Queensland Country Not On Your Bucket List? Prepare to Change Your Mind

City-born Explorer Constance is now a coastal dweller, so any semblance of country life wasn’t exactly on her bingo card. That was until relatives lured her to visit Queensland Country, and now she’s fully converted. Dust off your expectations, and like Constance, fall in love with Queensland Country’s gorges, hikes, and lakes.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Queensland Country covers a decent chunk of the state and includes many smaller regions, each with its own allure and adventures. From the Goondiwindi Region on the QLD/NSW border to the unexpected beauty of the Central Queensland Highlands, and all the mountains, lakes, valleys, and country towns in between. Locations in the vast region extend from 1-9 hours’ drive from Brisbane.

Central Queensland Highlands

Distance from Brisbane: 832km
Time from Brisbane: 9 hours 19 minutes
Highlights:

• Carnarvon Gorge
• Carnarvon National Park
• Gudda Gumoo/Rainbow Falls

As a self-proclaimed beach baby, I typically stick to the coastline. To me, the words ‘Central Queensland Highlands’ don’t scream watering holes, but once I was out there I realised how wrong I was.

Carnarvon National Park is best known for the 87km Carnarvon Great Walk, but the 6.5km return Boolimba Bluff hike I walked still managed to take in the views of Carnarvon Gorge and beyond. Trust me, the air feels better here somehow.

Exploring the natural landscape of the Amphitheatre Walk

Of course, it’d be rude not to go for a dip, so I plunged into the Carnarvon Gorge Rock Pool and was delighted to get my water fix. This is the only place in the national park where swimming is permitted, so I made sure to soak it all up while marvelling at the cliffs and rock formations above me.

Another must-visit swim spot is Gudda Gumoo in Blackdown Tableland National Park. It’s often colloquially referred to as Rainbow Falls as Gudda Gumoo translates to rainbow waters, a fitting title as in the right light the water reflects a rainbow. As a Rainbow Beach local, it seems I have a thing for seven coloured beams of light.

Gudda Gumoo/Rainbow Falls | Photo by Elia Locardi/Tourism and Events Queensland

From the car park, it’s a 2km walk to the falls, including 240 stairs (slippery when wet sign required). Naturally, I peeked out from the Gudda Gumoo lookout to see what was to come. And I wasn’t disappointed – the foliage-covered cliffs and turquoise rock pools beckoned me! If you’re not used to cold water (guilty), the water temps will knock the wind out of you, but it’s totally worth it.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

Lockyer Valley

Distance from Brisbane: 108km
Time from Brisbane: 1 hour 23 minutes
Highlights:

• Murphys Creek Hideaway
• Mount Machar
• Mulgowie Farmers Market

Lockyer Valley doesn’t mess around when it comes to fertile farming areas, and is lovingly dubbed ‘Australia’s Salad Bowl’. This valley covers lesser-known Australian towns like Gatton and Laidley, home to a slew of cafes and museums. To get that small-town feel and baked goods fuel, I love to visit the Mulgowie Farmers Market on the first Saturday of the month.

When I dive into Australia’s Salad Bowl, I’m also on the hunt for hikes. In Main Range Conservation Park, just near the town of Thornton, a 12.6km loop leads to the summit of Mount Machar. It’s an isolated but serene trail – put one foot in front of the other and breathe in that eucalyptus.

I also like to embrace my boujee side, so set up glamp at Murphys Creek Hideaway. Nestled in trees and bushland, this is the picture of relaxation with all the creature comforts but without losing that outdoorsy feel.

Glamping at Murphys Creek Hideaway | Photo by Robyn Hills

Somerset Region

Distance from Brisbane: 133km
Time from Brisbane: 1 hour 42 minutes
Highlights:

• Lake Somerset
• Lake Wivenhoe
• Picnic Society

Just south of Kilcoy is Lake Somerset, a divine spot to swim, boat, and fish – it could be the location of an outdoors advertising shoot! The lake is surrounded by gorgeous greenery, and always manages to fill my nature cup. And if you’ve got a boat handy, Lake Somerset is idyllic for wakeboarding and tubing too!

