The Granite Belt
Two hours drive west of
Brisbane, the Southern Downs is a place of wide open sky, cool air and fertile soil. It is also known as the Granite Belt, stretching from Cunningham's Gap in the east, north to
Allora, south to the border town of Wallangarra, and to
Goondiwindi in the west.
Famous for produce such as stonefruit, vegetables and cheese, the Granite Belt also produces some of the state's award-winning wines. There are some spectacular national parks – Main Range, Queen Mary Falls, Girraween and Sundown – providing exhilarating bushwalks in a dramatic landscape.
With four distinct seasons, the Southern Downs provides an accessible alternative to the cities and beaches of the coastal area. Visitors can experience real country life and hospitality, healthy outdoor pursuits and the romance of log fires on frosty nights.
Darling Downs
The Darling Downs area is fertile country of rolling plains and rich pastures. It stretches west from the garden city of
Toowoomba. Also known as the Golden West, this area is a living patchwork of colourful grain and vegetable crops, grazing properties and vineyards.
Sitting on the edge of the range 800m above the picturesque Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba is a sophisticated city with manicured parks and fine art and antique galleries. Rich in history and offering excellent tourist attractions, it is an ideal base from which to explore the open plains beyond, the friendly rural townships and the rugged national parks. The highways follow the paths of the early explorers, and travelling in this part of Queensland is a tour of discovery, with numerous reminders of the region's proud colonial history and Aboriginal heritage.