WINTER WONDERS SANDY HILL FARM FREE

The countryside out that way is very lush and green for most of the year and Tibrogargan jutting out from the flat landscape made for some attractive views as we approached. After a restorative cup of tea to settle my nerves we were itching to tackle the Mt Tibrogargan summit climb.

We finally made it safely to the Glasshouse Mountains Information Centre after an interesting side journey. Now, I had tried to memorise the road map and I did resurrect the dodgy “cookie car” GPS from our trip to the snow but somehow I still managed to take the wrong turn and drive through the tunnel to the airport. So take the exit north we did and the white knuckle journey through Brisbane traffic began. As I was driving along the motorway the thought struck me, “Why don’t I just treat this driving business as a fun challenge or fear to be conquered in the same way as I enjoy conquering a hiking challenge such as a steep mountain? It’s still a legitimate achievement.” In fact, driving is statistically more dangerous than bushwalking. We’d either go south to revisit Springbrook National Park on roads I was familiar with or head north through the city and towards the Sunshine Coast area. We left at 10am with overnight bags and hiking gear but with no definite plan.

WINTER WONDERS SANDY HILL FARM FREE

I had two days free and I’d decided to reward my daughter for her dedication to studies. I hadn’t completely committed to this destination until I was actually part-way along the motorway and approaching the required exit. What is a challenge to one person is not necessarily a challenge to another. The theme of my previous post probably applies here too. I’ve had friends ask me how I coped with not having TV, a reliable water supply, fast Internet, shops and close medical care, but I couldn’t understand how they could cope with busy traffic, noise, lack of privacy, having to lock their doors, and not being able to let their children play unsupervised in their yards. I spent many years happily driving on isolated bulldust, sand, gravel and stony outback roads while avoiding kangaroos, emu, sheep and cattle, but city traffic is a nightmare for me. In Part I, I didn’t really elaborate on the background to my first trip with my daughter but now it’s time to reveal Mildly Extreme Jane’s kryptonite – driving to the north side of Brisbane through busy city traffic! It’s really the only reason it took me so long to visit this destination. This is what was required of me to finally fulfill a childhood dream to visit the Glasshouse Mountains. If you really want to torture me, make me drive through busy city traffic on unfamiliar roads.

No, it wasn’t a deadly snake, a sheer cliff, heat exhaustion or the dreaded paralysis ticks. I faced my nemesis while visiting Mt Tibrogargan. I’ve lost some writing mojo, but as they say, “The blog must go on.” Perhaps grab a cup of coffee or something stronger before you start… Mildly Extreme Jane is not feeling very well this week so she can’t guarantee any of this will make sense. Or if you prefer, check out the National Parks Site for more information. New followers or those old followers wishing to remind themselves of the geography and history of the region can read Part I here. Today’s post continues my memories of this special area with a walk at Mt Tibrogargan and Mt Beerburrum.

Several months ago I wrote Ngungun: Glass House Mountains – Part I. “Spontaneity is a meticulously prepared art” – Oscar Wilde

Winter wonders sandy hill farm