Southern Downs Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

With a name such as Amiens, it stands to reason that there would be links back to World War I. Quite a few villages along Amiens Road are named after the bloody Western Front battlefields.

That is the case, but even though the name Amiens is French, the major ethnic group in the area is Italian.

It was one of those soldier settlement areas, when the lads came home from the war they were offered miniscule blocks of land. A high failure rate resulted. Latter day winegrowers and orchardists have made up for that, with fruit orchards and wineries flourishing in the area.

Whilst in the area it is possible to do a bit of fossicking in the old diggings. In order to do this you will need a licence. Stop off at Donnelly's Castle for a picnic where you will find a wood barbecue. Donnelly's Castle Lookout is atop a huge granite boulder.

Naturally enough apple-town (Applethorpe) would have to produce apples, and it does, along with a range of other fruits. This settlement is at the southern end of The Fruit Run, that stretch of roadway which shadows the New England Highway to the north of Stanthorpe. It is worthwhile leaving the highway and doing the 'Run', remembering that best results for purchasing local fruits naturally enough is seasonal.

It is in this area, just to the south of Stanthorpe, where the State's first commercially grown table grapes were harvested. Then, along came the wine industry, thanks predominantly to the arrival of Italian settlers.

Actually the first legally planted wine grapes were allegedly grown by the Puglisi family of Ballandean. The family vineyard is the venue for "Opera in the Vineyard", each May. That activity has seen growth of an industry to a peak of more than 40 cellar doors and 52 vineyards. Seasonal roadside fruit stalls also operate.

Nearby is Sundown National Park with access by four wheel drive. It is a little on the steep side and rough.

Situated half way between Toowoomba and Warwick on the wide fertile plains of the Darling Downs, Clifton is a quiet town welcoming visitors with country hospitality and a relaxed atmosphere.

Once a large wheat growing area, the town now has a diverse range of agriculture including cattle, cereal crops, sunflowers, peanut and honey production and much more.

The Clifton and District Historical Museum, located in the former Butter Factory building has a wide collection of household and agricultural items providing an insight into the area's pioneering past.

The classic streetscape of Clifton and its building's facades have been used in a number of Australian movies including 'The Thornbirds'.

Just a short drive north of Clifton is the village of Nobby and the well known Rudd's Pub, which has an extensive display of historic memorabilia and photographs of the area's pioneering past. The Pub is dedicated to Steele Rudd, who lived in the area, and found inspiration there for his stories in 'On Our Selection'. Just a short stroll from the Pub is the Sister Kenny memorial. Sister Elizabeth Kenny also lived in the area and was known for her revolutionary treatment for the victims of polio.

Accommodation in the Clifton district ranges from farmstays, bed and breakfasts, pub stays, and a caravan park.

Dalveen, more-or-less midway between Warwick and Stanthorpe in Queensland's South East, is at the end of what is known as 'The Fruit Run', a string of fruit stalls, orchards and tiny settlements.

It's an interesting little place this Dalveen, even with its own graphic arts 'factory'. Along the highway keep an eye out for 'Pot Luck'. It's one of the few farms (other than those selling produce to highway travellers) which welcomes visitors during the shearing season. It's run by Jim and Del Mitchell. The sign at the gate will indicate whether there's anything of interest happening on the other side of the fence. At Jim Mitchell Park, which is just off the highway, there's a picnic area.

Western Australia reckons it has it all over the wise-men from the East when it comes to wildflower time. Wrong ! In the Eukey district of the Southern Downs, come wildflower time and the west gets a bit of a going over. Given the right seasonal additives and these massive paddocks really do put on a show. The locals will tell you that Eukey has some of the highest farmland in Queensland. They emphasise that it's farmland that they are talking about.

It is possible to access the well known Girraween National Park via a back road from Eukey. Check the maps and talk with a local to get the right info, as parts are gravel and that requires new skills for those who may be more used to driving in the city.

Oh ! .. And if there is any snow about during the winter months ten-to-one it will be falling in and around Eukey.

The roadside signs, glimpses of fruit trees, the occasional fruit stall, and the regular signs directing your attention to wineries indicate this is the famous Granite Belt of South East Queensland.

Glen Aplin is to the south of Stanthorpe, on the New England Highway. Minor roads which head off in all directions usually access more fruit orchards and wineries. It's in this area, at the right season, that you'll savour the taste of stone-fruits, berries, through to gourmet jams, sauces and liqueurs. She doesn't talk about it often, but that rather famous and glamorous model and TV personality, Deborah Hutton, grew up in these parts.

The unspoiled natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, valleys and creeks makes Goomburra is ‘must see’ for any nature lover keen to get off the beaten track.

