Drive Inland 2019

D R I V E I N L A N D . C O M . A U

I N C O R P O R A T I N G

A7

ORN

Jericho

Sapphire HWY

A4

r

e Riv

Springsure

rc o

o

Blackall

Ba

Carnarvon NP

A2

Augathella

HW iver Y

WARR

EGO

e

St George

Dirranbandi

o

NEW EL

Deniliquin

St Arnaud

Bendigo

Colac

Torquay

M31

A1

Morwell

Sale

Traralgon

Branxton 1

Orbost Lakes Entrance

NEW

Woolgoolga

Coffs Harbour

Port Macquarie

Taree

Forster Bulahdelah Myall Lakes NP

Port Stephens

Newcastle Wyong

Gosford

Tasman

Richmond

Sea

SYDNEY

Y

Campbelltown

Wollongong Goulburn Kiama

Braidwood

Ulladulla

TOURING ROUTES

Batemans Bay

Deua NP

Cooma

Nowra

1

Capricorn Way

Moruya

Rural Getaway

Wadbilliga Narooma NP Jindabyne

Bombala

Yamba

Leichhardt Way

Bega

Australia’s Country Way

Merimbula Eden Ben Boyd NP

Connecting highway M31

Cape Howe

Major highway, route number Other major road

Croajingolong NP

Leongatha

Bay

Yarram Wilsons Promontory NP Wilsons Promontory

BASS STRAIT

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50

100

150

200

250

KILOMETRES Custom map produced by flatEARTHmapping.com.au Base data © copyright Geoscience Australia 2019

Kent Group

JOURNEYS RICH IN DISCOVERY Cape Wickham

Crookwell Bowral

Morton NP

Kosciuszko NP

Scone

Evans Head

1

Kempsey

FIC

Muswellbrook

Lithgow

CANBERRA

Snowy River NP

Alpine NP

Moe

Yass

Queanbeyan ME HU Holbrook A.C.T.

