Explore Australia

Historical Museum: local history; Leichhardt St. Heritage Centre: several displays of early settlement history; Durong Rd. Jones Weir: popular spot for fishing; Bauer St. 'Meeting Place of the Waters': 360-degree town mural; Cnr Strathdee and Stuart–Russell sts. Bugs for Bugs: company that breeds insects; tours by appt only; Bowen St; (07) 4165 4663. Pioneer Place: gorgeous park with picnic facilities right in the middle of town.

Auburn River National Park In this small park the Auburn River flows through a sheer-sided gorge and over granite boulders in the riverbed. Dry rainforest grows on the upper part of the tough track that leads down the side of the gorge to the river. An easier walk is the 150 m trail to the lookout above the Auburn River. Opposite the campsite catch a glimpse of the nesting peregrine falcons. 4WD is recommended in wet weather. (07) 4165 5120; 40 km SW.Enormous Ellendale: the big mandarin, another addition to the 'big' monuments of Queensland; outskirts of town at the Big Mandarin Caravan Park. Golden Mile Orchard: impressive orchard with tours; 5 km S. Eidsvold: town at the centre of beef cattle country featuring the Historical Museum Complex, Tolderodden Environmental Park and the RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre; 37 km NW.

Wuruma Dam 56 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 Boondooma 58 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 Monduran 97 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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Bjelke Petersen Dam 109 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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Cania Dam 110 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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Lake Lenthall 125 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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Lake Callide 152 km

Built on upper Callide Creek, a Dawson River tributary 20 km east of Biloela (pronounced bilo-wela), this lake supplies cooling waters for the nearby coal-burning power station that’s part of the Boyne Island... Find out more

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Hervey Bay 165 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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Lake Awoonga 167 km

The jewel in the crown of the Bass to Barra Trail, Lake Awoonga is Queensland’s premier barramundi impoundment. Clean waters, the result of a largely undisturbed watershed, contain barramundi, mangrove jack,... Find out more

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Dawson River 177 km

Moura is a two-hour drive west of Gladstone. Better known for its prime cattle production and huge coalmines, the township and the nearby Dawson River is not exactly number one on most people’s list  of top... Find out more

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Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 162 km

All year-round Blue Dolphin Marine Tours runs eco-tours to see the two species of dolphin in the area – the bottlenose, and the rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. You have a 95 per cent chance of seeing the... Find out more

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Hiking on Fraser Island 179 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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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 202 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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Noosa Springs Resort 201 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 208 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 212 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 226 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 244 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 248 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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Sunshine Coast Brewery 210 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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Auburn River camping area 29 km

On the northern bank of the Auburn River, this site has 5 camping and 6 bush camping sites close to bushwalking tracks. Don’t drink the river water; the tank water available on-site must be treated or boiled, and... Find out more

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Tolderodden Conservation Park bush camping 32 km

This grassy site beside the river has good accessibility for all types of vehicles. Tank water is available but should be boiled or treated before drinking. Bring your own firewood, as collecting wood in the park is not... Find out more

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Wuruma Dam camping area 53 km

Well stocked with perch, bass and saratoga, Wuruma Dam is an angler’s paradise. The dam is also popular for a range of watersports: canoeing, sailing, swimming and waterskiing. The area is 48 km north-west of... Find out more

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Lake Boondooma camping and recreation area 57 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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Bush camping 76 km

Bush camping is permitted at Mt Walsh for self-sufficient campers; no facilities are provided. It is recommended that walkers bring along a topographic map and compass. ... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 97 km

A fantastic spot for big barramundi fishing, Lake Monduran is 20 km north-west of Gin Gin and 4.5 km east of the Bruce Hwy. The campground, on Claude Wharton Dr, has free wireless internet, laundry facilities, a kiosk,... Find out more

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Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat 101 km

At the entrance to the national park in a sandstone gorge, this excellent eco-friendly tourist park packed with top-notch facilities has 40 powered sites, 20 unpowered sites and a modern amenities... Find out more

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Yallakool Tourist Park 105 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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Kalpowar camping and day-use area 107 km

This campground beside Crane Creek has plenty of grassy sites for camping beside your car, and also accommodates those with caravans and trailers. To get there from Monto, travel 37 km north-east on the... Find out more

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Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park 109 km

The friendly and welcoming folks at this tourist park offer a high standard of accommodation and facilities for the whole family. Campers have the option of powered and unpowered sites, or you can upgrade to a cabin or... Find out more

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Lake Monduran Holiday Park 97 km

Lake Monduran is a stocked impoundment, very popular with anglers; a fishing permit, available at the kiosk, is required. The park has good facilities and is a great place for an overnight stay, easily accessible from... Find out more

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Barambah Bush Caravan Park 100 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) 105 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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BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park 128 km

This is a very good quality park on the western approach to the city, in a convenient location for an overnight stay and excellent for a longer visit. The Sugarland shopping centre is close by. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Glenlodge Caravan Village 131 km

This owner-operated park is 6 km south of the town centre and easily accessible, ideal for an overnight stay or as a base for a few days exploring the region. It has very good amenities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Burrum River Caravan Park 132 km

In a quiet location on the banks of the Burrum River, on the south side of Howard, and less than 1 km from the Bruce Highway this is an ideal park for a quiet rest away from the traffic and the beach bustle. There are... Find out more

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Woodgate Beach Tourist Park 138 km

In the centre of a small beachfront community and just across the road from a wonderful beach, this is a convenient and popular park with a relaxing coffee shop. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length... Find out more

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Homestead Caravan Park and Cabins 139 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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Wallace Caravan Park 140 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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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 156 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 176 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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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 220 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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Gin Gin Rest Area 94 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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Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 103 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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Wallum Rest Area 111 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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Granite Creek Rest Area 114 km

63 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 36 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway around some large trees. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S24 36.923 E151 40.098... Find out more

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Sharon Rest Area 123 km

35 km E of Gin Gin (R) or 16 km W of Bundaberg (L) Small area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 53.001 E152 14.582... Find out more

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Wongi Camp Area 126 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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Petrie Rest Area 129 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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Tiaro Camp Area 130 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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Gunalda Rest Area 135 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 147 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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