Explore Australia

Historical Museum: this excellent local museum documents the history of the shire through memorabilia, photographs and artefacts; open 9am–3pm Thurs–Mon; Maleny St. De Maine Pottery: award-winning clay pottery by Joanna De Maine; open Thurs–Mon; Maleny St.

Glass House Mountains National Park This park protects 8 rugged volcanic mountain peaks. These 20-million-year-old crags, the giant cores of extinct volcanoes, mark the southern entrance to the Sunshine Coast. Glass House Mountains Road leads to sealed and unsealed routes through the mountains, with some spectacular lookouts along the way. The open eucalypt and mountain heath landscape is a haven for many threatened and endangered animals. Three tracks lead to mountain lookouts that provide panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. There are picnic grounds, and challenges aplenty for rockclimbers, but only experienced walkers should attempt climbing to any of the summits. (07) 5494 3983; 13 km SW. Australia Zoo Once a small park, this zoo was made famous by 'The Crocodile Hunter', Steve Irwin, who was tragically killed by a stingray in 2006. Originally developed by Irwin's parents, the complex is now over 20 ha and home to a wide range of animals. See the otters catching fish, the birds of prey tackling the skies, the ever-popular crocodile demonstrations or feed the kangaroos by hand in the Kids Zoo. The complex also has important breeding programs for threatened and endangered species. 4 km S.Dularcha National Park: scenic park with excellent walks. 'Dularcha' is an Aboriginal word describing blackbutt eucalyptus country; (07) 5494 3983; 1 km NE. Big Kart Track: largest outdoor go-kart track in Australia, open for day and night racing and includes the 'Bungee Bullet'; 5 km N. Beerburrum State Forest: short walks and scenic drives to lookouts; access from Beerburrum; 11 km S.

Mooloolaba 21 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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Lake Wivenhoe 69 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 107 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 Lenthall 161 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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Hervey Bay 168 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 Boondooma 171 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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Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 186 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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Fraser Island 194 km

The world’s biggest sand island, Fraser Island is 123 km long and has become Australia’s most famous beach-fishing venue, albeit one that also offers rock- and offshore fishing. The list of inshore species... Find out more

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Lake Monduran 243 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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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 12 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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Mount Coot-tha Forest 74 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 74 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 74 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 75 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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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

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Hiking on Fraser Island 134 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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Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 168 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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Diving and snorkelling around Byron Bay 213 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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Pelican Waters Golf Club 13 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 23 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 31 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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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 31 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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Noosa Springs Resort 45 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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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 46 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 71 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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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 95 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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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 124 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 Links, Hope Island 124 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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Mondo Organics, West End 75 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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Sunshine Coast Brewery 17 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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Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 73 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) 108 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 126 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 150 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 212 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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Coochin Creek camping and day-use area 10 km

A great find for those who enjoy fishing and boating, this flat and grassy site beside Coochin Creek is on Roys Rd, 3 km upstream from the Pumiceton Passage. Access is 9 km east of Beerwah and 4 km east of the Bruce Hwy.... Find out more

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Ocean Beach camping area 19 km

Bribie’s biggest camping area, the 64 sites are set behind sand dunes and accessed via defined tracks. Access is 4WD only from the Eighth Ave carpark off North St, Woorim, but you’ll need to check tide times... Find out more

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Mission Point camping area (boat-based camping) 22 km

Accessible by boat from Pumicestone Passage, there are 12 numbered sites at Mission Point, along with toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces; bring your own drinking water and firewood. Mission Point is north of Poverty... Find out more

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Poverty Creek camping area 24 km

Navigable by 4WD only, Poverty Creek campsite is a popular family area, with 12 numbered sites. Access is via White Patch Espl, or by boat from Pumicestone Passage. ... Find out more

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Gallaghers Point camping area 27 km

The smallest of Bribie’s campsites with just 6 numbered sites, this camping area is typically popular with backpackers who can access the grounds, just 3 km north of White Patch Ranger Headquarters. There is boat... Find out more

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Gheerulla camping and trail-bike area 31 km

