing for the Laser Worlds.
Lee and Nathan have the entire experience covered. The country pub meal, the drive up steep winding roads, trees older than Australia itself and an amazing festival with a flock of friendly King Parrots and Rosellas. Simply fantastic!
After being the dinner place mat for these hungry birds and with the sun slowly beginning to caress the horizon, it was time for us to lay a blanket for the star gazing portion of the tour. The Southern Cross, Alpha and Beta Centauri were right there in front of us and as we lay gazing for hours, the constellation known as Scorpius slowing came into view. It was the icing on the cake and the end of a fantastic day in the wilderness and a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of reality.
So if you’re ever in the area, this is a must see experience – The Green Triangle Experience with Lee and Nathan.
With the leaves and bird seed finally out of my hair I’m heading back to my safety zone and going for a sail. As much as I loved the change of scenery from channel markers, choppy water and distant islands to trees, mountains and cute creatures, by the end of the night I craved the smell of salty air…
