Explore Australia

Bernborough: bronze statue of famous local racehorse; Campbell St. Oakey Historical Museum: local memorabilia; Warrego Hwy. Australian Army Aviation Museum: every aircraft flown by the Australian army since WW II is represented at the museum through originals and replicas. Other aircraft can also be viewed, from the early wood Box Kite to the hi-tech Blackhawk Helicopter; at army base on Corfe Rd.

Jondaryan Woolshed Built in 1859 and still shearing under steam power, this woolshed is a memorial to pioneers of the wool industry. The complex includes the huge woolshed, historic buildings, and machinery and equipment collections. Visitors can see the shearing and sheepdog demonstrations or sit down to some billy tea and damper. Events are held throughout the year, including the Working Draft-horse Expo in June and the Australian Heritage Festival in Aug. Off Warego Hwy; 22 km NW.

Lake Wivenhoe 86 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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Bjelke Petersen Dam 125 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 150 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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Mooloolaba 162 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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Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 192 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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Lake Lenthall 239 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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Mount Coot-tha Forest 122 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 129 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 130 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 130 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 the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 134 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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Tamborine Mountain Distillery 154 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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Diving and snorkelling around Byron Bay 229 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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Hiking on Fraser Island 245 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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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 119 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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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 130 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 135 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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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 148 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 151 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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Twin Waters Golf Club 162 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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Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort 167 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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The Links, Hope Island 168 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) 169 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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The Grand Golf Club 169 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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Mondo Organics, West End 127 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 127 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) 154 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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Sunshine Coast Brewery 155 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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Mt Tamborine Brewery 156 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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Burleigh Brewing Company 183 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 227 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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Bowenville Reserve camping area 27 km

This large, shady campground is on the southern banks of Oakey Creek – perfect for fishing or taking a dip. Bring your own drinking water. To get here, follow Bowenville–Norwin Rd, 4 km south of the Warrego... Find out more

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Crows Nest camping area 43 km

The eucalypt forests of Crows Nest provide a beautiful setting for wildlife watching, hiking and bush camping. You can look for platypus in the creek, spot brush-tailed rock wallabies, or take a walk across the gorge... Find out more

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Lake Cressbrook camping area 51 km

With excellent fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing on offer, it’s a watersports wonderland at Lake Cressbrook. For walkers, a 5 km circuit starts at the camping ground and loops around the lake... Find out more

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Swinging Bridge Park camping area 51 km

This site has no showers or toilets, but the Cooyar Hotel nearby is happy for you to use their facilities; they charge a small fee for showers. If you are using one of the powered sites, collect the key to the power box... Find out more

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Yarramalong Weir 51 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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Cecil Plains Weir – Apex Park 52 km

The Condamine River flows through the Millmerran area, where a number of campsites are available, ideal for fishing and boating. This site is 1 km east of Cecil Plains, reached via Cecil Plains–Toowoomba Rd.... Find out more

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Cecil Plains Rural Retreat Caravan Park 53 km

This basic campground with a toilet block and hot showers is on Taylor St in Cecil Plains, opposite Henry Stuart Russell Park. There is a black-water dump here but you need to bring your own drinking water. From... Find out more

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Lemontree Weir 54 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

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The Lake camping area 62 km

This camping area among the shady red and blue gum trees of Lake Broadwater Conservation Park lies 30 km south-west of Dalby. The lake is a popular watersports venue and the forests surrounding are great for... Find out more

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Dandabah camping area 62 km

Dandabah has large, open grassy areas conveniently close to a small general store, restaurant and public phone. There are sites for up to 70 campers and it can be reached by conventional vehicle. The site is on Bunya... Find out more

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BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park 27 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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Toowoomba Motor Village Caravan Park 28 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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Crows Nest Caravan Park 38 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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Yarraman Caravan Park 71 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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Glendon Caravan and Camping Grounds 82 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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Homestead Caravan Park and Cabins 88 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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Rose City Caravan Park 90 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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Washpool Camping Reserve 92 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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Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park 93 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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Lake Moogerah Caravan Park 106 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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Destiny Boonah 115 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 130 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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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 134 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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The Mouses House, Springbrook 176 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 180 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 185 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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Emerald Valley Villa 215 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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Coochin Creek Camp Area 145 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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Landsborough Park Area 150 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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