Gold Coast to Lockyer Valley
The Lockyer Valley is a short one hour’s drive from Brisbane and Toowoomba respectively and is undoubtedly the produce-bowl of south-east Queensland.
Distance: 137 Kilometres
Time: 1.5 Hours
Travelling west from Warwick along the Cunningham Highway, the Sprint Route begins at Sandy Creek Road, eight kilometres on the right from Warwick Central Business District. This was once the main road to Goondiwindi and used by the bullock drivers. The route passes through the districts of Allan, Leslie and Cunningham (named after the explorers) and then through the once thriving gold rush townships of Pratten and Leyburn and finally onto Karara.
The Drive passes the iconic Sandy Creek Raceway which holds one of the most significant motoring events in Queensland. Next door is The Darling Downs Hotel - known to locals as the Sandy Creek Pub - and is the oldest continually licensed premises in Queensland.
With rich historical stories, the route offers an interesting passage in time should you wish to stop at the sites - Memorial Park in Cunningham, the town of Pratten where Gold was first discovered in the area (and fossicking can be done with permits), Old Leyburn Station, Liberator Park and other points of interest for history lovers.
The Sprint Route is an easy, leafy drive and travels past some quiet places for picnics, or even for a spot of fishing in Leslie Reserve - on the banks of the Sandy Creek in particular. You will witness quintessential Australian views and stopping at the Darling Downs Hotel is highly recommended for a great country meal experience.
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The Sprint Route
An easy turnoff from the main highway travelling West out of Warwick, The Sprint Route is a relaxed, quintessential Aussie drive through bush, past country farms, past the iconic Leyburn Raceway and Darling Downs Hotel, and through windy, leafy landscapes.
Points of interest and recommended places to stop are Leslie Reserve for fishing, Memorial Park in Cunningham to view the Memorial Cairns honouring fallen soldiers, designated fossicking area near Thanes Creek, Talgai Homestead at the old Talgai Station and Liberator Park in Leyburn which commemorates Bomber Squadrons that were based here in World War 2.
The road continues with scenic views before meeting with the small town of Karara and travellers have the option of turning left and driving back to Warwick (perhaps stopping at Leslie Dam on the way), or investigate Glendon Camping Grounds, which is a favourite spot for four wheel driving, camping, gold panning or fishing.
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