MELBOURNE Bairnsdale Mornington

Bathurst

Oxley Wild Rivers NP

Byron Bay

Ballina

Urunga Nambucca Heads Macksville

Wauchope

Barrington Tops NP

Maitland

Cowra

Wagga Wagga

VICTORIA

Healesville

Port Phillip

HWY

Albury Wodonga Benalla Wangaratta M31

Wollemi NP

Blayney

Harden

A39 Yarrawonga

M31

Apollo Wonthaggi

King Island

Henty

Craigieburn

Geelong A1

r

A15

Blue Penrith Mountains Picton NP Boorowa

Young

Junee

Jerilderie

Nagambie Seymour

Melton

HWY

Lockhart

r

Ballarat

rang

ve

Rive

Shepparton

Maryborough

L

Ri

Orange

West Grenfell Wyalong

Temora

A39

Tocumwal

Wycheproof Echucha A79

awell

Ardlethan

A20

Narrandera

Kerang

A8

Griffith

Molong

Dorrigo

Murwillumbah

Grafton

Guy Fawkes River NP

Tamworth

Singleton

Rylstone

A32

Glen Innes

D Armidale AN GL Uralla

Quirindi

Goobang Wellington

CES

Hay

Balranald Swan Murr ay Hill

ID

r r umbidgee

Dubbo

Canowindra

WESTERN M

A39

NP

Parkes Forbes

Gunnedah

Washpool NP

A15

Guyra

Boggabri

Coolah Dunedoo Merriwa Gulgong

Tenterfield

Warialda

Mt Kaputar NP

Gilgandra

P RI N

HWY Robinvale

urtoa

River

HWY

La Mu

Trangie

Narromine

Condobolin

n la

ch

A32

r

Tomingley

Hillston

Mallee Cliffs NP

ve

r

Garnpung Lake

Ri

Y

Gold Coast Tweed Heads

Warwick

Texas Wallangarra Casino

Coolatai

North Stradbroke Island

Ipswich

Allora

Stanthorpe

B95

HW

Coonabarabran

Warren ve

Yathong Nature Reserve

Nyngan

Ri

NEW SOUTH WALES

HWY

Warrumbungle NP

Y

A32

Macquarie

Cobar

Moreton Island

BRISBANE

A3

Inglewood

Inverell

Narrabri

Coonamble

HW

BARRIER

n

lin

Wilcannia

Boga

LL

HE

g

TC

MI Gundabooka NP

Walgett

NEW EL L

Bourke

Ri

Cuttaburra Channels

Brewarrina River

Moree

Nest

A2

82 Clifton

Yetman

HWY

Barwon

ver

A39

YDIR GW

Nambour Caloundra Caboolture

Dalby Crows

Millmerran

Goondiwindi

ro Pa

A71

Nocoleche Nature Reserve

Mungo NP

A5

Mungindi

Noosa Heads

Nanango Yarraman

Toowoomba

Ba

Culgoa Floodplain NP

Great Sandy NP

Kingaroy

Cecil Plains

Fraser Island

Childers Hervey Bay Ban Ban Maryborough Springs A1

A3

Jandowae Jimbour

Sandy Cape

Hervey Bay

Double Island Point Murgon Goomeri Gympie Wondai

Boondooma

Moonie

lo nn

rego War

Currawinya NP

HWY

Cunnamulla

75

Miles

Riv er

River

BALONNE

Gayndah

HWY

Way

HWY

Surat Condamine Thrushton NP

Bundaberg

Eidsvold

EN

Bu llo o

MITC HELL

A2

Wyandra

Thargomindah

Roma

Monto

Mundubbera

Wondoan

Mitchell

A71

Cania Gorge NP

A5

Taroom

Chesterton Range NP

R

Rive r

Charleville

Expedition NP

HHARDT LEIC

Mariala NP

Quilpie

r Da

Gladstone

Biloela

Isla Gorge Theodore NP

QUEENSLAND

Sea

Curtis Island

Mount Morgan

Banana

Idalia NP

Coral

Rockhampton

Dingo Blackwater A4 Duaringa Dululu A3

Welford NP

Adven ture

Yeppoon

HWY

Th om so n

Emerald

Alpha

Goodedulla NP

Comet

Y

CAPRIC

Barcaldine

BR U

PA CI

Goneaway NP

A1

HW

Di am an

r

ve Ri

Warginburra Peninsula

Clermont

CE

Longreach

Broad Sound

HW

Cudmore NP

A2

A1

HWY

ti

Bely

Galilee

zi e eniver kR

Winton

er Bladensburg National Park

Riv

Flinders Island

Waterholes Condamine

CONTENTS Welcome......................... 1 Australia’s Country Way...................2 Leichhardt Way..............6 Rural Getaway..............10 Capricorn Way.............. 12 Visitor Information Centres........................BC

Welcome This brochure, accompanying website and social media pages are brought to you by the good folk who choose to live in the country. Our country highways and byways are the roads less travelled and we understand the delights of exploring the countryside on a touring holiday.

Take the time to discover Australia’s inland and experience our legendary hospitality.

We produce a lot of Australia’s food and wine and you have the opportunity to taste produce that’s only travelled a few kilometres from where it was grown to where you consume it.

Fishing’s not just for the coast and many of our lakes and rivers are stocked with fish ready to be caught and cooked over the coals. Bring your family with you to relive stories from your forebears and to make new special memories.

We’ve lots of characters, whether they are telling tall stories in outback pubs or just saying G’day to you in the main streets of our towns. After all, it’s not called country hospitality for nothing. Most of our history has been kept either in country museums or as living history in buildings saved from the march of so-called progress.

Mountain peaks, streams and plains beckon to spend time in nature. National Parks provide walks to explore our native and unspoiled landscape.

Whether you are staying in modern motels, cosy bed and breakfasts or scenic caravan parks you’re sure to find a warm welcome.

You’ll find a lot more about us including our legendary events on our website driveinland.com.au and our Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

Pechey Gin Distiller

Some images courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CONNECTIONS Even though our highways don’t touch the coastal areas around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast it doesn’t mean that we don’t have the best routes for you to get there. Check the map out, featuring connections through Toowoomba to Brisbane and the coasts, Warwick to Brisbane and the coasts and from Brisbane to Yarraman to head north towards Rockhampton.

Bottle tree

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Local wine and produce South Burnett

CountryWay AU S TR A LI A’ S

SY D N E Y

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ead north out of Sydney towards Newcastle swinging inland through Cessnock in the Hunter Valley’s hinterland wine country. Take a pit stop to enjoy award winning wines, olives, seasonal fruit and local cheeses.

Singleton is next, conveniently bordered by the Broke Fordwich wine region. The centres of Broke and Muswellbrook are surrounded by National Parks and steeped in the heritage of Australian bush lore. Into the Upper Hunter the fertile river flats house award winning wineries, horse studs, quaint laneways and country roads winding through rolling hills. The landscape shifts to the famous Australian grazing country and gorge country.

The Golden Guitar stands as a perennial monument to a true blue country heart, celebrated in earnest at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Tamworth is the capital of the New England North West region of New South Wales. Travelling north, Australia’s Country Way traverses the stunning tablelands around Armidale.

Buffered against the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range rugged terrain gives way to the beautiful natural settings of the New England National Parks, Cathedral Rock and Oxley Wild Rivers.

Guyra, on top of the range, is an attractive town with a diverse blend of attractions.

Renowned for their natural beauty, the New England Tablelands are distinct from

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RO C K H A M P TO N

one season to the next. The Glen Innes Highlands is packed full of adventure and experiences with distinctive seasons, gourmet foods along with its picturesque town and villages. Great for road touring, kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking, fishing for the mighty Murray Cod, fossicking for hidden gems or meandering along its historic colonial main street or museums. Also home to the World Heritage Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks and the Australian Standing Stones which tribute the regions Celtic Heritage. Further north along Australia’s Country Way is Tenterfield where the famous saddlery still stands. Throughout the town there is nostalgia for forgotten eras preserved in landmark buildings commemorating citizens such as Sir Henry Parkes, Father of Federation.

