Murgon

Queensland Dairy Museum: static and interactive displays illustrating the history of the dairy industry, with special interest in the development of butter; Gayndah Rd.

Boat Mountain Conservation Park The flat-topped crest in this park looks like an upturned boat, hence the name. The views from the top are panoramic and take in the surrounding agricultural valley. There are 2 lookout walks and an excellent 1.8 km circuit track. Watch for the bandicoot digs along the way. 20 km NE via Boat Mountain Rd.Jack Smith Conservation Park This park comprises valuable remnant dry rainforest that used to cover the region before clearing for agriculture began. Have a picnic overlooking the South Burnett Valley before taking the 20 min return track through scrub to see the abundant birdlife of the park; 13 km n. South Burnett wine region This is a young winemaking region, as the first vines were only planted in 1993. However, South Burnett now has more than a dozen wineries. Head to Barambah Ridge for chardonnay, Crane Winery for cabernet sauvignon, and Stuart Range for verdelho and chardonnay, at its cellar door located in an old butter factory. Cherbourg: small Aboriginal community featuring the Ration Shed Precinct displaying a pictorial history of the area; 5 km SE. Wondai: attractions include the Regional Art Gallery, Heritage Museum and South Burnett Timber Industry Museum. Town hosts Garden Expo in September; 13 km S. Bjelke-Petersen Dam: popular spot for watersports and fishing (boat hire available) with various accommodation styles at Yallakool Tourist Park. The dam is home to the Annual Fishing Competition in Oct; 15 km SE. Goomeri: known as 'clock town' for its unique memorial clock in the town centre. It has numerous antique stores and holds the Pumpkin Festival in May; 19 km NE. Booubyjan Homestead: Irish brothers the Clements took up this run near Goomeri in 1847, beginning with sheep and then moving to cattle in the 1880s. The property is still in the family. Open to the public daily; 43 km N via Goomeri. Kilkivan: Queensland's first discovery of gold was here in 1852. Try fossicking for gold or visit the lavender farm and historical museum. The town holds the Great Horse Ride in Apr; 44 km NE. Proston: small community featuring Sidcup Castle and Crafts Museum (open Wed–Mon); 54 km W. Lake Boondooma: watersports, fishing and the Fishing Competition in Feb; 74 km NW via Proston. Barambah Wine Trail: within 15 km of Murgon, in the Moffatdale and Redgate areas, are 7 excellent wineries with tastings and sales; visit by car or bus tour. Bicentennial National Trail: a 5330 km trail for walkers, bike riders and horseriders – you can do just a part of the trail. It runs through Kilkivan. Fossicking: semi-precious stones in Cloyna and Windera region; details from visitor centre.

Bjelke Petersen Dam 13 km

Lake Barambah is a 22 sq km water about 15 km south-east of Murgon. It is regarded as one of the state’s best waters for big bass, but also has yellowbelly, silver perch and saratoga. It is relatively shallow for a... Find out more

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Lake Boondooma 52 km

Situated on the Boyne River to the west of Bjelke Petersen Dam, this lake is about 15 km from Proston. Since its construction in 1983, a variety of species have been stocked here. Australian bass, silver perch and... Find out more

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Lake Lenthall 110 km

Anyone who has read about the barramundi boom in Queensland’s impoundments will know about lakes like Awoonga, Faust and Callide. But there are many, less- known waters that also offer excellent fishing, and one of... Find out more

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Mooloolaba 128 km

It’s 6am on the Mooloolaba waterfront behind Kawana Waters Hotel. The temperature is mild enough to be wearing shorts and a shirt. All is quiet amid the moored boats except for the eager anglers sitting around the... Find out more

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Lake Wivenhoe 136 km

Impoundment fishing for native species in southern Queensland has enjoyed phenomenal growth and it all began at Lake Wivenhoe. Situated about 80 km west of Brisbane on the Brisbane Valley Highway, Wivenhoe has a surface... Find out more

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Hervey Bay 143 km

Hervey Bay and Fraser Island are inseparably linked to each other and to fishing. Variety and quality of species is a true measure of a fishing destination and here you can catch longtails (northern bluefin tuna),... Find out more

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Wuruma Dam 152 km

Situated 35 km north of Eidsvold, this 18 sq km little-known water contains Australian bass, barramundi, saratoga, silver perch, yellowbelly and sleepy cod. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required. There is a large... Find out more

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Lake Monduran 153 km

Lake Monduran is near Gin Gin, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. Although it appears narrow, it has a surface area of 53 sq km and a holding capacity of 585 900 ML of water, which is about 1.6... Find out more

