I’ve cycled through the Border Ranges a couple of times with friends. Both times it was raining, so we didn’t really get to see it at its best. So today I thought I’d take advantage of the recent run of specatcularly clear days and drove there for the day with my son, Jonathan.
While not being able to ride a bike for a few months has its disadvantages, there was one advantage – we had a lot more time during the day to stop and enjoy the views.
“The further south you go, the better it gets”, I said to Jonno as we drove south from Beaudesert. Just near of the border, along the Lions Road, we arrived at Running Creek. The road here crosses this pretty creek several times. It’s difficult to enjoy the view while driving, so we decided to get out and have a quick look around.
The interstate railway line crosses the range here via an unusual arrangement of loops and tunnels that were constructed about a century ago. We were able to look down on the system from the “Border Loop” Lookout.
(Pictures – Jonathan Ennis)
Our route meandered over more creeks and under several railway bridges until we eventually turned off onto the Gravel at Simes Road.
One of the joys of revisiting a special place is bringing someone who’s never been there before. Jonathan was stunned by the beauty and kept wanting to stop and take pics. I was happy to oblige.
We eventually arrived at “The Pinnacle” lookout after a long slow drive up the mountain. The last time I was here it was so cloudy and wet you could see nothing.
Today the beauty was overwhelming.
(Photo – Jonathan Ennis)
(Photo – Jonathan Ennis)
To quote John Williamson…. “You know, some people never see such things…” (The Cootamundra Wattle)
After carefully making our way down the other side of the range, we slowly made our way into Mount Burrell, in the upper reaches Tweed Valley. Believe it or not, this little stream is the Tweed River.
(Photo – Jonathan Ennis)
We found thls lady by the side of the road. She kindly posed for a photo with me but didn’t say much.
If you want to see some of the best scenery in South-East Queensland and Northern NSW in one day, I’d thoroughly recommend this drive. We drove a total of about 420km in just over 7 hours. I used most of a full tank of fuel.
Thanks Jonathan, for sharing it with me.
Oh – and thanks to my neighbor, Mike, who let me take his Holden Ute so far from home!
Sorry to hear about the injury, but you’re still not letting the grass grow under your feet 😀
Very nice pics and write-up. I especially liked the silhouette photo.
Thanks Andrew – Yeah I liked that photo too 🙂
Thanks Neil, I now know where we will be going next weekend.Great pics and write-up(The lady you meet on the side of the road is not bad looking) haha.
Nice. Glad to see some photos of Running Creek & Lions Rd. I’ve been wanting to ride my road bike in a loop around the volcano from Gold Coast – Beaudesert – Kyogle – Lismore – Gold Coast & that makes me more determined to get out there and ride it.
Go for it 🙂
You never know when you’ll have a temporary setback that might prevent you riding for a while. So if there’s a ride you want to to, nows the time to do it.