Club Trips

Aloomba Lavender Farm – Easter 2021

Editor - Bayside Off-Roaders

Louise Watson and Rhiannon Morris

We were all relieved that following the snap three day COVID-19 lockdown in greater Brisbane we were still able to camp for the Easter long weekend.

Nine adults and two dogs arrived on Good Friday to setup camp at the Aloomba Lavender Farm in Liston, NSW (just over the QLD border from Stanthorpe). The wind made setting up a challenge with extra guide ropes needed to hold our camping gear in place.

The farm serves lavender scones and lavender ice cream with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We highly recommend them. The scones were a very light lavender taste. Their little shop also sells all things lavender.

The bathroom facilities were clean and each of the four cubicles consisted of a toilet, shower and hand basin. There was a seat, hooks and space to move around. The hand wash was lavender scented which was a nice touch.

On Saturday we headed off on a legendary Bayside Off-Roaders drive.

First stop was Under Cliffe Falls which didn’t disappoint. Thousands of litres of water was seen powering down the hills thanks to the recent rain events.

Next stop before entering Girraween National Park was a pause to see the impressive water levels at Storm King Dam. Something that hasn’t been seen for a long time bringing a welcome relief to the community. Water has been trucked at approximately 50 trucks a day to sustain the community for more than 12 months.

Girraween National Park was very scenic and in typical off-road style we took the 4WDs only track. We had lots of fun manovouring through and around the rocks, water ways, hiking groups and mountain bikers. Rhiannon was keen to put her new Prado through its paces and ‘send it’ through every muddy water hole she could find!

We stopped to take photos of the granite outcroppings including the impressive Pyramids and Castle Rock landmarks, both of which were well worth seeing. The Corroboree that will be held later in the year might allow for some extra down time to take a walk and see the large boulder rock formations that are famous in region.

Lunch was planned at a local pub but in what seems to be a new tradition of us, the local pub was closed (just like the Kenilworth Pub on our recent Bluff Creek trip). We were welcomed at the Wallangarra Railway Museum and Cafe Station. The railway station is complete with both the Queensland narrow gauge and NSW wide gauge tracks. The food was great, having the home made taste.

What an interesting border town Wallangarra is. After lunch we had some fun at the border. One side is all about the Tenterfield True but the better side (in our opinion) has a fabulous colourful “Queenslander” sign. Thanks to Rhiannon’s create flare we got some great photos of our cars with the sign!

Again not having any luck with alcohol tastings when we called into a recommended winery we were turned away (COVID-19 limit restrictions). We did think is this Christmas or Easter? Where is the barn and three wise men? Some of us headed of to a bottle shop in Stanthorpe in a quest to get some port and local wines.

Back at camp we enjoyed another beautiful sunset and the warmth of a wood fire. Dinner (and port for some) was served and with the rain getting heavier saw an early night for some.

Easter morning we ventured up to the cafe in support of the NSW Rural Fire Brigade for a pancake breakfast. After breakfast the weather looked to be taking a turn for the worst so Guy, Louise (sleeping in a swag) and Becca made the call along with most people in the campgrounds to pack up and head home. With Monday’s weather forecast looking to be very wet the call of home won out. Muffy (Guy and Louise’s 16 year old furbaby) seemed to be relieved to be packed up into the car. She had been wandering around for a couple of days looking for the walls and ceilings. Sassy (Bob’s furbaby) had tried to explain but Muffy was having none of that… unless she could sneak some food that is.

On our way home Guy, Louise and Becca stopped off at the quirky Castle Glen Distillery which is known for every flavour liquor you could imagine. Becca’s personal favourite, Musk Sticks, was restocked and Louise brought some fortified wine (Chocolate and Chilli). Our final stop was the Stanthorpe Cheese Factory to stock up on more favourites including cheese (of course!), Truffle butter and Truffle mustard and caramelised black garlic. Along with 4WDing our weekends are all about good company, food and drinks around the fire.

An then there were six (and Sassy)….

Thanks Louise, I’ll finish this one off… 😊

Once we said goodbye to our fellow travelers, we made a plan of how to keep warm and dry for the rest of our Easter weekend. Murray, Julie-Anne and Rhiannon toured around wineries, only to find COVID-19 means it’s a little different these days, we ended up at the pub for lunch… not many options open for an Easter Monday. A definitely highlight was having to remember which side of the border we were on and if we needed masks or not. After that we headed back to Aloomba and kept warm. We caught up with our neighbours Perry, Bob and Graham who also found a warm lunch at the RSL.

The next morning was a slow pack up where no one really wanted to get moving, but we knew the Eater Monday traffic was no doubt awaiting us. Luckily Graham, Perry and Bob were staying on for another night so we left them in relaxing for another day.

Luckily not too much traffic on the way home, especially coming home from the West. But on a serious note, unfortunately we were witness and nearly involved in a car rollover on the way home. There was a ute travelling way too fast for the conditions and the road we were on and when slowing down for a corner, it all went a bit pear shaped. We dove out of the cars to assist and called Emergency Services. Luckily no one was seriously injured but it is a good reminder for us all to slow down, drive to conditions, wear a seatbelt and learn First Aid.

Following the trend of recognising and appreciating our beautiful country in lieu of overseas travel this trip saw us swapping:

  • Yosemite Falls, California, USA for Under Cliffe Falls, Liston NSW
  • Lake Homs Dam, Syria for Storm King Dam, Southern Downs QLD
  • Harlech Castle Wales, for Castle Rock, Girraween QLD
  • The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt for the Pyramid of Girraween QLD