This week end, we decided to spend one night in Binna Burra Lodge. This used to be a favourite hub for bush walking before we had the children, but now that they are big enough, why not ?
One week computing around the clock + Brisbane Summer Heat lurking = Wotif.com Binna Burra. I found a last minute great deal, all inclusive, no cooking, and 5C cooler temperature, heaven!
We spent the night in a cabin entirely made of wood, including the roof tiles, and you could breathe it. We opened all windows equipped with mosquito nets. It had a strange alpine - tropical feeling.
As we arrived, we saw ... our neighbours there playing with their kids :) ... small world.
We started with the Cave walk - 7 kms, and the following day, we booked Abseiling and Flying Fox (see pictures) lessons. Our instructor was fantastic with kids, and guided us through overcoming any possible fear of height. He would talk each person through the whole descent, reassuringly. Both Josie and Oscar managed the 10 meters cliff descent in the National Park.
After that, we decided to continue on our own, cutting through the bush, back to the Lodge, following a nice path he had recommended. We stopped in a river bed to eat our pack lunches, then walk along ridges with breath-taking views, and Oscar found a Blue feather.
Back in the Lodge, as Paul was getting some water in the toilets for the road to Brisbane, I was heading towards the reception to ask if anyone would know where this feather come from? On my way, I saw the abseiling instructor, who was heading towards his motorbike going back home to his family as well. He said it was a Crimson Rosella Tail feather. As we walked along the car park, he said, wait ... I will show you something you can show your family.
He showed me a Bower Bird nest: quite unique ... the Bower bird collects blue bits and create a pattern on a 50 square centimetre nesting area on the ground. The purpose is to attract females ... as many as 10-12 per season that way.
Then, he left on his motorbike and told me: just as I like the bush being my office, I love riding a bike, because 'I can feel the elements'! ... better not think too much about such luxurious idea.
When Paul got the water, I called the kids and Paul, and we all went to see the Bower Bird nesting area... and lucky us: the Bower bird showed up !
I got a picture of him in the slide show below, you MAY be able to notice the blue metallic reflexion on his black feathers, quite unique.
My very last action was to put Oscar's blue feather behind a tree, with Oscar's permission, not far from the Bower bird nesting area, but hidden from the main track where a tourist may steel the feather.
Hopefully, the Bower Bird will find it.