The high altitude granite country signals the entry into Queensland and the Granite Belt. The Southern Downs and Granite Belt is a land of contrasts from the stark high country around Stanthorpe to the rolling downs of Warwick and beyond. The weather, well-drained soil and viticultural expertise have transformed the region’s once fledgling wine community into a burgeoning industry based around Stanthorpe. Boutique businesses offer fine dining, cellar doors, food and wine packages and tours, making this special part of Queensland easy to access and

Glen Innes Standing Stones at night

Karumba

Mount Garnet Mount Surprise Georgetown

Normanton

nna Croydon

gory wns

h s

Burke & Wills Junction

Innisfail Ravenshoe

Q U E E N S L A N D

bi Julia Creek

Quamby

Maxwelton Nelia

Cloncurry

McKinlay

chess

Kynuna

Dajarra

Middleton

Porcupine Gorge

Richmond Stamford

Combo Waterhole

Bowen

Proserpine

Torrens Creek Mackay Moorinya National Park

Corfield Spirit of the Land mural, Biloela

Winton Muttaburra

Aramac

Clermont Capella

enjoy. Stock up at roadside stalls and Emerald Ilfracombe Jericho cellar doors and sample fresh fruit and Longreach Diamantina berries straight from the grower. Local BARCALDINE National Park Alpha festivals celebrate the harvest seasons and SYDNEY country life, including the Australian Small Stonehenge Blackall Winemakers Show, Opera in the Vineyard Emmet and the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival Tambo Jundah in Stanthorpe. National Parks abound with Girraween and Sundown both must sees.

As you descend to the Darling Downs, the town of Warwick is your next stop. It boasts some of Queensland’s finest sandstone Abbey of the Roses, Warwick buildings, a living reminder of our historical past. The Warwick Rodeo and Campdraft are famous across Australia and seasonal differences are celebrated at the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival.

Bedourie

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Townsville

Charters Towers Homestead

Pentland

Prairie

Cardwell

Balfes Creek

Hughenden

ROCKHAMPTON

SCALE 25 50 75

Tully

Undara Copperfield Gorge Einasleigh Ingham Forsayth Cobbold Gorge

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N E W S O U T H W A L E S

Driving north from Warwick takes you to a major intersection. Those heading to Brisbane and the Gold Coast head east through Cunningham’s Gap; take a break here to admire the views from the Main Range National Park. Australia’s Country Way continues north through the small township of Allora, where you can gain a sense of the history of the Darling Downs by visiting Glengallan Historic Homestead Moree or head into the Goomburra Valley for a bush adventure. Author Steele Rudd lived near Nobby and wrote of the country life in Narabri ‘On Our Selection’ which formed the basis of the ‘Dad and Dave’ radio series. The rolling Darling Downs are fertile farmlands for grain, sunflowers, olives, cattle and gourmet delights. Toowoomba is the largest Coonabarabran inland non-capital city in Australia and is known as the Garden City for its parks, Gilgandra gardens, flowers and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers which takes place every Dubbo September. It is at the junction of highways which head east to Brisbane and west to Queensland’s Outback. Toowoomba is a modern city thriving on the agricultural and Orange Parkes resource industries with many attractions to keep you in town a few days.

Australia’s Country Way runs along the Cowra Great Dividing Range with cool mountain

ROCKHAMPTON Westwood

Biloela Bundaberg

Monto

Eidsvold Mundubbera

Gayndah Murgon

Wondai

Kingaroy

Miles

Nanango Yarraman

Dalby

Toowoomba

Warwick Goondiwindi

Stanthorpe Tenterfield

Warialda

Glen Innes

Armidale

Grafton

Coffs Harbour

Tamworth Port Macquarie

Muswellbrook Singleton Cessnock

SYDNEY

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Ballandean

Bunnyconnellen Olive Grove and Vineyard, Crows Nest

Lake Cania near Monto

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Local Produce served at Emeraude, Hampton

National Parks such as Crows Nest, Ravensbourne and The Palms. Small towns boast art and craft stores and places to taste the region’s food and wine. Local historical societies give you a taste of times past in their museums and fossick through the antique shops for that special memento of the area. Dams provide great freshwater fishing opportunities. At Yarraman there is a road that connects to the north of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Australia’s Country Way continues through the hilly forests of the South Burnett through Nanango. Kingaroy is well known as peanut country, make sure you pick some up on your visit. A side road takes you to the scenic Bunya Mountains, so named after the Bunya Pines, which were coveted by the Aborigines for their nuts. Learn about forestry at Wondai’s South Burnett Region Timber Industry Museum, travelling on to Murgon. Spend some time in the South Burnett area to taste the local produce, olives and wine. Accommodation includes bed and breakfasts, cabins, caravan parks, hotels, motels and camping. The South Burnett is prime wine country so make time to visit some cellar doors to taste and buy the local product.

AUS TR ALIA’ S CO U NTRY WAY

TRAVEL DISTANCES (kilometres)

Sydney Cessnock..................... 153 Singleton........................ 45 Muswellbrook................46 Tamworth..................... 159 Armidale........................ 112 Glen Innes......................94 Tenterfield...................... 93 Stanthorpe..................... 56 Warwick..........................60 Toowoomba .................. 83 Yarraman...................... 117 Nanango..........................21 Kingaroy......................... 26 Wondai........................... 29 Murgon............................15 Gayndah....................... 103 Mundubbera...................37 Eidsvold...........................37 Monto..............................74 Biloela............................. 96 Westwood.................... 106 Rockhampton.................51

Travelling north, Australia’s Country Way heads towards the North Burnett towns of Gayndah and Mundubbera, a citrus growing area that produces most of Australia’s mandarins. A major intersection at Ban Ban Springs gives access to Bundaberg, Biggenden and Childers. Gayndah straddles the Burnett River and you have an opportunity to sample and buy local produce at the roadside stalls. Mundubbera is just off the highway at the junction of the Rural Getaway. Picnic by the river and buy local citrus and stone fruit in season.

