Day 107 - 108 Donkey Wisdom

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Cania Gorge NP - Lawgi Heritage Park and Farm Stay 72km
Lawgi Heritage Park - Biloela 37km

Our hopes to make it to Biloela in a day's ride sunk into the mud after seeking a local's opinion at the Cania Gorge caravan park. Google Maps suggested an adventurous route out of the Gorge over the steep range, recommended in dry weather only and preferably with a 4WD. The lady also added roaming cattle and multiple creek crossings to the list of possible hazards. We apply a bit of donkey wisdom: remind ourselves of the bad 4WD track experiences in the past, weigh in the second best option and move on with cautious curiosity (like a donkey would). 

The hills, not of biblical proportions, but hard enough to send some kind of prayer somewhere for someone to hold back the rain, were conquered and believe it or not, the donkeys appeared! 

A donkey good time!

For two days now I have been trying to sum up the events of the past 48 hours and I am still struggling. This either means a lot has happened or nothing at all. Not that I am one to draw in religious beliefs into the equation, especially not when publicly shared, but it felt it hard to ignore that our overnight stay at Lawgi Heritage Park had a slight resemblance to a visit to Noah's Ark, without the boat part. The free camp site is situated on a farm, which is plonked up on a hill with spectacular sunset views overlooking the Callide Valley.  Once you hobbled over the cattle grid at the bottom of the driveway, you find yourself in animal kingdom. Horses, cows, alpacas, sheep, cats, dogs, a pig, long horn cattle,water buffaloes (no kidding!) and, as already mentioned, two donkeys! The place is compassionately loved and lived by Jack and Jen, a couple who have found each other later in life, after Jack's wife passed away.  Everyone is welcome to stay. There is a hot shower and an outdoor kitchen, surrounded by animals galore and loads of farming heritage memorabilia which could fill museums across the country.  Jack's and Jen's 'laissez-faire' but very warm and welcoming attitude towards their visitors is a stark contrast to the often regimented rules and regulations culture in caravan parks. 



It's not surprising that at a place like this, worries and stress levels tumble like the pins at the end of a bowling alley. And a little one on one with a donkey will see all your worries disappear in no time. 

Almost simultaneous to our arrival, a heavy duty 4WD with a boat on a trailer pulls in. The man behind the wheel is Cameron, a chirpy 40 year old adventurer from Ballarat whose laugh is as infectious as my brother-in-law Rohan's. Cameron is the kind of bloke you want to share an evening at the campfire with. He has been living on the road for three years and has seen a hell of a lot of Australia. We couldn't believe how perfect it was to meet Cam here at this place, with oodles of time to chat and share stories, only occasionally interrupted by the "hee-haw" from the donkey corner. The conversations flow easily, freely and come largely unfiltered. 

With Biloela only thirty klicks away we are in no hurry to get moving in the morning. Instead we indulge in some more animal encounters. While Louise gets a guided tour of the farm, I get a guided tour of Cameron's impressive set-up. And whenever there's a real map involved, you have a friend in me. 

Stickers from all over.

Map talk.

As we wave Cameron goodbye, I smile, knowing that there's a good chance that we will meet again one day. Hopefully with a cold beer at hand but undoubtedly with plenty of stories to share.

The ride into Biloela offers plenty of peaceful mindspace to contemplate the shifts in mood and motion over the past days. I find comfort in the thought that it doesn't take much for the tables to turn: a smiling donkey and the company of salt of the earth people.









Location: Biloela QLD 4715, Australia

Comments

  1. FrancieMay 28, 2022 at 1:53 PM

    Donkeys - always good value. What a place I want to go to Lawgi Heritage Park and Farm Stay

    ReplyDelete

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