Sandy Creek Campin' and a bit of the Conondale NP

[Jeff and Cel 120 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff and Cel 120]

We left straight after work on Friday and headed up to Sandy Creek Campin' (no "g") just past Woodford. It was our first time camping there, and we were pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. We went with 2 other families, but all up there would have only been about 9 or 10 campers set up which was great! Everyone was quiet and kept to themselves, the kids could play in the creek and had a fabulous time getting dirty and just basically being kids!

On Saturday we went out to Kilcoy to get some 3G service and find which 4WD tracks were open in the area. Conondale, Imbill and Jimna were all listed as closed, so we decided to do an easy drive through Bellthorpe instead. We were following a friend who was using the HEMA map thingy, and somehow we ended up in Conondale NP anyway. The track was fairly easy, some good mud holes which tested out our new tyres, the most challenging thing was getting past that pesky lantana!! We have some more bush pinstriping along every panel of our car now, which Jeff isn't too happy about. I'm very pleased that I managed to get mud over the entire car as well.

We packed up this morning while busy planning our next trip away. We've been so busy the past 6-7 months we haven't had a chance to do anything in our prado, I'm now determined to go away at least once a month, even it's for a day trip.

Celeste (and Jeff)

Just a selection of piccies from our weekend

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

Way to go Jeff & Cel - looks like a nice spot to camp. Exploring up that way will always result in an encounter with lantana, but custom pinstripes are the mark of a true explorer, wear them with pride.

Cheers,

Dave

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

Celeste

We go to Sandy Creek quite often did you do any of the tracks on the property last time (two weeks ago) we ended up with a two hour winching exercise

It's a nice touch when Brian brings down the Sunday morning paper for the campers.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[Jeff and Cel 120 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff and Cel 120]

Yes the paper being delivered was really sweet But unfortunately because of the recent weather, all of his tracks were closed. He said the flood that just went through washed all his sand away from the creek and was replaced by those rocks which is amazing to think what mother nature can do!
We really enjoyed it there, we're thinking of making Sandy Creek our "go to" camp spot when we've got a spare weekend free from now on.

Celeste

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Hey Jeff and Cel, we will have to look out for you next time we head out there, we camped there for the first time over Australia day long weekend! Went for 1 day and got cut off for 3! We loved it even though it was obviously extremely wet! We reckon it'll become a regular as well. The creek was amazing in flood, we were the first ones to attempt getting out the tuesday morning because we had 2 kids in the car supposed to be having their 1st day at school and a wife freaking out about the fact that they might miss it because we were flooded in! here's some photos:

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Here are the kids "body surfing" down the drain with me catching them at the bottom.....can you tell this photo was a little blurry, thats mum shaking

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

I can't believe no one has mentioned the massive F$#king Snake!! Is this normal up there?
I can tell you if we see a snake anywhere in Victoria it is big news, for the following reasons.

1. Its a Snake
2. It most likely will kill you if you get bit.

I guess the kids played with it during afternoon snacks and then let it go? In Victoria it would be on the end of a shovel.

;-) Bernie.

[Jeff and Cel 120 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff and Cel 120]

LOL Bernie The snake wasn't actually that big, and it was clearly digesting a possum or a rat or something so it wasn't really interested in us. I'm not a great fan of snakes, but I'm ok when I know it's a harmless python. The wife of one of the families we were camping with had a closer encounter while she was showering. A snake visited her and decided to nestle under her shoe! We did wonder why she was taking so long! But it was ok, we had enough wine to calm her nerves

myminirocks those photos are unbelievable!! The people who own the property said that the river has completely changed since that flood, there's no sand and all these large smooth rocks are now there. It's a great spot, we were actually going to go there again this weekend if the weather had have played along, but oh well, we'll probably go in a few weeks time now.

Celeste

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

We normally camp under those trees besdie the creek just goes to show you have to be careful when camping in the rain. We have been going there for years and never seen a snake rather than two! Must be the weather bringing them out.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Hey Richo, yeah there is some great spots right beside the creek under the trees, there were a grounp of young ones (about 8 of them) there when we arrived. The Mrs wanted to camp down there as well, but I knew the weather on its way and I have had some experience with flash flooding so we camped right up high, beside the infrastructure. Well about 0300 the next morning we are awoken by quite a commotion, the young ones (drunk as skunks) woke up with about 2inches of water in their tents. Their fire place was gone as were 3 of their chairs. They all had luxies and a patrol tray back so they simply lifted their dome tents 1 person per corner, and put them in the utes (bedding an everything still in the tents) and drove up to where we were. By morning, where they were camped was at least a meter underwater! If you know the top abolition block, this photo was taken from just behind it, I could reach through the fence and touch the water. Had the river risen half a meter more, it would have broken banks just behind the block!

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Pinstripes!
Love it

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

That would have put the causeway behind the ablutions 3 or 4 mts under water WOW.

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Yeah! It was pretty full on. Brian did say that the 2011 floods was only a little higher then what this year was. Poor bugger, must cost him a packet to have to keep rebuilding the causeway. Thinking we might head out this weekend.

[Jeff and Cel 120 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff and Cel 120]

If it's not forecast to rain we might join you!

If that's ok of course