19 minute read
Taste Australia's Country Way
AUSTRALIA’S COUNTRY WAY STRETCHES FROM ROCKHAMPTON TO SYDNEY INLAND
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Along the Burnett, Bunya, D’Aguilar and New England Highways and the M1 Pacific Motorway from Newcastle to Sydney. It traverses mainly farming country with lots of opportunities to taste and buy local produce along the route.
Memories of real food, crispy loaves of bread fresh out of the oven, delicious smallgoods lovingly smoked on the butcher’s premises, fruit and vegetables picked fresh in the morning, jams and preserves, soft drinks and cordials from the past, boutique wines and real food served proudly by real people in country restaurants and cafés.
This guide takes you from Australia’s beef capital, Rockhampton, along the highway to the New South Wales border at Wallangarra. We will show you a taste of what you can discover along the way. There’s a whole lot more story to tell and we will guide you towards websites and Visitor Information Centres who can give you more information.
TASTE ROCKHAMPTON
AUSTRALIA’S BEEF CAPITAL AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.
Rockhampton is recognised as the beef capital of Australia with livestock production being dominated by beef cattle, currently numbering 3.2 million head in the Greater Rockhampton Region. Search out our steak restaurants that serve delicious local beef.
There’s lots of fresh local produce grown here right on the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Rocky Sunday Markets, located in the Birch, Carroll and Coyle carpark (Stockland Rockhampton), are open from 6am to 12 noon every Sunday and have an area set aside for delicious local produce.
Another great spot to find local produce is Berry Good Produce. Situated in a shopping Centre in Parkhurst, open seven days a week, its easy to find their local produce as its specially marked
Rockhampton has a thriving coffee scene. We visited Dingles, who are very proud of their Eggs Benedict made lovingly with local produce, the Boathouse has magnificent views over the Fitzroy River and Riverston Tea Rooms serves up delicious home-made cakes and meals in a historic building situated in Quay Street.
Before you leave why not travel up to Mount Archer and have a picnic looking out over Rockhampton and the Fitzroy River. On the way there call into the Dean Street Bakery for freshly baked bread and goodies and Archers Cottage Cheese Lovers for cheese and charcuterie.
Dean Street Bakery
After something stronger?
Headricks Lane café, bar, restaurant and micro-brewery set is set in a historic warehouse in East Street.
Headricks Lane cafe, bar, restaurant and micro-brewery
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Rockhampton
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
Explore Rockhampton Centre, 176 Gladstone Road, Rockhampton
Rockhampton Heritage Village or Mt Morgan Railway Museum and Visitor Information Centre.
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
EXPLOREROCKHAMPTON.COM.AU
TASTE BILOELA
TRAVEL THROUGH CATTLE AND GRAIN COUNTRY, heading southwest through Mount Morgan, arriving in Biloela, administrative centre of the Banana Shire, it was named after the first township in the region (Banana), which in turn was named for the burial site of a huge dun coloured bullock named ‘Banana’. Micro herbs and squab are also produced in and around Biloela.
Little Market Co is an indoor Market House located in the heart of Biloela.
With over 40 local artisans and traders showcasing their products you’ll find some great locally made jams, preserves and fudge.
Briskey's Butchery
Biloela is known for its beef production, call into Briskey’s Butchery and stock up on your favourite steak or home-made sausages.
Rise the Bakehouse
Rise the Bakehouse are very proud of everything they produce especially their crunchy loaves of bread. Grab some meat and bread and head out to one of Biloela’s many parks and use council’s free electric barbeques to cook up a feast.
For something different head into Rita’s Blue Café in downtown Biloela. Rita has the usual range of scones, cakes, sandwiches. Don’t miss the opportunity to tase her very special Vietnamese food.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Biloela
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
Rural Hinterland Visitor Information Centre, 11 Exhibition Avenue, Biloela
Biloela Information Centre, Callide Street, Biloela
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
SANDSTONEWONDERS.COM
TASTE MONTO
ON THE WAY SOUTH TO MONTO CALL INTO MT SCORIA OR CANIA GORGE NATIONAL PARK.