Watching the sun set, sun set, sun set…

Lake Wivenhoe, much like its counterpart, is a perfect spot to set up a picnic, swim, ‘yak, and canoe. For snorkelling, Wivenhoe is my go-to lake, and you can even scuba dive! You can also horse ride, mountain bike, run, or walk along the 16km multi-use trail network. I’m not typically a rider, but I do love a hot girl walk followed by a swim in the lake. And I’d be remiss not to propose a mighty cheers to Lake Wivenhoe for providing more than half of South East Queensland’s drinking water!

Pick your preferred paddle

Both lakes require boating and fishing permits, so be sure to grab one before outdoorsy antics ensue. And if you love it so much you don’t want to leave, (relatable), both lakes have a slew of camping options.

In the list of my favourite things, few things come close to a wild swim. But quality baked goods are one of those things. Picnic Society at Toogoolawah has everything from gourmet picnic boxes to croissant breakfast boards. Their almond croissants have a large piece of my heart.

South Burnett

Distance from Brisbane: 261km
Time from Brisbane: 3 hours 21 minutes
Highlights:

• Coomba Falls
• Boondooma Dam
• Wine Trail

South Burnett serves as a constant reminder that I had zero idea about what was in Queensland Country. Again, I thought, ‘How on earth will I get in a swim?’. Fool. A couple of kilometres away from Maidenwell and down a hefty number of stairs, I found Coomba Falls. Truth be told, the water is freezing all year round, so it’s best to visit on a hot day. I recommend the following: lounge on a boulder, graze on a picnic, and swim with divine abandon.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Meanwhile, the vastness of Boondooma Dam means there’s enough room for both serenity (swimming, walking trails, and sunbathing) and silliness (boating, jet skiing, water skiing). And the consensus is, Boondooma is dam good for fishing. If you’re looking for me here, you’ll find me on a SUP.

I could stand having this view to myself

No time to skirt to the Barossa for a whiff of wine country? No problem. South Burnett is home to a plethora of wineries and vineyards, including Moffatdale Ridge, Kingsley Grove Estate, and Lightning Tree Wines.

Southern Downs & Granite Belt

Distance from Brisbane: 170km
Time from Brisbane: 2 hours 10 minutes
Highlights:

• Allora Sunflower Fields
• Girraween National Park
• Ashbern Farms
• Winerie

Girraween National Park puts the granite in Granite Belt. I walked the 30-minute Granite Arch track and stopped to behold the enormous granite boulders on the way.

After the Granite Arch warm up I was itching for more, so I embarked on The Pyramid hike. Although it’s only a 3.6km return, it’s a steep climb that requires good fitness and shoes (some surfaces are slippery!).

Up next is a trip to Allora to witness its glorious sunflower fields. Sunflowers make me stupidly happy, so an entire field of them had me giddy like a kid. The sunflowers bloom between January and March, so time your visit accordingly (and don’t be a menace by trespassing onto farmers’ properties).

How could this not make you smile?

Let’s not forget the snacks! From October to May, Ashbern Farms in Stanthorpe is open three days a week for strawberry goodness. I chose to pick my own (because I’m wholesome like that), but they have ready-packed strawberries too. The store also serves strawberry ice cream, so it’s a delicious and wholesome day out.

And much like South Burnett, the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region is home to spectacular wineries, so enjoy a tipple post-adventure.

Goondiwindi Region

Distance from Brisbane: 353km
Time from Brisbane: 4 hours 4 minutes
Highlights:

• Lake Coolmunda
• Goondiwindi Riverwalk
• Bengalla Reserve

Typically, when I think of Goondiwindi, I think cotton. But when it comes to food and nature, Gundy’s got its finger on the pulse (Gundy is what the locals call it, so naturally, I adopted the lingo).

