Brisbane, QLD


Sunday, November 24, 2013

A MOUNTAIN RETREAT

I just returned from LA in time to join my friends for a get away in the mountains with Birthday Bear. We had booked for a few nights at "O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat" in the McPherson Ranges on the border of NSW and Queensland. It is only a two hour drive south east of Brisbane. We stopped on the way at the little town of Canungra, where we met the rest of our group and had coffee.
Left to right: Chris, Ann, me. Bob, Bill, George and Paul.
 Mary took the photo and Helen disappeared.
After coffee we decided to check out any places of interest. So we headed for Lahey's Tramway Tunnel.
It wasn't that exciting but it had an interesting history. It was built in 1901 by the Lahey family, who owned a timber mill. Hauling logs by bullock was timely so a private rail line was built into the rainforests where timber was being logged. Locomotives hauled logs up very steep mountains and at this spot through the mountain. Ironically it was one of the sons, Romeo Lahey, who became a conservationist and campaigned for this forest to become "Lamington National Park" in 1915. Logging stopped and locals used the train for transport into the National Park until the line was pulled up in 1935. During WWII the tunnel became an ammunition dump.

Then we moved onto something a lot more exciting, wine tasting at O'Reilly's winery where we also had lunch.

 There was a pretty picnic area behind the winery and a stream where the shy platypus can be seen sometimes.

We didn't see any platypus but we did see many turtles. It was getting close to check in time at the retreat so we headed up the mountain. It is a very steep, narrow and winding road but the scenery is breathtaking.

It had started to rain as it does most afternoons in the sub tropics but the view from our room was still stunning.

Soon the rain cleared and we were treated to a visit from some locals.

The Rozella Parrot came to our balcony and helped me eat an apple.

The sunset was pretty and told us it was time for dinner.

The steak was to die for and the dessert too much. Bill and I shared this mixed platter for 2. There was lemon meringue, apple dumpling, berry mess, and pumpkin pie reconstructed. (We couldn't eat it all).
We were looking forward to some more adventures the next day. 


21 comments:

  1. the scenery is indeed breathtaking and the food looks very delish. i hope you had a good time and by the photos and description it sounds like you did indeed.

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  2. Diane, this is my kind of adventure! The scenery is gorgeous and of course I love the parrot. Beautiful sunset and the desserts all look yummy! Beautiful photos! Have a happy day!

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  3. Great place to be in a resort, the view is stunning and the parrot looks so beautiful and at ease.

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  4. This looks like an amazing get away after being busy with the little ones for awhile. great treat for yourself and your husband and friends, and the views are quite amazing! Glad you got home safely!

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  5. i would so love to see a rainforest.. the scenery is fantastic and the parrot sharing your apple, wow would I love that...

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  6. That scenery is beautiful, could look at that all day and watch the changes and colours.

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  7. Diane you captured your time away beautifully, what a fab view you had from your room..I wish I got the Rozella's in my garden, they are so vibrant..

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  8. gosh, those SKIES!!! neat tunnel and family history of it, too.

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  9. The scenery is so gorgeous! Like a painting. I do love that red, red bird! As for dessert, the first thing I would have eaten was the one with all the luscious whipped cream!

    It has finally begun to cool off here and feel a little bit like Autumn. Some of the leaves are starting to turn as well. I think of you in the midst of the warm season!

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  10. That looks such a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the company of your friends.

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  11. That Lahey's Tramway Tunnel looks interesting, and of course the Rozella is simply beautiful

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  12. I am suddenly very hungry. I wonder why. Pity you did not see the ever elusive platypus, but the turtles must have been interesting.

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  13. You and Bill always seems to have such good times with your friends, Diane! Your dinner dessert looks amazing.

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  14. Oh, you captured the beauty of those mountains perfectly, Diane. I have so many fond memories of that lovely place.

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  15. That would have been something for me too ! What a nice excursion !

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  16. Beautiful images Diane, the sunset is exquisite! Enjoy!

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  17. Wow, what gorgeous scenery and another great time with friends.

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  18. Beautiful scenery, good friends, good food...what's not to love!

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  19. I'm glad you got home in time to join your group on this adventure. The tunnel definitely has an interesting history. The scenery (and sunset) is gorgeous.

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