Gillies Lookout

A couple of weeks ago we went for a drive around Tinaroo lake on a Sunday.

As usual there were lots of campers at all of the sites. The water was going down, but it didn't stop the boats towing skiers around and the noise was all about.

We used to love going camping at Kauri Creek when we were living in Cairns, just to get out of the rat race. Now that we live practically on the lake we thought it didn't have the same appeal to be surrounded by all these people. We  have our own little place in the bush… Only the cows come and visit occasionally and  the birds calls is the only noise we can hear.

On our way back, we decided to go to the Gillies lookout. Sven had previously gone there and told me the view was something to see.

After  about 4 km of rugged dirt road, (which at some time I thought our little Subaru wouldn't make it through), and going up and down through the dense rain forest, we finally made it to the top.

We couldn't believe our eyes… Cars were everywhere parked on the side of the narrow road. And between the cars, some people had small tents erected. Sleeping in tents, and cars these were hang gliders waiting for the strong winds to abate so they could take the leap! It felt like we dropped in  a hippy commune!

It was a bit off-putting as rubbish was everywhere and loud music was blaring as entertainment.

 Not our kind of music though. That boom boom boom kind of music was quite disturbing. Bits of toilet paper were flying around on the path and I was careful were I was walking...

We tried to ignore  the disconcerting  back ground and WOW! that view was indeed extraordinary.

We could see all the way from Goldsborough Valley on the left to the Gillies highway on the right.

 It definitely is something to see, but if we were to take visitors to witness this magnificent sight we would go on a week day, as I'm told these hang gliders "hang" around every week end.

And I just hope they picked up their rubbish before they left…

We were quite happy to come home and appreciate nature to its best without any distractions . The next morning I woke up to this beautiful sun rise.

A few days later we witnessed this amazing full moon rising from behind the hills.

 And later again this storm brewing over our place.

What a beautiful world we live in!