Western Downs Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

Absolutely Art in the heart of Dalby is an art gallery with a difference.

Wander through the collection from the best local artists including Lynette Cramb's stunning watercolours and other well known Australian painters. Hand crafted silver and beaded jewellery, fine home wares and cosmetics, gourmet foods, Spencer and Rutherford luggage and handbags, furniture, the list goes on.

Exhibitions are held in the gallery displaying works from away and local art groups and artists. It is a forever-changing scene around the gallery - there is always something new to look at and admire.

In Auburn River National Park, the spectacular Auburn River flows over huge salmon-coloured boulders as it courses through a steep-sided gorge. Look up along the clifftops for the nests of Peregrine falcons. The forest and waterholes are also good spots for birdwatching. Weeping red bottlebrushes contrast with dark green stunted figs and flowering tea-trees along the creek. In spring, there are wildflowers to admire. A 150 metre walking track leads to a lookout far above the river. Another quite strenuous trail winds down the side of the gorge.

This track passes through spectacular rainforest, grassland eucalypt and bunya pine forest in Bunya Mountain National Park. Along the gently undulating climb, look for the local Mowbullan whitewood trees with their mottled green, white and grey bark.

See colourful noisy pittas searching for a snail meal on quiet early morning walks. Listen to the flocks of topknot pigeons feeding in the treetops or hear the loud call of the whipbird and the mournful cry of the catbird. In summer, pink flowers from the lacebark tree litter the forest floor. Stop for lunch on the grassy patch above Big Falls overlooking Barker Creek Gorge.

Come and enjoy an 'old time' experience for the whole family. Chinchilla Museum offers insight into the unusual - a fascinating glimpse into a district rich in cattle, grain, sheep and timber, and more recently melons, grapes, stone fruits and vegetables.

Chinchilla Museum has a fine collection, containing a non working replica of a 1910 steam sawmill, steam engines, ancient vehicles, period costumes and many historical relics. The buildings include Goombi Hall, the Emmerson Building, the authentic slab hut, Wongongera Cottage, a blacksmith shop and the old jail. Why not browse through the Kathleen Emmerson Memorial Library and discover some fascinating history.

Buildings from early village times have been re-erected on the grounds and add to the historical atmosphere. In recent times, the original Chinchilla School with school rolls and school memorabilia including all country schools information has been added.

Visit the Cobb & Co Store Museum, the Balonne River Gallery, a Fresh Water Aquarium and the Surat Visitor Information Centre all in the one complex, the Cobb & Co Changing Station.

As visitors enter the complex they are greeted by a magnificent floor to ceiling mural.

For 40 years Cobb & Co coaches were Surat's lifeline delivering goods, passengers and mail. The Changing Ways permanent exhibition tells the local history of Cobb & Co, and of the families who worked for the company.

See the replica 14-seater Cobb & Co coach waiting for its passengers and team.

Be there to witness the local life stories, epic events and colourful tales of the Murilla Shire, as they are re-told through dynamic displays at Dogwood Crossing @ Miles. The complex houses an Art Gallery, Information Technology Centre, Library and local history exhibits.

The Social History displays use the latest technology to showcase stories of the region's past and present. Features include an oral history electronic 'quilt' where local people tell their stories. Videos, a new holopro screen and static display panels tell the interesting stories of local tragedies and overcoming the challenges of drought, flood and the prickly pear.

The Art Gallery is a class A Regional Gallery with a program of both local and visiting exhibitions. If you've missed past exhibitions, simply view them on the Artists' Database where details of the artists and their work can be found.

The Internet Technology Centre offers modern computer equipment for public use.

With sheer sandstone cliffs 100 metres high, Robinson Gorge winds past cabbage palms and bottlebrushes for 14 kilometres through remote Expedition National Park. This is a park of great historical importance. The explorer Ludwig Leichhardt passed through the area in 1844, and it protects a wealth of Aboriginal cultural sites. Take fuel and water to enjoy camping at Starkvale or Spotted Gum camping areas. Watch Australian king-parrots and rainbow lorikeets feed in summer, and golden whistlers and grey fantails in winter. From Starkvale, follow walking tracks to Robinson Gorge, Shepherd’s Peak or to a natural lookout over the 'Cattle Dip' - a spectacular permanent waterhole in the gorge.