The Auburn River National Park is west of here. The Burnett River is famous for the Ceratodus or Lungfish, a relic of some 380 million years. These are a protected species but try your luck for freshwater fish in the lakes and rivers. Take in the local history at museums in Gayndah and Eidsvold.

RM Williams lived in the Eidsvold area for many years and his life is celebrated in the RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre on the south side of the town.

Monto is the gateway to Cania Gorge, a spectacular sandstone National Park. Lake Cania provides a great venue for fishing and boating while there are many walks for keen bushwalkers.

Driving out of Monto, the country is drier, with sandstone outcrops and more cattle in the Sandstone Wonders. Camp at Kroombit Tops National Park and wake to incredible views of the sandstone cliffs.

Listen out for musical notes chimed out by Mount Scoria’s six sided basalt peaks or go fishing for barramundi, golden perch or red claw at Lake Callide, just 12 kilometres east of Biloela en route to Gladstone. Other natural wonders not to be missed in the Sandstone Wonders include Isla Gorge and

Expedition National Park. While in Biloela visit the Queensland Heritage Park to enjoy the heritage displays which celebrate our nation’s glorious past. Once you have headed out of the Sandstone Wonders you’ll travel via Westwood to Rockhampton which is well known as the Beef Capital of Australia. Look out for the bull statues situated throughout the city celebrating the breeds grown in the area. Rockhampton is also a centre for education and service centre for the resources industry.

Toowoomba

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Waterholes Condamine

LeichhardtWay M E LB O U R N E

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he Leichhardt Way joins the Newell Highway from Melbourne at Goondiwindi. Start your Queensland sightseeing here, at the border precinct – with its statue tribute to legendary racehorse Gunsynd, Customs House, old border bridge and river walk. The Botanic Gardens and Natural Heritage Water Park and War Memorial are all good places to pull in for lunch.

The first Western Downs town is Moonie, a small settlement with friendly locals and good fishing spots nearby. You can picnic at the Rural Transaction Centre, browse local arts and crafts or experience the Moonie Heritage Trail. At Moonie Crossroads you’ll see brilliant murals depicting the history of the town and a giant cod caught in local waters.

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Y E P P O O N

Condamine Bell, a cow bell forged out of sheet metal to help locate grazing bullocks and the river is a popular fishing spot.

When arriving in Miles in late summer and autumn prolific blooms of pink water lilies can be seen on Chinaman’s Lagoon Dogwood Creek Track. Miles Visitor Information Centre is the gateway to Miles Historical Village Museum where you will discover a world class lapidary display, an extensive collection of shells and the moving and nostalgic tribute within the War Exhibit, as part of the 31 buildings to explore.

The tiny pioneer village of The Gums has a nine-hole bush golf course where a few resident kangaroos lay idly in the shade watching the golfers play. The Gums is a tranquil location, perfect for a ‘smoko’ stop in your travels or a great short-term campsite to pitch your tent or park the van or RV.

From Miles the Leichhardt tracks north into the beautiful rural scenery around Guluguba which nestles at the bottom of the Great Dividing Range. Stop in at Wandoan for a rest at O’Sullivan Park where the Wandoan Windmill marks the Visitor Information Centre. Learn about Ludwig Leichhardt’s journey through the district and the early foundations of Wandoan at the Juandah Historic site. Visitors are welcome to spend a night at the Waterloo Plain Environmental Park where native bird species are to be found.

Take in the sights around Condamine.

The Caliguel Lagoon lies seven kilometres south and offers an excellent site for an overnight stay. It’s great for fishing, during late summer and autumn rare purple water lilies bloom. In the heart of cattle country Condamine is home to the legendary

Continuing north on the Leichhardt Way is Taroom, gateway to the Banana Shire, on the banks of the Dawson River where Leichhardt and his party camped. The entrance to the town is marked by the ‘Steel Wings’ model windmill. Leichhardt literally left his mark ‘LL 1844’ on a Coolibah tree

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Fitzroy Delta Barramundi

Island

Port Douglas Kuranda Mareeba

Sweers Island

Gordonvale

Atherton

Karumba

Mount Garnet Mount Surprise Georgetown

Normanton

rranna Croydon

regory Downs

igh elds

Cairns

Burke & Wills Junction

Innisfail Ravenshoe

Q U EYEPPOON E N S L A N D

abbi Julia Creek

Quamby

Maxwelton Nelia

Cloncurry

Porcupine Gorge

Richmond

Dajarra

Combo Waterhole

Townsville

Bowen

Charters Towers Homestead

Proserpine

Torrens Creek Mackay Moorinya National Park

Corfield

Winton

Middleton

Pentland

Prairie

MELBOURNE

Kynuna

Cardwell

Balfes Creek

Hughenden

Stamford

McKinlay

Duchess

Tully

Undara Copperfield Gorge Einasleigh Ingham Forsayth Cobbold Gorge

Fitzroy River, Rockhampton

Muttaburra

ulia

Aramac Ilfracombe Diamantina National Park

Bedourie

Longreach

Rockhampton

BARCALDINE

Stonehenge

Alpha

Blackall Jundah

Emmet

YEPPOON

Jericho

Tambo

Mount Morgan

Dululu

Biloela

Banana

Bundaberg

Theodore

Taroom Boondooma

Wandoan Miles

H L I A

Boating down the Dawson River, Theodore

Condamine

Kingaroy Jandowae

Dalby

The Gums

Moonie

Toowoomba

Warwick Goondiwindi

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Stanthorpe

Moree Grafton

Narrabri Coffs Harbour

Mount Morgan

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and the tree still exists as a monument in the main street although the mark has grown over. Gilbert’s Lookout, overlooking the township, is a monument to John Gilbert, fellow explorer and botanist.