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Fraser Island 188 km

The world’s biggest sand island, Fraser Island is 123 km long and has become Australia’s most famous beach-fishing venue, albeit one that also offers rock- and offshore fishing. The list of inshore species... Find out more

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Cania Dam 201 km

Located close to Monto, Cania Dam holds yellowbelly, silver perch and Australian bass to 3 kg. Cania’s big drawcard though is the saratoga. Initially stocked with only 200 individuals, the saratoga have bred to a... Find out more

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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 107 km

Join a half-day or longer guided bike tour with Bicycle Tours of Queensland, particularly the popular Sunshine Coast ride or Maleny to Glass House Mountains. A back-up bus is included if it all gets too much.... Find out more

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Hiking on Fraser Island 135 km

Fraser Island, with its 1653 square kilometres encompassing 200-metre-high sand dunes, 80 beautiful lakes and pockets of rainforest, is a delight for those prepared to put on a pack. Hikers can camp beside some of the... Find out more

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Whale-watching around Hervey Bay 141 km

Although there are plenty of places to see humpback whales on the east coast, few are as good as Hervey Bay. Many young calves and their mothers rest up here between August and the start of November, before heading... Find out more

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Mount Coot-tha Forest 170 km

The largest natural area in Brisbane, this 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest holds more than 18 kilometres of walking tracks, 12 kilometres of mountain-biking tracks and a further 31 kilometres of multi-use tracks.... Find out more

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Westlander 174 km

Take the overnight train ride from Brisbane to Charleville or Quilpie, travelling over the Great Dividing Range and through some of Queensland’s rich farming areas.... Find out more

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Cycling and mountain-biking around Brisbane 174 km

Brisbane has a growing network of great cycling trails and some excellent rides for tourists – a five-to-20-kilometre ride along the shores of the Brisbane River comes highly recommended. There is also a great ride... Find out more

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Rock climbing around Brisbane 175 km

Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point is perhaps the friendliest city rock-climbing spot in the country, with views over the Brisbane River, a range of climbs for absolute beginners and upwards, and established anchor points... Find out more

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Tamborine Mountain Distillery 224 km

There is a multitude of chemical-free schnapps, gins and vodkas to try here, many of which come from the fruits grown on the farm. Try lemon myrtle vodka, the multifaceted choc’n’chili liqueur, forest... Find out more

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Noosa Springs Resort 116 km

Laid out across 50 hectares of bushland on the shore of beautiful Lake Weyba, Noosa Springs takes you on a gently rolling journey between rainforest pockets, along the edges of lakes and through bloodwood forest,... Find out more

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Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort 120 km

Resort courses are sometimes labelled, perhaps unfairly, as all being similar to one another: wide fairways, big undulating greens, large bunker schemes, the obligatory drinks cart. Some might even say a round of golf... Find out more

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Twin Waters Golf Club 122 km

By the end of the 1980s, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast had a handful of good member clubs. In the ’90s, as the region became home to Australia’s fastest growing population, more golf courses and more... Find out more

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Pelican Waters Golf Club 132 km

It took 54 years for his dream to be realised, but when Pelican Waters Golf Club finally opened for play in 2000, not even the visionary behind the original idea could have imagined it would turn out as good as it... Find out more

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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 149 km

Challenging the best players without alienating casual and beginner golfers is the fine line every course designer treads in coming up with a new creation. One designer who does it better than most is Ross Watson. His... Find out more

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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 152 km

Good course designers have tricks up their sleeves when it comes to spurring golfers to rise to the challenge. They can visually intimidate you with large schemes of bunkers or water hazards encroaching on the best... Find out more

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Royal Queensland Golf Club 175 km

Of all the golf courses in this book, Royal Queensland has undergone the most dramatic changes in recent years. Originally opened in 1920, on reclaimed mangrove swampland on the north bank of the Brisbane River, ... Find out more

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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 184 km

Brookwater opened to considerable fanfare in 2002, with many observers quick to draw comparisons with Augusta National, venerable home of the US Masters. The varied terrain, inventive bunkering and undulating putting... Find out more

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The Links, Hope Island 229 km

When Hope Island opened for play in 1993 it was a unique addition to Australia’s golfing landscape. Here was a links-style layout seemingly uprooted from Scotland and transplanted on to the sunny northern... Find out more

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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 229 km

Sanctuary Cove’s Pines layout, designed by Arnold Palmer, has reigned for more than two decades as one of the Gold Coast’s best courses. At various stages during that time it has also ranked among the... Find out more

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Mondo Organics, West End 174 km

