Boonoo Boonoo National Park, Australia

Boonoo Boonoo National Park (pronounced bunna-bunoo) is a national park on the  northern border of New South Wales. We heard about it from my hippy, landlord lady, Autumn. She said the nature there was amazing with a massive canyon and lots of swimming spots. Only a 40-minute drive from Thulimbah, Queensland led us on a dusty, bumpy ride into to the bush where the park is. The drive was wicked. Scenery was stellar. This is a place worth going, hands down. 

Transitioning from scorched and golden fields to the greenery of gum trees mountains, the further we drove into the bush the more beautiful it got. A path lead us from the parking lot down to look-off point immediately, an early pay-off. But it just kept getting better. After that, it was all forest, rolling mountains, swimming holes, rock canyons and waterfalls!  

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We stood beside a waterfall at the first look-out, staring into the valley ahead. Waterfalls in Australia, check! We kept on down the trail which led us to a miniature Grand Canyon of rocks( mind you it was still huge!) The rocks completely engulfed us, we were like ants. We scaled in between them and over them, around them and eventually got to a second waterfall which was gorgeous. The hike was fun especially with so many people rockin their flipflops. I busted my pair eventually. Oh well , they lasted me over 6 months, way to go Payless! Lucky for me, Paul had an extra pair of "pluggers" as he would say in his British accent. Id defintely recommend good walking shoes for this.

Boonoo Boonoo is worth the day trip but would also be great for camping!

Eventually we found a small beach and a good swimming spot, and the guys jumped in even though it was freezing! I took some photos of the plant-life up there, and practiced skipping rocks. Skipped my first one- ever! woo!

 It was really gorgeous up there, blooms of yellow and red, growing on rocks, cacti, and beautiful rock formations shaped from the strain of time and pressure. I didn't want to leave, it was so serene. We all wanted to camp up there on that beach but had no supplies. Maybe next time?

As the sun was just going down we scaled back down to get back to the path. As we all met in the parking lot we sat down at a picnic table and one of the backpackers that was with us rolled up a joint. I looked over when I heard her yelling. She pointed up to a cookaburra bird in a tree. It turns out this bird just swooped down and stole her joint. I thought that was pretty funny....!

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Featuring Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe is soooo boring. This is my opinion but I am entitled to it! I find myself wondering, "Why are the only interesting things in Stanthorpe related to alcohol?"

Is that a coincedence or a reflection of this place and the people who live here?

Passing Time With Backpackers & Rebel Pigeons

Australian sunsets are gorgeous

Thulimbah can get pretty boring, but as Ive heard an Aussie say:

 Only boring people get bored.

For me, when I'm not working it's just the simple things that make life delicious! Have a hot tea in the garden, do some yoga in the yard, snap some photos, whatever. To just enjoy nature the way it was intended, away from the noise of cities and chaos.

Still, sometimes I get restless out here! Even though I do feel great coming back to the country after a shopping day in the nearest town, Stanthorpe. (blah) The wildlife just out of the town is incredible, especially the variety of birds. Im not used to seeing wild cockatoos and rebel pigeons so I could sit outside just watching and listening to them forever. I love the colored parrots-except when they wake me up at 3 am..true say!

I have renamed the Crested Dove, The Rebel Pigeon

I've been in Thulimbah for almost two months now, but surprisingly the time has just flown by. I have been working for 6/ 8 weeks so maybe that's why, but there have been some good times here.

Out of restlessness my creative streak has been coming through, and Ive taken up photography and Ive been baking like mad!  Herb Bread, Foccacia, Banana bread, raisin scones, mango pie, shortbread cookies, chocolate macaroons, you name it! My new housemate Paul from England has even pitched in money for baking supplies so he can get in on it.

 Tonight is his 32nd birthday so me and the other housemates are having a celebration dinner for him that he doesn't know about yet. Tatsu and Yuki, our Japanese housemates are going to make Vegetable Tempura and I am going to make coconut cake topped with fresh strawberries from a local farm. Perhaps have a few drinks of Canadian Club too?

My own Pizza, Chocolate Macaroons, Veg Shephard's Pie, Scones & Red Veg Curry!

Rebel Pigeon Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org