Fifteen kilometres north of Taroom lays the peaceful Chain Lagoons with stands of rare Livistona cycad palms. Another 20 kilometres north along the Leichhardt is a gravel road leading to Lake Murphy Conservation Park which hosts amazing birdlife. Should you want to stay here camping permits are available through nprsr.qld.gov.au.

TRAVEL DISTANCES (kilometres)

Goondiwindi Moonie.........................95 The Gums....................64 Condamine.................50

The spectacular Sandstone Belt starts 19 kilometres further north at Isla Gorge National Park. Just off the highway and a short walking track takes you to the edge of the gorge which is a haven for wildlife.

Wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons soar above the cliffs on the thermals. Camping permits are available through nprsr.qld.gov.au.

Miles............................ 32

The township of Theodore provides an ideal low-cost camping and fishing area at Junction Park on the banks of the Dawson River or stay at Hotel Theodore, one of only two co-operatively owned and operated hotels in Australia. The Dawson Folk Museum records the history of the Dawson Valley with entry by appointment with the Theodore Visitor Centre.

Yeppoon..................... 44

Wandoan.....................68 Taroom........................60 Theodore.....................96 Banana........................59 Dululu.......................... 78 Mount Morgan............33 Rockhampton............ 40

Miles Historical Village Museum

THEODORE TO ROCKHAMPTON Banana, on the junction of the Leichhardt and Dawson Highways is strangely not home to plantations of the well-known yellow fruit, instead, the town and the shire owe their name to a much-revered bullock, Banana. In the 1850s Moses Wafer’s now famous yellow bullock was known for mustering scrubbers (unbranded wild cattle). On his death the station, the town and the shire adopted his name. A monument celebrates the noble beast.

From Banana the highway is flanked with cotton fields and brilliant green and yellow sunflowers. Wowan is a small peaceful rural township nestled among stately gums and a myriad of creeks and gullies rich with native flora and fauna. Established in 1912 Wowan has a rich historical and cultural history.

Take a walk around the town admiring the churches, butter factory, Masonic Lodge, post office and school buildings retaining their historical features.

Isla Gorge

Mount Morgan

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JOURNEYS RICH IN DISCOVERY

Freshwater Yabbie

The tiny township of Dululu is well known as a rest stop for weary travellers. The ‘rest area’ located near the tennis courts and public toilets has a sheltered BBQ and picnic area. The cricket oval and practice

LE I C H HAR DT WAY

nets are nearby. Behind the courts, overnight facilities, such as power and hot showers, are available for a nominal charge.

The Leichhardt Way winds its way from Dululu to Mount Morgan set in the pretty Dee Ranges. Once the largest and richest single gold mine in the world, Mount Morgan is one of Queensland’s historical gems and is only 38 kilometres from Rockhampton.

The hum of machinery and rattling thump of explosives at the mine are long gone and in their place are a legacy of history and a spirited community.

To discover Mount Morgan’s treasures, visit the Mount Morgan Visitor Information Centre where locals will share their knowledge of their town and where to stay in a number of accommodation options.

Australia’s Beef Capital, Rockhampton, lies on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River. Look out for the bull statues situated throughout the city celebrating the breeds grown in the area. Fish for barramundi more than a metre long in the river right outside the CBD. The city was built on wealth from colonial pastures and gold mines. That wealth is reflected in the colonial buildings along Quay Street – one of Queensland’s

finest heritage precincts, crowned by the sandstone and copper dome of Customs House. Rockhampton also boasts many famous hotels such as the Heritage and Great Western – famous for its rodeo ring.

Take time to visit the Zoo, Botanical Gardens and do the canopy walk at Mount Archer. Learn about our early history at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Heritage Village and the Archer Park Rail Museum.

The Leichhardt Way reaches its natural conclusion in the colourful seaside town of Yeppoon on the tropical shores of the Capricorn Coast in the Livingstone Shire. It lies just 41 kilometres from Rockhampton and is an ideal family holiday centre with plenty of shopping, dining and accommodation options. A new water park on the foreshore provides an aquatic playground.

From the parkland and walkway that backs on to the beach you can look out to Great Keppel Island. To the south you will discover a scenic 19 kilometre drive that spans 13 seemingly endless sandy beaches divided by grassy headlands. Fishing is a popular pastime on the Capricorn Coast ranging from serious reef fishing to recreational

fishing along the beaches, estuaries and freshwater fishing spots.

South of Yeppoon is a string of peaceful seaside communities. A prominent rocky headland shelters the Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay. It’s a picturesque spot for lunch as well as being the embarkation point for Great Keppel Island.

Great Keppel is a holiday paradise of 17 beaches, calm waters and fringing reefs.

There’s accommodation there so you can choose to do a day trip or stay on the island.

The Capricorn Coast continues on to the seaside town of Emu Park with its Singing Ship monument to Captain James Cook and spectacular Centenary of Anzac Memorial and boardwalk.

