Visit Queensland's South East on a Valleys and Vines Drive
Queensland’s Valleys and Vines drive route couldn’t be more aptly named writes Adrienne Costin. The 894km route takes in gorgeous mountain scenery, a flourishing wine industry and fantastically fresh produce on its circumnavigation of South East Queensland.
Taking Brisbane as the starting point, the drive heads into the Gold Coast hinterland to Mt Tamborine, then along the scenic rim to Boonah, out to the southern downs to Stanthorpe and Warwick, up the range to Toowoomba and to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast before heading back to Brisbane.
The route passes along fully sealed roads through green valleys and into one of Queensland's richest agricultural areas. Quaint country towns offer up shops stocked with treasures of antiques and old wares, adventure awaits in the form of abseiling, hang gliding and a ride in a colourful hot air balloon.
It can be hard to believe that Mt Tamborine – the green behind the gold – is only 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. Cosy and comfortable B&Bs hidden within the rainforest make the perfect stopover and flickering fires take away the cold night air.
Walk through Queensland's oldest national park, sample great wines, view waterfalls, glowworms and perhaps a shy lyrebird. Hangliding is a popular pastime, but there is also the option of drifting around in the sky, champagne in hand in a hot air balloon.
Stock up with fresh fruit and vegetables from road side stalls on the way to quaint Boonah in the heart of the scenic rim, a region surrounded by seven national parks and with unsurpassed views across superb scenery of rugged mountains and peaceful lakes.
Out Stanthorpe way, the Granite Belt is home to the largest granite rock formation in the Southern Hemisphere and Queensland's premier wine growing region. It’s also another great spot for snuggling by the fire with a loved one. The biannual Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival is a top time to visit - kick off the shoes and crush some grapes for next year's drop and sample free apples on streets alive with multi-cultural entertainment.
Spend some time discovering the National Parks surrounding Stanthorpe. Enjoy the awesome views along the many walking and driving tracks, and in springtime, the wildflowers. Explore the local wineries and cellar doors enjoying the taste of award winning beverages and local produce.
Call into Warwick before heading off to the Darling Downs. On the way grab a morning tea in Allora, a delightful little town set on the banks of Dalrymple Creek and once the home for author of Mary Poppins, Pamela Travers.
Head upwards to Toowoomba, capital of the Darling Downs, and book into one of the fine accommodation houses on offer. This city enjoys four distinct seasons and is famous for its gardens, even when battling a severe drought.
Drive through the city past magnificently restored buildings and see Australia's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles at the Cobb & Co museum. Head to Picnic Point lookout for a terrific view, and if you are an antique hunter, search out the many bargains to be found.
Then to Noosa. Travel through little country towns with wide streets lined with shady trees, bric-a-brac shops, grand old hotels and colonial style shops. Don’t miss the Mt Mee summit for a spectacular view across burgeoning wineries to Caboolture and Moreton Bay.
Take the back road through picture postcard dairy country, interspersed with rainforests into Maleny, and Mapleton. Visit the galleries and craft shops; soak up the nature at Mary Cairncross National Park, the Mapleton and Kondalilla Falls and the Obi Obi Gorge. If it's a Saturday or Wednesday don’t miss the Eumundi markets.
Arrive at Noosa and park the car before exploring. Breakfast on Hastings Street under tall shady trees as shopkeepers open up boutiques in ready for trading. Stroll along the seaside boardwalk or take the track to the National Park at the end of the street. Don’t miss Laguna Lookout on Noosa Hill for an unspoiled view over rainforest, lakes, secluded bays and coves and the Noosa River.
Drive back to Brisbane and take in the sights of the other Sunshine Coast beaches. Flights are available out of the Sunshine Coast if time is precious.
An hour before Brisbane is Bribie Island - Queensland's only offshore island linked by a bridge. As you cross over the Pumicestone Passage check out the hundreds of birds living there. There’s also some excellent fishing to be done around here. Perhaps another night's stay?
If time is not tight, stretch the journey beyond the seven days. Perhaps spend an extra day or two discovering Lamington National Park, Natural Bridge, O'Reilly's Plateau and the ancient Bunya Mountains- a few more of the region’s natural bounties on offer.
Access is easy. Fly into Brisbane or the Gold Coast at Coolangatta.
Editorial courtesy of Adrienne Costin & Tourism Queensland
Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland