Granite Belt and Darling Downs
This is a journey from Toowoomba travelling deep into Steele Rudd country, and beyond.
You’ll find the present pays homage to the past in every town of Southern Queensland Country.
Our modern streetscapes tell a story of a bygone era, with many historic buildings have been restored and are still in use today.
Country pubs, historic B&Bs and guest houses, interactive museums and private collections piece together the stories that bring to life the Indigenous and pioneering history and the people who have shaped this unique region.
Don't miss these gems:
All aboard locomotive buffs!
You can experience a little of the history at Toowoomba’s charming Railway Station.
Used by travellers for 120 years, it has been tastefully remodelled yet retains a time-honoured air of civility and conviviality.
To add mystery to the history of the station, the tracks are said to be haunted by a ghost even to this day.
During the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, catch a diesel-hauled train to the Spring Bluff (1867), the prettiest railway station in Queensland to picnic amid the flower-filled gardens.
You’ll find 19th and 20th century pubs across the region.
Memorabilia and photos adorn the walls of Rudd’s Pub in Nobby, also famous in the history of the Dad and Dave stories.
Local history also features at Cambooya’s Bull and Barley Inn, which still cools drinks in the original cedar chiller box.
The Farmers Arms at Cabarlah, is a great place to meet the locals and one of the longest continually licenced pubs in Queensland.
The region’s early settlers brought their religious traditions with them and were quick to create places of worship, some of which are still standing today.
St John’s Anglican Church in Dalby opened in 1866 is a wonderful example of a church in the Gothic revival style, complete with fine stained glass.
St Luke’s in Toowoomba is of a similar style and an unusual example of a bluestone church in Queensland.
Visit St Augustine’s in Leyburn (circa 1871), to see a rare example of a gothic shingled-roof building.
The Miles Historical Village is not what you would expect, going beyond the usual historical display to present more than 30 buildings in a streetscape setting.
Locals have donated much of the old wares, photographs, maps and pieces of history that make it possible to take a step back in time to when Ludwig Leichhardt first explored the region.
Cobb & Co Museum, Toowoomba
The natural and cultural history of Toowoomba is beautifully told at Cobb+Co Museum.
Trace the expansion of the area through carefully curated interactive displays, see visiting exhibitions and learn traditional artisan skills at regular blacksmithing, millinery or lead lighting workshops, or at the Lost Trades Fair, a highlight of the museum’s workshop calendar.
Vintage machinery buffs, you’ve found heaven!
Highfields Pioneer Village is home to a large collection of rare and unusual vintage machinery (much of it particular to farming on the Darling Downs) and a fully operational blacksmith shop.
Enjoy morning tea of billy tea and damper and a farm tour or stay a few days bush camping by the creek at Gleneden Family Farm.
Fifth generation farmers Rowan and Fiona Morris will show you how their organic, sustainable farm uses traditional farming practices, including a working bullock team demonstration, bullock whip making and cracking, blacksmithing, wheel-wrighting and bullock yoke making.
The heritage of the region is unmistakeable in the majestic sandstone buildings that still dominate the town and speak of a thriving agricultural history.
Discover the history for yourself at Glengallan Homestead, Art Gallery and Heritage Museum.
Alas, you might need more than one day to appreciate all Warwick has to offer, so we suggest resting your head at McNevins Warwick Motel, Pitstop Lodge or Albion Cottage.
Subscribe now to receive a free downloadable Country Drive Bingo template, and let us share our specially curated holiday tips, news and deals.
Southern Queensland Country Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways that run through these regions. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.
Subscribe now to receive a free downloadable Country Drive Bingo template, and let us share our specially curated holiday tips, news and deals.