Brisbane to Toowoomba Town Hopper

Transcription

1 jhdfjkhdksfhdhjf Brisbane to Toowoomba Town Hopper Brisbane to Toowoomba via Flagstone Creek Road Head off the beaten track and discover some of the charming towns and great sights to be seen on your journey from Brisbane to Toowoomba.

2 Brisbane to Toowoomba Town Hopper Brisbane to Toowoomba via Flagstone Creek Road Head off the beaten track and discover some of the charming towns and great sights to be seen on your journey from Brisbane to Toowoomba. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and follow the Warrego Highway until you reach the signed turn off to Walloon. Walloon 52.6km Walloon, like neighbouring Rosewood, was originally established as a stopover point along the Cobb & Co railway mail route. These days it is still a friendly stop over location with a shopping village including a supermarket, bakery and newsagents or you might like to stop in at the charming Walloon Saloon for a cold drink and a bite to eat. The town is also noted as the location of the 1891 drowning of two young sisters that inspired the Henry Lawson poem The Babies of Walloon. A statue tribute can be seen in Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park on Karrabin Rosewood Road, which also offers barbeques, playground and toilets. 2

3 As you continue on towards Rosewood keep your eyes peeled as kangaroos and wallabies can often be spotted lazing in the fields by the road. Rosewood 8.2km Rosewood is a pretty town with a number of old timber buildings, particularly along William Street. Take a stroll through town or stop in at the local cafe or Rising Sun Hotel for a snack. Rosewood also boasts what is claimed to be Queensland s largest wooden church, St Brigid s on Matthew Street, which includes gabled decoration, pressed metal ceilings, stained glass windows and a mural by well known artist William Bustard. The town is on the Cobb & Co Tourist Drive and is home to the Cobb & Co Heritage Park which makes a nice spot to stretch the legs or have a picnic. A replica Cobb & Co coach is the centre piece of the park which also offers toilets, picnic tables and children s playground. There is a petrol station across the road making it a handy place to refuel. If you prefer a barbeque, stop in at Johnston Park and make use of the picnic area, bathrooms and train themed children s playground. Continue along the Rosewood Laidley Road past paddocks dotted with cows and horses and pleasant country homes, to the small hamlet of Grandchester. 3

4 Grandchester 12.7km The history of Grandchester is intrinsically linked with the railway with the National Trust listed Railway Station being built in 1865 and the Ipswich to Grandchester line the first narrow gauge mainline railway in the world. The square water tanks harking back to the day of steam engines can still be seen at the station. Bigge s Camp Park on Gordon Lane, as you enter town, makes for a nice stopping point. The park offers barbeques, covered picnic tables, playground and public toilets. Take a stroll around the park, read the informative signs, see the war memorial and the monument to Alan Cunningham and the discovery of the Lockyer Valley. Follow the signs on the Rosewood Laidley Road to the town of Laidley. Laidley 10.4km Set amidst rich farmlands, Laidley is a friendly town with plenty of historical sights to see. Follow the signs to the Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum on Pioneer Street which is open seven days. The small village consists of a range of historic buildings from the old butchers shop and blacksmiths to a church, as well as machinery and cars. 4

5 The Laidley Lions Park provides a pleasant rest stop by the river with playground, public toilets and barbeques and picnic areas available. The main street of Laidley has anything you may need on your journey from an information centre to shops, bakery and cafe. Also worth a visit is the Das Neumann Haus Museum, the region s oldest home, on the corner of Patrick and William Streets. Open 7 days from 10am to 3pm, the house museum offers an insight into the life of the Neumann family and life in the community circa 1930, along with arts and crafts and refreshments. Turn onto the Gatton Laidley Road. You will pass Lake Dyer which has a campground and day use area and is stocked with a range of fish including bass, yellowbelly and silver perch. Continue on through the tiny town of Forest Hill and on to Gatton. Gatton 18.6km The Gatton Shire is a rich farming region and is also home to the University of Queensland s agricultural campus and Pohlman s Nursery, the largest independently owned nursery in Queensland. The pretty natural scenery and welcoming hospitality make this a fast growing region. 5

6 For a glimpse into the past, take a look at the Gatton and District Historical Museum s village including machinery shed, fire station and phone exchange which is open on Sundays. Signs in town will direct you to the Lakes Apex and Freeman Wildlife Sanctuary on Lake Apex Drive, which is home to 153 species of birds. Spend some time in the bird hide to see the birds in their natural environment or make use of the barbeque and picnic facilities and children s playground. The Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, built in 2009, is a hub of activity housing a library, art gallery, conference centre as well as an information centre and the Queensland Transport Museum. Stop in for a refreshment in the cafe or restaurant and pick up some souvenirs in the gift shop. Grantham 9.2km Follow the Gatton Helidon Road through the tiny town of Grantham. There is a cafe, Paul s Fresh Fruit market and public toilets across the road if you are needing a rest stop. Continue on the same road through town and then on towards the left hand turn off onto Flagstone Creek Road. 6

7 The Barn 23.2km Indulge in a delicious Devonshire tea or some hearty home cooking at The Barn at 1709 Flagstone Creek Road. The Barn is open Friday 10am to 2pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday 8am to 4pm or by appointment. It offers good old fashioned hospitality and tasty food in a rustic setting surrounded by unique antique pieces and a pretty natural setting. Keep your eye on this venue as there are exciting new things opening later in the year including classic 1940s to 60s cars and memorabilia museum and themed diner. Follow Flagstone Creek Road and take in the picturesque mountain surrounds. Where the road splits into two branches the left hand turn onto Upper Flagstone Creek Road will take a windy, scenic route to join with the New England Highway south of Toowoomba. For the more direct route, take the right hand route and follow Flagstone Creek Road on into Toowoomba. Toowoomba 8.3km You will reach town just down the road from the Toowoomba Golf Club in Middle Ridge which is a popular 18 hole course set in beautiful parkland and also offers bistro style dining Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm. 7

8 Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre 5.4km A great place to begin your exploration of Toowoomba and the rest of the region is at the Visitor Information Centre on James Street. The centre is staffed by knowledgeable locals who can provide advice on the best things to do and see, there is also a range of local produce and souvenirs available for sale. Toowoomba is true to its title as the Garden City with over 240 public parks and gardens however it also has a wealth of fine dining, cultural centres and great shopping to satisfy the most discerning visitor. Spend some time exploring this beautiful city or use it as a base to venture a little further afield to the charming towns that make up the Southern Queensland Country Region. Images by RACQ unless otherwise stated. 8