The Gheerulla creekside camping area is 8 km north-east of Kenilworth, accessed 6 km north-east of Kenilworth along the Eumundi–Kenilworth Rd. It is illegal to collect firewood from the forest, so bring your own... Find out more

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Archer camping area 35 km

Camp in open woodland near a creek at this lovely grassy site just 1 km from the northern entry to the park. It can be accessed by car from the Woodford end, but if you are entering via The Gantry you’ll need a... Find out more

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Booloumba Creek camping area – no. 1 36 km

This area offers secluded camping in a rainforest setting, ideal for tents but not for caravans or trailers, which are not permitted here. To get there, go through Maleny and follow the signs to Kenilworth. You’ll... Find out more

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Booloumba Creek camping area – no. 3 36 km

Much like site no.1, no.3 offers secluded tent camping in a rainforest setting. No caravans or camper trailers are permitted. To get there, go through Maleny and follow the signs to Kenilworth; the turn-off to Booloumba... Find out more

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Booloumba Creek camping area – no. 4 36 km

Booloumba Creek’s no. 4 campground is suitable for campervans, caravans and trailers. To get there, go through Maleny and follow the signs to Kenilworth; the turnoff to Booloumba is about 13 km past Conondale.... Find out more

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Ocean View Caravan Park 3 km

High above the coastal plain with views to the sea, this park is being improved and further developed. Situated midway between Maleny and Landsborough, it is well located for those exploring the hinterland. Bookings are... Find out more

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BIG4 Forest Glen Holiday Resort 13 km

This award-winning park is set on over 19 ha of parkland. There is a large pool, tennis court, squash court, minigolf and a licensed restaurant. The Bruce Highway is close by and the Sunshine Coast beaches are just 15... Find out more

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Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Park 15 km

Set in a subtropical treed area, close to the picturesque Glass House Mountains, this park has all the basic requirements and is well located for those wanting to spend some time at Australia Zoo. Bookings are required... Find out more

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Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park 18 km

This is a popular beachside park adjoining a busy patrolled swimming beach. The park is across the road from a small shopping strip and a few minutes from the centre of Caloundra. For us, this is a great beachside base... Find out more

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Maroochy Palms Holiday Village 21 km

Across the road from the Maroochy River, this very good quality park has much to offer. Book in here and enjoy the facilities, including the kids club, tennis court and pool, or relax and enjoy a cappuccino from the park... Find out more

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Mooloolaba Beach Caravan Park 21 km

This park is split over two locations. The main section is in Parkyn Parade, while the smaller section is at Mooloolaba Beach. We think the beachside section has the best outlook of any park in Australia: it overlooks... Find out more

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Cotton Tree Caravan Park 22 km

Located along the waters edge at the mouth of the Maroochy River, this large council park has more than 400 tourist sites. It has a selection of eateries and shops immediately opposite the park entrance and is within... Find out more

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Mudjimba Beach Caravan Park 25 km

A quality council-operated establishment, this is a neat and well-laid out park in a quieter area just a short stroll from the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies.... Find out more

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Coolum Beach Caravan Park 33 km

This is a popular beachfront holiday park just across the road from the centre of Coolum. Walk to the shops and restaurants, swim at the patrolled beach or soak up the sunshine, or do all three! Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Bribie Island Caravan Park 38 km

A good quality park located on the ocean side of Bribie Island, this place is just a short walk from the shops and the surf club at Woorim. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies.... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 13 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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Brisbane Marriott Hotel 73 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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Destiny Boonah 141 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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Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 157 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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The Mouses House, Springbrook 160 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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Cottages on the Creek 162 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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Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat 163 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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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 167 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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Emerald Valley Villa 206 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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Landsborough Park Area 8 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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Coochin Creek Camp Area 12 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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Six Mile Creek Rest Area 69 km

162 km N of Brisbane (L) or 6 km S of Gympie (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 13.901 E152 41.849... Find out more

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Chatsworth Rest Area 80 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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Gunalda Rest Area 99 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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Tiaro Camp Area 125 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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Petrie Rest Area 127 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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