QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Nice one Richo. It sure looks like it was a perfect day for the tour. Very nice pics. The views to Mount Lindesay appear to be about as good as it ever gets. I've been to O'Reillys more times than I care to count, and I don't ever recall seeing a Pademelon on lawns before. I thought they were a bit skittish for that kind of open behaviour.

BTW, that's one impressive looking lens on that camera... I can't wait to see those pics :mrgreen: .

Cheers,
LFaR.

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Hi Matt

In the company of very serious photographers I had serious "lens envy" the lens that Ross (beige shirt) probably cost as much as an overseas holiday. Ross, James and Dave are apparently very serious birdwatchers and take their photography seriously and from what I viewed on the camera screens on the day, very good at it as well.

This is why we like to attend Pradopoint events as you get to meet new and fantastic people with different views and hobbies all the time.

Regards, Richo and Gay.

[DAdeGroot Member Find all posts View Profile Close DAdeGroot]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Great collection of photos Richo, and good to see someone shot the cars and road.

Here's my take on the day:

While Ross and James went off chasing Wedge-tailed Eagles ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jameslagden/4848581419/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/ross_m/4848602545/ ), I hung back and chatted. Gay spotted a bird of prey approaching and so I snapped off a few shots of what turned out to be a Pacific Baza.



We then proceeded up the road and stopped for morning tea at the John Shephard Lookout:





Somewhat further on, we encounted an opening in the rainforest that looked out over O'Reilly's farm, so I grabbed a quick four shot panorama from out the driver's window:



The car park at O'Reilly's was chockers, so the decision was made to head back down the road a little way and try our luck in the camping ground. It was here that we met the rather friendly Red-necked Pademelons grazing:





It was then on towards the Tree Top walk and a spot of birding in the dark rainforest. I managed to get an Eastern Whipbird:



And an Australian Logrunner:




Finally, here's the track showing Duck Creek Road -> O'Reilly's:

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Whoa. Talk about lens envy. Superb shots there David. So what sort of lens is that behemoth?

LFaR.

[DAdeGroot Member Find all posts View Profile Close DAdeGroot]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Whoa. Talk about lens envy. Superb shots there David. So what sort of lens is that behemoth?

All the wildlife shots were taken using my Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, whereas the landscape/panoramas were with the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM lens. Had the 5DMkII body only that day (it's my primary body anyway).

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Your trip was inspiration enough for me to get off my behind and go for a drive. I took my parents and daughter along and they really enjoyed it. Here's a couple of pics to add to this thread.

This is the view from John Shepard Lookout, about halfway up the hill i think.


O'Reilly's has lot's of these birds at the picnic area that will swoop down and try take your food... even while it's being put in your mouth. Cute the first couple of times but damned annoying after that.


This little lookout is easy to miss. It's on the way back down to Canungra but has a panorama from the south west around through north to the east sout east. The grass is so thick and soft that i've actually gone back there just to lie down in the sun and read a book. There is a rotunda and a few picnic tables, but no toilets.

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: QLD - Beaudesert to O'Reilly's via Duck Creek Rd - 1st Aug

Magnifient!

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

Just an update on the Duck Creek/O'Reilly's run. I went up on Wednesday the 26th October with a bunch of guys from work. The track is the worst condition it's been so far and was a lot of fun. This was the fourth time i've done this track, and the first time i felt justified in using a 4wd. Plenty of good sized washouts interspersed along the track with one or two muddy puddles up in the higher altitudes.

Don't forget your gold coin donation at the gate when you enter.

I've been trying to justify getting new tyres and lift and thought this would be a good opportunity to do some damage to the AT22's. I drove pretty hard and fast in some places, trying to take some chips out of the rubber... or even a puncture. After a solid run up and back i can report that the tyres only have a couple of scuffs on the tyre walls. The suspension was brilliant and didn't lift a wheel or bottom out once whereas the pajero in front of me scraped a couple of times. This was by far the most i've abused the car in a year and it took it all in its stride. I'm very impressed.

Mike

[Jeffers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeffers]

Looks like a good day trip. I'm looking forward to heading up there in the not to distant future.
Great pic's guys
Cheers,
Jeff

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Hi Guys,
I am looking at doing this in the next month or so. I found it in the 4wd Dirty weekends book. I presume it is a comfortable day trip from Brisbane as we will have the kids with us. Looking at the pictures it seems a straighforward run as long as it is dry?
Any gotchas?
Cheers

[Goodwinfamily Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goodwinfamily]

Hi did it with 3 kids a few months ago. definately better if dry and well worth the trip. It was knocked around a bit last time we travelled and from the above posts may be worse I would look to get an update re the track condition

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Just checking i dont need a winch , maxtrax etc.
The prado has ATR tyres, shovel, recovery gear and common sense ;-)

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

They're pretty quick to close the road if there's been too much rain, so shouldn't be a hassle in your "standard" configuraiton from memory.

Cheers,

Dave

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Gumboot what Fozzy said... We went up the same day as GoodwinFamily with 3 adults and 4 kids onboard. Following behind us was a SanteFe and although the track was pretty rough i.e. bumpy, there was no reason why a Prado would be hassled. Just as a precaution, give O'Reilly's a ring before you leave to confirm the road is open.


Craig

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Hi Gumboot

If we get the rain they are talking about over the next few days have an alternative trip planned as they will close the road. If we do get the rain however, the Condamine River run might be interesting with some water in the river

See ya on the tracks, Richo.