Eungella National Park

It was pretty chilly this morning so it was no great surprise that Fletch came in early for a snuggle.  It was lovely to stay warm in bed while listening to the babbling brook just metres from the caravan.

This morning we set off to explore the Eungella National Park.  First we took the track to the Wheel of Fire waterfall at the Finch Hatton Creek.  It was a beautiful walk with through the rainforest with creek views and crossings at every turn.  After crossing the sunlit boulders at Callistemon Crossing, we powered on up the many stairs, enjoying the vistas of tall tulip oaks and red cedars.

The Wheel of Fire waterfall is actually named after the Queensland Firewheel trees that tower above the Finch Hatton Creek.  You would be forgiven for thinking the place should be called the Wheel of Death, however, when you read the welcome signs!

 We were safe, though, as none of us are in the ‘danger’ age category!

Jarrah won today’s bravery award for his act of courage in getting in the FREEZING COLD water.  I swear it must have been as cold as Bolindavale’s dam!!!  The look on both his and Bruce’s faces when they came up from their entry into the water was one of total shock!  I think they were both out of the water within 15 seconds!

Next we took the track to the Araluen Crystal Cascades.  We could hear the cascades long before we could see them.  Here, too, the water was cold as ice but Jarrah and Bruce once again took the plunge and enjoyed an icy swim.

 Soon enough it was time to head back for a late lunch.  It was an eventful walk back, with Bruce treading on a snake and Jack poking himself in the eye with his finger!  All’s well that ends well, though!  Overall I was really proud of the way the boys tackled the quite challenging 4.2 km walk.  Even Fletcher walked 3.5 km of it, including the 350+ stairs up to the Wheel of Fire, all with his gumboots on the wrong feet! 

We spent a lazy afternoon at home.  I got to sit in the sun and read while the boys began putting together Jack’s new nuts & bolts spider kit.  Jack and Fletch helped Bruce light the campfire while Jarrah whipped up what is fast becoming his culinary specialty – Nutella damper.

 

After the big walk I was surprised that Fletcher lasted to the end of the day.  While stargazing around the campfire, we were all thrilled to see two satellites and the best, brightest shooting star Bruce and I had ever seen!  We were not surprised, though, that Fletch fell asleep in my arms around the camp fire for the second night running.  Love the fact that he’s still small enough to do that!