30 minutes’ drive north of Warwick and 90 minutes’ drive south-west of Ipswich, Goomburra is popular with campers and bushwalkers and offers plenty of space to pitch a tent and explore.

Part of the spectacular Scenic Rim the ‘Goomburra Section’ is also part of the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park. It provides a haven for rare and endangered species of frog as well as platypus, koalas, brush-tailed phascoale (a type of carnivorous, tree-dwelling nocturnal marsupial) and antechinus (a type of marsupial mouse).

There are several walks gazetted in the Goomburra section of the park, each providing a different perspective on this unique part of the country. The walk to Araucaria Falls takes you through subtropical rainforest and past rock pools and towering hoop pines. The half hour hike to Sylvesters Lookout is well worth the effort with spectacular views across the Brisbane Valley your reward.

There are several accommodation options available at Goomburra from cabin-style bungalows to camping in the National Park. Campsites have toilets, tap water and barbeques however campers are advised to boil all water before drinking. Campers must also bring their own firewood.

Heading west along the Cunningham Highway is the town of Inglewood, established in 1862.

Inglewood is emerging as the hub of the Olive industry with more than 340,000 olive trees planted to date. Harvest time is between March and May. Inglewood is also home to an award winning Lavender Farm.

Inglewood services a diverse rural economy which produces sheep, cattle, timber products as well as lucerne, grapes and a diversity of horticultural crops.

Located in South East Queensland, Inglewood is situated on the Cunningham Highway, 91 kilometres east of Goondiwindi and 109 kilometres west of Warwick. Distance From Brisbane: 270 kilometres

The centre for water activities is Lake Coolmunda situated 12 kilometres east of Inglewood on the Cunningham Highway. It boasts some very pretty picnic spots along its shores. Excellent fishing can be enjoyed from either a boat or by the shore. Fresh water fishing sports are also abundant along the McIntyre Brook.

Visitors are also invited to explore the Inglewood Museum, take a tour of an Olive Grove, enjoy the spring wildflowers or enjoy excellent birdwatching. Tourist drives such as the Tobacco Trail, Silverspur Trail and Dumaresq River Road allow visitors to explore the area's natural beauty.

Killarney is one of the scenic gems of the South East Queensland. Killarney's rolling foothills, deep secluded valleys and dramatic waterfalls provide picture postcard views that will stir your imagination.

Killarney is an old timber and dairying town, named by nostalgic Irish settlers and now the centre of a thriving mixed-farming district, producing meat, potatoes, onions, grain and timber to name a few.

You can visit the Killarney Heritage Centre (located at the RSL Hall in Acacia Street) on weekends which specialises in researching local family history. It has a grand collection of local historical photos, articles and small artefacts.

Drive east into the mountains for Brown's Falls, Dagg's Falls and then the spectacular waterfall at Queen Mary Falls National Park, where Spring Creek tumbles dramatically over a 40 metre cliff.

Bursting with history, Leyburn has many intriguing buildings. The school, circa 1862, has a bell from 1872 and a shingled roof play shed. Henry Kirby's grave and the cemetery are also worth visiting. A former butcher shop is now an art gallery while St Matthew's Catholic Church and St Augustine's Anglican Church remain active.

Liberator Park has a memorial to 'Z Special Unit', stationed at Leyburn in World War Two, and the historic Royal Hotel is Queensland's oldest continually licensed establishment and is owned by former Bronco's star, Shane Webcke.

The Leyburn airstrip was the site for the first Australian Motor Racing Grand Prix in 1949. Today, the annual Historic Motor Sprint through the town's main streets attracts thousands each August.

Nearby Pratten was once a bustling goldfield. Visitors can still try their luck at Thane's Creek fossicking reserve.

The small close-knit community of Maryvale is typical of the type of town you’ll find in South East Queensland – friendly, peaceful, and surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

The area’s lovely aspect and crisp mountain air has seen a number of health resorts and farm stays open up in recent years. These resorts offer guests fine dining, award-winning local wines, pools, spas, horse riding, bushwalking, and the cosy ambience of an open log fire.

The town of Maryvale itself is nestled in picturesque farmlands but just five minutes drive east you’ll come to the grandeur and majesty of the World Heritage listed Main Range National Park.

This expansive park is part of the beautiful Scenic Rim and offers exhilarating walks through dense rainforest, past thick groves of piccabeen palms and along the edge of sheer cliff faces. There are waterfalls and bubbling creeks to enjoy and the views across the valley will take your breath away.

Back in town, be sure to visit Maryvale’s historic pub constructed in 1912 and take the time to wander around and enjoy a little country relaxation.

