Allison Wallace 6/25/23 Allison Wallace 6/25/23

Is Morans Falls Lamington National Park’s prettiest waterfall?

Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland is full of waterfalls, but Morans Falls may reign supreme above the others.

From the pictures you find online, it may seem like this waterfall is incredibly remote and hard to get to, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Just a 2.4km easy walk through sub-tropical rainforest that starts not far from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat will reward you with this incredible feat of nature.

The entire trail is on a formed track and not very challenging, although there are some uphill sections. There aren’t any large stairs and the trail zig zags when going up/down hill, making it even easier on the legs

The trail itself is scenic despite being short. Plenty of twisted vines, ferns and strangler figs to admire as you make your way to the main event.

Because the trail is so accessible, it can get pretty busy. We decided to pack some head torches and see if we would be lucky enough to have a nice sunset from the top of the falls given that they face west.

We were lucky there were only a handful of others doing the same thing the Friday afternoon we were there. If you really want to avoid too many people, I suggest a mid-week visit if at all possible.

We heard rumours of a short-cut track from O’Reillys but were told it can be muddy and isn’t as well marked, so we made our way to the main track. The added benefit of this, is that you walk by the official lookout point where you can view the epic falls from a distance. There is something really special about seeing all that water tumble down a cliff face.

Not far beyond the lookout, you’ll find yourself at the creek that turns into Moran Falls. There is a small concrete block pathway across the creek so you can cross over and continue walking to the second official Moran Falls lookout on the other side of the falls (although the second lookout is of the surrounding rainforest and valley rather than the falls). But, for those gram-worthy views from the top of the falls, you need to change direction and follow the creek towards the cliff – it goes without saying to watch your step and be careful around here.

Plummeting 80 metres to the valley floor, Morans Falls fluctuates between a thunderous roar after rain, to a gentle trickle in the drier months. There was a decent flow on our visit, and we even ducked under for a dip – a very fresh dip!

The sound of the rushing water was so loud at points that you need to be pretty close to have a conversation.

The uninterrupted views across the Albert River valley towards Mount Lindsey and Mount Barney are 100 per cent worth it and so was our sunset. Mother Nature really put on a show for us and it was so nice just soaking it all up.

To make it back, we headed back the way we came – definitely not attempting some sort of unknown short cut in the dark!

Allison Wallace 5/29/23 Allison Wallace 5/29/23

Explore a waterfall wonderland in Lamington National Park

If there is one thing you need to know about the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, it’s that it is full of waterfalls!

We spent a full day exploring this section and were lucky enough to have the best weather and not too much water that the many creek crossings weren’t too dramatic. I can imagine after heavy rains that your feet would be wet the whole time.

Staying at O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat meant that we could start whenever we wanted and still make it back for a sunset drink, but you could easily drive out here from anywhere on the Gold Coast for a day trip as well if you started early – just be aware that the windy road to the top will slow you down.

We combined a few trails to make the most of a full day hiking in the park – starting on the West Canungra Creek circuit down to Yerralahla (Blue Pool). You ease into the day, following the Border Track for about 600m before branching in to the West Canungra Creek Circuit.

The first part dives into lush rainforest and leads you to Yerralahla Pool - there is a 400m drop in elevation from O’Reilly’s to the Blue Pool.

Though we hadn’t yet really worked up a sweat, we stripped off to have a quick swim before continuing.

From here, we followed the creek up stream, crisscrossing about 10 times, sometimes rock hopping and only once took our shoes off to wade across. Sometimes the track at crossings isn’t clear, so you (unlike me) you need to keep an eye out for those elusive trail markers!

Sitting by one such crossing for a lunch break, we spotted the local Spiny Blue Crayfish in one of the many deeper pools – a protected species - which looks like a cross between a yabby and a lobster but with vibrant blue markings.

At the junction of the Box Forest Track, there’s a decision to be made: continue along the creek, or head up the valley away from the creek. – we took the Box Forest circuit up to the Border Track that takes you back to O’Reillys .

