Southern Queensland Country: A Memoir

Since the beginning of the region’s settlement in 1840, the area has forged ahead, quickly becoming the ‘jewel in the diadem of squatterdom’. The innovation of the early settlers built a strong foundation for the following generation to grow from, leaving a myriad of tales and conjecture from bygone eras. As you journey through each quaint country town, you’ll find there is more to learn and tales to be told about the history and heritage of Southern Queensland Country. Read on for a sneak peak of the historical experiences awaiting you.

Begin your journey immersing yourself in Toowoomba’s natural and cultural history by revisiting the Australian transport era. Part of the Queensland Museum Network and home to the National Carriage Collection, discover a variety of interactive displays, exhibits and heritage trade workshops at Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba.

Continuing on down the transportation track, the Queensland Transport Museum in Gatton features a magnificent display of different modes of transport through the ages and displays over 200 models that explore the creation, founders, and operation of the Transport Industry.

Are you an avid train aficionado? Well then, the Downs Explorer and Warwick Railway Precinct is for you. Experience a range of unique heritage rail experiences on a steam train through some of the most picturesque countryside in Australia. Regular tours run from Warwick to Stanthorpe and Wallangarra, Clifton, Wheatvale, Hendon, Toowoomba, plus special long weekends to Goondiwindi and Tenterfield, NSW. While at Wallangarra station, make sure to check out the Museum and Café at the historic railway station as well as find famous Australian Bushranger Thunderbolt’s hideout with the path clearly marked. Nearby, also locate remnants of the WWII Brisbane Line Tank traps where 10,000 troops were stationed in wartime.

If you find grand old homes and working farms captivating, well we have some truly fascinating experiences for you too. Embark on the journey of the first fully stocked property on the Darling Downs once European settlement commenced at Jimbour House. Discover the ups and downs of early pioneering days, as well as learn the stories, secrets twists and turns of Jimbour’s past. From there head two hours south to relive the Glengallan Homestead story from squattocracy to farmer settlement through an innovative interpretation that allows the place to tell its own story.

There’s plenty more History and Heritage to share with Museums scattered around the region for you to explore. Like the Toogoolawah History Museum, housed in the old Toogoolawah Railway Station, the museum’s shelves are lined in antiquities and stories of the past. Or marvel at the large collections of local Australia history at the Pioneer Village in Highfields, including shells, antique radios and vintage machinery, alongside over 60 stunningly restored historical buildings.

It would be remiss of us to not mention the Miles Historical Village Museum which is one of Australia’s leading regional museums. Originally named “Dogwood Crossing”, life as it was in the 1800’s has been realistically preserved inviting you to step back in time to explore more than 30 exact replica turn of the century buildings in a streetscape setting.

Have we piqued your interest? There’s so much more for you to explore. Continue adventuring here.