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Clifton

Historic building, Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Population 1065

Clifton is south of Toowoomba in the fertile agricultural lands of the Darling Downs. The town's charming street facades have been a popular backdrop for many Australian movies, including the epic film adaptation of The Thorn Birds. The town is a vision of colour during the renowned annual Rose and Iris Show.

Visitor Information

Council offices, 70 King St; (07) 4697 4222

www.clifton.qld.gov.au

Nearby national parks

  • Main Range National Park

    Stretching for 55 kilometres along the Great Dividing Range, World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park forms the western part of a...more

  • Moogerah Peaks National Park

    This small national park includes a number of isolated mountain peaks such as Mount French (579 metres), Mount Edwards (632 metres), Mount...more

  • Ravensbourne National Park

    Set on a spur of the Great Dividing Range, Ravensbourne National Park protects one of the few remaining pockets of rainforest that...more

Nearby towns

  • Allora

    Allora is a charming town in the Darling Downs, central to its rich agricultural surrounds. Explored and settled with stud farms in the...more

  • Warwick

    Warwick is an attractive city set alongside the willow-shaded Condamine River. It is known as the 'Rose and Rodeo City', as the Warwick...more

  • Toowoomba

    Toowoomba is a city with a distinctive charm courtesy of its wide, tree-lined streets, colonial architecture and more than 240 parks and...more

In Town

Historical Museum: in the old butter factory, with displays of early implements and farm life; open 1st and 3rd Sun each month; King St. Alister Clark Rose Garden: largest Queensland collection of these roses; Edward St.

Nearby

Nobby This small town provided inspiration to writer Arthur Hoey Davis (Steele Rudd), author of On Our Selection and creator of the famous Dad and Dave characters. Rudd's Pub (1893) has a museum of pioneering memorabilia. Nearby is the burial site of Sister Kenny along with a memorial and museum dedicated to her – she was renowned for her unorthodox method of treating poliomyelitis. 8 km N.Darling Downs Zoo Queensland's newest zoo is situated in the serene countryside where you can view native and exotic animals from Africa, South America and Asia. The zoo has a shady picnic area as well as barbecue facilities and a small kiosk. Open weekends, public and school holidays, or by appt (for large groups); Gatton–Clifton Rd; (07) 4696 4107; 10 km E.Leyburn: holds the Historic Race Car Sprints in Aug; 30 km W.

Fishing spots near town

Lake Wivenhoe 94 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


Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 148 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


Bjelke Petersen Dam 177 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


Mooloolaba 184 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


Lake Boondooma 208 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


Lake Copeton 237 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


Eco-friendly activities around town

Mount Coot-tha Forest 116 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


Westlander 122 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


Cycling and mountain-biking around Brisbane 122 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


Rock climbing around Brisbane 122 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


Tamborine Mountain Distillery 126 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


Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 160 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


Diving and snorkelling around Byron Bay 185 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


Golf courses around town

Brookwater Golf & Country Club 102 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


Royal Queensland Golf Club 129 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


North Lakes Resort Golf Club 135 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


The Grand Golf Club 138 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


The Links, Hope Island 142 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


Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 144 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


The Glades Golf & Spa 145 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


Lakelands Golf Club 146 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


Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 158 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


Pelican Waters Golf Club 169 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


Nearby eco-friendly places to eat

Mondo Organics, West End 119 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


Nearby breweries

Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 120 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


Mt Tamborine Brewery 127 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


Foster's Group (Yatala Brewery) 132 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


Burleigh Brewing Company 149 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


Sunshine Coast Brewery 179 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


Stone and Wood Brewing 182 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


Campsites around town

Washpool Camping Reserve 34 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


Rocklands Camping Reserve 38 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


Poplar Flat and Manna Gum camping areas 43 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


Yarramalong Weir 44 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


Centenary Park camping area 48 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


Main Range camping area (bush camping) 53 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


Spicers Gap camping area 54 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


Lake Dyer (Bill Gunn Dam) camping and caravan ground 57 km

The caretakers at Lake Dyer recently renovated the toilet block, installed new gas barbecues, a washing machine and built a new playground. There are 16 powered sites at the campground; visitors can enjoy the scenery... Find out more


Lemontree Weir 62 km

The lack of facilities ensures this spot is suitable for self-sufficient campers only. It’s 20 km north of Millmerran. Access is via Lemon Tree Rd, off the Gore Hwy, in dry weather only.... Find out more


Walpole Park – rest area 63 km

This pull-up area is suitable only for self-contained caravans. It is located at Walpole Park on Charles St in Millmerran, with a grey-water dump point opposite.... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Rose City Caravan Park 32 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


Glendon Caravan and Camping Grounds 34 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


Washpool Camping Reserve 34 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


Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park 35 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


Toowoomba Motor Village Caravan Park 39 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


BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park 39 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


Lake Moogerah Caravan Park 65 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


Crows Nest Caravan Park 75 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


Top of the Town Caravan Park 79 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


Country Style Tourist Accommodation Park 88 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


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Destiny Boonah 74 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


Brisbane Marriott Hotel 123 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


The Mouses House, Springbrook 138 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


Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat 141 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


Cottages on the Creek 148 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


Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 152 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


Emerald Valley Villa 170 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


Rest areas around town

Bluff Rock Rest Area 136 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


What's on around town

Clifton Show: Apr.

Country Week: includes the Rose and Iris Show and horseracing; Oct.

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