We decided to venture inland, taking the D’Aguilar Highway. This scenic route passes through D’Aguilar, Woodford, and Kilcoy. The landscape looked green and lush since it was the fourth wettest recorded season in Southeast Queensland. After passing through Kilcoy, we turned off toward Esk, making our final stop at Cooominya Caravan and Camping. This is the ideal location if you’re seeking a farm-like atmosphere with expansive grassy areas. There are powered sites and water hookups available. We stayed four nights and used it as a base for our explorations. The grandkids drove from Collingwood Park to join us, and we’re excited for a day of sightseeing together.
Our first stop was the Wivenhoe Spillway, where we were greeted by the impressive sight of water cascading from the dam. A few local shags were basking on a rock nearby, and we even saw one shag skillfully navigating the rapids in search of lunch.
Just like the shags, the grandkids were hungry! We drove to Coominya Spa Café, where we enjoyed hot chips, pies, sausage rolls, and dagwood dogs. Afterwards, we found a picnic table at Coominya Memorial Park, a perfect lunch spot. The grandkids had a great time on the swings after their meal. We also learned some local history about Dr. William Robert, who was born in Coominya and tragically died while attempting to climb Mount Everest due to jetstream winds of minus 30 degrees.
Our next stop was Atkinson Dam, which was at capacity and had a murky colour due to recent rain. It was a sunny and warm day.
After a wonderful day with the grandkids, it was finally time to say goodbye and head home.
The Caravan Park provides firewood, and we used an old wheel rim as our fire pit. It was wonderful to enjoy sundowners while watching the sunset. On our final day, we walked along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to Coominya. Along the way, we stopped at the old railway line to learn about the local history and the origins of Coominya. The Rail Trail stretches for 161 kilometres, running from Wulkuraka to Yarraman. You can walk, cycle, or ride horseback along this scenic trail.