Australia’s first organic restaurant when it opened in 2000, Mondo Organics serves a range of organic meats, including beef, chicken, duck and lamb, and the fish is chosen for the sustainability of the catch. The... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 118 km

Queensland’s longest-running microbrewery has been operating from an industrial estate on the outskirts of Maroochydore since 1998. It was established by Jim Robinson and Queensland craft-beer pioneer Graham Howard... Find out more

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Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 172 km

The pages of Australian brewing history are littered with take-overs and acquisitions, and while Castlemaine Perkins sounds like a merger, it was, in reality, yet another buy-out. As the name suggests, the Castlemaine... Find out more

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Foster's Group (Yatala Brewery) 211 km

This brewery site, located at Yatala, midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was established by the Power Brewing Company, which launched Powers Bitter in 1988. Four years later a joint venture between Powers and... Find out more

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Mt Tamborine Brewery 225 km

As we went to press, one of Queensland’s more ambitious craft-brewing operations was about to come to fruition at Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland. The 24-hectolitre microbrewery is the original plant... Find out more

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Yallakool Tourist Park 8 km

Outdoor movies and friendly tennis competitions might not be typical tourist park activities, but Yallakool offers more bang for your buck. Situated 13 km south-east of Murgon, there’s sheltered swimming areas;... Find out more

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Broadwater Recreational Reserve camping area 29 km

Known to be a good birdwatching area, this campsite is suitable for self-sufficient campers. Signposted access is via Broadwater Access Rd off the Burnett Hwy, 22 km north of Nanango. Drop into the visitor centre for... Find out more

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Lake Boondooma camping and recreation area 53 km

An angler’s paradise, the lake camping area features powered sites, hot showers, a grey-water dump point and laundry facilities. Other facilities include a kiosk, playground, tennis court and boats for hire.... Find out more

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Seven Mile Diggings camping area 55 km

You can still dig around in this old fossicking area 11 km south of Nanango, though it’s unlikely you’ll find any gold. Accessible by 4WD only via Old Coash Rd/Old Esk North Rd, this site has no facilities... Find out more

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Glastonbury Creek Forest Recreation Area 61 km

This large grassy camping area with a maximum capacity of 120 people is on the south-eastern edge of Booyar State Forest. There is a day-use area with picnic tables and wood barbecues, and open fires are allowed in the... Find out more

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Amamoor Creek camping area 63 km

A rare find for pet owners, this camp is dog friendly. Take care though, as the creek is home to platypus and a variety of frogs. The flat, grassy campsites are suitable for tents and caravans, and surrounded by majestic... Find out more

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Cedar Grove camping area 66 km

Cedar Grove camping area in Amamoor State Forest has tent and caravan campsites in open grassy areas beside riverine rainforest of white and red cedars, as well as tall open forest and Amamoor Creek.... Find out more

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Peach Trees camping and day-use area 66 km

One for wildlife watchers, you can spot eastern grey kangaroos, possums and maybe even platypus near here, 45 km north-west of Kilcoy along the Kilcoy–Murgon Rd (access via Peach Trees Rd). Grassy sites are beside... Find out more

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Maidenwell rest area 68 km

This free stopover has a barbecue, toilets and picnic tables on Coomba Falls Rd in Maidenwell, 25 km south-west of Nanango. Have a hot shower in the town hall (pick up the key from the general store), and bring your own... Find out more

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Borumba Deer Park camping area 71 km

There is also the option of powered sites and cabins at this camping area near Borumba Dam, a popular fishing spot. To reach the park from Imbil, 12 km away, follow the signs for Borumba Dam and cross Yabba Creek 5 times... Find out more

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Barambah Bush Caravan Park 4 km

This is a bush area with a caravan park. There are good facilities and several kilometres of bushwalking trails. Bookings required at peak periods and a minimum-length stay at Easter and long weekends.... Find out more

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Bjelke-Petersen Dam Tourist and Recreation Park (formerly Yallakool) 8 km

This is a large park on the shores of the Bjeilke-Petersen Dam. Modern extensions have seen the installation of ensuite sites. It is an ideal location for breaking the journey, catching up on some rest or catching a... Find out more

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Homestead Caravan Park and Cabins 49 km

This is a quiet park off the highway where every site has its own ensuite. It is a great stopover on the journey north or a good base from which to explore the Bunya Mountains. The ensuite sites are good value.... Find out more

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Yarraman Caravan Park 66 km

Perched high on a hill about 1 km north of Yarraman, the park has a great outlook over the surrounding areas. This is an easy park to access. It has a large number of sites and is popular with caravan clubs who can use... Find out more

