|
 The South East Queensland region consists of a number of smaller areas which are, heading north to south, from the coast to the hinterland and beyond.
> Fraser Coast South Burnett
> Sunshine Coast
> Brisbane
> Gold Coast
> Southern Downs
> Toowoomba & Golden West
Visit the Southern Downs Region Qld
 This is truly where you can escape the pressures of the city, the humidity of the coast and do as much or as little as you please. This is your alternative Queensland holiday. Sample delicious stone fruits straight from the grower. Tour wineries and taste award-winning wines. Explore the region's history and heritage. Take a bushwalk in spectacular national parks or share the romance of an open log fire. Try your hand at freshwater fishing or fossicking, or go sailing on the region's dams. In the Southern Downs you experience real country life and hospitality, and regardless of how long or short your stay, you'll want to return.
 The region provides a natural alternative to the cities and beaches of the coastal area. The Southern Downs stretches from Cunningham's Gap (120 kilometres south west of Brisbane) in the east, north to Clifton, south to the border town of Wallangarra, and to Inglewood in the west. The region has a population of approximately 38,000 people and prides itself on its old-fashioned hospitality. The principal towns are Warwick, Stanthorpe, Killarney, Allora, Inglewood, Texas and Clifton.
Regional Produce: Queensland's Southern Downs region has a diverse geography, from the rolling fertile hills of the Warwick Shire, the high altitude granite rock country of Stanthorpe Shire, to the wide open plains of the Inglewood and Clifton Shires.
 Warwick produces its famous camembert and brie cheeses, along with asparagus, a variety of vegetable crops and sunflowers, and is a major player in the beef and cattle industry. More recently, Inglewood Shire has developed it's olive growing industry and is fast becoming Australia's Olive capital. There are now more than 340,000 olive trees around Inglewood and the town now boasts a new processing plant. This plant, which is only at stage one at present, is expected to be the largest processing facility of its type in the Southern hemisphere. Clifton Shire is a wheat growing area, that also processes peanuts grown from neighbouring regions.
With more than 35 wineries, Stanthorpe Shire is known as 'Queensland's Wine Capital'. The Granite Belt wineries are boutique wineries, offering visitors an insight into the art of making wine, and a chance to chat to the winemakers. The high altitude and the soil conditions provide for producing grapes with full bodied flavour and excellent wine making qualities. Also prominent throughout the Shire are the fruit orchards producing apples, stone fruits, and berries.
 Accommodation: Queensland's Southern Downs region offers visitors a diverse range of accommodation to choose from. Cosy bed & breakfasts, self contained cottages, host farms, and country retreats, along with motels, pubstays, and caravan and camping parks, allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful surrounds and friendly hospitality the region has to offer.
Heritage: Queensland's Southern Downs region is steeped in history; the area boasts some of Queensland's finest restored sandstone and timber buildings , including Abbey of the Roses, Talgai Homestead and Glengallan Homestead which is a Queensland Heritage Trails Network Project. A Heritage Trail booklet is available for a small fee from visitor information centres within the region, providing information on the historical buildings through out the area.
 Fishing: There are five major dams and many rivers and streams in the Southern Downs region, offering great recreational freshwater fishing. Most of the dams have picnic facilities, shelter sheds, tables and barbeques, providing excellent venues for boating, water-skiing, swimming and sailing. Camping is available at Leslie, Coolmunda, and Glenlyon Dams.
National Parks: Beautiful National Parks are spread throughout the area. There are three national parks plus Goomburra Forest Reserve in the Southern Downs and two more just across the New South Wales border. The National Parks are: Girraween, Sundown and Main Range which is sectioned into Cunningham's Gap, Spicer's Gap, Queen Mary Falls and Mt Roberts. You'll marvel at the balancing rocks at Girraween National Park, one of Queensland's favourites.
 Visitors are rewarded with expansive views and spectacular wildflower displays. Nearby Bald Rock National Park has the largest exposed granite type rock formation in Australia and Boonoo Boonoo National Park has a magnificent 210-metre waterfall.
World Heritage Listed Main Range National Park provides spectacular views of the Scenic Rim. Queen Mary Falls is part of the Main Range, and has a 40 metre waterfall and home to a wonderful variety of bird life. Goomburra State Forest is nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range's Scenic Rim and has recently opened tracks suitable for disabled access.
Attractions: Queensland's Southern Downs region has a number of art galleries, historical museums, pottery and craft, antiques and collectibles stores for visitors to enjoy. Markets are held most weekends within the region, and allow visitors to purchases fresh produce and locally made craft items.
For more information regarding Queensland National Parks and reserves go to Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service.
If travelling to Queensland have a look at Queensland Holidays.
|
e
