BUNYA MOUNTAINS: Between Kingaroy and Dalby and about 150km from the coast, the Bunya Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range. It is a subtropical range home to the world’s largest forest of Bunya pines, with woodlands, eucalypt and green rain forest and there are rare grasses at high altitude drawing international interest. It is a remarkable, pristine and peaceful mountain range only two and a half to three hours from Brisbane and both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. The adjacent plains give way suddenly to the spectacular mountain range which reaches over 11,00 metres above sea level. The views are stunning with wide panoramas of the South Burnett region and southern plains. The beautiful dome shaped bunya pines have four seasons giving way to vivid colour changes in the rain forest throughout the year. The fireflies come out at dusk in October and bright yellow King Orchids are in bloom. The stars and nocturnal wildlife come out at night. Over 100 species of birdlife attract birdwatchers from around the globe and there are also various wallaby species in their natural habitat. The National Park consists of 11,700 hectares with 40 km of walks where you can visit Paradise Falls, Big Falls and follow the path out to the plains and majestic views. Taking in the crisp morning air at high altitude and overlooking the mist covered rainforest canopy is the ultimate stress relief. There are over 97 properties at the Bunya Mountains catering to families, special functions and school camps. The Bunya Mountains is a majestic place, truly worth a visit.
Hours: Open daily
Price: Accommodation starting from $100 per night. Conditions apply.
Find us: It is not recommended to use a GPS. See location map http://bunyamountains.com/locationmap
Phone: 07/ 4668 3126
Web: http://www.bunyamountains.com.au/
BELL CATHOLIC CHURCH: South west of the Bunya Mountains lies the quaint town of Bell. Travelling long hours on the road lends itself to the quiet contemplation of life’s bigger questions. Visit Bell Catholic Church and admire the beautiful murals painted by Meg Cullum over the years, whose inspiration was derived from the magnificent enlightening murals of overseas churches. The Church’s centenary takes place in May 2012 and a special Biblical garden, with a Way of the Cross marked out by mosaics and sculptures, will be opened to mark the event.
Find us: Cassidy Street, Bell Qld 4408
Phone: 07/ 46631263
Web: http://www.bellcommunity.com/
DALBY TOURIST PARK: Situated on the banks of the Myall Creek and a stone’s throw away from the main street is Dalby Tourist Park. The park offers guests well appointed accommodation from self-contained units and cabins through to powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites. Dalby Tourist Park is only a few minutes’ walk to Dalby’s central business district so it’s a great base for exploring the so called ‘Hub of the Downs’. Some of the things to see and do in Dalby include the Regional Art Gallery, Heritage Trail, Aboriginal Murals, Pioneer Park Museum, sheep and cattle sales, agriculture and gliding to name a few. The visitor information centre is located at the corner of Condamine and Drayton Streets in Dalby’s CBD.
Price: Starting from $22 twin share per night for an unpowered site
Find us: 32 Myall Street, Dalby Qld 4405
Phone: 07/ 4662 4793
Web: http://www.dalby.info/dalbytouristpark/
FRESSER FARM: Home of the world’s finest lint cotton, The Mayfield Farming Cotton Company situated just outside Dalby is where the life of jeans, socks, towels, t-shirts and underwear begins. One of the Darling Downs darling crops the quality cotton produced here is imported all over the world. It takes one 227kg bail of cotton to produce 215 pairs of jeans. There are over 100 countries in the world that produce cotton and at 7,000 years old it is the world’s oldest fibre.
RANGEMORE ESTATE: A farmstay and vineyard property nestled 520 metres high in the foothills of the Bunya Mountains. While Rangemore is known for its tranquil and expansive views of the Bunya Mountains it’s also famous for its goat curry pies and boutique wines. According to estate owner, Dave, goat meat makes the best curry and the goats here are farmed especially for the pies. The estate produces on average two to three thousand bottles of wine each year (provided there is no drought) and has won awards. There’s a café, cellar door, B&B cabins, camping and caravan facilities, bon fire and access to the dam. You can spot some wallabies and kangaroos on site as well.
Hours: 7 days a week
Find us: 366 Malling -Boundary Road, Maclagan Qld 4352
Phone: 07/ 4692 1338
Web: http://www.rangemoreestate.com.au/
JIMBOUR HOUSE: A leisurely 25 minute drive from Dalby is the location of one of Australia’s most gracious historical homes, Jimbour House. Built in 1876, Jimbour House was one of the great properties of the Darling Downs. It stretched over 300,000 acres from the Bunya Mountains to the Condamine River and from the present site of Dalby to Jandowae. Jimbour was modern in its day and the designers strove for comfort and convenience hence gas and water was laid on. The gas was generated from coal won from a mine on the property and water was pumped to the top of a forty foot tower by the first windmill erected in Queensland. The building operations, which lasted about two years, were all done by day labour and the best tradesmen available were engaged on the work. There were originally 24 rooms in the house and the area of the floor space in the building is approximately 23,000 square metres. There was a little town at the station homestead comprising a church, school, butcher, blacksmith, a general store, men’s quarters and housing for married employees. In the old days 200 people lived and worked on the property with 45 shepherds tending 300,000 sheep. Today heritage listed Jimbour house remains a private residence with its interior open only for special events however visitors are welcome to tour the grounds and magnificent gardens which are open daily. The garden entry donation includes access to the “Living History Walk” – an experience of historical plagues, sights and sounds that bring a rich and colourful heritage to life. Every year the Jimbour Station Amphitheatre plays host to a stunning opera performance put on by the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and The Queensland Choir. The event is a huge success and draws crowds from all over the region.
Hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, 7 days
Price: $7 adult, $4 children
Find us: via Dalby-Jandowa Road, Jimbour Qld 4406
Phone: 07/ 4663 6108
Web: http://www.jimbour.com/index.php?MMID=1079&SMID=1107
BUNYA FOREST GALLERY AND TEAROOM: Located in the deep green heart of the tranquil Bunya Mountains Rainforest is the Bunya Forest Gallery and Tearoom. The tearoom is a two time winner of the Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Award for Excellence. Housed in a purpose built Queenslander, the menu showcases the innovative use of Australian bush foods with plenty of fresh, unique mouth-watering treats on offer. The gallery features quality local art and craft inspired by the intrinsic beauty of this ancient land. Artists work in a variety of media to convey the cultural history of the local area. There’s a selection of hand crafted pieces for sale, as well as recipe books that can give your own cuisine a unique Australian touch.
Find us: 14 Bunya Ave, Bunya Mountains Qld 4405
Phone: 07/ 4668 3020
