Vehicle servicing, then Maleny and the Sunshine Hinterland

The Ford needed its 3000km service and we had to get the Truma diesel heater fixed at Explorer, so after a few restful days spent at the Goodooga Artesian pool, we backtracked for a quick visit to Lightning Ridge. Having been there before, there’s too much temptation with beautiful opals, so we didn’t stay, but we love the wall mural of the rats who are “Leaving the Rat Race” by John Murray.

On the way back towards the QLD coast, we stopped at Mungindi Bridge by the Barwon River, and Inglewood RV stop and met a guy that has converted the front yard of his house into a vineyard and orchard. Would love to see it in Spring when its all growing! The sunset was pretty amazing that night.

While we waited for Ford Service Toowoomba to service our car, we wandered around Toowoomba shopping centre, and found this Lorikeet poster on a shop wall, so of course we had to take advantage. I think I might be getting obsessed.

Later the same week, the guys at the Explorer factory near Redcliffe, also fixed our Truma diesel heater that was not heating up properly. There’s a laneway at Redcliffe Beach which memorialises the Bee Gees who Iived there in the 1950’s and 60’s. We then headed towards Maleny to visit my Dad. The views in this area are spectacular, including views out to the Glasshouse Mountains.

We could not resist a visit to the Maleny Botanical Gardens and Birdworld. The gardens were OK, but this is not the best time of year to see them. The birds however were amazing! We had to wait an hour for the tour into the main aviaries, but it was well worth it. Most of the birds are rescues or ex-pets and are very happy to be around, and on top of, people. So many birds, of all shapes, colours and sizes, including…rainbow lorikeets!

We also couldn’t resist buying our new mascot, Lori, who now sits on the dashboard in the front.

Today we walked around the beautiful art and craft shops at Montville and have parked up at Kenilworth Showgrounds. We’ll probably be here for a few days to enjoy a bit more of the Sunshine Hinterland.