14-day ultimate road trip through Southern Queensland Country
Who said a road trip should only be confined to just a long weekend?
Travel along the Mount Lindsay Highway via the Scenic Rim township of Beaudesert to Stanthorpe, the heart of the Granite Belt, and Queensland’s premier food and wine region. Discover big sky panoramas and precariously balancing prehistoric granite boulders at Girraween National Park. The 11800 hectare Park is a paradise for bushwalkers with scenic walks through eucalypt forests and wildflowers in Spring.
When in Stanthorpe, take a drive around and visit nearby Ballandean to discover five star wineries, craft breweries and gourmet food producers. Sample hand made chocolates crafted with the finest local ingredients at Heavenly Chocolate and mouthwatering berry delights at Jamworks Gourmet Food. Join a cooking class or meet the maker tour at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.
Travel along the New England Highway to a Stanthorpe landmark, Vincenzos at the Big Apple, for some gourmet deli produce then visit Suttons Apple Orchard and Cidery for a slice of their famous apple pie.
In Warwick, discover some of the states finest sandstone buildings or indulge in a high tea and tour at the historic Abbey of the Roses. Follow the Sunflower Route to Allora, the childhood home of P.L. Travers who wrote the Mary Poppins stories. Visit the heritage listed Glengallan Homestead, a nineteenth century country house and Rudd’s Pub named after author Steele Rudd en route to Toowoomba. Tonight, dine at one of Toowoomba’s trendy restaurants offering fresh local produce menus.
In Toowoomba, take in the majestic views of the Toowoomba range from the scenic Picnic Point Café, wander the exquisite gardens of Queens Park or explore Australia’s largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll garden. Visit the Cobb and Co Museum, home of the National Carriage Collection then explore the Empire Theatre precinct for an up-close look of this magnificent heritage listed building. Time your visit in September-October for the spectacular Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Follow the New England Highway north through the pretty Highland villages of Hampton and Cabarlah to Ravensbourne National Park, a nature lovers Paradise. Discover towering trees, palm groves, trickling streams and amazing birdlife in the best remaining example of the rainforest that originally covered this part of the Great Dividing Range. Drive through the old timber town of Crows Nest to Maidenwell at the base of the Bunya Mountains and a cool drink at the quaint country pub. Continue up the steep, winding road through stunning rainforest canopies and ancient bunya pines to Bunya Mountains National Park.
Enjoy a relaxed day in this pristine National Park in the privacy of your Bunya Mountain Chalet. Wander down to the information and interpretive centre to learn the significance of the bunya pine to countless generations of Aboriginal people. Follow a selection of walking tracks to explore nine different kinds of rainforests, ancient plant species, animals and colourful birdlife. Make friends with the birds as you relax with a coffee, meal or perhaps a bunya nut sundae at Poppies Café or Elz Bistro.
Travel down the Bunya Highway to Kingaroy and the Taste of South Burnett, a one-stop shop for locally produced wine, cheese and fudge. Visit the Kingaroy Observatory to discover the mysteries of our infinite galaxy. Your final leg of the drive will travel through the timber town of Blackbutt and Esk, renowned for its beautiful lakes and dams before returning to Brisbane.
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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.
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