Maryvale is located a short 90 minutes drive west of Brisbane or the Gold Coast and 45 minutes east of Warwick.

Nobby is an historic liitle nook in South East Queensland. Famous names like Steele Rudd and Sister Kenny make visiting Nobby a bit like taking a walk in the annals of Australian history.

Steele Rudd (real name: Hoey Davis), the author of Dad and Dave, is remembered by the oldtimers of the town and also by those who may recall the golden days of radio, where the Rudd stories ran for many years. The historic Rudds Pub remains. You may even catch a sheep dog demonstration, or listen to a yarn from the resident Bush Poet.

Then there's Sister Kenny, the 'saint' who worked with polio treatments prior and the development of a vaccine. Near the hotel, there's a memorial dedicated to this lady. That's just a part of the history, with much more told simply by taking a stroll along the town's main street which is dotted with shopfronts from another era. Take a picnic in the local park which offers barbecue facilities.

Any place which boasts having the most densely 'netted area' in the world may frighten off anglers. The land which is under these nets grows fruit and veggies. The reinforced netting is erected to help avoid damage from hailstones, one of the negatives about fruit growing in a hail prone area.

Note the name. It's French and as with a number of villages, along the Armistice Way (Amiens Road), in the Southern Downs, such name in these soldier settlement areas help commemorate the selfless contributions made by the men and women who served in France during World War 1. Pozieres is about 5 kilometres west of the New England Highway, with the turnoff to the south of Dalveen.

The village of Severnlea, on the highway south of Stanthorpe on the Southern Downs of Queensland, probably has not changed that much over the years. There is still fruit growing, and also topaz fossicking, but now add to that some pretty good wineries. Check out the various byways as these provide access to fruit stalls stocking seasonal stone fruits and berries. Plus those wineries.

Years ago, the locals of Severnlea did not realise that young Graham 'Skroo' Turner was destined to become one of Australia's most successful businessmen. From the fruit growing and topaz mining area, this fellow gave fruit and mining the flick as he took a career path which now sees him heading up the travel agency Flight Centre.

The Southern Downs region is truly where you can escape the pressures of everyday life and do as much or as little as you please. Sample delicious stone fruits straight from the grower. Tour wineries and taste award-winning wines. Explore the region's history and heritage. Take a bushwalk in spectacular national parks or share the romance of an open log fire. Try your hand at freshwater fishing or fossicking, or go sailing on the region's dams. In the Southern Downs you experience real country life and hospitality.

The region provides a natural alternative to the cities and beaches of the coastal area. The Southern Downs stretches from Cunningham's Gap in the east, north to Clifton, south to the border town of Wallangarra, and to Inglewood in the west. The region prides itself on its old-fashioned hospitality. The principal towns are Warwick, Stanthorpe, Inglewood and Clifton.

Queensland's Southern Downs region has a diverse geography, from the rolling fertile hills of the Warwick area, the high altitude granite rock country of the Granite Belt, to the wide open plains of Inglewood and Clifton.

Queensland's Southern Downs region is steeped in history; the area boasts some of Queensland's finest restored sandstone and timber buildings , including Abbey of the Roses, and Glengallan Homestead which is a Queensland Heritage Trails Network Project. A Heritage Trail booklet is available for a small fee from visitor information centres within the region, providing information on the historical buildings through out the area.

Queensland's Southern Downs region has a number of art galleries, historical museums, pottery and craft, antiques and collectibles stores for visitors to enjoy. Markets are held most weekends within the region, and allow visitors to purchases fresh produce and locally made craft items.

Stanthorpe is located south west of Brisbane and is nestled in the heart of the Granite Belt. Known as Queensland's premier wine region, it boasts more than 45 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors.

Stanthorpe has the reputation as being Queensland's coolest town, with some locations in the area reaching 1000 metres above sea level. Frosty mornings and the odd snowfall during winter are not uncommon.

The high altitude and unique soil provide excellent growing conditions for not only grapes, but for stonefruit such as peaches, apricots and nectarines along with a variety of apples and berries. The Biennial Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, held each even numbered year in February/March, celebrates the harvest of the district.

Stanthorpe is surrounded by unspoilt National Parks. Just south of Stanthorpe, Girraween National Park is quite popular. With its spectacular granite rock formations, and wildflower displays during Spring, it is a favourite park for bushwalkers. Adjacent to Girraween, is Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks. Bald Rock National Park has the largest granite rock formation in the southern hemisphere, providing excellent views over the surrounding terrain. At Boonoo Boonoo National park you can view the river as it cascades down a sheer rock face to the gorge below.

