Queensland Holidays - Things To See and Do - Towns & Regions
Towns & Regions
The towns and regions throughout Australia's Country way offer no shortage of things to see and do.
From delighting in the country harvest to experiencing a local event, here's where to plan your day, your way.
- Country New South Wales to Queensland
- Glen Innes to Yarraman
- New England Tablelands to South Burnett
- Toowoomba to Mundubbera
- Mundubbera and Gayndah
- Central Queensland
Country New South Wales to Queensland
From the heart of Country New South Wales to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt of Queensland, the Country Way meanders through stretches of grazing and pastoral lands interspersed with National Parks and forests. Your journey into Queensland will take you through diverse landscapes and lively rural centres. Discover more at www.visitnsw.com.au.
Glen Innes to Yarraman
North: Stunning National Parks, welcoming country towns, and great country pubs lie north. Rudd's Pub in Nobby offers relaxed country hospitality and all the spirit of Dad 'n' and bygone eras. Stop off in the towns of Toowoomba - home to the Carnival of Flowers, Highfields and Crows Nests for great food, cosy B&Bs, cottages, parks and pubs, and access to beautiful lakes and the stunning Ravensbourne National Park. Further north, the peaceful Bunya Mountains' wilderness and majestic ancient Bunya Pines beckon.
South: South of Warwick explore Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks, where huge granite monoliths shelter wildflowers and offer stunning panoramas. Bushwalking is thirsty walk, and the perfect pit stop is found in the cellar doors of the Stanthorpe and Tenterfield wine country. Experience Tenterfield's rich history and memorabilia with visits to the Henry Parkes Federation Museum, the Centenary Cottage Complex, and the Railway Museum. Glen Innes's colonial heritage is comprehensively set out at the Land of the Beardies History House, while the Australian Standing Stones are the physical manifestation of the local Celtic spirit.
East: The Main Range, Goomburra and Mount Barney National Parks lie not far to the east and provide sanctuary to rare and endangered wildlife. Mount Barney is characterised by the seven distinctive mountain peaks, while Main Range's escarpments, ridges, and peaks make for rewarding bushwalking. 10km over the NSW border you'll stumble on Woodenbong, an idyllic rural town surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, waterfalls, and crops and grazing pastures.
West: Head west to the heart of South East Queensland Country, where the wide rural grazing lands stretch out around you. Built around the headwaters of the Murray Darling System, the Inglewood district offers great fishing, history, hospitality, and access to the Coolmunda Reserve and Lake.
New England Tablelands to South Burnett
South: South of Toowoomba taste the award wining fruits of the Granite Belt and Southern Downs wine country. Be awed by the huge granite monoliths and diminutive wildflowers of Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks. Experience Tenterfield's rich history of national significance. Visit the birthplace of federation at the Henry Parkes Federation Museum, take in the nineteenth century memorabilia at the Centenary Cottage Complex, and delve into the Railway Museum.
East: As you drive east prepare to enjoy the fresh, quality, seasonal produce of the Salad Bowl - Gatton and the Lockyer and Brisbane Valleys. Helidon Hills is a unique slice of the Lockyer Valley offering mineral waters, sandstone, and unique plants such as native orchids. Ipswich is a vibrant city full of beautiful heritage buildings, and grand old homesteads. Stop off at the Workshops Railway Museum in Ipswich on your way to downtown Brisbane, the riverside capital of Queensland.
West: Follow your nose west along the Warrego Highway towards Oakey's rich rural charm and the Museum of Australian Army Flying. Up the road you'll come across the Jondaryan Woolshed, where the pioneering spirit is alive and celebrated at regular festivals. Next stop is Dalby's museum, gallery, and heritage trail, then onto Australia's Melon Capital; the friendly town of Chinchilla.
Toowoomba to Mundubbera
North: Northbound from Kingaroy check out Wondai's Timber Museum and Visitor Information Centre, and follow Murgon's Barambah Wine Trail to the source of the region's award-wining drops. Diverge off the highway a little and visit Bjelke-Petersen and Boondooma Dams. Enjoy the view from the Burt Button Lookout at Cherburg, surrounded by bush tucker. Drive up through rural Goomeri, home of the pumpkin festival, toward Gayndah and Mundubbera where the sweet smell of citrus blossoms hangs in the air.
