Nature Like This: Connection to Mother Nature and the Country

Explore beautiful parks and gardens, listen to live music, indulge in tasty treats and experience one of the most colourful events in Australia.

You’ll Dig It!

Nature unearthed

Discover the moments that create core memories and satisfy the adventurer in all of us. Everywhere you look, there is a new ‘moment like this’ ready for you to create but if you need some inspiration to kickstart your memory bank, check out our catalogue of core memory builders and recommendations throughout Southern Queensland Country.

Explore a spectacular and ancient wilderness at the second oldest national park in Queensland and home to the world’s largest forest of bunya pines at the Bunya Mountains.

If a landscape of rugged mountains, spectacular lookouts, exhilarating walks, dappled forests and unique wildlife fills your heart’s desire, then Cunninghams Gap at Main Range National Park is a must. Take in views of ancient peaks, dramatic escarpments and forest-cloaked slopes and valleys.

Spanning 4.2ha, Chinchilla Botanic Parkland has accolades and we’re not afraid to boast either! It’s no surprise it took out the 2020 Queensland Park of the Year, and is the winner of the Green Flag Award for the fourth year in a row showcasing beautiful native trees, scrubs and a plethora of birdlife. Speaking of birdlife, of the 850 bird species found in Australia, the Lockyer Valley has recorded more than 300 species in their region alone!

Wanting to spot some furry along with the feathery friends? Jensen’s Swamp Environmental Reserve is 20 hectares of natural bushland promoting a protected habitat for native flora and fauna. Discover over 67 species of birds, brushtail possums, squirrel and sugar gliders, bandicoots and echidnas.

Fields of bright yellow sunflowers just make us happy. It’s definitely a ‘see it to believe it’ moment so plan a road trip between December and March to see fields of blooming flowers lining the roads between the Southern Downs and Toowoomba Region. Keep an eye on our ‘What’s On’ calendar for farm open days where you can picnic between the blooms and even pick one to take the joy with you.

We got 99 (plus) more memories to make but not a big enough word limit so find more here.

Sunshine Coast to Toowoomba

Aptly known as the Garden City, you’ll find Toowoomba bursting with vibrant gardens and luscious parklands sitting atop the Great Dividing Range, flanked by the Bunya Mountains National Park, Crows Nest National Park and Ravensbourne National Park.

DAY ONE

Sunshine Coast to High Country Hamlets approx. 201km / 2hrs 45mins

Take the State Route 85 to depart the Sunshine Coast via Kilcoy. After ascending the Great Dividing Range, make a stop at the Pechey Distilling Co. in Crows Nest, then grab lunch at Harpers Country, also in Crows Nest. Stay at any of the accommodation options in High Country Hamlets micro-region.

DAY TWO

High Country Hamlets to Toowoomba

approx. 77km / 1hr 5mins

Continue on State Route 85 to enjoy a scenic walk at Ravensbourne National Park before heading to Toowoomba. Check into a hotel in the heart of town and spend 24 hours exploring Toowoomba’s impressive laneway art and the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, café scene and wine bars before you call it a night.

DAY THREE

Toowoomba to Sunshine Coast

approx. 221km / 2hrs 56mins

Start your day with sunrise views of the valley from Picnic Point on the escarpment. Enjoy a walk in Queens Park and the Botanic Gardens, followed by a hearty country pub lunch before returning to the coast via Gatton, taking a detour to explore the Queensland Transport Museum before continuing onto Esk.