Marburg

The historic village of Marburg, west of Ipswich, takes visitors back in time to an era when the town was the bustling hub of the local area. The streets are lined with beautifully restored heritage buildings including the old German Baptist Church, Bielefeld's Store and the historic hotel built in 1879.

Just outside of town you will find the restored two-storey plantation style mansion named Woodlands of Marburg. This grand old lady of the valley is heritage-listed and was built in 1890 as the home of a local sawmill owner, his wife and their 11 children. The mansion overlooks picturesque Marburg Valley and is surrounded by magnificent Jacaranda Trees and Bunya Pines

Visitors to Marburg can enjoy exploring on foot. Look for the iconic Marburg Hotel (circa 1879); the Community Centre, formerly the town's bank; Rosewood Scrub Historical Museum with lots of early photos of the area; old Bielefeld's Store, now an antique centre; the old Police Station, courthouse and lock-up; and the Anglican cemetery, the resting place of many of the area's pioneers..

From Woodlands you can take a hot-air balloon ride over the Scenic Rim and the heritage city of Ipswich. The Great Dividing Range provides the backdrop for your breath-taking glide over the scenic countryside.

There are several boutique wineries in the area that are well worth the look. You can take a tour, enjoy a delicious meal and sample a drop of award-winning wine at the cellar door.

The pretty villages of Haigslea and Rosewood nearby are also of historical interest and great places to linger a while and explore.

Marburg is just 45 minutes' drive from Brisbane and Toowoomba and 15 minutes from Ipswich.