Hi Everyone,
It was about time I resubscribed, and this posting has pushed me back onto
the list. (Hello to all the old friends.)We (includes husband James)had such
a good time birding with Ivan and Joyce Fien at the head of the Condamine
last week, that I wanted the pass on to others information about the lovely
place where we stayed. If you're still scratching around for a reference
point, it's about 20km to the east of Killarney near the NSW/Qld border.
The Condamine River rises as a trickle on the western side of the border
range which backs onto the Gold Coast. The birding in the area is a mix of
open grazing land, open and closed eucalypt forest and rainforest. At the
moment it isn't spectacular birding because it's very dry. However, the
scenery thereabouts is truly spectacular. Between the head of the Condamine
and Killarney is a gravel road with 14 level river crossings through the
wonderful Condamine Gorge. You don't have to go into 4WD to get through the
crossings, but elevation is essential for safe passage. I wouldn't want to
take our Commodore through it, but the little Suzuki breezed through. It
isn't necessary to go through the gorge. If you have only a sedan, you can
take other sealed routes. Queen Mary Falls is nearby.
>From Brisbane head south to Boonah, then follow the signs to Carney's Creek,
Croftby and The Head (48km). From Killarney follow the signs to Queen Mary
Falls and The Head (26km).
Accommodation:
We stayed at Oaklea because we couldn't get cabins at Queen Mary Falls at
the time. I had seen the Oaklea sign on a previous visit, and kept the
details. What a delightful place! It is a 300 acre working farm and is far
from commercial. It is scenic, affordable and comfortable. You have the
choice of bed and breakfast, staying in the main house, where there are two
bedrooms available with private lounge and bathroom; or you can take the
cottage which is about 70m away. It is a 100yo restored timber schoolhouse.
It is self contained with everything you could possibly think of, and sleeps
4 in a single room (queen and two bunks). Although we paid $65 per couple
per night, it goes up to $75 next month. Breakfast is extra. The hosts,
Rosemary and Neil Peterson, are lovely company and very helpful, and are in
fact very keen on their birds. They have a bird list for the property and
environs, but it needs adding to. I know there would be many species present
which are not yet on the list...............so there's a challenge for you.
There is a Satin Bowerbird's bower in the front garden, and Superb
Fairy-wrens dominate the garden. Rosemary says it is unusual if she doesn't
see an Albert's Lyrebird when she drives into Killarney. At the moment it
can get down to -5 or so in the mornings, but the days were splendid. We
found it to be a perfect base for birding in the nearby region.
We also birded at nearby Emu Creek, which has yielded some good birds in the
past. This time it was poorish, but still good fun.
I have a copy of the Oaklea bird list which I would happily email to anyone,
as well as a pic or two which we took if you like.
Cheers,
Jill
Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, Qld
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