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Whether you want to have a relaxing weekend camp in a beautiful bush environment, do some exploring, or an extreme 4x4 experience you’ll find something for you at Queenslands newest private Park. The Springs is situated just South of Warwick on the New England Highway in the Granite Belt region of South East Queensland. The Park is simple to find and just a short journey from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The Springs has over a 1000 acres of varying landscapes for you to explore. There are natural rock formations, secluded gulleys, breathtaking 360 degree views from Bald Nob and Love Hill, creeks and waterfalls. An abundant animal population can be found in the Park for wildlife enthusiasts and you never really know what you’ll see round the next corner!
For the bushwalker there are some great walking tracks that are scattered with resting spots for that time when you feel you need a much earned sit down!
The "Under the Stars" campsite is found some 1.4kms into the property and is accessible by 2 wheel and 4 wheel drives. It is situated in a beautiful gulley with your own rock escarpment and creek. All sites are secluded and have shade. The campsite has a purpose built new modern shower and toilet block with "real" toilets and hot showers! They are just what you need after a long day in the Park. Drinking water is provided for all campers and wood for campfires is available.
The Park also caters for larger groups and Clubs and there is a separate area with a large campfire for all those occasions that you want to meet as a group. The Springs staff are more than happy to organize entertainment and open roasts if required. Please don’t hesitate to ask!
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A small kiosk is to be found at the entrance to the Park. This will provide you with all those little things that you may have forgotten, including that all-important ice. Adjoined to the kiosk is the "Stables" coffee stop. Here, you can sit on the deck and keep an eye on your kids in the children’s play area or watch the world go by, whilst drinking a great cup of coffee. Or, if you’re feeling peckish, enjoy some of the homemade daily specials or have a huge all day breakfast! The Springs offers differing standards of tracks for 4x4 enthusiasts. This extends from simple touring to extreme hill climbs and rock tracks. The choice is dependent on your level of experience and confidence! If you don’t want to drive all day there a number of natural attractions where you can stop, take a walk, have a BBQ or simply just admire the views. All tracks are signposted, named and graded for difficulty and a detailed map of the property is given to you when you enter. A 4x4 "play area" has been selected for all those climbs, doughnuts and scary things that you always wanted to do! |
The Springs is a great place to base yourself if you want to explore the delights of Warwick and Stanthorpe, being central to both cities. Both locations are only 20 minutes drive on the Highway. So if you want to sample wineries, see fruit farms and visit the old sandstone beauty of Warwick, then we are the ideal place to stay!
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OK, now that I've told you about the park and it's facilities it's time to tell you all about my Easter weekend at The Springs.
The weekend started with one disaster after the next. Firstly, we arrived at The Springs to discover the jockey wheel handle on our hired camper trailer had broken off somewhere along the track. Trying to get a camper trailer off the tow hitch with out a working jockey wheel caused a few heated discussions between myself and my wife. Eventually, with the help of my wife and both kids we got the trailer set up. Later that afternoon we lit the BBQ that came with the camper, it started ok then suddenly it burst into flames causing a made panic. I don't know if anyone was watching but I'm sure if there was they would of been well entertained. Lucky we brought our own BBQ. Then we couldn't get the water taps to work. Lucky we brought extra water containers with their own taps.
With the sun starting to set we decided to plug the 12 volt fluro lights into the sockets on the camper, GUESS WHAT!! they didn't work. No lights, no water and no gas, it was at this point we wondered what the heck we were thinking when we decided to go camping.
The next morning brought a new day and a fresh start. Jake and I went for an early morning drive to have a look around, that's when the fun started. Below you will find a heap of pictures, videos and stories of the weekend. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
60 SERIES, PATROL AND 100 SERIES DRIVING UP THE GRANITE CLIMB
Right: The 60 series (also pictured below) and the Patrol both make it with a bit of an effort but the 100 series (same 100 series as pictured below) does it with ease.
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100 SERIES CONQUERS VB GULTCH
Below: This 100 series tackled pretty much every track on the park and really made them look easy. As you can see by the picture he was having the time of life showing us all what his cruiser can do.
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Below: The Playpatch
VB GULTCH BLOW OUT
ABOVE - VB Gultch is rated as difficult and when it rains it really should be rated as very difficult. We watched all types of fourbys attempt this climb, some successful, some not. Unfortunately this Discovery was not successful this time. He watched a SWB cruiser fail just before him so he figured to get to the top he needed momentum. He was very wrong. We heard the roar of his V8 discovery as he launched to a great start, he certainly had momentum when he hit a large muddy lump in the track, his car was thrown into the air, swung to one side and came to a very sudden and loud stop. We thought he had snapped a strut or something similar but he had actually busted the front passenger tyre from the rim. As we were standing there watching this guy try to maneuver his car back down the track with only 3 tyres, a lady standing beside us mentioned that he had his young children strapped into the car seats in the back and his wife in the passenger seat. Now I love the addrennlin pumping exitement as much as anyone but i must say, my family is too important to me to risk their lives in a situation like this. This guy was very close to having a very serious accident. If your going to tackle the extreme stuff, don't do it with your kids in the car. PLEASE !!
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Below: The Playpatch
Below: The Playpatch
THE PLAYPATCH !!
Driving out towards the back of the property we found these guys having a bit of fun in The Playpatch.
traffic at "the playpatch"
These guys later towed me up the last section of the climb to The Balb Knob. My little stock Pajero gave it a good shot but couldn't quite get there. Thanks guys!
100 SERIES CRUISER GIVES UP AT VB GULTCH
100 series fails VB gultch
100 series has a shot at VB Gultch but just can't get there.
VB Gultch wins again !
I had a bit of fun in the stock Pajero
2ND GEAR CLIMB
CRUISER SHORTY TACKLES THE 2ND GEAR CLIMB
The 2nd Gear Climb is rated as difficult although the camera doesn't really show it, it is quite steep and has loose gravel and large rocks. Diff locks are a definite advantage here.
This short wheel base cruiser handled the track fairly well, he struggled a bit towards the top but conquers the 2nd Gear Climb..
His mate tackled the climb just before him in a Nissan Patrol trayback. He too struggled a little near the top but also conquered the 2nd Gear Climb. Sorry no pictures of the Patrol but you can watch the video below.
shorty conquers 2nd gear climb
patrol conquers 2nd gear climb
We spotted the Patrol boys having a go on "The Skids" so we pulled up and took some pics.