The attractions of the Granite Belt have led to a growing accommodation industry and it now has the highest concentration of self contained cottages and bed and breakfasts in Queensland.

The Granite Belt celebrates four seasons, the most popular being Brass Monkey Season during the winter months. This is when the temperatures drop and the fireplaces warm the body and the local wine warms the soul.

Texas is a picturesque town nestled along the banks of the Dumaresq River in southern Queensland on the state border. Texas was named over a land claim in the 1850's which bore many similarities to one happening in Republic of Texas and Mexico in the United States at the same time. The original town was established on the river flats in 1875 but was relocated after the disastrous floods of 1890 and 1921. Remnants of the original historic township still exist for visitors to see.

Texas is located on the Bruxner Highway between Goondiwindi and Tenterfield and links north south into the Fossickers Way via Inverell or Warialda as an alternative route to Sydney.

The picturesque Dumaresq River is one of the star attractions of the South East Queensland region, it winds through gentle hills and rocks crossed by the historic weirs of Bonshaw, Cunningham and Glenarbon. The fertile river flats are dotted with old tobacco barn relics from a colourful past where grape vines now flourish alongside orchards, vegetables, peanuts and a myriad of other agricultural crops.

These beautiful water and wilderness areas of Texas invite canoeing, fishing, hiking, four wheel driving activities and picnicking.

The fishing is outstanding in the region with anglers having the choice of many peaceful fishing spots along the Dumaresq River or at the spectacular Glenlyon Dam.

For those less active there are the wineries to visit, camping areas, farm stays, craft shops, the Texas museum, or just relaxing by the river.

Distance From Brisbane (State Capital): 320 kilometres.

Take leave of the New England Highway between Dalveen and Applethorpe (to the north of Stanthorpe) and check out the fruit stalls along that stretch of road known as 'The Fruit Run'. One of the towns is The Summit, home to the highest railway station in Queensland.

During the height of the apple season you will be knocked out by the amount of apples which are stacked in readiness for departure of the Tuesday freight train. The fruit stalls operate most of the year but of course it's seasonal when you're seeking local produce.

More orchards, more fruit in season, but there's a bit of a difference between Thulimbah and the neighbouring towns which make up 'The Fruit Run' north of Stanthorpe. At Thulimbah, the Giacosa family provides a 'value-add' service during the fruit season. This fruit grower not only sells product on-farm, but whenever the season permits, there's the side benefit of doing a tour. Just check the signage at the front gate to ascertain tour details.

A railway station which is split into two, two schools, two police stations, two pubs - and a population of a few hundred. So, why has Wallangarra and its neighbouring township of Jennings received so much attention by governments ? Simply put: they are border towns.

Half of the railway station is owned by Queensland and the southern end is owned by New South Wales. It's a good example of how governments in the past went their own ways - notice the two different railway gauges.

The railway station looks quite new, however, because with the Celebration of Federation there was a general spruce-up. The town has an excellent information centre, picnic facilities with barbecues and toilets. You'll know you're in railway town once you spot the big train welcome sign. This is one of those rare towns where you can celebrate New Year's Eve twice - New South Wales operates on Daylight Savings time.

Warwick is situated 160 kilometres south west of Brisbane and borders on fertile farmlands and the rolling hills of the Great Dividing Range. The town is strategically located at the junction of major highways from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The area was discovered in 1827 by explorer Allan Cunningham and settled in 1840 by the Leslie brothers who began the tradition of the pastoralist, sheep and wool industry in Queensland.

The Warwick area boasts some of Queensland's finest historical sandstone buildings, which were made from local sandstone and now stand today as reminders of their pioneering past.

Known as the 'Rose and Rodeo City', Warwick hosts one of Australia's oldest and most famous rodeos each year in October. The Warwick Rodeo can trace its roots back to 1857 where records indicate the first professional buckjumping contest. Each year riders from around the nation compete for their share of the prize money.

During the spring months, Warwick showcases its wonderful roses throughout its parks and gardens. The red 'City of Warwick' or Arafuto Rose was developed especially for the town.

During the winter months, Brass Monkey Season, the streets of Warwick come alive with the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival. This festival is a unique display of local wit, charm and colour, with custom knitted jumpers for the deciduous trees of the main street.

Warwick has excellent shopping facilities and the Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre provides a first class gymnasium with swimming pools which are heated during winter allowing for use all year round. Other attractions include the Historical Museum, Regional Art Gallery, and an 18 hole golf course. Leslie Dam is located 13 kilometres west of Warwick and provides for fishing, swimming, and boating, and also has picnic areas for day visitors and camping areas for longer stays.