It was a marvelously misty, dark and drizzling day and Bear and I decided it was the perfect day for a trek in the hills. So, armed with hats, water bottles, and rolls of peppermints, we hopped in the ute (Australian for pick-up) and drove out through Killarney, Queensland. We drove past lush green fields dotted with cows and under towering trees that dripped down onto the car roof.

We wereΒ  in search of waterfalls.

Darling Downs

Up, up along narrow winding roads we drove until a small sign bearing a drawing of a camera and the words “Daggs Falls” brought us to a skidding halt.

Donning our hats we walked down the hill to a small trail leading to a wooden boardwalk that jutted out over the edge of the cliff.

And this is what we saw.

Dagg Falls

I was stunned. Never in my wildest imaginings had I pictured waterfalls like this only an hour from my front door! I gazed in awe as the mist settled in a veil of droplets over my hair, patting my jittery stomach as I leaned out over the edge to see the water plummeting down to the valley floor far below.

Straightening up I glanced back over my shoulder through the canopy of gum trees, just able to catch a glimpse of emerald hills, soft and fuzzy in the rain.

Australian bush

Sighing with delight, I got back in the ute and we continued on our drive, stopping again at the trail head leading to Queen Mary Falls. It was drizzling again but the rain was warm so we headed for the woods, following the trail as it wended through the sodden bush.

Queen Mary Falls trail

How I love hiking in the woods! The deep stillness that seems so quiet at first but then dissolves into myriad little sounds: water dripping onto fallen leaves, lizard scurrying through the undergrowth, birds twittering unseen.

As we came around a bend in the trail, the sun broke through the mist for a moment, turning the deliciously eerie woods into a golden park.

Queen Mary Falls bush

At last we’d found the stream that gurgled peacefully between grassy banks, flowing steadily towards the cliff that would turn it from a placid creek into a glorious waterfall.

Queen Mary Falls stream

We stood on the bridge for a long time, soaking up the scent of loamy earth and rain-washed leaves, feeling all our little stresses wash away.

hiking at Queen Mary Falls

We took one last glance at the stream before plunging into the woods again, getting ever closer to the Queen Mary Falls I’d heard so much about.

Queen Mary Falls creek

And I’ll show you that tomorrow. πŸ™‚

Where is your favorite place to go for a walk?