Picky’s Pies and Pastries is a great place to start your visit to Monto, locally born staff use as much local produce as possible to produce a delicious range of pies, breads and pastries.
Monto is known for its beef, pork and broadacre crops.
Just along Monto’s main street is Harvest and Co, another great collective of local arts, crafts and food. Stock up on locally grown fruit and veges, preserves and jams, homemade cakes, biscuits and lamingtons.
A must port of call for visitors is Miller’s Gourmet Meats, famous for their smallgoods - maple bacon, honey and chilli, bacon and pepper and garlic bacon. Have you tried cheese and Vegemite sausages, that’s something to boast about on social media.
Miller's Gourmet Meats
Monto has a couple of country pubs who vie for the food trade with a great selection of counter meals using local produce where they can.
At the bottom of the main street are a couple of cafes. Jenny from Café Delicious is up early making the delicious cakes and biscuits.
Café Delicious
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Monto
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
The Information Hut opposite Caf´E Delicious
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
NORTHBURNETT.QLD.GOV.AU/VISIT-NORTH-BURNETT
TASTE MUNDUBBERA
Mundubbera Butchery
MUNDUBBERA IS JUST OFF AUSTRALIA’S COUNTRY WAY after passing through the beef cattle area around Eidsvold.
Mundubbera is one of the largest producers of table grapes in Queensland. It is famous for producing an amazing variety of fruit. Blueberries, pecans, mangoes, avocados, lychees, peaches, nectarines, watermelons, rockmelons and of course citrus – oranges and mandarins. Between April and September, the town’s population swells with an influx of pickers.
Mundubbera Butchery prides itself on its sausage, hams and wursts all made with locally sourced meat. The smell of the smokehouse wafts through the shop and we defy you not to fill up your esky.
Mundubbera Bakery and Café
Mundubbera Bakery and Café. A word of warning, don’t come in here if you are on a diet and weak willed. Everything in the cabinets is made on site and is mouthwatering. My personal favourite is the double high-top loaf, pull it apart and rip the soft bread out of the middle.
Find a great picnic spot
Head off to one of the great picnic spots, perhaps down by the Burnett River. Grab some meat from the butcher, bread from the baker and cook your food on the barbecue, perhaps washing it down with local mandarin juice.
Kel's Katering
Make sure that you are in town when Kels Katering has her kitchen open at the Mundubbera Bowls Club. Kel is so proud of Mundubbera produce she uses as much as she can and treats it with love and care. Freshly picked blueberries dot the muffins, local asparagus accompanies the eggs benedict, local eggs and bread of course.
Honesty box stall
In the citrus season just picked oranges and mandarins are available at honesty box stalls at the farm gate. Make sure you stock up.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Mundubbera
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTREin Bicentennial Park.
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NORTHBURNETT.QLD.GOV.AU/VISIT-NORTH-BURNETT
TASTE GAYNDAH
Roadside stalls
THE TOWN ON GAYNDAH LIES JUST HALF AN HOUR EAST of Mundubbera on Australia’s Country Way, there is an alternate local road that follows the Burnett River by the citrus orchards.
During the citrus season roadside stalls sell fresh oranges and mandarins.
Gayndah is another citrus town that celebrates their premium crop through the biennial Gayndah Orange Festival.
Step back into history at Nourished on Capper, in what was a 100-year-old bank building with the Union and ANZ Banks being previous tenants. They specialise in luscious country snacks and meals using seasonal local produce.
Nourished
Gayndah Meat Hall is another fabulous butcher specialising in local beef and pork, sausages and smallgoods.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Gayndah
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Gayndah Museum and Visitor Information Centre
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
NORTHBURNETT.QLD.GOV.AU/VISIT-NORTH-BURNETT
TASTE GOOMERI
Goomeri Bakery & Coffee Shop
KNOWN FOR ITS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, THIS SMALL TOWN IS LOCATED AN HOUR SOUTH OF GAYNDAH.