Waterfalls aren’t the only scenery on this walk

It’s now almost the end of the waterfalls… but the last two falls (reached by short side-tracks) are the most of the day stunning in my opinion. The first signposted side-track leads to Tulleriguam Falls (Box Log Falls). These falls are tucked away and you can feel the temperature drop as you get closer. We stood here for a bit just soaking up nature’s show.

The next (short) side-trip is to Elabana Falls which is by far the busiest spot of the day with a lot of people just walking here from O’Reillys and back.

Elabana Falls is actually not one, but two falls and despite the crowds, it is still spectacular. The falls feature a tall upper section that looks like a curtain and a lower cascade that consists of multiple streams of water flowing into a natural swimming hole.

You will need to scramble over a few rocks to get the best views but the view from the track isn’t too shabby.

We stopped here for a VERY refreshing swim. The chill in the water will take your breath away. We saw plenty of small blue spiny crayfish on our swim too.

Like with any natural pool, there are submerged rocks and varying water depths so sliding and not jumping is recommended – plus, it is super slippery around here.

After spending most of the day descending or being on (relatively) flat ground, it is time to ascend back out of the valley. Be prepared for some exertion at this point but the gradient is pretty gradual.

You might find some obstacles on the trail

By the time we made it back to the retreat, we had logged about 19km and it was worth every step!

Allison Wallace 2/23/23 Allison Wallace 2/23/23

Tips for Hiking the Somerset Trail

Maybe the 2nd of January wasn’t a great day to do a hike in dry bush, but we did it anyway and the views were totally worth it.

The Somerset Trail in D'Aguilar National Park is about an hour from the Sunshine Coast and also an hour from Brisbane so it is a perfect day trip from either starting point.

It is a perfect hiking destination for those who want to explore the natural beauty of Queensland. The trail will take around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The best time to visit the Somerset Trail is during the cooler months of the year, from March to November, when the temperatures are more comfortable for hiking – unlike our visit in the peak of summer!

Getting there:

To get to the Somerset Trail, you need to drive to the southern entrance of D'Aguilar National Park. The park is easily accessible by car, and there is ample parking available at the trailhead – called The Gantry. Once you reach the trailhead, you can start your hike, following the well-marked trail.

The trail itself:

Around a 13km loop (the best kind of hike because there is no back-tracking!), the trail moves you through various terrains.

The rainforest of palms and ferns changes to timberland, scribbly gum and pine forest as you make your way to the lookout.

All the recommendations are the do the loop anti-clockwise. This means the hike back from the summit is a bit shorter and most of the uphill bits are early on in the walk.

The trail is clearly signposted so there is very little chance of going off-track.

Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen as there are limited facilities on the trail.

There’s not real view before or after you reach the lookout so make sure you leave enough time to really appreciate it at the top, but also enjoy the sounds and smells of the bush as you walk.

I have read that in spring, there are plenty of wildflowers to see on the trail, but we visited during a very dry summer and everything was just a bit dusty.

The summit of the Somerset Trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can even see Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam in the distance. The scenery is truly awe-inspiring and makes the long hike worth every step.

NOTE: It's important to be aware that parts of the Somerset Trail are shared with 4WD, dirt bikes and horse riders. Keep an eye out for these vehicles and always give them right of way. It's also important to be mindful of your impact on the environment and stick to the designated trail.

Allison Wallace 2/8/23 Allison Wallace 2/8/23

Exploring the rocky wonders of Girraween National Park

For years I had seen images of giant granite boulders perched precariously on top of one another showing panoramic views of the Australian bushland beyond. It was a place I absolutely HAD to visit one day and see for myself.

So when planning a getaway close to home, Stanethorpe’s wine region was an easy choice as it butts up against Girraween National Park where you will find this otherworldly landscape. Find your stay here!

There are plenty of different hiking tracks in the park – around 12 in total – so you could be exploring for days.

