Page 17 - RidingOn156 SPRING 2022

the very impressive Daggs Falls, much easier to access as the
lookout is by the roadside.

The highlight was the very tall Queen Mary Falls, it has a picnic
area and café across the road which we, unfortunately, found
out returning the following day closes in the early afternoon.
Allow the inner child to buy a bag of seeds to feed the birds
outside the café. The longer walk leading to the bottom of the
falls was closed as deemed unsafe, but the shorter walk did
not disappoint, crossing the flooded stream and taking us to
a platform with a magnificent outlook of the falls and valley
below.
The road, with patches of steep mud-covered sections and
water crossings, continues along to Boonah through the
mountain range passing Taylor’s Lookout and transverses
private farms with livestock and many cattle grids. We copped
a downpour on the other side of the Main Range National Park
but unlike down south, we quickly dried out with Queensland’s
warmer climate.

On Thursday Brian and I met up with his mate Paul Malcolm
from the Northern Gateway
Branch and Steve, a relatively
new member from South
Gippsland. Paul, with his local
knowledge, guided us out towards
Woodenbong via the iconic Mt
Lindesay Road with quite a bit of
unsealed road works to add to the
adventure. After the break, we
continued along the grin-inducing
road with plenty of tight bends
and rainforest scenery to boot. I
challenge anyone to keep their
eyes totally on the road while
passing Mt Lindsay with its rocky
top.
We returned via Spring Creek Road
back towards Queen Mary Falls.
The same road from the previous
day but indistinguishable, creating
a different view and experience
facing the other direction and I found it even more
picturesque.

The next day Paul, Brian and I took the highway to
Toowoomba meeting up with Paul’s partner Carolyn.
Continuing along via the dry farming landscape we
rode over the Wivenhoe Dam Spillway, an impressive
construction that would have any engineering mind
squirming in delight.
Lunch was at the Fernvale Bakery which boasts 120 flavours of
pies including many of our native animals, such as kangaroo
and crocodile. You do need to be there early for choice as it is
very popular. The return was via the picturesque roads both
sealed and dirt through Rosewood, Grandchester, Ma Ma Creek
and Fordsdale.
Saturday heralded the traditional Grand Parade. 500
motorcycles of all types are believed to have participated and
delighted the crowds lining the main street of Warwick. Not
bad for a Rally of approx. 800 attendees.
The day ended with the Rally dinner, it was time to savour the
company of friends, reflect on the week and farewell those who
we may not see until next year. After relaxing and listening to
the live music, around midnight Brian and I adjourned back to
the accommodation to plan the next stage of our trip, the long
way home.
Holly Field #54062

RIDING ON 17