Right on the highway is the Goomeri Bakery and Coffee Shop. Great coffee, French pastries, crunchy loaves and pies served up in a classy restored shop. While in town check out the art deco Grand Hotel which prides itself on serving premium local beef from the South Burnett.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Goomeri
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
DISCOVERSOUTHBURNETT.COM.AU/TOWNS/GOOMERI/
TASTE SOUTH BURNETT WINERIES
Clovely Estate
THIS REGION IS MADE UP OF TWO COMPONENTS.
The northern area which includes the wineries and cellar doors of Clovely Estate, Moffatdale Ridge, Barambah Cellars and Dusty Hill. The second is located in the Kingaroy area which includes wineries and cellar doors of Crane Wines, Kingsley Grove Estate, Taabinga Station and The Lavender Farm at Pottique. We called into Clovely Estate in the northern area, not far from Murgon.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in South Burnett Wineries
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
To check out the South Burnett Wine Trail visit DISCOVERSOUTHBURNETT.COM.AU
TASTE WOOROOLIN
Farm 2 Fork Collective
THE FARM TO FORK COLLECTIVE in the main street of Wooroolin is an ideal one stop shop for local produce. Usually, open Fridays from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm South Burnett farmers and producers bring in the best of local produce for sale.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Wooroolin
visit DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
To read more about the Farm to Fork Collective visit F2FCOLLECTIVE.ORG.AU
TASTE KINGAROY
Kingaroy Peanut Van
THE SOUTH BURNETT IS KNOWN FOR GROWING PEANUTS so it’s not surprising that you find peanut vans in Kingaroy and nearby Nanango. They stock all kinds of peanut products fresh from the red soil of the South Burnett.
Equally famous in the South Burnett is pork with the large Swickers Bacon factory and SunPork. Call into one of the South Burnett butcheries to try the local product. We dropped into the Gourmet Butchery in Kingaroy to taste their range of pork products; they claim to have the best bacon in Kingaroy. We loved their bacon flavoured pork sausages.
Gourmet Butchery
Grab yourself a Double High Top loaf of bread from one of the areas many bakeries, pick up some bacon and sausages and take yourself off to a park and cook yourself a real country treat. Barbequed sausages and bacon on toasted country bread. Gourmet heaven!
Little Italy
Hankering for a coffee we heard about a place with hand made cannoli, Little Italy. Here you can top up with a great coffee and luscious Italian sweets.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Kingaroy
KINGAROY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
DISCOVERSOUTHBURNETT.COM.AU
TASTE YARRAMAN
Pink Flamingo
YARRAMAN HAS A COUPLE OF PUBS AND A GOOD BUTCHERY TO TASTE LOCAL PRODUCE.
We were tempted by the Pink Flamingo right on Australia’s Country Way. They specialise in waffles and gelato and use as much local produce as possible on their menu.
Yarraman is a town on the junction of the highway through to Brisbane and the continuation of Australia’s Country Way towards Toowoomba.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Yarraman
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VISITTOOWOOMBAREGION.COM.AU
TASTE HIGH COUNTRY HAMLETS
McCoys
NESTLED 650 METRES ABOVE THE SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND COASTAL PLAIN THE HAMLETS ARE HIGH UP ON THE GREAT DIVIDING RANGE JUST NORTH OF TOOWOOMBA.
Abundant seasonal crops are grown by artisanal producers, creatively embraced by impassioned local chefs and restaurants.
The most northerly town is Cooyar, a small town with a country hotel, swing bridge in the park and access to the Palms National Park.
We called in at McCoys attracted by motorcycles, in the front, inside and on the roof. They specialise in big U.S. style meals. Think burgers filled to the brim with tasty local produce made on the premises.
Entering Crows Nest from the north you can’t miss Nolan’s Block, a stunning building that dates from 1916. The building has been restored and will reopen in the first quarter of 2022. This destination culinary experience includes Myrtille Bistro, a French Bistro showcasing local produce; My Little Blueberry, a patisserie and café again featuring local produce.
