Day 87 of my global adventure. My destination for today: the Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park. Rising at 7 am in the comfort of my private dorm room, I marveled at its pleasant ambiance. With two more hours to spare, I made an attempt to sleep in, but by 8:30 am, I succumbed to the natural rhythm of my internal clock, nudging me awake. After a refreshing shower, a clean shave, and a brief reorganization of my belongings, I tended to practical tasks like emptying the water from the cooling box.
Exploring Beyond Boredom
This morning, I opted to revisit the exquisite shopping mall that captivated me yesterday. Taking a leisurely stroll, I found myself drawn to the cinema once again. Despite the foreknowledge that there might not be much to see, I ventured in, battling a sense of total boredom. Disappointingly, the library, my primary haven for power and internet, was closed today. However, as I roamed the mall, a recollection flashed — they offered free wifi in the food court. Swiftly retracing my steps to the car, I retrieved my laptop to capitalize on the available connectivity.
Settling into a seat at the food court, I delved into my work, crafting blog articles and making the most of the impeccable internet connection – truly remarkable. Two hours later, feeling a twinge of hunger, I decided to order a sandwich from Subway. Contemplating how to spend the rest of my day, the idea of hitting the beach crossed my mind, but considering the numerous ones I’d already explored on Fraser Island, I yearned for a change. A quick online search led me to a captivating natural waterfall, and without further ado, I set off on my journey. But first, a pit stop for some fuel was in order.
Fueling Frustrations
Regrettably, as I ventured beyond Gold Coast along the highway, I found myself in a gas station desert. Consulting Google Maps to locate the nearest one, I realized, to my dismay, that I had missed one just before. Traveling seven kilometers further, I reluctantly arrived at a somewhat eerie and expensive gas station, berating my GPS along the way. Determined to avoid the exorbitant option, I backtracked to the familiar 7 Eleven station and topped up my car’s tank.
The entire gas station ordeal consumed 45 minutes of my time, leaving me somewhat frustrated. Returning to the highway, I continued my journey towards the mountains, commencing around 4 pm. The winding roads, single-lane bridges, and perilous single-road lanes flanking vast abysses presented a breathtaking spectacle. At one point, I decided to pull over for a break, enjoying a refreshing coke and indulging in some chocolate.
Initially, the winding roads brought excitement, but over time, they transformed into a bit of a challenge. With another 10 kilometers to cover on these twisting mountain roads, my speed dropped to an average of 30 kilometers per hour. After enduring 30 minutes of slow progress, I reached a major intersection where a road sign indicated the way to my destination: The Natural Bridge, 20 kilometers to the right. Surprisingly, I wasn’t there yet and had another 20 kilometers to go. Fortunately, the final stretch featured a straight road with an 80 kilometers per hour speed limit. Eager to make up for lost time, I stepped on the gas and navigated my way through the mountainous terrain. The road presented significant inclines and declines, making the descents a breeze as I simply coasted downhill, quite fuel-efficient, if I may say so myself!
The Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park
After twenty minutes of driving, I reached the parking lot of the Natural Bridge, renowned for its cavern sculpted by the powerful force of the waterfall.
The park was awe-inspiring, adorned with massive trees. I hurried towards the natural bridge, mindful of my limited time. The lack of crowds added to my enjoyment. Capturing some photos, I then savored a refreshing coke, nibbled on my remaining chocolate, and relished the breathtaking sight.
Thirty minutes later, I departed from the Natural Bridge, hesitant to navigate the roads in the dark, like I did a few days ago. Nighttime journeys came with the risk of encountering kangaroos, and my car rental agreement prohibited driving on highways after dark.
Twists and Turns Leading to a Night Halt
I opted against retracing my route on the winding 30 kilometers per hour road, which led me through challenging twists. Instead, I stuck to the 80 kilometers per hour road, encountering the same pattern five times. A right bend, slowing down to 50 kilometers per hour, another right turn, accelerating to 70 kilometers per hour, a left bend, followed by an 800-meter straight stretch—rinse and repeat. The dangers of Australian roads, where many unfortunate incidents occur, were once again evident. Along the route, I noticed a memorial at one of the bends, likely marking a tragic accident. The thought of slipping and falling down seemed like a dreadful way to meet one’s end. After 30 minutes, I rejoined the highway, steering my way south, far from Gold Coast.
I discovered a rest stop through Wikicamps, the app on my phone that helped me locate free camping spots. Although it was situated next to the highway and somewhat noisy, the fact that it was free kept my complaints at bay. Adjusting my watch to reflect the time change, I realized I had reached New South Wales, approximately 800 kilometers north of Sydney. The local time was an hour ahead compared to Queensland. After parking my car, using the restroom, and working on some blogreports for this website, around 11 pm, I decided to call it a night. Juggling driving, experiencing, and report-writing simultaneously proved challenging, especially compared to the convenience of power plugs and widespread Wi-Fi availability in Asia.
