7 things to do these school holidays in Queensland Country

From spring flowers and face painting to bush damper-making and cookie decorating, there’s plenty of hands-on activities on the calendar to make Queensland Country the destination of choice during school holidays.

Here are some of the best things to do in Queensland Country over the school holidays.

1. Attend the biggest carnival of the year

The Carnival of Flowers is one of the biggest events on Toowoomba’s calendar each spring and with dedicated kids’ spaces and family-friendly events, the focus isn’t all about the blooms!

While the Grand Central Floral Parade is undoubtedly a star event, make sure you check out the special kids’ zone, the Cubby House, running cooking classes and DIY flower leis. Activities blossom into the evening with dazzling Night Garden displays transforming Queens Park along with fireworks over Sideshow Alley.

Plan your visit with this guide.

2. Explore national parks

Escape the holiday frenzy and get out into the country to see huge granite boulders in Girraween National Park outside Stanthorpe. There are 30 kilometres of walking tracks to choose from, with trails ranging in length and difficulty - it'll be easy to choose something to suit your family's abilities. Camp at Castle Rock or Bald Rock Creek and explore the nearby rock pools and waterholes.

3. Experience farm life

Bestbrook Mountain Farmstay is an adventure in the country the whole family will love. Rise to crisp, mountain air and spend the day taking part in activities like horse trail riding, cow milking, feeding the chickens, making damper and wagon rides. By night, relax around the fire.

When it comes to sleeping, Bestbrook offers accommodation to suit all budgets from bush camping, to their bunkhouse and up to their self contained cabins.

4. Take a trip back in time

If dinosaurs get your kids imaginations running wild, explore Queensland’s megafauna including the Megalania a 500kg goanna at the Cobb & Co Museum. Other permanent displays also highlight the use of wagons and carriages in the development of Queensland, and they are keeping the old crafts alive with hands-on workshops.  

Check the online events program during school holidays, there are hands on activities and learning through fun, with themed holiday programs for 3-12 year olds that include megafauna, insects, reptiles, science experiments and interactive trails. 

5. Spend a day at the zoo

Get up close and personal birds, baboons and a boa constrictor at the Darling Downs Zoo. Book in for big cat encounter for some alone time with an African lion or maybe help feed a Zebra.

Open from 9 am every day except Christmas day, there is no need to book a plane ticket to see a Brazilan Tapir or Capybara.

6. Go horseback riding

Saddle up for a horseback trail ride, roping lesson or whip-cracking lesson and set your inner cowboy or cowgirl free at Cowboy Up. The friendly quarter horses are well trained and love stretching their legs through the working cattle property. As you ride, you might be lucky enough to spot wallabies, wild deer and native birds. The hardest part is handing back the reigns at the end of the ride!

7. Go apples (not bananas)

Take a road trip to Stanthorpe and tick off one of Queensland’s ‘Big Things‘ from the bucket list. Line-up the kids for a snap with the iconic Big Apple (try and position them so they are about to take a bite) then let them tuck into some locally made apple pie while you wind down with a cider at Sutton's.