NEW LOOK FOR CONONDALE NATIONAL PARK

Derek Long

THE Booloumba Creek 1 camping area, a secluded campsite on the banks of Booloumba Creek and surrounded by the lush rainforest of Conondale National Park, is set to receive a major upgrade worth $2.1 million.

Work is expected to commence on 6 February 2023 and be completed by the end of June, weather permitting.

The upgrades will include constructing two day-visitor parking areas, a new persons-with-disability campsite, and a new amenities block. Additionally, three new trailer/campervan/ caravan camping sites will be built, increasing the site's overall visitor capacity to 150 people.

Access to the Booloumba Creek 1 camping area will be closed during construction. However, visitors can still enjoy Booloumba Creek 3 and 4 camping areas or the nearby Charlie Moreland camping area in Imbil State Forest.

"These capital works will ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience in our parks and that our protected areas are well preserved for generations to come," said Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon, revealing that national parks contribute $2.7 billion to Queensland's economy.

For more information on Conondale National Park and the Booloumba Creek camping areas, visit parks.des.qld.gov.au/ parks/conondale and no towboat, the Maheno drifted for days before washing up on K'Gari where it is now the pinup for postcards sent back home.

Of course, we all want to know about that other K'Gari icon, the dingo. Somewhat notorious and a whole lot feared, Meyer reminds us that there are only 160 to 190 resident dingoes on the whole island and 90 percent of these are harmless.

The other 10 percent have been fed by humans and have come to expect tucker from a two-legged pantry.

“As pups, they are cute. They all have white paws, wet noses, and signs that say ‘feed me’”. said Meyer. “Don’t do it.”

Still, he has some comic words of wisdom if you come across an assailing dog.

“Don't run from them. Stand your ground, be aggressive and yell abuse, like "Your mother is a chihuahua." [Snigger, snigger.]

On reflection, Meyer is kind of crazy, and is possibly more Kramer than Seinfeld.

At the time of writing, the Beauty Spots Tour runs daily from Kingfish Bay Resort.