Below is a list of places and comments extra to Bradburys "where
to find birds in australia" book that are handy for touring the
brisbane area
The Conondale NP north of brisbane is basically inaccessible and is
being kept as an unspoilt reference area. The adjacent Kenilworth
state forest accessed through Kenilworth or Maleny has well developed
facilities. Camp at the Boolooumba sites
in rainforest along the creek (Charlie Moreland camping is in eucalypt
forest). The gold mine walk is through excellent rainforest along
the creek. Good info sheets on the state forest areas and
facilities are available from the Department of Natural Resources
offices.
Just before Maleny there is a really nice rainforest remnant at Mary
Cairncross Park. Preserved by some local societies the park has
a circuit walk in which the birds behave very tamely (rufous fantails
skitter along at your feet catching disturbed insects). The full
gambit of rainforest birds are here and easy to see - it was one of
my most enjoyable walks. There is
also a fantastic view onto the Glass House Mountains.
In the Gold Coast there is a small patch of rainforest at Burleigh
Heads NP. Nearby, at the entrance to Fleays fauna centre is a really
nice mangrove board walk along Tallebudgera Creek for about 2 km.
The only camping facilities in the Mount Tamborine area are the
Thunderbird park caravan park which has excellent tent sites along a
rainforest creek equal to any NP sites (I normally hate staying in
commerical sites).
Towards Lamington NP is the easily accessed Springbrook NP that has
the same fantastic scenery, waterfalls and rainforest. However the
only campground was sited as close as possible within the NP to the
pub in the local town that plays really loud music to really late at
night. If its a Friday or Saturday youll probably have to be naughty
and set up camp at one the picnic-only areas further into the NP
Have fun in the sun if you go
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