Want a secret? The best sunflower field I’ve found wasn’t in Allora…
Our quest to find a sunflower field began around a year ago, when I learned that you can find sunflower fields in Australia. Not only that, but only a few hours away from where I lived! At the time, we got very excited but didn’t manage to line up everyone’s availability so we could go together. And summer ended, meaning the optimum time to see them at their finest was over.
We waited patiently but the same problem kept happening. Until a few nights ago, when I realised I didn’t have many days left of summer, and desperately messaged my friends Domi and Jane to see when they were free. By a fluke, we were all free the next day! So off we went!
Spontaneous plans sometimes become the best adventures. I packed a blanket and some frozen poppers (juice boxes), Jane brought her picnic basket, and we met at Domi’s place to start our journey early (by my standards, 9am is early…).
Now, our plan was based off the internet, which informed us to keep going past Allora to the town of Clifton. Clifton is based between Warwick and Toowoomba, but we followed the GPS as we rarely go west. I’m thinking we should find some adventures out there soon! The countryside is beautiful. We drove around windy hills and across flat paddocks, and at one point made a quick stop at the start of a hiking trail because we saw something carved from stone, seen from the road. We decided to see what it was, and got many an odd look, as we were in no way dressed to go on a serious hike! It turned out to be a monument to the person who discovered the area and explained a little of the history.
We continued on our way, singing along to some of the awesome songs on my awesome playlist… (They totally thought the ‘Beach Boys’ songs were as cool as I think they are). We almost went straight past a blur of yellow before it registered that there were sunflowers nearby and we screamed a little bit.
We were a bit excited.
But we stuck to the plan and finally reached the town of Clifton. One of those ‘blink and you miss it’ towns, we tried to follow the signs but got hopelessly confused. This is due to the fact that the tourist drive signs ended in front of an empty paddock. So we drove around in circles until we spotted a yellow haze across the farms and we drove in that direction. Pulling over, we quickly assembled our picnic and just sat on the side of the road enjoying the view, drinking our juice and enjoying our blueberries. And avoiding the bugs.
Then we went for a walk down the side of the paddock. There wasn’t a gate or fence, so we thought it was alright to walk around the edge of the flowers, as we weren’t damaging them. They are someone’s livelihood after all, so we were very careful to not disturb the plants. But we spent a good few hours taking silly photos and talking and just admiring the yellow countryside.
Once there, admire how the sunflowers tilt their heads towards the sun and how bright they are surrounded by the contrasting landscape. Van Gogh painted many sunflowers in his lifetime, and is said to eat yellow paint to combat his depression (a widespread ‘fact’ about the artist). A saying suggests taking a lesson from sunflowers; turning your thoughts towards the positives in your life like sunflowers turn their heads seeking the sun, rather than facing the darkness and negativity in your life.
Some people might think it silly to drive two hours to look at some flowers but damn, totally worth it. A long road trip with friends is not only about the destination, it’s about the journey there. Talking about boys, old friends, university and graduation plans, feminism and playing a fun little game called ‘My Cows’ means the 4 hours spent stuck in a little white car with each other is valued as much as the picnic on the side of the road with the pretty flowers.
Thoughts
Totally worth it, as mentioned in the last paragraph. The trip is a bit tiring, because it is a while away but the scenery is lovely. (But do go with friends you can talk with, because otherwise this will be a bit boring). Remember, this is someone’s property, and while they are probably used to people taking photos of their land, if you damage anything you are damaging their property. I know it looks like we are in among all the flowers, but we were very careful, and didn’t go more than a metre in, if that. (#theperksofphotoediting #notreallife).
It is definitely something I can tick off the bucket list now!
**~ Are their sunflower fields near where you live/have you visited any? Let me know! ~**
A/N: If you want to see some of our adventures over the next year, check out the youtube channel! This video will be going up shortly. Follow Explore With Us to, well, explore with us! 🙂
education
May 16, 2017 — 4:50 pm
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve you guys to my own blogroll.
gold
May 16, 2017 — 7:48 pm
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
masters in education
May 18, 2017 — 2:40 am
I got this web site from my pal who shared with me about this web site and now this time I am browsing this web page and reading very informative posts here.
employment contract
May 18, 2017 — 7:28 pm
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
financial advisors
May 19, 2017 — 5:04 am
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web page daily, this site is truly pleasant and the viewers are truly sharing fastidious thoughts.
best online education
May 19, 2017 — 12:23 pm
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Very useful information particularly the closing phase 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thanks and best of luck.
online higher education
May 22, 2017 — 4:30 am
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!
stores to buy phone cases
May 27, 2017 — 10:21 pm
bookmarked!!, I love your website!
business owner
June 6, 2017 — 6:06 pm
Every weekend i used to visit this site, because i want enjoyment, since this this web page conations genuinely fastidious funny data too.
employee legal advice
June 6, 2017 — 6:50 pm
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by it.
college degrees
June 8, 2017 — 7:26 am
Awesome post.
medical advice sites
June 8, 2017 — 12:58 pm
You really make it seem really easy along with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually something which I feel I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I am having a look forward for your subsequent put up, I will try to get the hang of it!
financial planning
June 8, 2017 — 1:33 pm
You are so interesting! I don’t think I’ve read something like this before. So great to discover another person with some genuine thoughts on this topic. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!
home business deductions
June 9, 2017 — 3:47 am
certainly like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I will certainly come again again.
stocks and shares
June 9, 2017 — 8:01 am
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at alone place.
home and family living
June 10, 2017 — 10:55 am
I seriously love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own blog and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thank you!
sleep study
June 11, 2017 — 1:20 am
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
admin
November 15, 2017 — 10:24 am
I’d just like to thank you all for your kind comments, and apologise for the delay in doing so! I’m a terrible procrastinator when it comes to actually writing about my adventures haha
Spencer Dunemn
May 29, 2018 — 8:30 pm
That sure is one pretty site you have there. Can I ask you a very simple question? What kind of fertilizer do you use to make it grow so wonderfully?
Tonia
August 16, 2018 — 4:00 am
My brother recommended I would possibly like this website.
He was entirely right. This submit truly made my day.
You cann’t believe just how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!