7 best pet-friendly cafes in Southern Queensland Country
If it’s a serious case of puppy dog eyes holding you back from brunch, we’ve got great news for you - there’s no need to leave your furry friend behind in Southern Queensland Country.
Keep reading for heart-pumping, white knuckle-inducing, and thrill-seeking activities put on by mother nature herself in the Toowoomba Region.
Where can you connect with nature without leaving all the creature comforts of an urban city center? Find your answer in the Toowoomba Region.
This summer is all about micro-adventures, and Southern Queensland Country's very own adventure playground, Toowoomba, is less than two hours from Brisbane’s CBD.
Keep reading for heart-pumping, white knuckle-inducing, and thrill-seeking activities put on by mother nature herself in the Toowoomba Region. Hold on tight because you’re about to have #TheMotherOfAll adventures.
1. Scramble up Table Top Mountain
If you think you could give Spiderman a run for his money, set aside around 45 minutes to take on the challenging (but feasible for the adventurous), Table Top Mountain climb.
Before wrangling Table Top’s rockfaces and ravines, immerse yourself in nature walking the base of the 'Camel's Hump'.
After finding your feet on top of the unusually flat and grassy peak of the former volcano, Table Top Mountain, be rewarded with incredible views of Toowoomba, Prince Henry Heights, the Lockyer Valley, and Main Range.
2. Saddle up, lace up, and ride up Mount Peel
Not for the faint-hearted, Mount Peel is your one-stop shop for all of the best bush-bashing adventure activities.
Take your mountain bike, walking boots, or saddle up to explore The Firebreak Network, which connects all four park entrances with bushwalking and mountain bike trails to the five peaks and lookouts.
If you’re up for a challenge, put your boots and glutes to the test up the South Summit, the most difficult climb of the park, but the most rewarding with 360° views of the region.
3.Take a journey through Ravensbourne National Park
Trek under the towering trees, jump over the running creeks and wander through the palm groves along the forest trails in Ravensbourne National Park.
Rich in history, your mind will also be taken on a captivating journey through time as you learn about the Aboriginal travellers and timber-getters through interpretive signage along the way.
Take yourself on a short self-guided walk starting at the bottom of the Cedar Block day-use area, or if you’re the daring type, attempt the rougher track along Buaraba Creek Walk starting within the rainforest.
4. Feel the thrill at Toowoomba Jubilee Park
Feel the rush of adrenaline and wind through your helmet at Toowoomba’s biggest mountain biking park, Jubilee Park
If you speak in tracks and trails, the names ‘Defibrillator’, ‘Highlife’ and ‘Rollercat’ probably give you a little sneak peek of what kind of fun is in store.
With over 30 kilometres of trails, including tracks for beginners and tabletops, jumps and berms for the experienced, Toowoomba Jubilee Park is a Mecca for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Whether you want to practice your skills or test your tricks on the tracks, choose from 41 trails which range from 500m to 4,370m loops for heart-racing and sweaty palm action.
5. Have a full outdoor experience at Lake Cooby
We see your backyard swimming pool and raise you mother nature’s version in the Toowoomba region.
For endless fun, BYO canoes and kayaks to Lake Cooby, a two-hour road trip from Brisbane or half an hour from Toowoomba’s CBD.
If you like to mix your walks with your watersports, then wander around Lake Cooby’s trails before diving in and cooling down.
Stick around and reward yourself with a break at the picnic and barbecue facilities at the Loveday Cove or the Dam Wall picnic area afterwards.
6. Get back to nature at Lake Cressbrook
It’s easy to immerse yourself in nature when you’re surrounded by rolling hills, an open forest of grey gum and ironbark, and thick grassland.
It’s even better when there’s a natural swimming pool (that’s only several kilometres long) to enjoy the view from too.
Find Lake Cressbrook a 50 kilometre drive from Toowoomba and a 15 minute drive from Crows Nest, making it a popular spot for watersport lovers in the Toowoomba Region.
Take the boat out on the trailer and strap on the canoes to the top of the car, you might even want to bring along the fishing rods and the picnic blanket to make a day out of your adventure mission.
7. Explore the region on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Load the car up with your best bike, because 161 kilometres of native bushland, farming country and urban towns along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail are waiting to be explored.
Uncover country treasures and explore lush scenery on a mountain bike or horseback on Australia’s longest recreational rail trail.
If you’re hardcore, you can also take on the rugged landscapes and serene country scenes by foot - just make sure you’ve got the appropriate kicks on (robust hiking shoes).
Pitch up the tent at the head of the trail at the station park to make a holiday out of your adventure.
8. Hold onto your hat at Cowboy Up
You can’t have a complete adventure experience in mother nature’s country scenes without going horseback.
But if you don’t have your own steed at the ready, Cowboy Up have you sorted minus the floats and hassle.
Just 20 minutes north of Crows Nest, and a couple of hours out from Brisbane, saddle up and take a horse-riding trek through luscious native bushland and this hard-working cattle property.
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