5 relaxing weekend away ideas in Southern Queensland Country
For your next holiday, slow down in Southern Queensland Country and relax during your travels – from wine tours to soaking in thermal hot springs or exploring national parks.
Distance: 748 Kilometres
Time: 9 Hours
Travel through the spectacular Scenic Rim region to Stanthorpe, heart of the Granite Belt. Explore the many bush trails, and stunning landscapes of Girraween National Park. Sample an amazing array of local produce and meet the makers. Follow pretty country road touring to quaint Allora, once home to PJ Travers, author of Mary Poppins.
See a magnificent heritage listed pastoral home, frozen in time since the 1800s then enjoy a great pub meal at Nobby’s famous Rudd Pub. Breathe in Toowoomba’s stunning parkland floral displays and find your new favourite coffee shop amongst the many trendy cafes.
Take the scenic highlands drive to Ravensbourne National Park, see the timber town of Crows Nest then arrive at Bunya Mountains National Park with its stunning rainforest canopies and ancient Bunya Pines.
Delight in the taste sensations of the South Burnett, and call in to a popular Booie Range winery as you journey back to Brisbane.
STOP1
Brisbane to Stanthorpe
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.
STOP2
Stanthorpe to Toowoomba
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 join a Whistle Stop tour of the Empire Theatre for a behind the scenes tour of this magnificent heritage listed building. Time your visit in September for the spectacular Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 10 day event.
STOP3
Toowoomba to Bunya Mountains
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.
STOP4
Bunya Mountains to Brisbane
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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