48 HOURS IN THE BUNYA MOUNTAINS

It’s no surprise the Bunya Mountains can draw a crowd. This is a destination that’s been in the business of bringing communities together for 40 thousand years. Until the 1870s you would have found crowds of 3000 plus Indigenous people flocking to the Bunyas for the Boyne Festival to celebrate feasting, law making and trading. If you’re wondering how to see the Bunya Mountains, use this weekend itinerary as your guide.

Friday

12pm: Escape the city for the country

Every good road trip needs a name – and the Bunya Mountains Scenic Drive drops a serious clue about what you can expect.

Follow the brown Bunya Pine signs which start from Toowoomba, if you’re driving to the Bunyas via the Dalby route.

3pm: Check into your home-awayfrom-home

Tucked behind the gates of the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre, you’ll find 104 holiday homes, which are privately let.

Houses come in all shapes and sizes (although you can expect plenty of A-frame architecture) from studio cabins right through to accommodation that sleeps up to 22 people.

Inside most you’ll find multiple bathrooms, kitchens to self-cater and the all-important fireplace for those chilly Bunya nights where temperatures frequently drop below zero.

5.30pm: Catch sunset from Fishers Lookout

For one of the best sunset shows on the Western Downs, toss down a picnic blanket at Fishers Lookout.

A sundial bearing coordinates to the nearest towns will be all the tour guiding you need up here.

7pm: Become a master chef of the mountain

Cook in your self-contained kitchen tonight – you’ll find most houses have a five-burner stove, full oven (if not dual) and all the kitchen modcons to whip up more than just a bowl of pasta, alternatively, Lyric Restaurant dishes up dinner from 6pm, seven nights a week.

48 Hours in the Bunya Mountains

Saturday

8am: Breakfast at The Bunyas

Enjoy breakfast at the onsite cafe, The Bunyas at the Bunya Mountains Village. The local wildlife, such as crimson rosellas will join you out the front of the cafe between 9.1510.15am.

9am: Go from market to market

If you can, time your visit for the last Sunday of the month and shop local with a visit to the Bunya Mountains markets.

11am: Take a hike

Whether you like a bush walk of half marathon proportions or something much smaller, there’s a track with your hiking boots’ name on it. While you’re walking, keep your eyes peeled for the 210 recorded species of bird found in this national park.

7pm: Have a nip at Shackleton’s

This evening pay a visit to Australia’s highest whiskey bar, Shackleton’s.

With over 113 whiskeys on the menu and an alternating whiskey of the week, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to price and country of origin for your nip. Sunday

8am: Breakfast at Poppy’s

For breakfast so close to the forest it could only be rivalled by a treehouse, choose Poppy’s on the Hill for your morning jolt.

“This is my people’s homeland, that’s why I’ve got so much pride. It’s the story and significance of this region according to our traditional ways.” Shannon Bauwens