Thirty minutes north of Yeppoon outstanding coastal scenery, massive sand dunes, rugged pinnacles and remote camping opportunities are highlights of a visit to Byfield National Park and Byfield Conservation Park. Picturesque recreation areas surrounded by rainforest-edged creeks, rugged mountains, pine plantations and ancient cycads are to be seen in nearby Byfield State Forest.

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RuralGetaway WA R I A LDA

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tart your trip out in Warialda, ‘the place of honey’. Situated on the Gwydir Highway, it is the southern gateway to the Rural Getaway tourist route and the northern gateway to the Fossickers Way tourist route. See the Cranky Rock Nature Reserve – a popular picnic and camping spot, great for photography, bird watching and bushwalking. Check out the Heritage Centre, including the Wells Gem and Mineral Collection, and the Carinda House Arts and Crafts to look at some local art pieces.

Passing through Coolatai and Yetman to get to Texas, these two towns are worth the stop. Just north of Warialda is Coolatai, a small friendly rural community with a hotel that provides a great opportunity to mix with the locals. Yetman is situated on the banks of the Macintyre River and is a popular destination for keen cod fish anglers. Head to Texas where you can stay overnight and have a cook up on the free BBQ amenities.

Texas is in Queensland, just north of the State border. The Dumaresq River and Bonshaw Weir are great fishing locations.

You can get a great view nearby at Beacon Lookout where you can enjoy views of the Dumaresq Valley. Visit the Riverside Freezing Works and Rabbit Factory, where the history of Australia during the Great Depression is kept.

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On the way to Millmerran you will pass through Inglewood. Inglewood and Texas have reminders of the once thriving tobacco industry with old tobacco drying barns scattered about the countryside. Museums in both towns provide a history of the industry. Olive trees have been planted in the area so take home some olives and olive oil.

The biennial Australian Camp Oven Festival is a great reason to visit Millmerran. Take in the panoramic views from Commodore Peak Lookout. A series of larger than life murals here depict the district’s history and how the town developed. Consecrated in 1887, the National Trust-listed All Saints Anglican Church in Yandilla is the oldest building in the district and believed to be the second oldest church in Queensland.

Its classic design features superb stainedglass windows made in memory of Reverend William Francis Gore. There’s a firm nod to the past at Millmerran Museum.

Don’t miss its prized ‘water baby’ – a 28 foot steam vessel which was made at Yandilla Station in 1878.

Cecil Plains lies along the Condamine River, the fertile alluvial soil is ideal for cotton production and it’s now home to one of the largest cotton gins in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dalby is a thriving community and the largest town in the Western Downs. The

TRAVEL DISTANCES (kilometres)

Warialda

ington Island

Port Douglas

Texas..............................127 KurandaInglewood.

Cairns ...................... 56 Mareeba Gordonvale Millmerran. ..................... 70 Atherton

Sweers Island

Dalby............................... 88

Karumba

Mount Garnet Mount Surprise Georgetown

Normanton

wn Tirranna

Croydon

Gregory Downs

iversleigh ossil Fields

Burke & Wills MUNDUBBERA Junction

ndi

Innisfail

Ravenshoe Boondooma...................80 Tully

Undara Mundubbera...................81 Cardwell Copperfield Gorge Einasleigh Ingham Forsayth Cobbold Gorge Townsville

Q WARIALDA U E E N S L A N D

der

Jandowae........................51

Bowen

Balfes town’s size and position together with its Creek Kajabbi Charters Porcupine agriculture, mining and industry base, Towers Julia Pentland Gorge leads it to beHomestead a major centre for regional Quamby Creek Maxwelton Proserpine Hughenden Queensland. Accommodation options t Isa Nelia Creek includeTorrens camping and caravan facilities to Richmond Cloncurry Prairie pubs and modern motel suites. Ensure Stamford McKinlay Duchess Moorinya you visit the Pioneer Park Museum, which National Park houses an extensive collection of farm Kynuna e Combo Dalby Corfield Dajarra machinery and memorabilia. A must do in Waterhole the region is, the Bunya mountains. Park Auburn River National WintonPark, the caravan at Yamsion and do the drive up Middleton near Mundubbera to enjoy the view.

Muttaburra

Mackay

Jimbour House

Clermont

Boulia

Diamantina National Park Bedourie

Stonehenge Jundah

Jimbour is famous as the home of heritageAramac listed Jimbour House which remains a Capella private residence with its interior open only Emerald Ilfracombe Jericho for special events. Visitors are welcome to Longreach BARCALDINE tour the grounds and magnificent gardens Alpha which are open daily.

The garden entry donation includes access to the ‘Living Blackall History Walk’ – an experience of historical plaques, and sounds that bring a rich Emmet sightsTambo and colourful heritage to life

Spectacular Sunset, near Dalby

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See the world’s longest man-made structure – the Dingo Barrier Fence at Jandowae. Eighty kilometres north of Jandowae is Boondooma Homestead, open to the public for a small fee. Turn off at Boondooma for the 22 kilometre run to Lake Boondooma which is ideal for fishing for golden perch (yellow belly), silver perch and Australian bass. A caravan park caters for visitors with caravan and camping sites and cabins.

Mundubbera is 80 kilometres past Boondooma. Keep an eye out for the side trip to Auburn River National Park where the scenic Auburn River flows through a steep-sided gorge, tumbling over massive, water-sculpted, salmon-coloured granite boulders. The Rural Getaway joins Australia’s Country Way at Mundubbera, the meeting place for the Boyne, Burnett and Auburn Rivers. Call into the information centre to find out about fishing, town walks, history and the citrus industry.

