Serenity Falls - Buderim

 Serenity Falls at Buderim is a very popular place on a hot day.  

There are plenty of carparks available at the end of Quorn Close.  It is a circuit of about 700 metres.  It is a steep but easy walk of about 350 metres down to the bridge and falls with many high rock steps.  The walk back up is an easier gradual slope.  Some people may find it easier to take the right hand path at the fork for the gradual path down and then back up the same way if you don't like steps.

We shall visit again after rain, and also take some time to walk down the creek.

Serenity Falls

Serenity Falls

Take the time to look around

Booloumba Falls, Conondale National Park

It was a slow drive to Booloumba Falls, as I kept wanting to stop to take photos along the way.  

Booloumba Falls has been on the 'to visit' list for some time, but had been avoided due to the reported need for a high rise 4X4.  We have an Nissan XTrail 4X4, which is not high.

I am very thankful to a colleague, who suggested that rather than driving the circuit, that we take the road through the Charlie Moreland campground when there has not been much rain.  It was a lovely and easy drive on a rocky track.  We didn't have any water crossings either.  but there were several places that would likely have water crossing the road after rain.

After rain the water would cover the track here

Such a beautiful drive

This is steeper than it looks, but was still easy.

It is an easy 1.5 kilometre walk from the carpark to the main Booloumba Falls
(3 kilometres return)

There are a series of cascades along the creek

Many people stopped here to swim, thinking it was the main falls

 

The main falls are at the end of the track

Boonoo Boonoo Falls

We were very impressed with the maintenance of the Boonoo Boonoo National Park.

We camped at the Cypress Pine Campground.  There are several camping spaces which are not too close together and allow the car to be at the camp.  Each camp has a picnic table and fireplace.  Nearby there is a drop toilet, firewood shed and sheltered barbeque.  There are several walks to the river from the camp ground, including Platypus Pools.  Although it was summer there were many wildflowers around too.

You can hike about 6 kilometres along the river (and see several cascades) to arrive at Boonoo Boonoo Falls.  However we chose to drive to the falls and take the short easy walk to the falls and rock pools.

Nearby we also enjoyed Thunderbolts Hideout, the walk up Bald Rock and Upper Swamp Falls.

Boonoo Boonoo River behind Cypress Pine Campground

Boonoo Boonoo River

Boonoo Boonoo falls is where Banjo Patterson reportedly proposed to Alice Walker

Boonoo Boonoo Rockpools would be a lovely swimming hole on a hot day

Warrie Circuit

Danger! Sheer Cliffs and Waterfalls. One slip could be fatal - serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge.

This is the sign at the start of the Warrie Circuit, which is a 17-kilometre walk in the picturesque Springbrook National Park. 

Depending on the weather, you are likely to see at least 9 waterfalls.

We haven't completed the full walk YET.   We walked in to Goomoolahra falls and back again, which is about 6.5 kilometres.   Not many people do this walk, so we were on our own.  It was a wonderful walk.

The stunning Goomoolahra falls.
It is an easy walk  (wheel chair friendly) to view the Goomoolahra falls from the viewing platform at the top.  However about 3 kilometres to walk in to see it from here.

Rainbow Falls is along the way. 
Although there was no rainbow on the day (at the time) that we were there.

The track takes you under Rainbow Falls.  Prepare to get wet.

At times, it is like you are walking on a track on the side of the cliff with sheer drops below and cliffs above.

Many different types of flora along the way

More rocky cliff faces

Amazing how trees grow in nooks and crannies.

If you visit after rain, you are likely to see water running down the cliffs in several places.

Great views of  Surfers Paradise

A path has been built to enable hikers to safely cross the waterfall.
The first photo was taken looking up from this path.

This photo was also taken from the same path but looking down.

Many interesting plants along the way

Twin Falls

Twin Falls Circuit is a 4 kilometre walk with amazing views.

There is a small waterfall at the top of the Twin Falls

The high cliffs in Springbrook National Park are the reason there are so many waterfalls in the area.  This is the top of Twin Falls.

Walk under the Twin Falls

Twin Falls from the base

Twin Falls

Swell Sculpture Festival

Wow!  Wow! Wow!

The Swell Sculpture Festival on Currumbin Beach is the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in Australia.

Some of the sculptures are fantastic, some are unusual, some are creative and others are just weird!  It very worthwhile to purchase the booklet, which tells you about the artist, how the sculpture was created and the meaning behind the artwork.

With over 50 sculptures, there is something for everyone.

Below are a small number of sculptures from 2018.  We were away last year so we missed it.   The 18th Swell Sculpture Festival is scheduled for September 2020.  Let's hope that the COVID-19 pandemic has passed and it is not cancelled.

Prickles; the unhuggable bear (made from barb wire)

Currumbin Beach Swell Sculpture Festival (Surfers Paradise in the background)

Embryo

2 of 52 Women

Shemple on the Shore

Wherever you go there you are

You're Terrible Muriel (made from fencing wire)

Perpetual Consumption
(Can you see what it is made from?

Trafficking

Sandberg

Portal Sun
and
Hex (the Kite)

Ngara tree in foregournd
Sandy Sundays in background

What are we sinking?

Kaleidoscope
Although photos do not do it justice, Kaleidoscope was my personal favourite for several reasons.  Although there was a handle, the wind made this huge Kaleidoscope operate with changing colours, patterns and the sound.   I had an emotional connection with this artwork as it reminded me of a childhood toy.