Clear water reflections at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Eungalla National Park is truly a mythical place. Not only because of its flora and fauna, but it feels like taking a step back in time on this high plateau.
Home of locals, Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
The Aborigines of the ‘Wirri’ tribe called these mountains their home, way before the white man arrived. Eungalla National Park has always had an important role in the environment, as many species of animals, birds and flora are only found here.
Fountains of life, Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
White settlers eventually cultivated the valley for cane farming as well as for dairy farming. Even then, when transport, roads and spare time were almost non-existent, local farmers recognized the importance of this land. In 1941, Eungalla National Park was founded.
Land of the clouds, Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Eungalla means ‘land of the clouds’ in the local aboriginal language. Clouds, that formed over the warmer ocean temperatures are blown inland and literally get stuck on these highlands.
Foggy Ferny Flats at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Well, today proved to be such a day. Waking up to thick fog all around, there was a mythical feeling in the air.
This fog throughout Eungella National Park, Queensland, Australia
Visibility was around 20 meters maximum at times and caution on the narrow and winding road was even more important.
Foggy drizzle at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
It wasn’t really raining, but the low clouds drizzled over the land. I haven’t seen such thick fog since my stay in Andasibe on Madagascar. I had taken then some fabulous photos of nature and people in thick fog, I intended to do the same today.
Tall ‘Fern Flat Campground‘ at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
National Park campground ‘Fern Flat’ is a fantastic, low-cost overnight option.
Foggy forest in sepia at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Spacious camping areas surrounded by thick forest and tall ferns. The Broken River’s platypus playground wasn’t even 100 meters away. The fog added to a ghostly appearance to an already mythical forest.
Disappearing in the mist at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
I had an early morning chat with a young, friendly couple from Melbourne. They quickly disappeared in the mist.
Searching in mysterious ways at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
I was on my way too, looking for that playful and mysterious creature in mystical surroundings.
Wishful thinking at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
The platypus weren’t overly active this morning, as if they were too scared to emerge from their burrows. It would have been a spectacular photo, a platypus on a log in foggy conditions. Well, I can still dream, can’t I?
Forest, river and fog at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Instead, my photographic attention wandered off to the clouds that enveloped the Broken River and its forest. It wasn’t a normal fog that lingers around until the sun rays burn the cold air off. The clouds moved throughout the mountains fairly quick.
Clear view at Eungalla National Parks, Queensland, Australia
The Broken River was clear and reflected the surroundings as it did yesterday.
Clouds moving in at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Just a few moments later, the clouds made their way through the river bed, appearing like oversized ghosts.
Spooky experience at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
This made the whole experience a little spooky.
In Fairyland at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
I imagined that fairies and unicorns would move with them, roaming their territory. The fog would keep them invisible to the human eye.
Even the shadows appear ghostly at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
This would have fitted perfectly in these mystical surroundings, having a mysterious creature foraging in these waters already. I guess my imagination ran a little wild, but this would have been a perfect setting for such experience.
Shiny ferns at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Now and then, the sun tried to break through the clouds, giving the green ferns a shiny appearance. I was hoping for a sunny day today but got something even better.
Eungalla National Park as it’s name describes, Queensland, Australia
This is where Eungalla National Park got its name from – the land of clouds, this is what Eungalla stands for.
Breathtaking experience at Eungalla National Park, Queensland, Australia
Simply mythical all around.
Travels with Ben 