Explore Australia

Allora Museum: noted for its replica of the Talgai Skull, an Aboriginal cranium dating back 15 000 years; open 1.30–4pm Sun; old courthouse, Drayton St. St David's Anglican Church: built in 1888 and said to be one of the finest timber churches in country Queensland; Church St. The Gnomery: over 100 different moveable handcrafted toys that feature in a theatre performance; New England Hwy.

Goomburra, Main Range National Park Located in the western foothills of the Great Dividing Range, this park has short walks around Dalrymple Creek and spectacular views from Mt Castle and Sylvesters lookouts. Take the Inverramsay Rd 40 km E to the forest. The last 6 km is unsealed and may be impassable following heavy rain. (07) 4666 1133; 49 km e.Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre: restored 1867 sandstone mansion. Documents and photos chronicle its history as a pastoral station; open Thurs–Sun; New England Hwy; 11 km S.

Lake Wivenhoe 98 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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Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 137 km

Angling is a buzz when you are into a hot bite. It is also a buzz when discovering new territory or out hooking with other anglers, observing their methods and techniques on their home waters. So it was when I fished... Find out more

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Mooloolaba 188 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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Bjelke Petersen Dam 188 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 221 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 Copeton 229 km

Lake Copeton has an excellent catchment area, fed by the Gwydir River and runoff from the New England Tablelands. The lake is about 46 km west of Inverell on the Gwydir Highway. Its dam wall was constructed primarily to... Find out more

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Mount Coot-tha Forest 115 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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Tamborine Mountain Distillery 119 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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Westlander 120 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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Rock climbing around Brisbane 121 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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Cycling and mountain-biking around Brisbane 121 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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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 165 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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Diving and snorkelling around Byron Bay 174 km

Although there is not much in the way of shore dives or snorkelling around Byron Bay, the nearby Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is a top spot if you can get on a boat, with sea turtles, eagle rays, corals, grey nurse and... Find out more

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Birdwatching - Port Macquarie to Lismore 244 km

There are a couple of top birdwatching spots in the New England area. One of the most spectacular is an all-weather bird hide among masses of waterbirds at Quipolly Dam, about 18 kilometres north-east of Quirindi. Mother... Find out more

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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 99 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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Royal Queensland Golf Club 128 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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The Grand Golf Club 131 km

Think of the Gold Coast and flashing images spring to mind: beaches, theme parks, high-rise apartments, hordes of tourists. The Gold Coast hinterland has none of these, and could be thousands of miles away. The... Find out more

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The Links, Hope Island 136 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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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 136 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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The Glades Golf & Spa 136 km

Ask Greg Norman’s former chief designer Bob Harrison to name one course that makes him feel proud when he sees the final result, and chances are he’ll say The Glades. Upon joining the Gold Coast golfing... Find out more

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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 137 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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Lakelands Golf Club 138 km

As a player, Jack Nicklaus was a regular visitor to Australia for more than two decades. He won six Australian Opens and inspired a generation of young Australians to take up golf. When his playing career began... Find out more

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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 160 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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Pelican Waters Golf Club 172 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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Mondo Organics, West End 118 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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Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 119 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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Mt Tamborine Brewery 121 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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Foster's Group (Yatala Brewery) 127 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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Burleigh Brewing Company 141 km

Queensland has generally suffered from a dearth of craft breweries so the Burleigh Brewing Company is a welcome and relatively recent addition. Co-owner/brewer Brennan Fielding boasts considerable experience as a... Find out more

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Stone and Wood Brewing 171 km

The popular coastal holiday destination of Byron Bay is the location for one of the country’s newest and most exciting craft breweries – Stone & Wood. The partners behind the venture include a trio of... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 184 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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Washpool Camping Reserve 24 km

Washpool’s 25 ha campground is well grassed, shady and has 12 powered sites. The scenic Leslie Dam nearby is well known as a good fishing spot for golden perch and is popular for canoeing and sailing. The camping... Find out more

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Rocklands Camping Reserve 29 km

This 8 ha campground is a little more secluded than nearby Washpool Camping Reserve, making it suitable for tents and camper-trailers but not caravans. It is 18 km west of Washpool on Rocklands Rd, off Glen Rd. Campers... Find out more

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Poplar Flat and Manna Gum camping areas 36 km

On the banks of Dalrymple Creek, these large grassy campsites are big enough for 100 and 150 campers respectively. The eastern end of Manna Gum has walking tracks that lead to the lookouts. You’ll need to bring... Find out more

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Main Range camping area (bush camping) 43 km

Bush campsites for self-sufficient campers are located in remote areas of the park and can only be reached by walking. There are 14 walking tracks in Main Range National Park; track gradings and surfaces vary widely.... Find out more

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Spicers Gap camping area 44 km

Spicers Gap is a small walk-in campground on the eastern side of the gap, with good walking trails nearby. A maximum of 50 campers are allowed, but there’s the freedom of setting up anywhere in the mown area. It... Find out more

