Experience Jandowae
Welcome
From the
Community...
Jandowae Business Group
Jandowae is a great place to be!
There is a lot of support within the community, from home daycare, the kindergarten, to our hospital and health services.
There is a strong community spirit, and there is always someone willing to help out when needed.
From the Mayor...
Mayor Andrew Smith
Western Downs Regional Council
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the wonderful Western Downs!
I invite you to explore everything that our vast and vibrant region has to offer. Whether you’ve recently moved to the Western Downs, or are thinking about making a move, our Welcome Guides will give you an overview of the opportunities that await you and your family in our region.
This guide is packed full of helpful information about our local schools, community and sporting groups, essential services, regional events, attractions, and much more. Offering the best of the laid-back
In Jandowae, everyone comes together for the benefit of our great community.
rural lifestyle combined with urban convenience, stunning natural landscapes, and active communities filled with friendly locals, there really is something for everyone in the Western Downs.
We have a saying on the Western Downs - it’s the people that make it. I am excited to be able to offer support to our newcomers, and hope that these guides will help you to learn more about your new home and the wonderful, vibrant Western Downs community.
Located in the eastern pocket of the Western Downs region, 49km northwest of Dalby is Jandowae, named from the Indigenous language meaning camp or waterhole due to its location on the Jandowae Creek. The district extends to Burra Burri, Canaga, Cooranga North, Jimbour, Jinghi Valley and Warra.
In the early days, Jandowae was known as a timber town, with the timber and milling industries making an important contribution to the growth of the town. A trip to Jandowae is like a walk down memory lane, with some of the original shop facades still on display today.
Jandowae has a vibrant and active community who will tell you the town punches above its weight for community spirit and social activities. The busy town has all the essential services, including a hospital, medical centre, school and modern Council Customer Service Centre, Library and Queensland Government Agency office.
Four reasons to call the Western Downs
h ome...
The Western Downs is home to more than 35,000 residents and almost 10,000 families. The median age of our population is 37 years, and 8% of our residents were born overseas. We are proud to be a multicultural community and support diversity and inclusivity.
Combining a country lifestyle with modern living and conveniences, the Western Downs has an assortment of urban centres, quiet small towns, rural lifestyle blocks and an abundance of recreation spaces — something to suit everyone!
Living in the Western Downs is affordable compared to many parts of Queensland. Our average weekly rent is 45% cheaper than Brisbane. Across the region, the average residential home price is around $300,000 — almost half of the median regional Queensland house price.
The Western Downs’ diverse economic base means that opportunities are plentiful across agriculture, intensive agriculture, energy and manufacturing industries. With large projects in infrastructure, energy and agriculture on the horizon, our local economy is buzzing with investors from all over the world.
Getting Around
Welcome to
The Western Downs covers an area of 38,000 square kilometres — roughly the size of Switzerland. We invite you to explore our vast region and enjoy what the Western Downs has to offer.
Jandowae to...
Brisbane
Chinchilla
Dalby
Goondiwindi
Kingaroy
Miles
Toowoomba
Tara Wandoan
Brisbane Airport
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport
Events
Jandowae Show
Warra Races
Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races
Life in the Western Downs is rich with experiences and events that attract Queensland and interstate travellers. See what’s on the calendar for the Jandowae district...
Chinchilla Melon Festival
Jandowae Fish Hooks Season Launch Jandowae Campdraft
Dalby’s Delicious & DeLIGHTful Festival biennial
MWE Charity Golf Day Emergency Services Bowls Day Nov
Jandowae Races
Rosevale Bull Sale
Meet a Local
Amelia & Michael, Business Owners
Amelia and ‘Woodsy’ are true Jandowae locals, born and bred. As exemplars of their tight-knit town, the duo are proud business owners (opening Michael Wood Electrical in 2007, and more recently purchasing the Jandowae Post Office), dedicated volunteers (for virtually every club on offer), and community champions (with the annual Michael Wood Electrical Golf Day raising funds for local causes). When they’re not following their three children across the region for junior sport, an ideal day for the family is ‘at the pub or bowlsy’.
Below are Amelia & Michael’s insider tips for living in Jandowae.
