Eungella, Platypus and sunshine.

We woke up at 6:30am, with the wind beneath our wings. I was agitated as I wanted to get on the road as soon as possible. Becky was, well, Becky. Three and a half hours later we were back on the road heading north with Eungella NP in our sights. It wasn't until I pointed out that it was a short ~7 hour drive, and that with breaks we’d probably not get there until 6pm, did she wish that she’d skipped the second breakfast…

We arrived at ~5:45pm, just as the last light was fading. We quickly rushed down to the creek to try to spot a Platypus in the dying light, but apart from a few potential ripples, all we got was a good look at fuck all.

The campsite was empty, and we set up under our 4wd supacentre LED camp lights. Once set up we proceeded to burn a cheap Ikea chest-of-draws that Becky failed to sell on gumtree. It was perfect.

 

Eungella, other wildlife is available.

This lasted for about 30mins until a small Toyota Hiace campervan pulled in. They drove around the site, and then decided that of all the sites in this empty camping area, 10 metres from us was where they should be… I said to Becky “I bet they're German”.

As we watched the last bit of our chest of draws burn, Mr German came over to chat. He had a ring through his septum, so I knew we could never be friends. He made some small talk about the fire and other things equally as dull. I made my excuses and we went to bed… it was 8:30pm.

 

The last of our Ikea chest-of-draws

We woke the next morning determined to see the Platypus… As we sat by the creek, septum ring German boy wandered down. He kept his distance and was quiet, so my contempt for him didn’t increase any further.

 

He better not come any closer

After a tense 30mins of watching, the little bastard finally decided to make an appearance. It was pretty great. We watched him for a couple of hours, following him (I’ve decided it was a him, it was the way he carried himself) up and down the creek. We took almost 70 pictures, and this was the best… and even this one ain’t great.

 

Do something then!

We packed up in record time (2hrs), and were on our way in high spirits after a successful morning. 

Packing the essentials, like this portable toilet seat.

We planned to head for Bowling Green National Park next and, after a morning like that, I felt we had luck on our side and that this would never, ever change…

Are those dark clouds on the horizon?