My Little Blueberry
Established in 1903, Crows Nest Cordials still take pride in producing premium products while keeping to the oldfashioned flavours of the past and are locally owned and operated.
Crows Nest Cordials
Meats and More are another Crows Nest supplier of local products. They source all their meat locally and take pride in producing hams, bacon, sausages and salami.
Seasonal produce stalls dot the countryside, keep an eye out for avocados, rhubarb, blueberries, fruit and vegetables for sale.
The Curly Carrot on the southern side of Crows Nest is a laid-back café set in a Tourist Park specialising in meals crafted from local produce.
If you are after something stronger to drink there are wineries, breweries and a distillery in the Hamlets. Situated a few kilometres south of Crows Nest and just off Australia’s Country Way is the Pechey Distilling Company. Using local botanicals they produce Gin, Vodka and Cane Spirit.
Closer to Toowoomba is Highfields home to the Chocolate Cottage, a licensed café offering wholesome food, handmade chocolates and a range of local produce.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in High Country Hamlets
HAMPTON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
HIGHCOUNTRYHAMLETS.COM.AU
TASTE TOOWOOMBA
TOOWOOMBA IS QUEENSLAND’S LARGEST INLAND CITY.
A great place to start is Toowoomba’s Farmers Markets at Cobb and Co on a Saturday morning. Here you will find farmers with fresh produce and skilled artisans who turn that produce into great ready to eat food.
Toowoomba's Farmers Markets
For something really different buy some of Australia’s best freshwater fish, Murray Cod at Stoney the Fishmonger in Herries Street. Pan fry the Murray Cod in butter, serve with dill, capers and lightly roasted baby tomatoes.
There’s lots of coffee shops, often situated down mural filled narrow laneways. The aptly named Ground Up serves up locally made baked goodies from the Bakers Duck along with a range of drinks. They are right on Australia’s Country Way in Ruthven Street.
Ground Up
Also in Ruthven Street on the way out is Phat Burgers. A combination of record store, old style milk bar and burger joint. Proudly using Darling Downs produce, their artisan burgers are to die for.
Set out in an industrial estate in Alderley Street, Harristown is award winning Metiisto Chocolate. They lovingly select cocoa beans from the Solomon Islands, which go through a process that produces stunning chocolate.
Metiisto Chocolate
Toowoomba’s award winning Metiisto Artisan Chocolate make delicious and elegant chocolate from the cocoa bean all the way to the finished bar, using only the finest, ethically sourced ingredients.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Toowoomba
TOOWOOMBA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
VISITTOOWOOMBAREGION.COM.AU
TASTE WARWICK
Westside Hotbread
WARWICK IS KNOWN FOR ITS RICH AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY and is an hour’s drive south of Toowoomba.
The Warwick Hotel in Palmerin Street is in a beautiful building dating from 1908. They highlight local beef on their menu.
Warwick Hotel
At the other end of Palmerin Street is the Bluebird Kitchen and Bar, As the name implies, they specialise in slow cooking and smoking Warwick beef and pork.
Bluebird Kitchen & Bar
On the other side of town, Westside Hot Bread is just off Australia’s Country Way. Flour and grain from the Darling Downs is crafted into country style loaves, cakes and pies.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Warwick
WARWICK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
To check out the buy and eat local map - Southern Downs & Granite Belt, visit SOUTHERNDOWNSANDGRANITEBELT.COM.AU
TASTE STANTHORPE & THE GRANITE BELT
Brinx
FURTHER SOUTH AND MUCH HIGHER IN ELEVATION, THE GRANITE BELT IS KNOW FOR ITS APPLES, PEARS, STONE FRUIT, BERRIES, GRAPES AND WINE.
A great place to start are the fruit shops in the Thulimbah and Cottonvale area. We visited Sams Farm Fresh Fruit and Veg. Sam Giacca is a local, one of many of Italian heritage and can advise visitors about the seasonal treats to be found on the Granite Belt.
Close by is Suttons Juice Factory, Cider and Shed Café just off Australia’s Country Way.
David and Ros grow their apples then turn them into a range of delicious food, juices and cider. Their apple pie is legendary.
