Seven Queensland Country getaways with a story to tell
Sometimes, the best remedy for a busy schedule is a little country time. A long lunch among the vineyards, a weekend under wide-open skies or a chance to swap city streets for roads less travelled. Across Queensland Country, experiences like these are plentiful – and a new campaign is giving explorers the chance to connect with the growers, makers and artisans who shape the region’s food, wine, produce and handcrafted goods.
Made in Queensland Country is inviting travellers to discover the stories behind some of the region’s most memorable experiences. From cool-climate wineries and cotton farms to sapphire fossicking adventures and farm-fresh feasts, the campaign shines a spotlight on the people and places that make Queensland Country unique. And with ten regional holiday prizes worth more than $10,000 up for grabs, all that’s left to do is decide where to go first. So, get those road-trip playlists ready – these Queensland Country regions are calling …
Toowoomba | Crafted by Country
The Toowoomba Region is proof that country getaways don’t have to mean slowing down. One minute you’re exploring the historic halls of Queensland Museum Cobb+Co and stepping back into Queensland’s transport history, the next you’re settling into a seat at The Empire, Australia’s largest regional theatre, for a world-class performance. Heritage lovers can make the pilgrimage to Jondaryan Woolshed, while August sees Queensland Fringe bring headliners including Jim Jefferies, Vanessa Amorosi and Dami Im to town. Visit in spring and you’ll find the city at its most colourful during the iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. With stylish stays like Potters Hotel and Oaks Toowoomba Hotel close to the action, it’s an easy escape packed with culture, history and creativity. Explore more of Toowoomba here.
Somerset | Produce to Picnic
Somerset’s story begins long before the picnic rug is rolled out. Across the region, growers and makers are transforming orchard harvests into artisan preserves, fresh produce and local flavours that find their way onto cafe tables, country pub menus and picnic baskets. Grab a table at Fernvale favourite Splityard Social, seek out the farm gate shop at Cumquats Australia and stock up on handcrafted goodies before heading out to explore the region. The historic Linville Hotel offers a charming country stay along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, while The Archer Retreat pairs panoramic mountain views with peaceful surrounds. Time your visit with the Esk Garden Fair and you’ll discover why green thumbs from across South East Queensland make the journey each year. Explore more of Somerset here.
Lockyer Valley | Harvest to Table
In the Lockyer Valley, the connection between paddock and plate is impossible to miss. Stay at Valhalla Glamping, a luxury retreat set on a 2000-acre working cattle and flower farm, then spend your days discovering the growers, producers and local characters who help make the region one of Australia’s most important food bowls. Enjoy a meal at Tins & Trays, where local produce takes centre stage, or join Native Oz Bushfoods & Cultural Eco Tours for a deeper understanding of the landscape and its traditional connections. If you’re visiting in spring, the colourful Laidley Spring Festival brings together produce, community spirit and country hospitality in one lively celebration. Explore more of the Lockyer Valley here.
Western Downs | Paddock to Plate
Wide-open spaces and warm country hospitality define the Western Downs. Before the meals are shared and the campfire stories begin, there’s a community of farmers, producers and hospitality operators helping bring the experience to life. At Charleys Creek near Chinchilla, visitors can sample premium wagyu and enjoy a beer brewed on site while learning about life on the land. Riverbank Glamping offers a front-row seat to the Condamine River, while the Bunya Mountains deliver bushwalks, wildlife encounters and sweeping views just a few hours from Brisbane. Add in the fascinating Miles Historical Village Museum and the quirky Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races, and you’ve got a region that rewards those willing to venture beyond the highway. Explore more of the Western Downs here.
Southern Downs & Granite Belt | Vine to Vintage
Queensland’s premier wine region invites visitors to discover the journey from vine to glass. Spend your days exploring cellar doors like Ridgemill Estate, New Tricks Winery and Dear Vincent Wines, enjoying food-and-wine experiences at Heritage Estate and sampling local flavours at Ballandean Pub and Jamworks Gourmet Foods. Accommodation ranges from farm stays and tiny-house retreats to vineyard camping experiences, making it easy to turn a tasting into a long weekend. Time your visit with The Western Way Showcase on Saturday August 1 for a celebration of horsemanship, fashion, food and music, or head to the Historic Leyburn Sprints, where more than 250 classic and performance cars take over the streets of the Southern Downs town. Explore the Southern Downs & Granite Belt here.
Goondiwindi | Fields to Fashion
Goondiwindi’s story begins in the cotton fields, with Goondiwindi Cotton Tours offering a fascinating glimpse into one of Queensland’s most important agricultural industries. While cotton may be at the heart of the region’s story, Goondiwindi, Texas, Yelarbon and Inglewood each offer their own slice of Queensland Country charm. Spend a morning exploring local history at the Customs House Museum, admire the recycled-metal sculptures of artist Angus Wilson or unwind beside Yelarbon Lagoon before refuelling with country hospitality at the Stockman Hotel in Texas or homemade fare at CC Cafe. Whether you’re checking into 40 on Marshall Boutique Hotel in the heart of Goondiwindi, glamping beside a lake at Coolmunda Getaway or escaping to Lanarium Retreat’s working cattle and grain property near Thallon, this corner of Queensland Country offers more than enough to fill a long weekend. Explore Goondiwindi here.
Central Queensland Highlands | Earth to Elegance
Before a sapphire becomes a treasured keepsake, it begins beneath the rugged landscapes of Queensland’s Sapphire Gemfields. The Central Queensland Highlands invites visitors to uncover that journey firsthand, whether fossicking for gemstones at Pats Gems Tourist Fossicking Park or learning from local experts at the Rubyvale Gem Gallery or Gemfields Lapidary & Craft Club. Time your trip with the Jewel of the Gemfields event in August and you’ll find hundreds of exhibitors showcasing sapphires, opals, gems and jewellery from across the region. Visitors can base themselves at Sapphire Caravan and Cabin Park, Sandstone Park Carnarvon Gorge or BIG4 Carnarvon Gorge Holiday Park, combining gemstone discoveries with one of Queensland’s most spectacular natural landscapes. Explore the Central Queensland Highlands here.
Inspired to experience Queensland Country for yourself? Visit the website to discover the stories, places and experiences behind Queensland Country and enter the competition for your chance to win one of ten regional holiday prizes.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Queensland Country.
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