Australia's Country Way
From Wallangarra to Rockhampton

Trip Length: 5 days  Total Distance: 896 km  Road Conditions: All sealed roads

Wallangarra

Toowoomba

Kingaroy

Gayndah

Biloela

Rockhampton

If the idea of travelling in sight of some amazing granite formations, lush green orchards, rugged gorge country, and historic homesteads appeals to you, then try travelling the Country Way.

This drive is a wonderful trek from the cool climate Wallangarra on the state border to tropic and sultry Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

Just an hour's drive along the journey is some of Queensland's best original sandstone buildings and historic homes at Warwick. For the record, Warwick is not the last point along The Country Way at which the holidaying history buff can get a feel for the days when everything moved slower and usually in a horse and cart.

The Darling Downs towns of Allora, Clifton, and Nobby offer much history. For instance, Steele Rudd's tales set this territory into the pages of Australian Literary History.

Further along it is hard not to stop in Toowoomba for the mix of history, great views and shopping. September is the best time to visit this country hub, as the city holds the annual Carnival of Flowers.

Driving North the little villages of Cooyar, Blackbutt and Yarraman display the wares of the timber industry as well as providing access to the Yarraman Forest Drive and Palms National Park.

With the Granite Country and Lockyer Valley views from Toowoomba behind you, the highway now climbs the Blackbutt Range. Here the landscape changes gradually into the fertile rolling country of the South Burnett. From this point North, there is a string of interesting national parks to explore including the majestic Bunya Mountains and Cania Gorge. In fact, there are national parks not far from the Country Way all the way to Rockhampton.

One of Queensland's oldest towns Nanango is on the Country Way. Locals say that gold fossickers often try their hand at finding a fortune by visiting Seven Mile Diggings.

Further along the way, the South Burnett towns of Kingaroy and Murgon have some interesting local wineries. Also, anglers might like to consider stopping at Boondooma Dam located near Proston and Bjelke Peterson Dam located outside of Murgon. Murgon also has the only Dairy Museum in Queensland. Skipping ahead, antique collectors will find a lot of interest in Goomeri.

The tiny location of Ban Ban Springs makes the beginning of the North Burnett. The North Burnett is home to the fruit bowl towns of Gayndah and Mundubbera.

Moving north and out of the hill country at Eidsvold and Monto, the highway travels into beef and dairy country.

In the final section of the Country Way from the Central Queensland Cotton town of Biloela to Beef Capital of Rockhampton, there is plenty to see. For instance, the historic town of Mt Morgan is a gold and silver mining town snuggled into what once was a mountain and is now an awe-inspiring piece of Queensland history.

Then complete the Country Way at Rockhampton. Rockhampton has its own charm and provides a great gateway to the Capricorn Coast or perhaps a break before venturing into the gem fields to the west.