What's On Summer School Holidays in Southern Queensland Country

Join in the Family Fun

Check out our list of wholesome family fun activities that are guaranteed to make some moments to remember.

• Make a splash at Lake Somerset and Lake Wivenhoe this Summer. With designated swimming areas, spacious parks, BBQ facilities, playgrounds and fishing spots galore, Lakes Wivenhoe and Somerset have all the makings for a Summer of family fun. Stay the night at a lake-side haven like NRMA Lake Somerset Holiday Park or Pure Glamping Wivenhoe and make the most of Summer in Somerset.

• Miles Historical Village Tour, Miles – Family day out? Take the family to experience Queensland during the colonial period and discover what life was like before pen and paper as you explore the country village with 34 authentic buildings along the village streetscape. Open 7 days (excluding Christmas Day). Family pass (parents plus 2 school aged children) - $50. Children under 5 free. Check out this link for more information- https://www.mhv.org.au

• Goondiwindi Region Scavenger Hunt – The Goondiwindi Region is filled with activities sure to keep the little travellers amused during their visit. Catch a fish in Coolmunda Dam, spot the hidden cats in Bowen Lane’s street art, cool off in one of the region’s swimming pools or for the more adventurous, jump off the pontoon into the MacIntyre River. The full list of scavenger hunt activities can be found in the Goondiwindi Region Visitor Guide.
• Chinchilla Botanic Parkland is the perfect road trip adventure activity. The 4.2 hectares of landscaped gardens provide plenty of space for the kids to burn the extra energy gained from sitting in the car too long. This parkland has so much to offer with a splash zone water park, climbing wall and Megafauna Discovery Place.
• Outback Exploratorium – Delve into the mysteries of STEM with a range of interactive exhibits and displays. Designed to feed the curiosity of children, the Outback Exploratorium offers different STEM-based children’s activities most days over the school holidays. What’s happening each day is available on their website.
• Head to Kilcoy and take the kids on a Yowie hunt around Yowie Park. Take a family snap at the Yowie statue and grab a refreshing brew at the Yowie Coffee van while the kids burn off some steam in the playground. Before you go, check out the Kilcoy Craft Market and pick up some home-made sweet treats for the car ride home.

Off and Racing

Here our our top picks of adrenaline pumping activities within Southern Queensland Country for these school holidays:

• Cobb & Co Museum’s Fast & Furious Fun – this event, available weekdays, promises an exhilarating adventure for children aged 5 to 12. Embark on an adrenaline-packed journey through five incredible activity zones. Build your own race car and send it hurtling down the ramp or take to the skies with paper plane creations in the Flight Zone, plus so much more for $12 per child.
• Attention all speed enthusiasts, Cobb & Co Museum is holding an exclusive two-day event of Slot Car Racing on 13 – 14 January. Brace yourself for the excitement of competitive racing on cutting-edge tracks against six opponents complete with computer scoring and live race commentary. This adrenaline-pumping adventure designed for children aged 5 to 12 is $10 per child.
• Bikeline – Get active with the family and experience Toowoomba and surrounds on a bike. Rent a regular city bike or e-city bike and explore the streets of Toowoomba, we recommend discovering the laneway art. If you’re looking to get the adrenaline pumping, hire a mountain bike and head to the many bike trails on the outskirts of the city. Not sure where to start? Bikeline also offers bespoke guided tours.
• Lockyer Valley’s ‘racing caterpillar’ – learn how to make your own Racing Caterpillar. This fun paper craft race will get the whole family involved as you find out whose Caterpillar is fastest. The race will be held in Gatton at 10am, 10 January and Laidley at 2pm, 16 January.
• Bunya Mountains mountain biking – explore the world class Mountain Bike Trails tucked away in the foothills of the Bunya Mountains, with epic views guaranteed. Catering to all riding abilities, the trails range from 1.3km to 6.3km and are designed to provide a fun family day out.

Meet the Animals

Southern Queensland Country is filled with animal-based experiences sure to entertain, from exotic animals at the Zoo, to animals integral to Australian farming. We've put together a few opportunities to meet these animals up close:

• Darling Downs Zoo – take the kids on the ultimate animal adventure at Darling Downs Zoo. Featuring animals found nowhere else in Queensland including African Lions and White Lions, alongside the largest heard of Zebras and Giant Tortoises in the state, the Zoo is sure to delight visitors big and small. Open every day except Christmas Day, the Zoo offers free activities that allow you to learn more about their many wonderous creatures. Family passes start from $135 for 2 Adults and 2 Children.
• Llama walks in Somerset - Get the kids off their screens and back to nature in Somerset with a llama walk along Australia’s longest recreational rail trail, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Let the Ottaba Llamas be your guide as you mosey down the trail with your new-found llama friends. Their soft, gentle and affectionate natures are guaranteed to win the hearts of kids and adults alike.
• Long Neck Farm – let the kids experience the relaxed bush lifestyle of Long Neck Farm. Friendly free-ranging wildlife are found throughout the farm and select livestock including alpacas, ostriches, sheep and more, are available in public enclosures for children to pat or hand feed. A café is available on the farm with light refreshments and hot meals available. The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 3pm.

Steam Trains

• Downs Explorer Steam Train Trip, Warwick – Enjoy an authentic steam train ride through the Countryside. Take a return trip, departing from Warwick to Clifton and Nobby with a 2 course lunch. January 13 - Cost including lunch: Adults - $145, children ages 5 -14 - $110. To book and for all other scheduled trips check out their website.

• Downs Steam Tourism Railway & Museum, Drayton – explore the locomotives and carriages of days gone by. The station precinct showcases the behind-the-scenes operations of running trains, with turntables, train inspection sheds and the station itself. The museum is home to engines and carriages of unique importance to the Australian Railway story.

There is so much for the whole family to discover in Southern Queensland Country. Seek wholesome adventures and make unforgettable moments like this.