Family Day Trip to OReilly's via Duck Creek Road

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

Morning all

We are planning the following (Subject weather and healthy kids);

Family (wife, Mother in law, 3 kids 7/5/3) up to OReilly's, Lamington National park. BBQ or picnic lunch and a bit of a look around for the kids.

Link;

http://www.oreillys.com.au/

Date: Sunday 10/07/2011
Meet: McDonalds Beaudesert around 0930hrs
Not too early a start with a meet at the Beaudesert Mcdonalds for a coffee before driving down Kerry Rd to the entrance to Duck Creek Rd.

Here is a link to a Pootube video from a few months ago showing the track after some of the rain we have had.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luDApNudIbw

This is a light drive with apparently some offshoot tracks for those that want to play. For me its mainly a soft day out with the kids and I think will probably take the weber and do a sausage sizzle at a location of consensus.

They have a bird show and tree top walks up at OReilly's so we can suit ourselves up there.

Usual Pradopoint disclaimer applies

All welcome remembering its family day so focused on the wifes and kids so might not be for those wanting to have a big play.

[prh Member Find all posts View Profile Close prh]

Lamington is one of our favourite walking destinations, and we enjoyed a days walking there about a month ago. At that time Duck Creek Road was closed. I'm interested in your report, since my kids are keen to make this trip.

Paul

[sdd1970 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sdd1970]

Shame I missed this post earlier. Would have been a good day for it. Have only been there once but was good. Hope you a great day.

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

Trip Report

Up not so early and about an hours drive from Wellington Point to where Kerry Rd intersects with Duck Creek Rd.

Along the short tarred section until we reached the gate (The track is open!)


Gold coin donation left. Ready to go!


Let me say that the track is ROUGH and has been damaged by rain washing away soil from rocks and creating a number of channels and dips to negotiate.
Having said this it is not hard to negotiate by using care and selecting the best lines. Any vehicle with a lift over the standard Prado 150 will have no issues.

More to come

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

I had heard that this track is best known for its fantastic views. I must say I was not dissapointed!. there is a lookout in the middle section that has a picnic area above it (accessed further up the road) that has a view to die for. Pictures as follows
The view from above

Parked for a break and absorb the view

Where I am standing (Hansome one in black shirt!) is where the picnic area is. entry is just around the corner however the table is broken

The view from the picnic area

From this location you travel through rainforest and farming land.

More to come

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

The track stabilises and you travel through some mud (Glorious mud) and softer areas. There are a couple of guest houses and farmstays with magnificent views prior to getting to the main road up to OReilly's.
View of the track as it stabilises and enters rainforest

One of the properties off the track that can be hired

The track moves in and out of rainforest and rural landscapes


Review of Oreillys and the activities there follows


I forgot to mention that there are numerous side tracks to test yourself on if you are that way inclined all along the route.

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

OReilly's is accessed by a narrow tar road with passing areas so if going in a group I believe that 2 way is essential.

The carpark is not overly large but there is a camping area just south of the Guesthouse that has a good size area.
Photo

There is a kiosk that sells drinks and essentials even full picnics and BBQ packs if you wish.
The view from the coffee shop/cafe has to be seen to be believed!
A review of their prices says bring your own!
There is Bird feeding where you buy a tray of food for the birds as well as guided walks and even Segway tours!
We decided to take a walk up to the treetop walkway....amazing and spectacular come to mind
Entrance to the walk is via some excellent raised timber walkways (good for those with mobility issues)...if you are a birdlover (Fancier??) the little finches have made little nests on the floor of the rainforest and I could watch these little fellows for ages.
The timber access walkways

The walkway is free and midway through has a tower that you can climb.
The walkway

The tower

Again the upkeep of the walkway relies to a degree on the donations of the public Gold coin added!
The picnic area and then on to the Alpaca Farm to come........

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

The Picnic Area and Alpaca Farm
OReilly's picnic area is excellent with walking trails and plenty of electric BBQs that are situated with tables and seats, it was well patroned when we were there and for a group would be great however if you had more than say 4 cars I would look to the picnic area halfway along the Duck Creek Rd track as your point of food and views with enough room for 1 to 5 vehicles.

The picnic area

The Guest view

The Alpaca Farm
About half way down the mountain and identified by the 4 flags out the front

Photo of strange horse/donket/rabbit

The Alpaca farm, small horses weird looking donkeys I dont know but the highlight for an afternoon tea or to enrich the soul is the deck and associated coffe/snack shop

What a spot for coffee and conversation!

Final Trip report to come

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

The final drive is past a number of wineries including one owned by O'Reilly's this one has Sunday live netertainment and although I didnt go in I noted that the carpark appeared full so I gather its a great spot.

To summarise I suggest that the trip for the day is a FANTASTIC day out.

If in a group this is the place to take a weber for a group BBQ


Excuse dude in photo trying to suck in stomach!!!!



Views continued!
DO NOT MISS the tree top walk and DO NOT MISS the Alpaca farm for the afternoon tea! The wineries, particularly the OReilly's appear to be a great location.

Please enjoy your day and I hope this assisted with any future day trip

Goodie

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Great trip report, it's a shame we missd this however we are still in hospital after welcoming our little girl into the world in wednesday night. We have wanted to visit orielly's for some time now and in a few months after little Abigail is ready we shall do this trip (minus the duck creek rd).

Keep the trips reports coming Goodie.

Cheers Daniel

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

Congrats Daniel well done....one wife that is....great support I am sure on your part...
Abigail

Means "Father in rejoicing"

Abigail (Hebrew)
Abigail was an Old Testament character who saved her negligent husband from the wrath of King David. After her husband's death, she later married David. David's sister was also named Abigail.

Abigail was quite commonly used in English-speaking communities from the late seventeenth century on, particularly in the American colonies. It fell into disuse in the early twentieth century, but is now among the most popular names for girls in the U.S., UK, and Australia.

The name Abigail is sometimes cited as meaning "servant," but there is no etymological basis for this definition.

Famous Abigails in literature include the daughter of Barabas in Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta" and the manipulative Abigail Williams in Miller's "The Crucible."

Famous bearers of this name include U.S. First Lady Abigail Adams, Canadian athlete Abigail Hoffman, and British artist Abigail Lane.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Hey Goodie. Had I seen your thread and realized, we would have joined you as we headed up there today also (these pics taken at 1120am) Beautiful day wasn't it? (when in the sun that is...)



Couldnt resist...

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

Hey Craig you must have been just behind us..do you agree with track assesment? I dont want to put anyone off...saw your rig ARB bar with similar tree pinstriping?

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Thanks mate for the kind wishes and also some of the meanings and origin of our little Abigails name. One day soon we shall join you on a trip.

Cheers Daniel

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Hey Craig you must have been just behind us..do you agree with track assesment? I dont want to put anyone off...saw your rig ARB bar with similar tree pinstriping?

Your track assessment is about right. Yes the trip up the range certainly was a little bumpier than expected. And on a couple of occasions a careful line had to be negotiated. But overall a nice easy trip with some stunning scenery.

Regards