Greg was up before light this morning and after a coffee he left on Shanks Pony to explore the town of Stanthorpe. On his way back home, he heard someone call out his name and it was his nephew Michael Walker on his way back from work in Lismore. He returned about 90 minutes later having enjoyed this interesting little place and having located the infamous brass monkey. Although it was no near cold enough to freeze his privates off this morning. Meanwhile, Wendy was again being a domestic goddess and did two loads of washing followed by a short walk.
With K&J, we set off in the Cruiser to see the sights of Wallangarra and surrounds. The sad tale of the decline of the Railway Station was the first stop, it's a real shame how our railways have disappeared across the country over the years. These days the Station is an interesting cafe, museum, and function centre except for a few times a year when it hosts the Southern Downs Steam Railway service from Warwick. No trip to Wallangarra would be complete without the mandatory photo at the Qld/NSW border. Horror, we did actually step into NSW on one occasion. Although Greg had been to the Army's Wallangarra Stores Depot as part of his duties many moons ago, the others hadn't. So we did a drive by of the entrance being careful not to upset any of the Army Guards (joking). It was actually devoid of any human life.
Next stop, which everyone was hanging out for, was the Heavenly Chocolate Cafe/Store, out in the middle of nowhere. Coffees were put on the back-burner and everyone ordered various types of hot chocolate; well we were in a chocolate factory! And it was delicious, especially when you get to the floating marshmallows. My goodness, we're all going to have to buy a new wardrobe when we get home. Not really as we all did a vigorous ride/walk when we got back to Stanthorpe. K, J & W walked into town for some retail therapy while G decided to ride up to the Mt Marley Lookout, a rather tough 8 percenter.
Stanthorpe has plenty to offer and we've all decided to come back when there's something interesting going on; maybe a music festival. But not in the depths of winter as it's more than cool enough right now.
We all did a bit of packing up bikes and sorting ready for our departure tomorrow, followed by sundowners, during which the mossies tried to carry us away.
Tomorrow we move onto Texas - QLD that is.
St Joseph's School
St Joseph's Church
Stanthorpe Post Office and clock tower
Some of the pubs at Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe Murals
Top Of Town van park Dog on the Pallet
Van park sculptures
The Ballandean Fruitisforus ate Jo
Ballandean Railway Station
Bees in a Bottlebrush
Wallangarra Railway Station platforms
In NSW
Greg trying to change the points on the defunct railway line
Advertising NSW, on the QLD side
Absolutely!
Sculptures in a yard at Wallangarra
Church at Wallangarra
Heavenly Chocolate Café/Shop
Enjoying our hot chocolates
Yummmmmm
Chook yard at Heavenly Chocolate
Ballandean Pyramid - a man-made stone pyramid approximately 15 metres in height and built from blocks of the local granite.
Yurt accommodation at Ballandean
Pretty
Awesome colours
The elusive Brass Monkey, with a loose one
Wendy and Jo with the very sad Brass Monkey
Soldier's Memorial half-way up the Stanthorpe lookout