Jandowae is our home...
and we love the peaceful lifestyle: no traffic jams, no hustle. We have friendly businesses and services like Wambo Medical, the local hospital, a great school, a nice pharmacy, grocery shop, the best hairdresser, awardwinning butcher, three terrific watering holes, local Spar, and many more. It’s a safe place to raise kids with plenty to do, including local sporting groups and brilliant community events like the Timbertown Festival, the Show, and now the Jandowae Campdraft. Really, what more could you ask for?
A lot has changed...
with small businesses moving online and shop fronts repurposed and turned into homes. But we’ve also seen growth in local businesses and we’ve seen the next generation step up and take on their family farms, shops, business, and raising their own kids in this great little town they were raised.
Our favourite thing to do...
as a family is head out for a hit of golf or game of bowls, then probably head to either the Middle or Bottom Pub for a counter lunch – which doesn’t happen often enough! However, on a weekend, we love to hook up the caravan and go. Last weekend our son had cricket in Miles, so after we closed the Post Office we took the caravan out there for the weekend. So many beautiful little spots to enjoy!
Only locals know...
that Jandowae has the best BBQ Chef in the Western Downs, Bill Wood.
Our favourite time of year... is school holidays.
We love the commitment of our community to keep all our clubs and events going year in and year out. Most people know each other, and neighbours are always ready to lend a hand.
Eat
The Western Downs is one of Australia’s largest primary producers, providing residents with an opportunity to explore our plentiful local produce. Here’s a taste of what the Jandowae district has to offer...
Play
Painted Power Pole Walk
Award-winning Western Downs artist, Graeme McCullough painted 29 power poles with designs depicting local community groups, services, businesses and landscapes of the local area. Take a stroll and get to know the history of the community, pole by pole.
Athlone Cottage
Throw down a picnic blanket at Lions Park and meander across the road to Athlone Cottage to learn about the heritage of the cottage from the 1890s.
Jandowae Dam
Jandowae Dam is the perfect relaxation spot. Camping isn’t permitted at the dam, however it’s a local favourite for an afternoon of fishing, birdwatching, kayaking or a family barbeque.
Local Sports
Dive in to Jandowae’s active sporting community by joining a team or committee. Squash, golf, bowls, football and tennis are local hot-spots and a great way to meet new people.
Dingo Barrier Fence
Head to the start of the 5,000+ kilometre Dingo Barrier Fence — the longest fence in the world, just 16 kilometres drive from Jandowae.
Welcome to
Experience Jandowae: our small town has a big heart. With plenty to do, including cultural activities, active sporting clubs and groups, and the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, there’s fun activities for the whole family.
Learn
Education for all ages is a priority in the Western Downs. There are 33 schools and 25 regulated childhood education and childcare services in the region. Our libraries also offer online education programs.
Jandowae Early Learning Centre
Children 3 to 5 years
Operates 8:40am to 2:50pm, Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays
Warra St, Jandowae QLD 4410 07 4668 5065 fgpmoreton.org/jandowae-elc
Storytime at Jandowae
Children 5 years and under 10am, 2nd and 5th Tuesday of the month
Jandowae Library 22 George St, Jandowae QLD 4410 07 4668 4480 westerndownslibraries.com
Jandowae State School
Prep to Year 10
44 George St, Jandowae QLD 4410 07 4668 4333 jandowaess.eq.edu.au
Jimbour State School
Prep to Year 6
2421 Dalby-Jandowae Rd, Jimbour East QLD 4406 07 4663 6120 jimbourss.eq.edu.au
Warra State School
Children 3 to 5 years
Prep to Year 6
10 Lytton Street, Warra QLD 441107 07 4668 1144 warrass.eq.edu.au
Connect
Activities & Sporting Clubs
Cooranga North Campdraft
Association
District 9 NBHA Barrel Racing
Jandowae and District Campdraft Association
Jandowae Bowls Club
Jandowae Boxing Club
Jandowae Cottage Craft Inc
Jandowae Fish Hooks Senior Rugby League
Jandowae Garden Club
Jandowae Golf Club
Jandowae Jackaroos Junior Rugby League
Jandowae Junior Rugby League
Jandowae Light Horse Brigade
Jandowae Mens Shed
Jandowae Netball Club
Jandowae Pony Club
Jandowae Race Club
Jandowae Ski Club
Jandowae Social Darts Club
Jandowae Show Committee
Jandowae Squash Club
Jandowae Swimming Club
Jandowae Tennis Club
Jandowae Yarners Craft Group
Sunday Social Jandowae
Keen to volunteer?