Stretch your legs along the Goondiwindi Riverwalk, a 3km trail that follows the Macintyre River and is lined with trees, making this walk particularly cosy.

Just a 15-minute drive from the tiny town of Yelarbon, you’ll find Bengalla Reserve. Fisherfolk, this is for you. Bengalla Reserve is the perfect place to cast out a line. It’s a big reserve, so the rest of your crew can soak up some sunshine, enjoy a swim, or try their hand at trusty backyard games – backyard cricket anyone? Did I mention Bengalla Reserve is dog-friendly and has a free campground? I mean, come on, the message to the group chat just writes itself – weekend plans sorted.

If it’s not yet obvious, I can’t leave any region without swimming in a natural body of water! Lake Coolmunda at Inglewood is so glassy it’s ideal for a dip or a paddle (kayak supplied courtesy of my friend!).

Home for the night, and the next, and the next

If you like your water sports with a bit more adrenaline, Goondiwindi’s Natural Heritage and Waterpark is the go-to joint for waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Toowoomba Region

Distance from Brisbane: 127km
Time from Brisbane: 1 hour 35 minutes
Highlights:

• The Saturday Farmers Market
• Table Top Mountain
• Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Many of my relatives live in Toowoomba, so I spent much of my childhood and now adulthood in the city. Toowoomba has always felt like a slice of serenity to me, so it’s apt that it gets the nickname, the Garden City.

Garden City fits the bill

Over the years, the city has grown, but Toowoomba’s natural and community offerings remain unchanged.

Whenever I visit, I can never resist climbing Table Top Mountain. It’s only a 2km return hike, but it’s steep, with lots of uneven surfaces. Each time I reach the top, the view across Lockyer Valley never disappoints.

At sunset? Even better

Hopefully, you visit on a Saturday so you can attend the Saturday Farmers Market for seasonal produce. The market, located under the windmills at Cobb & Co from 7am-12pm, is renowned for its artisanal goods and delicious eats – all hail Choc-a-Block cookies (which are as chunky and gooey as they sound).

And in true Garden City fashion, Toowoomba boasts its annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Yep, it’s exactly as it sounds! Over four weekends in September and October, feast your eyes on more than 40 million petals. The weekends are packed with art and culture events, food, bevvies, and entertainment. I’ve attended as a kid and an adult, and I can confirm, it’s a crowd pleaser for all ages.

Western Downs

Distance from Brisbane: 357km
Time from Brisbane: 4 hours 9 minutes
Highlights:

• Bunya Mountains
• Urban Paddock Café
• The Big Melon

For me, the greatest drawcard of Western Downs is the Bunya Mountains. These gorgeous peaks form part of the Great Dividing Range and rise 1100m above sea level. When I’m in the Bunya Mountains, I like to stretch my legs and treat my eyes to rock pools, rainforest, and waterfalls on the 4km Scenic Circuit Track.

Big beautiful trees in the abundant Bunya Mountains

And I’m a sucker for a good sunset joint, so Fishers Lookout with panoramic views is the only way to end the day.

Now I don’t care what age I am, but if I see a large fruit statue, I want a photo with it. Which is exactly what happened in Chinchilla, home of the Big Melon.

Is it just me, or does this look delicious?

Beyond snapping a shot with the famous melon, there’s the Chinchilla Melon Festival in February, with melon skiing and melon bungee.

Topping it off with a feed in Dalby at The Urban Paddock café, found in the historic Quambi House, and there’s no better way to end (or start) a trip out west than with a big brekkie or stack of pancakes.

There’s More to Queensland Country Than You Think

For me, Queensland Country is no longer just about visiting rellies. It’s synonymous with stunning swimming holes, satisfying hikes, and some bloody good local produce. So yeah, I’ve ticked Queensland Country off my bucket list, and now these gems live on my Must Return ASAP list. You should get there soon, after all, we all need a little country.

Photos supplied by Queensland Country Tourism