Biloela

MUNDUBBERA

Boondooma Miles

Jandowae

Dalby

Millmerran

Goondiwindi

Inglewood Texas

Moree WARIALDA

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Thunderegg, Mount Hay

CapricornWay RO C K HA M P TO N

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pproximately half an hour west of Rockhampton (36 kilometres west of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Way) you will discover Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park, an internationally known destination for thunderegg fossicking.

Duaringa is the welcoming gateway to the Central Highlands. It is the oldest township in the area dating back to the 1860s. The Old Duaringa Hotel has been preserved as a reminder of the pioneering lifestyle. Check out Mackenzie Park on the east side of town, which features the unique Budgeroo or Duaringa stringy bark tree.

From Duaringa, keep following the Capricorn Way until you reach Dingo. Take a side road to see the breathtaking sandstone plateau rising above Central Queensland’s plains at Blackdown Tableland National Park. The small town of Bluff is a major rail interchange for coal trains, some up to two kilometres long.

Stop at Blackwater, the Coal Capital of Queensland and home to the International Coal Centre which also houses the Visitor Information Centre. Opened in 2008 the centre showcases the Australian coal industry, providing an interactive learning experience.

Blackwater is the second largest town in the Central Highlands and offers all major services. Blackwater also boasts a fine

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Japanese garden. These gardens mark the relationship between Blackwater and her sister city Fujisawa, Japan. Well worth a visit.

Comet was one of the earliest townships in the area. Ludwig Leichhardt named the Comet River during his 1884 expedition.

Continuing along the Capricorn Way, head towards the township of Emerald, named not after the gem, but for the lush green pastures that once surrounded the town.

Emerald is the hub of the Central Highlands area. Primary industries include coal, sapphire and gem mining, cotton, wheat, maize, sorghum, sunflowers and a variety of other crops. Emerald is home to the world’s biggest Van Gogh ‘Sunflower’ painting located in Morton Park. This is a must see for every visitor.

Take a slight detour and try your luck in the towns of Sapphire, Anakie, Willows and Rubyvale gemfields, looking for sapphires. People from all over the world descend on the Sapphire Gemfields each year to experience fossicking first hand and to try their luck at finding the ultimate gem discovery.

Head to the Outback town of Alpha. Along the drive you will take in the Drummond Range. Get the camera ready and make sure you make a stop at the lookout. The views are truly amazing and well worth the stop.

Alpha is known as the ‘Town of Murals’ and displays a number that have been

TRAVEL DISTANCES

(kilometres)

Rockhampton Duaringa.............................................................................................................. 111 Blackwater........................................................................................................... 85 Emerald................................................................................................................ 75 Rubyvale.............................................................................................................. 62 Alpha ................................................................................................................. 143 Jericho..................................................................................................................54 Barcaldine............................................................................................................89

Fairbairn Dam, near Emerald ROCKHAMPTON BARCALDINE

Mornington Island

Port Douglas Kuranda Mareeba

Tree of Knowledge, Barcaldine Sweers Island

Cairns Gordonvale

painted on both private and public buildings Atherton depicting the area’s history. The region is Innisfail Mount Garnet country, named after Sir known as Mitchell Mount Ravenshoe Thomas Mitchell who went through Tullythe area Surprise Georgetown in 1846. Before leaving Alpha stock up on Undara Cardwell Gorge your bakedCopperfield goods from their famed bakery.

Barcaldine is a wonderful place to spend a few days checking out the eclectic mix Karumba of modern and historical buildings. Start Normanton Burketown at the former Globe Hotel, now the Visitor Doomadgee Tirranna Information Centre. It’s on the Capricorn Way almost opposite the railway station and Adels Croydon Gregory Einasleigh Grove the Tree of Knowledge, the reputed birth Downs InghamWay you will Once back on the Capricorn Forsayth odjamulla place of the labour movement in Australia. be headed to Jericho. The Jericho Drive-in awn Hill) Cobbold Riversleigh The Tree – a ghost gum – grew outside ional Park Gorge is the smallest drive-in in the world with aTownsville Fossil Fields Burke & Wills the Railway Station for about 180 years car capacity of just 36 cars. Redbank Park Junction Waggabundi until 2006 when sadly, it was poisoned Q U E E N on S theL banks A of NtheDJordan River is a great Gunpowder by an unknown culprit. The famous tree Bowen place to camp, fish and bird watch. There is Balfes has been preserved and placed under an Creek Kajabbi a walking track that follows the river and it’s Charters Camooweal Porcupine award-winning timber structure that was Towers Julia a great place toPentland exercise while experiencing Gorge Quamby constructed to protect the preserved tree Creek Maxwelton Proserpine theHughenden local flora and fauna. Homestead and celebrate its importance in Australia’s Mount Isa Nelia Creek history. The structure is impressive Barcaldine is situatedTorrens at the crossroads Richmond Cloncurry Prairie Mackay during the day but when viewed at night is of the Matilda and Capricorn Ways. It Stamford McKinlay Duchess Moorinya truly magnificent. is a town filled with history and colour.

