Mountains made of glass

On Sunday we again jumped in the car to see where we could explore in a day. The weather was overcast and rain was forecast so armed with hats, raincoats and a small picnic we headed north to the Glasshouse mountains.

This range of mountains can be seen for miles and is just past Steve Irwin Way (no joke) past Australia Zoo - this was the first point in the journey Jack had looked up from his drawings to acknowledge the huge poster of crocodiles and scary Bindi. (Steve Irwins daughter, the new star attraction).

As we drove it was amazing to see the amount of trees, miles and miles of them. Fantastic greens with the flickering sun playing through the branches. Jim got out to take a few photos, when a man in a van stopped to ask what Jim could see. When Jim said he was taking photos of the trees he was astonished and dumbfounded (or maybe just dumb!) as to why someone would take photos of just the trees?

We saw a sign saying Mt Beerwurrah so we turned and found ourselves on a dirt track, our little car doesn't like dirt tracks but it wasn't far before we were at the end of a 280m mountain climb. Not far to climb but boy was it steep, practically vertical in parts. The view was worth it, a full 360 of the remaining volcanic mountains stretching for miles and those trees again, but seeing the full extent of how far they go.

Jack though thought it was all very nice and everything but where was the crystal skull? Jack who currently is unable to to last five minutes without humming the Indiana Jones theme tune, was having his own adventure on our climb as he proceeded to jump over snakes (imaginary), fight his way past huge boulders (definitely there but static) and to open secret passageways.

We had a snack back at the bottom, before heading once more towards the glasshouse mountains. On the way we found a fantastic little cafe with views of mango trees, two of the mountains, with home made scones, locally grown coffee and wild kangaroos (we didn't actually see any but we were assured they were there).

At the glasshouse mountains lookout Jack searched for all the mosaics scattered around - of the mountains and the wildlife, then a stroll around before making our way back home, the scenic, non rushed route.

It was lovely and definitely a place to take our next visitors, who ever they may be. And we had Monday (Queens birthday bless her) off so a short week to boot.