Given we were travelling with the dog, we didn’t want to be gone for a whole day as he wouldn’t be joining us on this exploration, so we chose to combine the Pyramid and Arch hikes which can be done in about half a day.

In the middle of August, we were blessed with a bright sunny day which is good because I would not want to attempt this hike with any rain.

Most of the trail up to the Arch is easy going but you will need a decent amount of fitness and some grit (and decent shoes with plenty of grip) to make it to the top of the Pyramid.

The walk starts from the visitor centre near Bald Rock Creek, following a well-formed track across the creek and through the trees. You can head straight up to the Pyramid after about a kilometre, but we detoured via the Arch on our way up.

Here the rocks balance on each other in a way that seems like a kid came along and was building a granite city – but this is all nature’s work!

Hiking in winter I was surprised to see so much vibrant yellow wattle and little white flowers that Aiden couldn’t get enough of. It was an amazing contrast with all the hulking granite.

From the Arch, we started to ascend a little more steeply with a series of steps. Don’t get complacent here, this is just the warm-up to the final climb so take your time and enjoy the scenery.

As we finished the last set of stairs, a massive, bare granite rock emerged in front of us. It is huge and a little intimidating when you consider the plan is to climb this exposed, steep surface.

There are little white marks on the granite showing the path to follow but honestly, any way you can get up is the way forward. There are some smaller rocks off to the left we hugged so there was something to hold on to – at least some of the time…

We stopped every now and then to catch our breath and take in the views (and stretch the calves).

Eventually we made our way to the top and the granite levels out. We were rewarded with not only incredible 360-degree views but some insane balancing rocks that defy gravity.

Having some fun with the balancing rocks

It is truly a breathtaking display of nature and we had the summit pretty much to ourselves on a random Thursday. I imagine it gets pretty busy on weekends but we were lucky to take our time at the top.

One of the most impressive sights is Second Pyramid which is the largest single slab of granite in the National Park. It is accessible to proper climbers only so we were more than happy to admire the views from afar.

The climb back down the slab of rock was slow going for fear of slipping – Aiden and I both did a little crab walking at points along the way - but we made it down eventually and headed off for some lunch before collecting the pup for an afternoon of dog-friendly exploring.

Honestly, there really isn’t anything like Girraween National Park that I have seen before in Australia. It is such an impressive display and one I wouldn’t mind visiting again one day.

Looking for your next escape? Book a stay here.

Allison Wallace 9/21/22 Allison Wallace 9/21/22

Dog-friendly vineyards of Stanthorpe

In the middle of winter (or any time of year really…), does anything beat a high-altitude winery tour to warm your insides?

The Granite Belt – or Stanthorpe specifically – is one of the few wine regions in Queensland but it sure packs a punch. Even better, there are a load of vineyards that will welcome both you and your pup!

We tasted a lot of wine on our recent visit when we stayed at Merlot Mountain Retreat, but the best ones were where we could experience it together with our furry friend.

Ridgemill Estate

This was our first stop on arrival – just around the corner from our accommodation and with a wine club called Top Dogs, you just know these guys are dog-friendly!

Some more interested in wine tasting than others…

The vineyard at Ridgemill itself is amongst the highest altitude wineries in Australia at some 840 metres above sea level so we were so happy to be allowed inside to do our wine tasting with Falcor as the outside was definitely getting cold as the sun was setting.

Onto what we came here for – the wine!

Along with some old Aussie faithful varieties, we tasted a Saperavi that we just had to bring home with us – one glass was not enough.

Don’t forget to say hi to the very friendly goats that will race up to the feeding station near the cellar door!

If you want to stay longer here, you can. Ridgemill has eight onsite cabins that are dog friendly and a pet-friendly 3-bedroom house for families as well.

Book a tour here

Summit Estate

This was by far my favourite vineyard on this trip.

There’s a sign at the door at Summit Estate letting you know that they’re ‘fur baby friendly’ and to bring them in, AND a sign with dairy-free cheese tastings – perfection.

