Southern Queensland Country National Parks and Nature

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  2. Explore Queensland
  3. Southern Queensland Country
  4. Things to do in Southern Queensland Country
  5. National Parks and Nature in Southern Queensland Country

You’ll be surrounded by natural wonders when discovering Southern Queensland Country. Explore huge granite boulders towering above open forests in Girraween National Park, dense subtropical rainforests found in the Bunya Mountains and feel the cool spray of Queen Mary Falls, near Killarney. 

If you're looking for a weekend getaway or a Sunday drive, you'll be spoilt for choice. From sunlfowers fields lining country roads in summer to enjoying the views of Picnic Point Lookout in Toowoomba or relax at picturesque Lake Boondoomba - delightful!

With everything from waterfalls to swimming holes, picnic spots to breath-taking national parks that form part of the Great Dividing Range, you'll be spoilt for choice with these natural encounters.  So start planning your next weekend getaway or Sunday drive now, it's all just a short drive from Brisbane!

Bunya Mountains

Traditionally a meeting place for Aboriginal tribes, the Bunya Mountains is a natural wonderland and an offshoot of the Great Dividing Range formed about 30 million years ago and shelters the largest ancient bunya pine forest in the world today. This recently declared national park is the second oldest in Queensland where you'll discover dense rainforest, grasslands and water falls which make for unique walking trails where you'll also be able to spot native wildlife from wallabies to 121 species of birds.

Just two hours from Brisbane, the Bunya Mountains makes for the perfect next day trip or weekend escape with various accommodation options also available. 



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Nanango Fauna Reserve

Nanango, South Burnett Area
Free Entry
Just ten minutes out of Nanango, the peaceful Nanango Fauna Reserve offers many different environments to explore, from seasonal waterholes to eucalypt woodland, acacia scrub, and dry vine scrub. It is a bird watcher's delight with a variety of species to be found including the Yellow-Faced Honeyeater, Australian Darter, Varied Sittella, Nankeen Night Heron, and Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant.

Lake Boondooma

Proston, South Burnett Area
Free Entry
Peaceful Lake Boondooma is paradise for anglers, campers, bird watchers and water sports enthusiasts. The 1,900 hectare dam was purpose-built across the Boyne River in 1983 to provide a water supply to the Tarong Power Station.

Araucaria Falls track, Main Range National Park

Multiple Locations
Discover the spectacular beauty of the Araucaria Falls on this short track flanked by lush subtropical rainforest. Wind gracefully along a gully lined with brush box and gently climb to this small but spectacular waterfall.

Queen Mary Falls, Main Range National Park

The Falls, Southern Downs Area
Free Entry
A landscape of rugged mountains, spectacular lookouts, exhilarating walks, dappled forests and unique wildlife is waiting to be explored. Settle in for a morning cuppa or barbecue picnic lunch at this shady spot nestled in fragrant eucalypt forest.

Gordonbrook Dam

Kingaroy, South Burnett Area
Free Entry
Gordonbrook Dam is the sole water supply for Kingaroy and a peaceful spot to unwind. Originally built in 1941 as a water supply for the Royal Australian Air Force Training Base during WWII, the dam wall was raised in 1987 to inundate an area of 229 hectares - the dam we have today.

Picnic Point Lookout And Parkland

Toowoomba, Toowoomba Area
Free Entry
Don't miss the panoramic views from Toowoomba's heritage-listed Picnic Point Lookout and Parkland - 160-acres perched high on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, overlooking Main Range and the Lockyer Valley.

Stonestreets Coaches

Multiple Locations
Stonestreets Coaches and Stonestreets Travel offer a range of services including day tours, short escapes, extended tours, four-wheel drive coach tours around Australia and escorted international tours.

Fun Over Fifty Travel and Tours

Multiple Locations
Choose a fully escorted tour from a selection of Coastal and Outback experiences throughout Queensland. Fun Over Fifty Queensland tours offer `Gold Class' coach tours and rail tours that have been specifically designed for the 50s plus market.

Queensland Public Gallery Trail

Multiple Locations
The Queensland gallery network is abuzz with exciting activities and beautiful art. Experience local and national art while you travel from A to B through Queensland’s culturally vibrant cities and towns.

Prestige Day Tours

Multiple Locations
Prestige Day Tours is Brisbane’s only high-end tour operator offering luxury touring to stunning destinations with highly personalised service. They use Mercedes Benz vehicles and limit group size to a maximum of six guests per vehicle to ensure your comfort all day.
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Girraween National Park

You'll find the spectacular and popular Girraween National Park, outside Stanthorpe in southern Queensland. Unlike other national parks, this one replaces rainforests with rocks, and stands alone from its neighbours, Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park. A bush walkers wonderland, the park has over 30 kilometres of walking trails available from exploring the famed Granite Arch to The Pyramid for great views over the park, it's hard to fit everything in! Rest assured, camping is an option. Castle Rock or Bald Rock Creek camping areas or relax with a picnic in the shady Bald Rock Creek day-use area for day trippers.  

Check out our guide to tackling this rugged beauty. 

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