Follow the trail of Millmerrans' and Cecil Plains' historical murals, where various stages of the regions' history are depicted on the side of buildings.

The Old Millmerran Butter Factory Mural depicts the development of the dairying industry. Swim costume fashions of years gone by feature on the wall of Millmerran's Swimming Pool.

The Millmerran Reservoir Mural shows the development of transport from the nineteenth century to the early part of the twentieth century.

The four giant Murals at the Cecil Plains Memorial Hall illustrate life on the land and the coming of the railway line.

A panorama of sculpted sandstone greets visitors to Isla Gorge National Park. Set among bottle trees, dry rainforests and rare plants, the striking rock forms and sandstone outcrops seem to change colour with the movement of the sun. Spring wildflowers, rare rock-wallabies and a hand-paved road built in 1864 attract travellers to this park. Camp overnight or have a sunset picnic overlooking the gorge. (Beware loose cliff edges when walking around the camping and picnic areas). See wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons riding breezes and honeyeaters feeding on wattles. Have fun finding familiar shapes in strange rock formations. Drive to Flagstaff Hill to see the remains of the historic road.

Lake Broadwater Conservation Park protects the only natural lake on the Darling Downs and the surrounding cypress and brigalow. Many waterbirds and wildlife find nurture within the original vegetation. Once an Aboriginal ceremonial site, the shallow lake later refreshed teamsters and early settlers. Stroll along the two km track joining the two camping areas. Picnic under river red gums, and discover wildflowers on two short walking tracks. Find the old dingo fence. Birdwatch from the hide near the bird nesting area at The Neck. The lake can dry out for lengthy periods so check with the local council before planning to take your boat on the water (permits required).

Pitch a tent or picnic amid the shady trees near the shore of Lake Murphy, Ludwig Leichhardt's preferred campsite back in 1844. Water birds flock to this seasonal lake during the day and gliders and possums can be seen at night. Mown campsites lie amid shady trees and are joined with the lake via a 300 metre walking track.

Lake Murphy is north of Taroom on the road to Expedition National Park.

Miles Historical Village and Museum features authentic buildings from the early pioneering days such as a dairy, church, school and police cells. Also on display are many articles from the early days, including Aboriginal artefacts and mementos from both World Wars. The museum houses an interesting display of semi-precious stones and a large shell collection.

Take a stroll into history down the main street of fascinating Miles and District Historical Village. Visit a variety of stores including the blacksmith's shop, bakery, hotel, bank and cafe.

This open air village containing 21 authentic buildings, has become one of the best in Australia since its beginnings in 1971.

A festival day is held each year on the second weekend in September. Lunches, morning and afternoon teas are available at the kiosk. In the Red Rose Cafe, lunch, morning and afternoon teas are also available for coach groups, however prior notice is required.

Montys Garage is a 1940s style auto garage which is now a Vintage Car Museum with a large collection of restored vintage cars and trucks. 15 are displayed daily with the total collection comprising of over 70 vehicles with more to be displayed once they are restored. This is a working museum where visitors can enjoy looking at the cars on display or browse through their huge collection of auto memorabilia and large range of vintage spare parts and equipment.

Others may wish to see their workshop where an old car or truck will be a work in progress exhibit as it will be a look back in time to how it was once done in outback towns.

Quiet, peaceful and historic, the Myall Park Botanic Garden is home to one of Australia's oldest collections of arid and semi-arid native plants. Find them just half a day's drive west of Brisbane in the Western Downs region.

Created by David Gordon A.M. in the 1940s, the story of Myall Park Botanic Garden is one of romance, vision and generosity. This natural bush garden is a perfect destination for botanists, gardeners, bird watchers, photographers, artists and bush walkers.

Palms unique to the upper Dawson River catchment area including the Livistona palm can be found at Palm Tree Creek. They have gained Palm Tree Creek world wide recognition for its unique species. Petrified palms are also found throughout the district.

Palm Tree Creek is located 15 kilometres north of Taroom.

The Machinery Sheds house at Pioneer Park Museum Dalby is possibly one of the largest collections of operating tractors and agricultural machinery in Queensland.