Just out of Stanthorpe on the western side of town is the Granite Belt Brewery and Restaurant. They pair their locally brewed beers with local produce.
Stanthorpe boasts many cafés serving up local produce. We called into Brinx right in the main street. This combination of café and deli rates highly with visitors wanting the Granite Belt food experience.
When you have tons of fresh seasonal produce it makes sense to save some for later in the year. Jamworks Café and Larder on Australia’s Country Way at Glen Aplin makes jams, pastes, sauces, pickles and relishes as well as serving them at their café.
Jamworks Café
The Granite Belt is Queensland’s largest wine producing region with over 50 cellar doors. It’s also Australia’s highest wine region with distinctive decomposed granite soils. We visited the Puglisi family who have produced wine in Ballandean for five generations at their Ballandean Estate winery to learn about the history of the area and what is planned for the future.
Ballandean Estate
One of the newest agricultural ventures is truffles. At Folly Truffles in Bents Road, Ballandean the Egerton family have managed to produce French Périgord Black Truffles on their property. In winter their dogs sniff out the truffles which are carefully extracted from the soil.
Our journey ends on the New South Wales border at Wallangarra. The heritage railway station peculiarly has two different platforms joined by the station building. One side is Queensland Rail with a different rail gauge and architecture style to New South Wales on the other side. The station building houses the Railway Café and Museum where you can get your final taste of Australia’s Country Way.
MORE INFORMATION
There’s so much more to see and do in Stanthorpe & the Granite Belt
STANTHORPE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
DRIVEINLAND.COM.AU/AUSTRALIAS-COUNTRY-WAY
SOUTHERNDOWNSANDGRANITEBELT.COM.AU
TASTE AUSTRALIA'S COUNTRY WAY
EXPLORE ROCKHAMPTON CENTRE
176 Gladstone Road, Rockhampton QLD 4700
P: (07) 4936 8000
W: explorerockhampton.com.au
BILOELA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Callide Street, Biloela QLD 4715
P: (07) 4992 2405
RURAL HINTERLAND
11 Exhibition Avenue, Biloela QLD 4715
P: (07) 4992 2400
W: sandstonewonders.com/visitor-information-centres/
MONTO TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Corner of Lister and Newton Street, Monto QLD 4630
P: 1300 696 272
W: northburnett.qld.gov.au/visitor-information-centres/
MUNDUBBERA HERITAGE & TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Bicentennial Park, Strathdee Street Mundubbera QLD 4626
P: 1300 696 272
W: northburnett.qld.gov.au
GAYNDAH MUSEUM AND INFORMATION CENTRE
3 Simon Street, Gayndah QLD 4625
P: (07) 4161 2226
W: gayndahmuseum.com.au
MURGON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
63 Lamb Street, Murgon, QLD 4605
P: (07) 4189 9555
W: southburnett.qld.gov.au/visitor-information-centres/ visitor-information-centres-1
KINGAROY VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
128 Haly Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610
P: (07) 4189 9555
W: southburnett.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/visitorinformation-centres-2
HAMPTON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
New England Highway, Hampton, QLD
P: (07) 4697 9066
W: tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/discover/visitor-infocentres/5603-hampton-visitor-information-centre
TOOWOOMBA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
86 James Street, South Toowoomba QLD 4350
P: 1800 331 155 W: visittoowoombaregion.com.au
WARWICK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
72 Palmerin Street, Warwick QLD 4370
P: (07) 4661 3122
W: southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au
STANTHORPE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
28 Leslie Parade, Stanthorpe QLD 4370
P: (07) 4681 2057
W: southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au
DISCLAIMER: Although funding for this product has been provided by both the Australian and Queensland Governments, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of either Government. This brochure is brought to you by Drive Inland. The information is provided as a guide only and may have been provided by third parties. Irrespective of any measures taken by Drive Inland to check that the information is accurate or complete, in no event will Drive Inland be liable to any person in contract, tort (including, but without limitation, negligence) or otherwise if any information on this site is incomplete or inaccurate.
