Urbanville - Levuka Weekend

19 - 20 July 1997

Saturday

We met at Rathdowney on Saturday at 9:00 am for a leisurely drive via the Lions Road down to the rail loop on the border between QLD and NSW. The Lions Road is a publicly built road by the people of the area and the Lions Club. The Railways failed to provide a train for us to view going through the loop so after having smoko at the Border Loop Lookout with everyone trying to keep warm, because of the icy wind coming up the hill ,we set off to finish the Lions Rd. We headed off and did a loop of Border Ranges National Park then on for a walk at Bridal Creek. We passed some lovely rainforest on the way and our walk was a good way to have a more appreciative look. There was a lot to see at ground level as well as growth in the tree tops, such as various sizes of Birdsnest Ferns. With time getting on, we headed off to Summerland Way for a shortcut to Toonunbar Forest Drive. The track was a good steady uphill, a little overgrown, with one hill a bit washed out. We thought we might have a little trouble getting up as we were towing the camper, but everything was fine, then on to Sherwood Lookout for lunch.

After lunch we travelled down Cox’ Road, back onto Summerland Way to Woodenbong via some back tracks, then on to Urbenville to visit the Historic Museum. First we went to the Pioneer Cottage, which was originally a family home built in 1892. It has a main area of four bedrooms and verandahs all around and a separate kitchen/dining area. The main area was moved to Urbenville in 1977 with the kitchen/dining area being moved in 1980. It was an interesting look into how people lived in early 1900’s. Then at the museum building, a few of us had our own memories of things on display and seeing the odd object that our Grandparents may have had or used. By the end of our visit the weather had changed and we had afternoon tea in the rain on the verandahs of the cottage. A quick fuel top up for some then onto Levuka to set up camp in the damp with the cows. A campfire was soon made and dinner was on the go. We then enjoyed a social evening around the campfire with marshmallow cooking, damper and a chance to keep warm as the night air was a little cool. Cameron and I went and braved the showers, with a pump device like in a Porta-Loo it was a good excuse to shower with a friend, with one pumping while the other showered. Even though it was cold you felt better afterwards.

Sunday

We were up to an early start after a cool night, but not as cold as we had envisaged. With breakfast over it was time to head off driving. Levuka is a farm that the owners have 4wd tracks on. You can go and drive there for a small fee. Ours included camping too.

David was leading and the first track he turned down was a downhill, slippery with a muddy puddle half way down. I didn’t want to do this but was told I had to stay put. After getting down OK the track was a little sticky with mud and care had to be taken. We were a bit behind the group being last and didn’t see the line everyone else took and Cameron found himself getting into a bit of trouble. The track had a slope to it and being slippery, we found we were slipping into a tree and had to be winched off. After all it was a training weekend and we couldn’t have done better if we had tried. That was the last of the mud for the day.

This is what Pajeros get for trying to keep up with Subarus

The rest of the day was relatively good, easy, dry 4WDriving. There was a gully with a steep in and out that David couldn’t get out of. As there wasn’t much hope for the rest of us, we turned and headed back to an area on our maps called The Playground. There, some playing was done by some and for others lessons on hill key starts was had. We had a smoko break there and then headed off for a hill called "Bumbusters". After seeing a few trying to get up I didn’t think it was a good idea. Cameron ignored my worries and went ahead anyway, and both he and Rob crawled up in their Diesels, with what seemed no effort at all . Time was getting away and we headed back for lunch and to pack up. David, Rob, Nobbie and Tadgh headed out again after lunch, and I believe found a few challenging tracks, as the rest headed for home. An enjoyable weekend was had by all. Thanks Jeff, David, and ladies of the Historic Society, Urbenville.

Julie & Cameron Neilsen SC287