Add to this, the staff here could not be friendlier and will want photos of your dog at the vineyard – even down to the chat we had with the guy trimming the vines out the back!

There’s a $7.50 charge of wine tasting, which is waived in return for purchasing a bottle and we certainly nabbed a couple – along with some of the cashew-based cheese.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the estate stays open to let visitors enjoy the incredible sunsets over the vines. After our tasting, we sat our here and let Falcor sniff around while I warmed up with a mulled wine.

Balancing Heart Vineyard

Think wine tasting with sunset views and woodfired oven pizzas and there you have Balancing Heart Vineyard.

The cellar door is also the starting point for a stroll through the vines – dog in tow - taking in breathtaking views of the local area and, of course, the famous rock that gives the winery its name.

Dogs are welcome inside the cellar door but it was a little too busy in the small space for us so we spent the most of our time out on the verandah. There are picnic tables under the trees outside for those who want space and fresh air.

It is important to note that there are two (very) friendly German Shepherds on site so your dog needs to be ok with that. They were a bit too into playing for our fur baby at times.

There are seven wines on offer, and we tasted them all.

As the sun sets, the air cools down but these guys have you covered with outdoor heaters and blankets to borrow. The perfect end to a long day of tastings.

You will need to make sure you book to get a spot with the sunset dinners only running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

That is a just a small taste of the vineyards in the area – and there are also more dog friendly options like Hidden Creek Winery and Café, Jester Hill Wines and Symphony Hill Wines.

Something you will see and hear a lot as you visit the wineries of the region is Strangebirds. This is marketing term that was developed around ten years ago, it’s now become synonymous with the alternative varieties grown in the Granite Belt. To be called a Strangebird there must be less than 1% produced in Australia. It does mean you get to taste varietals you will never see in your average bottle shop!

If beer is more your speed, you can hang out at the Granite Belt Brewery. Dogs on a lead are allowed on the veranda of the brewery and restaurant – perfect for lunch or dinner.

Book a Stanthorpe stay of your very own here or book in for a full day private wine tour including lunch if you don’t feel like driving!

A beer tasting paddle at Granite Belt Brewery.

Allison Wallace 8/21/22 Allison Wallace 8/21/22

A wintery escape to Merlot Mountain Haven

You know we are always on the look out for dog-friendly places to stay and a winter escape to wine country in the Granite Belt had our name all over it, so we were excited to discover a whole house with literal acres of land for our floof at Merlot Mountain Haven.

Less than 10 minutes south of Stanthorpe itself, this house truly is a haven. From the keyless entry to the wood-burning fireplace, and a kitchen stocked with all the necessities, you may never want to leave!

To get to the house, you head along a dirt road, jump out to open the gate and continue to almost complete privacy. The way in is well signposted and marked with solar lights so you won’t get lost either.

The country house itself is three bedrooms, but those not in use for your booking are locked off. The best bit? Up to four dogs can stay per booking with no size restrictions. For our 25kg ball of fluff, this is a welcome surprise.

In terms of being dog-friendly, it doesn’t get much better than this. Dogs are allowed inside, just not on the beds or furniture, plus there’s a securely fenced yard and a fenced paddock for them to run amok to their heart’s delight. Dog beds, bowls, towels and plenty of treats are supplied.

We discovered the pond on the property as soon as we arrived with Falcor the water pup making a beeline and going for a swim! A quick hose off and a towel and he was almost good as new.

Humans are treated just as well with local Washpool bath products, plenty of tea and condiments supplied in the kitchen and a Nespresso coffee machine for those cold early mornings! You could quite easily have all your meals here too with a great bbq out on the deck.

If you can’t wait for the fire to heat up the house, both the lounge and the main bedroom have reverse-cycle aircon that will warm you up in no time.

The master bedroom has an ensuite with heated lamps that were very welcome on the nights that got down to 2-degrees while we visited.

For relaxing after a hard day of wine-tasting, there is a TV with several streaming services ready to go or enjoy the large clawfoot bath in the main bathroom to really wind down.

