Explore Australia

Cobb & Co. Museum The museum traces the history of horse-drawn vehicles in the Darling Downs region. It has been recently expanded to include the National Carriage Factory, featuring an open-plan training centre that hosts workshops for heritage skills including blacksmithing, saddlery, silversmithing and glass art, with a viewing area for visitors.There is also an interactive discovery centre for children. Open 10am–4pm daily; 27 Lindsay St; (07) 4659 4900.

Parks and gardens No trip to the 'Garden City' would be complete without a visit to some of the superb parks and gardens. Lake Annand is a popular recreation spot with boardwalks, bridges and ducks; MacKenzie St. There are imposing European trees in Queen's Park, which also includes the Botanic Gardens; Lindsay and Margaret sts. Laurel Bank Park features the unique Scented Garden, designed for the visually impaired; cnr Herries and West sts. Birdwatchers should visit Waterbird Habitat where native birds can be watched from observation platforms and floating islands; MacKenzie and Alderley sts. The impressive Japanese Garden at the University of Southern Queensland is the largest in Australia A thousand visitors a week stroll the 3 kilometres of paths at Ju Raku En, opened in 1989. The garden showcases the harmony and beauty of ancient Japanese garden design with its lake, willowy beeches, islands, bridges, stream and pavilion; off West St.

Regional Art Gallery: changing exhibitions in Queensland's oldest gallery; open 10am–4pm Tues–Sat, 1pm–4pm Sun; 531 Ruthven St; (07) 4688 6652. Royal Bull's Head Inn: National Trust-listed building (1859)with small museum; open Fri–Sun 10am–4pm; Brisbane St, Drayton; (07) 4637 2278. Empire Theatre: live theatre in this restored Art Deco building, opened in 1911; 56 Neil St; 1300 655 299. Picnic Point: offers views of Lockyer Valley, mountains and waterfall. Enjoy the recreational facilities and walks through bushland. Perfect venue for Summer Tunes concerts during summer; Tourist Dr, eastern outskirts. City tour: Stonestreets Coaches offers a two-hour tour of the city; book at the visitor centre or (07) 4687 5555.

Highfields: growing town featuring Orchid Park, Danish Flower Art Centre, quaint shopping centres and historical village with vintage machinery and buildings; 12 km N. Cabarlah: small community that has the Black Forest Hill Cuckoo Clock Centre and holds excellent country markets on the last Sun each month; 19 km N. Southbrook: nearby Prestbury Farm offers accomodation and the experience of rural life; (07) 4691 0195; 34 km SW. Lake Cooby: fishing, walking and picnic facilities; 35 km N. Pittsworth: in town is the Pioneer Historical Village featuring a single-teacher school, early farming machinery and a display commemorating Arthur Postle, or the 'Crimson Flash', once the fastest man in the world; village open Wed–Fri 10am–1pm and Sun 10am–4pm or by appt; Pioneer Way; (07) 4619 8000; 46 km SW. Yandilla: here you'll find the quaint, steeped All Saints Anglican Church (1877), the oldest building in the shire; 77 km SW. Millmerran: colourful murals illustrate the history of this industrial town, including the dairy industry mural at the Old Butter Factory, and the mural on the water reservoir showing the development of transport. The town's historical museum is open Tues–Thurs; 10am–3pm; (07) 4695 2560; 87 km SW. Ravensbourne: this National Park area boasts bush walks, lookouts and native wildlife; 50 km N. Scenic drives: take in places such as Spring Bluff, with old railway station and superb gardens (16 km N), Murphys Creek and Heifer Creek.

Lake Wivenhoe 67 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 135 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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Mooloolaba 152 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 165 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 Boondooma 169 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 246 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 100 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 106 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 107 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 107 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 125 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 128 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 202 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 93 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 112 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 113 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 132 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 138 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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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

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The Grand Golf Club 143 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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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 143 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 150 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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The Glades Golf & Spa 151 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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Spotted Cow Hotel

A go-to drinking hole for over 120 years, this is beer and live music heaven. Sample one of 70 boutique brews on the menu in the Jersey Bar or Oropa European Bar Cafe, where the beer is served using traditional nine-step... Find out more

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Veraison

Given that its name refers to the ripening of the grape, it’s hardly surprising that the wine list here is impressive. Not only is it huge (their cellar boasts more than 500 bottles), but it also includes many... Find out more

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Weis

Just say the name and anyone with a sweet tooth who’s lived for a while within 100 kilometres of this mountain-top restaurant will go misty eyed. The house dates back to 1924, and for the last 40 years it has been... Find out more

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Mondo Organics, West End 104 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 104 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) 128 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 129 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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Sunshine Coast Brewery 145 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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Burleigh Brewing Company 156 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 200 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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Crows Nest camping area 36 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 41 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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Lake Dyer (Bill Gunn Dam) camping and caravan ground 42 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

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Centenary Park camping area 50 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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Atkinson Dam Waterfront Caravan Park 50 km

Anglers will like this freshwater sport-fishing hotspot, and holiday-makers will enjoy the kitchen, kiosk, cabins and other park facilities. An officially sanctioned local group has plans to stock the water with saratoga... Find out more

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Atkinson Dam cabin village and shoreline camping 52 km

Watersports enthusiasts can enjoy access to the shoreline of Atkinson Dam at this site, 8 km south-west of Coominya. There’s a general store for supplies, fuel and gas bottle refills, plus laundry facilities. Look... Find out more

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Bowenville Reserve camping area 54 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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Yarramalong Weir 57 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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Poplar Flat and Manna Gum camping areas 60 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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Captain Logan Camp 63 km

With as much water as 2.5 Sydney Harbours, Wivenhoe Dam is a major water storage reserve for south-east Queensland and a hub for watersports enthusiasts. With 57 unpowered sites, Captain Logan Camp suits both tent and... Find out more

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Toowoomba Motor Village Caravan Park 3 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 3 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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Crows Nest Caravan Park 33 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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Rose City Caravan Park 71 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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Glendon Caravan and Camping Grounds 73 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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Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park 74 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 75 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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Lake Moogerah Caravan Park 80 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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Yarraman Caravan Park 81 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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Homestead Caravan Park and Cabins 98 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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James Cottage B&B

With its iron lace and balustrades, and intricately designed pressed-metal ceilings, this cottage is typical of the Federation architecture that is such a feature of Toowoomba. The original hoop-pine floors, cast-iron... Find out more

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Quality Hotel Platinum International

When it opened in 2008, this was Toowoomba’s first four-and-a-half-star motel, and the highest rated accommodation in the city. It has 36 rooms, some with spa baths and self-catering facilities, and is close to art... Find out more

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Vacy Hall

Queensland homes don’t get much more stately than this National Trust–listed mansion, built as a private home for a wealthy squatter in the 1880s. It has 12 guest bedrooms and bathrooms, all with central... Find out more

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Destiny Boonah 88 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 107 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 121 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 149 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 153 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 158 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 188 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 132 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 138 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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