Brisbane Hinterland. Queensland
"What a great place for a weekend away from Brisbane" These are the words expressed by many after visiting the colourful and relaxing regions of the Brisbane Hinterland area.
Just on 20 minutes from the city is the D 'Aguilar Range, with thickly forested range creating a sub tropical paradise for bushwalkers and campers. Access to Brisbane Forest Park is via Mt Glorius, and its a marvel that such a pristine forest is only a short drive from the centre of Brisbane. There are waterfalls, huge trees, mountain streams and deep water pools. Add to that the amazing wildlife, and you have a perfect city getaway in the forest. There are many walking trails for all to enjoy this beautiful region.
Just 10km up the road and can visit Wivenhoe Lookout, which looks west over Lake Wivenhoe. A scenic drive to take is from Samford to Mt Glorious. Also located in this vicinity is Ipswich, Gatton & Laidley. Ipswich is a main hub for the area, with a big country town feel. Laidley is surrounded by farms, market garden and orchards, and is well worth a early morning balloon flight.
The Brisbane Hinterland region also encompasses the south burnett area, with the historic rural timber towns of Yarraman and Blackbutt, or take in the scenic wine trail, known as the Barambah Wine Trail. Lots of well grown and tasty wiones come from this region. Further to the east you also have the option to go panning or fossicking for gold.
Another wonderful National Park and wilderness to visit, while travelling the Brisbane Hinterland is The Bunya Mountains National Park. The park is on the Great Dividing Range, and is an excellent place to go camping, swim in the waterfalls, and aoppreciate the nature and animals the call this park home. Including the Bunya Pine, which cooked the right way can be a delicious treat.
Kingaroy in the north of this region, is known as the peanut capital of Australia. It is a small friendly town, with many motels to stay in along the route.
If you would like to see what life was like in the 19th century on a cattle & sheep station, you could visit the Booubyjan Homestead. Run by 2 irish brothers, the Clements, and is still in the family today. The homestead is open daily.
The Brisbane Hinterland is a great region to spend a weekend or week away from the city, and takes in many diverse landscapes, from rural farmlands to natural bush and even ancient rainforests. There is a wonderful range of accommodations, from farmstays, to motels and camping, and the kids will love all the unique animals of the forest or at one of the marvelous habitats like the Walkabout Wildlife Centre in the Brisbane Forest National park