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Centenary Park camping area 46 km

An electric barbecue is the new addition to this campground featuring 8 powered sites. Visitors can throw a line in at nearby Lake Dyer or enjoy the walking trails. To get here, follow the signpost on Mulgowie Rd in... Find out more

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Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park 51 km

Great for kids, you can hand-feed king parrots, take a twilight animal-viewing walk or stroll to beautiful Queen Mary Falls opposite this caravan park. The office has an adjoining cafe, there’s a laundry, and... Find out more

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Yarramalong Weir 54 km

Camp on the riverbank at this basic site, 30 km east of Millmerran on the Condamine River; bring along firewood and drinking water. It’s on Shire Rd (No. 96) off the Millmerran–Leyburn Rd. Millmerran is 82... Find out more

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Lake Moogerah Caravan Park 56 km

On the shores of Lake Moogerah, this large caravan park is packed with top-grade facilities for a comfortable stay in the region. There’s a kiosk, 2 boat ramps, laundry, campfire pits, 2 amenities blocks, cabins... Find out more

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Koreelah Creek camping area 57 km

This is a dry-weather access only site – to get here, follow the Mt Lindesay Hwy 10 km west of Woodenbong and turn on to Mt Clunie Rd, then left onto White Swamp Rd. Look for Trough Creek Rd on the left. Both... Find out more

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Rose City Caravan Park 19 km

Located on the northern outskirts of town, this is a smaller, good quality, dog-friendly park. It is ideally located for an overnight stay but would be very comfortable for a longer period.... Find out more

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Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park 22 km

Located on the south side of town, this is a spacious park with good amenities best suited to the touring caravans and motorhomes passing through the area.... Find out more

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Washpool Camping Reserve 24 km

Lake Leslie, a popular fishing destination, lies 14 km from town at the end of a sealed road. The park has numerous powered and unpowered sites spread across a large acreage alongside the dam. Normally a quiet peaceful... Find out more

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Glendon Caravan and Camping Grounds 32 km

This park is 38 km north-west of Warwick and 2 km south of the Cunningham Highway along a good unsealed road. Situated on a 1600-acre property, the well-shaded, quiet camping area boasts modern amenities, a shop, a golf... Find out more

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Toowoomba Motor Village Caravan Park 50 km

Located on the southern approach to Toowoomba, this is an older establishment but has good facilities and amenities and is an ideal base for exploring the local area.... Find out more

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BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park 50 km

Colourful, manicured gardens greet you at the entrance of this high-quality park in a quiet spot, about 3 km from the city. The park has great amenities and is a good base for exploring this wonderful city and... Find out more

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Lake Moogerah Caravan Park 56 km

In a picturesque setting on the shores of Lake Moogerah, nestled among the rugged peaks of the Scenic Rim, the park is 9 km south of Aratula along a sealed road. The lake is a popular destination for waterskiers.... Find out more

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Top of the Town Caravan Park 68 km

This good quality park is ideally located in town for a short stay or a longer period to explore the granite belt region. Facilities include a pool and barbecues. Bookings are recommended during the fruit-picking season... Find out more

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Country Style Tourist Accommodation Park 77 km

Adjacent to the highway, this park is 9 km south of Stanthorpe. The spacious, wellcared- for establishment is an ideal base from which to explore the region’s vineyards and national parks. Bookings are recommended... Find out more

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Crows Nest Caravan Park 85 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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Goomburra Forest Retreat

Award-winning self-contained cottages are set in a mountain forest with a creek nearby, and just 300 metres from the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park. The emphasis is on peace and tranquillity, and unless... Find out more

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Destiny Boonah 66 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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Brisbane Marriott Hotel 121 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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The Mouses House, Springbrook 129 km

Set in a beautiful rainforest at more than 800 metres above sea level, this luxury resort has 11 self-contained chalets, hot tub, sauna, tennis court and bikes, a sensible environmental policy and eco-accreditation. It... Find out more

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Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat 132 km

Located near Murwillumbah and surrounded on three sides by World Heritage–listed national parks, this secluded couples-only resort on the Queensland border has minimal-impact, self-contained bungalows and cabins.... Find out more

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Cottages on the Creek 139 km

This 2-hectare establishment is managed as a Land for Wildlife property and the two, onebedroom spa cottages have composting toilets, protecting Currumbin Creek with its turtles, catfish, platypus and yabbies.... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 156 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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Emerald Valley Villa 158 km

Nestled in the hinterland some 25 minutes drive from Byron Bay, this is way up the high end of ecotourism in this country. You can rent your own five-star palace (they call it a villa), complete with pool, courtyard,... Find out more

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Bluff Rock Rest Area 124 km

80 km N of Glen Innes (R) or 12 km S of Tenterfield (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 09.277 E152 00.108... Find out more

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