South: Swing south by Nanango's Ringsfield House for a Devonshire tea before skipping off the main highway to the Maidenwell Observatory, sky gazers' paradise. Stick to the back routes and take the Yarraman Forestry Drive, before delighting at the Crows Nest Lavender Farm. Nearby Ravensbourne National Park hosts beautiful flora and fauna. Take a bushwalk, then stop off in the Highfields Cottage precinct and grab a cuppa before taking in the views over Toowoomba from Picnic Point.
East: Head east towards bohemian townships of the lush Sunshine Coast Hinterland and check out the legend of the Yowie for yourself at Yowie Park Kilcoy. Further along the D'Aguilar Highway lies the town of Woodford, where cattle sales are still held weekly in the town's main street. As you head towards the coast look out for the magnificent volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains rising above the surrounding pines and bushlands.
West: Taking the inland road west you'll come to Kumbia - sample local stone fruits, visit the pub, and check out the arts and crafts scene. The Bunya Mountains' wilderness and towering conifers are a siren song for those looking for a rejuvenating experience in an ancient, peaceful, and spiritual place. Dip southwest to experience the Jimbour House gardens and cellar door near Dalby.
Mundubbera and Gayndah
North: Travelling North the Country Way delivers you to Mount Morgan's sites of historical significance - the railway station, museum, and the incredible dinosaur footprints. Catch the action at the Gracemere Cattle Sales, and while in Rockhampton straddle the Topic of Capricorn in the shadow of the spire that marks the spot. The Capricorn Coast offers access to the Great Barrier Reef and gorgeous stretches of beach.
South: South of Biloela you'll find a plethora of unique natural formations. Mount Scoria's musical rocks, the Coominglah Range Lookout, and the magnificent sandstone ridges of Cania Gorge National Park, encompassing Lake Cania. Home to the Siltstone Mine, the town of Eidsvold proudly depicts its Indigenous and pastoral legacies in the Historical Murals. The orchards and Gayndah's Big Orange signal you're in the heart of citrus country. While in the area, check out the stunning views from McConnell Lookout.
East: Make your way east and pop into the Calliope Historical Village for heritage buildings, including an authentic old pub and railway station. For keen anglers wet a line in Lake Awoonga for barramundi and mangrove jack, surrounded by beautiful bushland. Hit the coast and the lush harbour side metropolis of Gladstone - a great base for exploring the surrounding mountain ranges, and National Parks.
West: West of the Country Way lies the countryside around Moura and Theodore. Take time out in Isla Gorge National Park amongst the forests, creeks, gorges, and sandstone monoliths that change colour throughout the day. Baralaba lies on the banks of the Dawson River, and boasts heritage buildings and stunning natural assets. At nearby farmstays take up the life of a cowboy. Meanwhile the Cracow Hotel offers laidback hospitality and great pioneering memorabilia.
Central Queensland
North: Travel north to Mt Archer Environmental Park. From the top of Mt Archer, take in the magnificent view across the city of Rockhampton - excellent both during the day and at night. The Capricorn Caves - a series of limestone caverns and wheelchair accessible - are simply fantastic. At Marlborough, call into the historical museum to learn how the most valuable variety of microcrystalline quartz, Chrysoprase is mined.
South: Journey south to the historical township of Mount Morgan - once home to the richest gold mine in the world. At Biloela, discover everything about Australia's primary industries at the Silo. See the remains of the Beautiful Betsy at Kroombit Tops National Park. Obtain an impressive view across rich coal deposits at the Dawson Lookout, near Moura. From Theodore, explore Robinson and Isla Gorges and the pretty Dawson River.
East: On your way east, view the unusual St Christopher's Chapel. For the adventurous, go abseiling and rock climbing at Mt Jim Crow. Byfield National Park, with its ancient cycads and rare ferns, is a nature delight. On the coast, there's Shell World, Joskeleigh South Sea Islander Museum, the Singing Ship and 13 glorious beaches to explore. Out in the sea, the Great Barrier Reef and Great Keppel Island awaits.
West: Pass the big Brahman bull statue travelling west before stoping in for sale day at Gracemere Sale Yards Complex. Worth a visit is Mt Hay for Thunder Eggs, Long Island Environmental Nature Reserve, and Budgeroo Timber. Call in at Dingo - home to the World Championship Dingo Trap Throwing Competition before exploring Blackdown Tableland. In Blackwater, rest awhile at the pretty Japanese Gardens and see the Blackwater International Coal Centre.
