Having recently visited the Biggenden area, the Bundaberg 4WD Club was keen to head back and do some more exploring.
Our campsite at the Woowoonga Public Hall provided an excellent base for trips around the Biggenden area.
Woowoonga State Forest was gazetted as a National Park in 2006. Trial plantings of hoop pine and
Silky Oak were established up to the 1970’s with the site of the forestry camp in the Woowoonga Creek Valley.
From the car park at the base of Mount Woowoonga, there is a bushwalking track which climbs through hoop pine rainforest. It’s said, from the summit you can look east across the Seaview Range to Maryborough and, on a clear day, K’Gari (Fraser Island).
Biggenden can be seen to the south-west and Childers to the north-east. The massive granite outcrop of Mount Walsh is visible as you descend.
Some members of the group started off on the climb, succumbing to its steepness at the second chair (if you attempt the track, you will know when you get to it).
There’s a reason we are a four wheel drive club, it’s much easier on the body.
The National Park has a few vehicle tracks in it, mainly fire trails.
Our plans to traverse the area came to a halt when we encountered a massive tree blocking the route.
In the event of a fire the tracks would prove difficult to drive as trees and lantana have taken a hold.
It appears that it’s been quite some time since anyone has ventured into the area.
A retreat for our group put driving skills to the test, and the sound of the paint destroying plants working its way along the vehicles made drivers cringe.
Definitely some “memories” added to the paint work on this trip.
Nearby, Mount Walsh National Park has a diverse range of attractions to suit the outdoor enthusiast.
Mount Walsh is named after William Henry Walsh, the first European to climb the Bluff, and was
declared a national Park in 1947. A three kilometer round trip walk at the end of Utopia Road into the Waterfall Creek section of the park takes you to a section of rock pools and waterfalls, a popular spot in summer with swimmers.
Mount Walsh itself is a popular spot for those who want to see how fit they are, with a walking track up to the summit of the mountain.
From the day use area the track winds it way up the rugged granite bluff.
The Harry Frauca Walking track, you follow, was named after Harry Frauca, a naturalist, writer and photographer who lived in Bundaberg.
Our group ventured out to the Chowey Railway Bridge to check out the abandoned structure.
Built in 1905 the 27 meter arch construction was the first long span concrete bridge built in Queensland.
In total 658 cubic meters of concrete was used, with the sand aggregate coming from the creek bed it traversed.
Back in town, we were fortunate to be shown around local Biggenden legends, Alan and Narelle Cunninghams home.
The couple have amassed quite a lot of items over the years. Hours can be spent looking over the massive collections.
The displays of dolls is something to behold, along with cars, toys, carriages and many other quirky things.
Room to store everything is at a premium, with sheds stacked to the roof, and even overflowing onto the roof.
Alan’s passion for collecting, and the stories that go with the items is amazing.
His collection of Douglas Motorcycles is something to behold. The visit topped off yet another great weekend out and about for our club.
To find out more on the Bundaberg Four Wheel Drive Club and activities we have on, contact us via email: info@bunadberg4wdclub.com on the net here or catch us on Facebook or Instagram.
- Other news: Explore our region: Sharon Gorge Nature Park