There's even a small piano situated in the living room if you are musically inclined.

If you want to get out and explore, owners Lance and Marylin have put together a book with all the dog-friendly cafes, restaurants and walks.

This place just opened up for bookings at the end of 2021, and we are so glad it did. I am pretty sure we will be back again – maybe when it is a little warmer and the apples are on the trees.

Allison Wallace 6/2/22 Allison Wallace 6/2/22

Wine tasting at Dingo Creek Vineyard

Wine among the vines, a grazing platter and space for my dog? Sign me up!

The cellar door at Dingo Creek Vineyard in the Noosa Hinterland offers just that – and all with a picturesque view of Mount Cooroora.

The tasting here isn’t free but for $20, you get to try six wines and take the glass home as a souvenir as well.

The vineyard stocks 14 different wines and the team there are knowledgeable and very involved in your tasting – no being left to your own devices here.

Aiden loved the Chardonnay but the star of the show for me was the Black Cockatoo Sparkling Shiraz. Some bottles of that definitely made their way into the car to be enjoyed again.

Enjoying an extra glass of the sparkling shiraz.

In addition to wine, these guys are also putting out tasty fortified drinks and we scored a bottle of their delicious port to take home.

There isn’t a full kitchen here, but we enjoyed a full glass of wine and a robust grazing platter out in the sunshine with Falcor by our side – the end of a fantastic day out and about.

The grazing platter was brimming with salami, prosciutto, ham, cheeses, vegetables, fresh bread, spreads and even chicken wings!

The location is divine, you really feel like you are away from it all and the rustic deck doesn’t intrude on the natural location at all. I can imagine it looks amazing all lit up after dark.

The open deck catches a nice breeze on a warm day.

To ensure you nab a spot (and don’t drive all the way without tasting the wine), make sure you book in advance. I know we will be when we visit again to restock the cellar…

Allison Wallace 4/28/22 Allison Wallace 4/28/22

A magical visit to the Harry Potter Studio in London

It’s officially called Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter but I just called it Harry Potter World – and it is a must for any fan who makes it to London.

Both my friend Mandy and I were low-key obsessed with the books before the films were even an idea - and the stories that captured our imaginations are no less magical as we made this visit to where much of the eight movies were filmed.

It is basically a huge ‘Harry Potter museum’, where you go on a self-guided tour of the backlot and go aboard the original Hogwarts Express, walk down Diagon Alley and see the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts.

You can see real sets from the films, costumes, props and creatures, you can take part in some interactive green screen fun - astride a broomstick of course!

Book a tour here

But what about the details?!

Well, luckily for us, we were staying with a friend in Watford on this London trip which happens to be right next to Leavesden where the studio is. Otherwise, it is about a 20min train ride direct from Euston Station and then a shuttle bus (included in your ticket) to the front door.

You need to buy your tickets online and plan in advance, you physically cannot buy tickets at the entry.

So, how much time do you need to see it all?

Well, we spent the best part of a day exploring, quite simply because there is so much to see! There is Malfoy’s Manor, Dolores Umbridge’s pink office, The Knight Bus, Privet Drive, the Hogwarts Bridge, Godric’s Hollow House, the Ford Anglia, Buckbeak, Aragog, the scaled model of Hogwarts Castle used in the films. Plus, thousands more animatronics, props and costumes!

There is even 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts itself. This is a massive construction that fills a whole room, and it is truly spectacular.

We stopped midway through our walk at the Backlot Café for a Butterbeer – a VERY sweet non-alcoholic drink but kept us going until the end of the day.

On the way out, you head through the store and buy all the Harry Potter merch you can get your hands on. Our visit was years ago, and I still have my Slytherin t-shirt in high rotation! Many wore her Gryffindor jumper that very day!

Of all the ‘worlds’ I have visited, this one was probably the most intriguing as it was the actual set for the movies and there is so much detail. Very different to seeing Jaws pop out of the water at Universal Studios in California that’s for sure.