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Wallace Caravan Park 108 km

This is a good quality park close to the city centre and on the banks of the Mary River. Access is easy from the southern approaches – just across the bridge. It is good value here and there is space for larger... Find out more

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BIG4 Noosa Bougainvillia Holiday Park 109 km

With good facilities, this is a quality park opposite the Noosa golf course. It is very popular year-round and a great base for spending a holiday in the Noosa area. Bookings are required in peak periods and a... Find out more

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Tin Can Bay Tourist Park 112 km

In a quiet area of Tin Can Bay, this is a good quality park with facilities to suit the discerning tourist. Good value here. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at Christmas and... Find out more

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Crows Nest Caravan Park 115 km

Only 1 km south of Crows Nest on the New England Highway, the park has a popular licensed restaurant and offers easy access for vans and larger motorhomes. It is good value for money.... Find out more

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Ocean View Caravan Park 116 km

High above the coastal plain with views to the sea, this park is being improved and further developed. Situated midway between Maleny and Landsborough, it is well located for those exploring the hinterland. Bookings are... Find out more

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BIG4 Forest Glen Holiday Resort 118 km

This award-winning park is set on over 19 ha of parkland. There is a large pool, tennis court, squash court, minigolf and a licensed restaurant. The Bruce Highway is close by and the Sunshine Coast beaches are just 15... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 125 km

The simple, down-market rooms here include the use of old train carriages for a communal kitchen and group area. An old church has also been recycled, and all greywater and blackwater is used on site to irrigate the... Find out more

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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 136 km

The 14 hotel-style rooms here, including two disabled rooms, have solar hot water and an envirocycle treatment system so that all sewage and greywater is treated and reused on site. The lodge has a solid environmental... Find out more

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Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 145 km

With 1000 beds, and a choice of pools, restaurants and bars, this is the largest accommodation place mentioned in this book, but it has a longstanding reputation as being a positive role model for large ecotourism... Find out more

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Brisbane Marriott Hotel 173 km

By no means the greenest accommodation in this book, the Marriott still deserves inclusion as one of the better options in large hotels. It gained the Green Globe Benchmarked Bronze status and is AAA-rated for its water-... Find out more

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Destiny Boonah 213 km

Set on 80 hectares of Land for Wildlife property, this self-contained three-bedroom cottage is solar- and wind-powered. You are encouraged to bring a mountain bike or go bushwalking on the property, which is located near... Find out more

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Gunalda Rest Area 69 km

29 km N of Gympie (R) or 32 km S of Tiaro (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S25 59.184 E152 34.259... Find out more

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Chatsworth Rest Area 70 km

6 km N of Gympie (L) or 55 km S of Tiaro (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 09.01 E152 37.47  ... Find out more

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Six Mile Creek Rest Area 76 km

162 km N of Brisbane (L) or 6 km S of Gympie (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 13.901 E152 41.849... Find out more

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Tiaro Camp Area 86 km

Middle of town Small area just east of the highway via Inman Street. Limited shade. Toilets at adjacent town park. GPS: S25 43.722 E152 35.059... Find out more

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Petrie Rest Area 86 km

T/O 1 km N of Tiaro (L) or 81 km S of Childers (R) Small secluded area 1 kilometre west of the highway in a pleasant setting on the riverbank. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 42.905 E152 34.533... Find out more

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Wongi Camp Area 108 km

T/O 36 km N of Tiaro (L) or 42 km S of Childers (R) Large secluded campground located 10 kilometres west of the highway in a native bush setting in Wongi State Forest. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Unsealed... Find out more

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Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 117 km

6 km N of Childers (L) or 51 km S of Gin Gin (R) Large area just off the highway on the south side of the village. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 13.141 E152 14.292... Find out more

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Landsborough Park Area 124 km

83 km N of Brisbane (L) or 85 km S of Gympie (R) Small area located 500 metres off the highway via Landsborough exit. Good shade. GPS: S26 46.409 E153 02.252... Find out more

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Coochin Creek Camp Area 131 km

T/O 73 km N of Brisbane (R) or 95 km S of Gympie (L) Coochin Creek campground is located 5 kilometres east of the highway (via Bells Creek Road and Roys Road) in a pleasant forest setting in Beerburrum State Forest.... Find out more

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Wallum Rest Area 134 km

26 km N of Childers (L) or 28 km SW of Bundaberg (R) Large area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S25 03.584 E152 13.869... Find out more

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Gin Gin Rest Area 140 km

2 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 97 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 58.456 E151 56.760... Find out more

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