Visit www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/volunteering/ for more.
Welcome to
Enjoy a warm connection and immerse yourself in Jandowae, where a wide variety of community and cultural groups—from the arts to social gatherings and volunteering— await you.
Community Groups
Jandowae and District Progress and Heritage Society
Jandowae and District Show Society
Jandowae Business and Community Group
Jandowae Lions Club
Jandowae Fire Brigade
Jandowae Meals on Wheels
Jandowae State School P&C Committee
Jandowae Timbertown Festival Committee
QCWA Cooranga North
QCWA Jinghi Valley
Rural Fire Brigades
Churches
Jandowae Uniting Church
Country Hope Church Jandowae
St Pauls Anglican Church
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church
Essential Services
Emergency
Medical
Jandowae Hospital
07 4668 4555
Jandowae Pharmacy
07 4668 5342
Wambo Medical Centre
07 4668 5188
Additional Services
Australia Post 13 13 18
Jandowae Community
Cultural Centre
1300 268 624
Jandowae QGAP
07 4668 5488
We hoped to find a quiet country town away from the hustle and bustle of the more populated areas with a great community to raise our sons. Jandowae ticked all the boxes for us.
Welcome to
Meet a Newcomer
Liz, Business Owner & Jandowae State School P&C President
Liz and her husband Trev and moved to Jandowae with three two boys almost three and a half years ago. After travelling full-time around Australia, it was time to settle down again — and they found Jandowae to be the perfect spot. Describing her lifestyle as ‘relaxed, easy-going and flexible,’ living in Jandowae gives Liz the opportunity to slow down, connect as a family and be present in her boys’ lives.
Below are Liz’s insider tips for living in Chinchilla.
I
love that for a small town...
Jandowae is so well catered for with medical and emergency services, a P-10 school along with many sporting and recreational clubs. We operate our business from home and I volunteer at the school as P&C President. Our sons have enjoyed participating in sports such as swimming, fitness / boxing classes, karate and tennis.
I always tell my friends and family...
how peaceful and friendly the town is. There’s always someone giving you a wave or stopping for a chat when they meet you on the street.
I want to explore...
Jimbour House. I’d love to do a tour of the building and grounds. It’s so beautiful.
It’s surprised me...
how many industries and opportunities there are for young people to gain a qualification and begin a career in the region. There is also so much support through government and private programs to help our children reach their career goals.
The first person I met was...
Lillian Krog. We stayed at the showground in our caravan while we searched for a home in the area. Lillian was so welcoming and helpful.
My favourite thing...
about living in Jandowae is driving along the Dalby Jandowae Road at dusk and seeing the most incredible sunsets over the paddocks.
22 George Street, Jandowae QLD 4410
1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624)
www.wdrc.qld.gov.au info@wdrc.qld.gov.au
0400 720 4690438 636 884 www.jandowae.cciq.com.au
Corner of George & High Streets, Jandowae QLD 4410
07 4668 4480
www.westerndownsqueensland.com.au tourism@wdrc.qld.gov.au Want
www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/
Welcome to
Acknowledgements
With thanks to Shell’ s QGC Business
With a third of our staff and contractors calling the Western Downs home, we know the region is a fantastic place to live, work and raise a family.
We want more of our employees living locally and we know the Western Downs has so much to offer. We are proud to support the production of these welcome guides for people moving to the area.
Relocating anywhere new is often daunting, with many factors unknown. With information on key resources such as schools, services, businesses and community groups easily accessible in these packs, we’re confident the transition for individuals and families will be made easier.
And by showcasing the unique character of what brings the towns ‘alive’ we are confident your new life in the Western Downs will be exciting.
This guide was funded by Shell’s QGC Business and produced by Western Downs Regional Council. Information is current as at 1 January 2025. With thanks to Karel Brownhall (Karel B Photography) and the Wood and Yule families.
Notes
Welcome to
