GAYNDAH   is a rural township located on the Burnett River approximately 366 km northwest of Brisbane 

The area around Gayndah was first explored in 1843 and the first squatters moved into the district in 1847.  It is said to be the oldest town in Queensland.

The area around Gayndah was initially used for grazing with cattle replacing sheep by 1880. The  first orange and mandarin trees were planted in 1892.

Dairy farming has now all but disappeared from the district.

By 1861 Gayndah had it's first newspaper and regular coach connection to Maryborough. In 1863 the first school was built and in 1864 the first bank opened in town.

                                                  The drapery store (above & below) was once one of the central gathering points for shoppers.   The store is still  open for business and has the original flying-fox cashier system which is still in operation.  

The town's population increases dramatically in the cooler months of May to August with "Fruit Pickers" who set up home in the local Caravan Parks. 

Our trip has begun, 
Friday 20th April saw us leave Tewantin and travel a whole 108kms to Kilkivan.
Kilkivan is famous for it's history of gold and copper mining. If you are so inclined there is the opportunity to try your luck and also experience the history of mining at the Prophet gold mine.  As luck had it the mine was only a few metres up the road from Kilkivan Bush Camp where we stayed for the week. However it looks as if every ounce of gold had well and truly been dug out.  Needless to say we didn't do any panning



Kilkivan Bush Camping Park is in the foothills of the Oakview State Forest , next to Fat Hen Creek, where you can relax in total peace and it  is well known for it's bird and wildlife
Each site has its own firepit and the wee doggies can run free and swim in Fat Hen Creek to their hearts desire

















A visit to the local Cemetery was a must for us - it is some distance from Kilkivan township but it all made sense once we saw a sign indicating where the Township was originally settled
Some towns that we visited were:

Goomeri  which is famous for its  Pumpkin Festival (take a close look at the power pole) which is held annually on the last Sunday in May.  This unique festival  attracts approximately 12,000 people to the small town to celebrate all things pumpkin.   Unfortunately our timing is out & we won't have a chance to enter the Pumpkin throwing Competition  

It is also  known for its Antique Shops  and the very popular "Cheeseworld".  Paul was quite impressed with the Cheeseball I purchased
There are plenty of coffee shops, which thrilled me immensely - not too often I get to stop for a Coffee!!!  We also stuffed our faces with the famous "pumkin scone".  Was it Flo that made these famous????  Who knows but we did find out that ours were baked in MURGON - they were delicious

 Another visit was to Murgon and also Kingaroy along the Bunya Hwy returning back to our camp via the Burnett Hwy.

Kingaroy being the Regional Capital of  The South Burnett 

Kingaroy is well known for 3 things, Sir Joh & Lady Flo  and last but not least it is the peanut capital of Australia.  The local peanut silos stand out in town and of course don't forget to see the Peanut Van

Another side trip was to The Chimneys, bit of a narrow rough road but beautiful scenery and only 8kms from our Camp Site

All in all it was a great week and we still had time to sit & relax by the fire of a night   In addition to that we had plenty of time to catch up on a bit of reading-  NO TV;  NO  NET & NO MOBILE COVERAGE 
just one other thing!!! TAKE DRINKING WATER OR A WATER CONTAINER SO THAT YOU CAN FILL UP WITH RAINWATER - the tap water out here is putrid. 

Well here we are, Easter has passed and we are still in Tewantin.  If all goes according to plan we should hit the road this coming Thursday.

Tomorrow (Monday) will see me up at 4.30am & driving to Royal Brisbane as Gra has to have another Hickman Line inserted.  We have to stay over for the nite as he has to be within an hour of the Hospital after discharge.  Paul's Birthday celebrations will have to be delayed a few hours till we get home.

Have you ever seen a 'Ponytail Palm' in flower?  I certainly hadn't till we arrived at Gra's