Sunday, 30 Dec 2018

A bit slower start today as it was raining a bit just when I woke up. But it didn’t last, so I wasn’t too much later than usual. The first part was ready along the Gaeta Wonbah road, partially through State Forest and some of it turned into National Park. Then a little section of highway, not very busy, and turned off towards the Boolboonda Tunnel.

Just before that I came upon the old Boolboonda schoolhouse, so cute! And there was a mango tree right beside it, so I devoured 7 (seven!) mangoes. Two more than yesterday at Gaeta. A perfect smoko break.

The tunnel was is the longest (almost 200m) unsupported tunnel in Queensland the southern hemisphere, hewn out of solid rock. There is now a sizeable bat colony living in the centre of it. The ceiling in places looks like it is carpeted, with hundreds of bats huddled together. Many were flying around as I passed through, which sounded like there was a strong wind blowing through the tunnel. Amazing and super interesting. A photo I took of the bats didn’t turn out, sorry.

I wanted to follow the BNT track from here to Mt Perry, but this time could not figure out where the track went. According to my previous notes it wasn’t so difficult, but I didn’t have the patience and decided to detour via the highway. Not very busy as I noted earlier and I got into Mt Perry will before noon. Set up in caravan park, had shower, rinsed clothes, went to pub for a toasted ham cheese and tomato sandwich and a 6-pack of beer and installed myself in the camp kitchen. They will have a social at 4pm, I hope I’ll have some beer left by then!

Totals: 53k 4:15h 700m+ 735m-