Pioneer Machinery now on display includes late 1800s model working thrashers and elevator, 1950s model reaper and binder, pre-war hay baler, early hand and power driven cornshellers, oil and petrol engines. Tractors - John Deer, Fordson, Case, Massey Harris, McCormick Deering, Cletrac. Headers - Tractor driven (PTO), Self propelled (AUTO). Fire Engines - 1957 White Chev, A 1980 White International one of the last white fire engines being used by the local fire department. Tools - View the display of many old hand tools and implements used in the early pioneering days of Dalby and the Wambo Shire area.

The newest display is an old Chandler Hearse, one of only two left in the world, the other one is on display in America. Walk through and experience the colonial memorabilia housed in authentic buildings. The many buildings at Pioneer Park are original colonial construction and have been moved to the Park or rebuilt from original materials.

Riversands Wines – A bush story in every glass!

Riversands Wines in St George is the perfect spot to enjoy country hospitality. Their lively free wine tastings will take your taste buds through Western flavours of their crisp and dry whites and popular reds, through to the rich flavours of their Golden Liqueur Muscat. Don’t miss a sip of tawny port from the pottery boots of local Barnaby Joyce, National Party’s Senator for Queensland.

A unique pottery gift range is also available, with a Condamine Bell Barnaby’s Boots, or the Golden Liqueur Muscat filled Water bag. Be sure to try the grape jam and chutney and Maleny Cheese products while you visit.

Chat the morning or afternoon away with family and friends in the outdoor garden cafe. Indulge in scones with jam and cream, mud cake, hot coffee or perhaps a cheese platter and wine as you overlook the vineyard.

Romavilla Winery is Queensland's oldest winery, established in 1863. The present winery was built in 1878 and is a fine example of those large timber and corrugated iron buildings of yesteryear.

The high roof, supported by elegant king post trusses, helps alleviate the heat during summer.

Romavilla grows Riesling, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Crouchen, Garganega, Ruby Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel and Muscat grapes. The winery manufactures dry white wines, dry red, sweet white and red wines and fortified wines.

Probably the most popular walk on Bunya Mountain, this track from the Dandabah picnic area passes through bunya pine forest and a variety of mountain scenery.

This easy walk allows you to discover delightful rock pools, Festoon and Tim Shea Falls, and passes through a huge strangler fig tree. Pine Gorge Lookout offers a panoramic view of the valleys and hills of the South Burnett.

From Starkvale campsite, walk the trail to Shepherd's Peak for views over the surrounding creeks and peaks of Expedition National Park.

The trail continues down from Shepherd's Peak to the Cattle Dip, Bottlebrush Waterhole, Carlia Gorge, Starkvale Creek and returns to Starkvale campsite.

This trail is not a graded walking track. Take extreme care on top of Shepherd's Peak as there are crevasses and unguarded cliffs. Expect some short, steep grades and rough underfoot surfaces. Sections of this trail are in a watercourse and in Starkvale Creek where no trail construction has been undertaken.

The park is home to several rare plant species including Eucalyptus rubiginosa and Leucopogon grandiflorus.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in this area, leaving behind stencil art and other sacred sites.

Listen for the musical calls of grey fantails that twist and turn in impressive insect-catching displays.

A hundred years ago, on Roma's Hospital Hill, a drilling crew was boring for water when, suddenly, the unexpected happened: 'Strewth, it's gas!' exclaimed a surprised driller as gas, mud and water gushed out of the well. With this event, quite by accident, Australia's oil and gas industry was born.

The Big Rig celebrates the unique history of Australia's oil and gas industry, collecting together intriguing stories, photos, facts and objects, in a variety of fascinating multi-media exhibits.

The Looking Glass walking track leads walkers through the colourful woodlands of the Maranoa River in the Mount Moffatt section of Carnarvon National Park, where pink trunks of smooth-barked apple trees rise above a carpet of wildflowers. Wind has eroded a cave right through an isolated pillar of Precipice Sandstone standing by the Maranoa River. This spectacular ancient sandstone formation has been appropriately labelled 'The Looking Glass'.

The Unique Egg is a world class collection of handcarved illuminated emu eggs, handcrafted by Steve Margaritis over a period of more than 40 years. Steve's private collection has been displayed at World Expos, but is permanently housed at the Unique Egg in St George. This truly unique attraction has to be seen to be believed.