Urandangie

Kynuna

Dajarra

Combo Waterhole

National Park

Corfield

Winton

Middleton

Muttaburra

Boulia Ilfracombe Diamantina National Park Bedourie

Clermont

Aramac

Longreach

Jericho

Blackwater

Rubyvale

Alpha

Duaringa

Emmet

Tambo

Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park Biloela

Blackall Jundah

ROCKHAMPTON

Emerald

BARCALDINE

Stonehenge

Capella

Rolleston

Banana Bundaberg

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visitor informationcentres RUR AL GETAWAY Warialda Visitor Information 4 Geddes Street, Warialda NSW 2402 P: 02 6729 0046 Texas Visitor Information 40 Flemming Street, Texas QLD 4385 P: 07 4653 1392 Inglewood Visitor Information Elizabeth Street, Inglewood QLD 4387 P: 07 4652 0270 Millmerran Visitor Information Cnr Mary (Gore Hwy) and Edward Street Millmerran QLD 4357 P: 07 4695 2560 Dalby Visitor Information Thomas Jack Park Warrego Highway, Dalby QLD 4405 P: 07 4662 1066 Mundubbera Visitor Information Mundubbera Durong Road, Mundubbera QLD 4626 · P: 07 4165 5700

LEICHHARDT WAY Goondiwindi Visitor Information Centre 45 Bowen Street, Goondiwindi QLD 4390 P: 07 4671 7474 Moonie Rural Transaction Centre Corner Moonie and Leichhardt Highways Moonie QLD 4406 P: 07 4665 0189

Capricorn Coast Tourist Information Ross Creek Roundabout Scenic Highway, Yeppoon QLD 4703 P: 07 4939 4888

AUSTR ALIA’S COUNTRY WAY Newcastle Visitor Information 3 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 2558 Cessnock Visitor Information 455 Wine Country Drive, Cessnock NSW 2325 P: 02 49936700 Singleton Visitor Information Centre 39 George Street, Singleton NSW 2330 P: 02 6571 5888

Kingaroy Visitor Information 128 Haly Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610 P: 07 4189 9172 Wondai Visitor Information 80 Haly Street, Wondai QLD 4606 P: 07 4189 9251 Murgon Visitor Information Lamb Street, Murgon QLD 4605 P: (07) 4189 9387 Gayndah Visitor Information 8 Simon Street, Gayndah QLD 4625 P: 07 4161 2226 Mundubbera Visitor Information Mundubbera Durong Road, Mundubbera QLD 4626 · P: 07 4165 5700

Muswellbrook Visitor Information 126 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 P: 02 6549 3891

Eidsvold Visitor Information R M Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre, Burnett Highway Eidsvold QLD 4627 P: 07 4165 7272

Tamworth Visitor Information 2 Ringers Road (Cnr Murray Street) Tamworth NSW 2340 P: 02 6767 5300

Monto Visitor Information Lister Street, Monto QLD 4630 P: 1300 696 272

Armidale Visitor Information 82 Marsh Street, Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02 6770 3888

Biloela Visitor Information Callide Street, Biloela QLD 4715 P: 07 4992 2405

Guyra Visitor Information New England Highway, Guyra NSW 2365 P: 02 6779 1876

11 Exhibition Avenue, Biloela QLD 4715 P: 07 4992 2400

Tara Customer Service Centre 19 Fry Street, Tara QLD 4421 P: 07 4678 7804

Glen Innes Visitor Information 152 Church Street, Glen Innes NSW 2370 P: 02 6730 2400

Miles Visitor Information Miles Historical Village Museum Murilla Street, Miles QLD 4415 P: 07 4627 1492

Tenterfield Visitor Information 157 Rouse Street, Tenterfield NSW 2372 P: 02 6736 1082

Rockhampton Visitor Information Tropic of Capricorn Spire Gladstone Road, Rockhampton QLD 4700 P: 07 4936 8000

Wandoan Visitor Information O’Sullivan Park, Zupp Road Wandoan QLD 4419 P: 07 4627 5227 Taroom Visitor Information 10 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom, QLD 4420 P: 07 4628 6113 Theodore Visitor Information 55A The Boulevard, Theodore QLD 4719 P: 07 4993 1900 Mount Morgan Visitor Information 1 Railway Parade, Mount Morgan QLD 4714 P: 07 4938 2314 Rockhampton Visitor Information Tropic of Capricorn Spire, Gladstone Road, Rockhampton QLD 4700 P: 07 4936 8000

Stanthorpe Visitor Information 28 Leslie Parade, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 P: 07 4681 2057 Warwick Visitor Information Town Hall, 72 Palmerin Street Warwick QLD 4370 P: 07 4661 3122 Toowoomba Visitor Information 86 James Street, (Warrego Highway) Toowoomba QLD 4350 P: 1800 331 155 Hampton Visitor Information 8623 New England Highway Hampton QLD 4352 P: 07 4697 9066 Nanango Visitor Information 41 Henry Street, Nanango QLD 4615 P: 07 7418 9446

I N C O R P O R A T I N G

CAPRICORN WAY Rockhampton Visitor Information Tropic of Capricorn Spire Gladstone Road, Rockhampton QLD 4700 P: 07 4936 8000 Emerald Visitor Information Clermont Street, Emerald QLD 4720 P: 07 4982 4142 Rowley Roberts Tourist Information 43 Shakespeare Street, Alpha QLD P: 07 4985 1050 Jericho Post Office 6 Darwin Street, Jericho QLD P: 07 4651 4129 Barcaldine Tourist Information 149 Oak Street, Barcaldine QLD P: 07 4651 1724