Diary of a pretend bimbo: Camping in Springbrook

KG, LD and I set off to Sringbrook to experience 3D2N of camping. Unfortunately, camping in the mountains during winter comes with near freezing temperatures. Winter on the Gold Coast is pretty tolerable really, but the (slightly) increased altitude made for an extra drop of 3C. Thankfully, KG had the sense to bring along every warm item in the house, although this did render our 2 man tent somewhat claustrophobic.

Whilst we were both rugged up in multiple layers. Sergeant LD happily waltzed around in a tee and cargos, boasting of week-long treks through the Tasmanian jungles and going 5 days without showers.

Having no appropriate outdoorsy gear, I was suited up like an aerobics instructor with kid-sized Nikes on my feet (adult sizes start at 6, which are too big).

The day grew dark swiftly. We lugged our edibles to the kitchen, where clean electric pans were available for public use.

Sausages from the Ferry Rd Markets for dinner

After an uncomfortably freezing night (granted KG let me have possession of the hot water bottle) of tossing and turning and one quick visit to the lavatory (read: bushes), we awoke to a frosty morning.

View of the Purlingbrook Falls from above

The goal was to complete a 6km trek to the bottom of the falls. Sergeant LD, with his experience of the extremes, had deliberately chosen an easier route for us amateurs.

The cool morning gave way to rising temperatures and soon I was shedding off some of my 3 layers. The spray from the fall was very soothing.

Note the two faint rainbows

A view from under the moderate gush - Queensland hasn't been receiving much rain of the late

An impressive clump of fungi

At the bottom, we nibbled on our snacks and drank from the stream. The water was surprisingly crisp and sweet. Having grown up in a country where 'river' meant opaque, almost solid-looking brown liquid (with pink, filled garbage bags bobbing around on top), I was very impressed.

Jan: We drank from the river.

Ma: Aiyoh, afterwards diarrhea how?

Jan: This isn't Klang river, Ma.

Sergeant LD walked at a brisk pace, forcing us ducklings to huff and puff after him.

Tobacco plant

There are no shower facilities on the campgrounds (not to mention the stuff that comes out of the pipes is freezing), so I washed my hair in a most uncivilized manner. It was either that, or look like a greasy-haired Korean female ghost for the next 24 hours.

Lunch was at a quaint little restaurant nearby. I forget the name as usual, but the pie (all three of us had the same, thanks to the pie seed I planted in everyone's heads) was pretty decent, as was their sticky date pudding, which KG gracefully planted on the carpet. The staff were nice enough to replace it. Incidentally, pies means dog in Polish. A little trivia never hurt anyone.