If you are looking to relive the old west, but with a twist, a visit to Queensland’s Western Downs should definitely be on your Australian vacation itinerary. Located in southwestern Queensland, about 140 kilometers from Brisbane, the region is dominated by rolling hills of farmland where you can expect to see wide fields of crops such as cotton and wheat, wineries, and ranches raising cows, pigs, or sheep. It is rural Australia at its best, and can offer visitors a very affordable vacation package.
The area is easily explored by following a few of the major highways that run through the region, particularly the Warrego Highway from Brisbane, the Leichhardt Highway and the Great Inland Way. This network of highways will take you through the major towns, national parks, and historic places in the Western Downs. Highlights of the Great Inland Way include Roma, the town where oil and gas was first discovered in Australia, Hebel, where Ned Kelly and his band of bushrangers hid out from the law, and the Nindigully Pub, one of Australia’s oldest pubs. The Warrego Highway takes travelers across the Darling Downs towards Charleville, a bustling Outback town, and is one of the oldest highways in Australia. If learning more about Australia’s first pilgrims interests you, you’ll find the Leichhardt Highway a great option with its many historical villages and country towns. Highlights in the area include the Carnarvon Gorge National Park, the town of Chinchilla, which is the melon capital of Australia, and the Miles Historical Village in the Murilla Shire. St. George is home to the Nindigully Pub, and is also a place to view uniquely carved emu eggs.
Visitors will find that accommodations are varied throughout the region and include motels, farm stays, and even country pubs! Roma is considered the service centre of the region, and makes a great place to stay while exploring the Western Downs.
Although the downtown core of Brisbane has much to offer tourists, the outlying suburbs are not to be missed. These individual pockets are chock full of fun and unique things to do and see.
Although small, Rosalie is a very enjoyable district in Brisbane known for its fine dining and creative menus. Additionally, the area is home to the Blue Room Cinebar, a boutique movie theatre with intimate and luxurious cinemas, a full restaurant, and where wine, beer and food can be ordered and served to you at your seat. After catching a film, head over to the Cold Rock Ice Creamery for world-class ice cream.
If a Beverly Hills experience is more your style, head over to Milton, an upscale suburb that was one of the first around Brisbane to undergo revitalization. The unique shops are very ritzy, and sports cars are not hard to find! Don’t miss the Cora Hotel, a refurbished historic landmark, as well as the Castlemaine Brewery built in 1878. On the other end of the spectrum is Fortitude Valley, known for its large arts community and progressive and funky designers. Brunswick Street Mall is an eclectic variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes, and a great place to start your trip to The Valley, as it is known. The Valley is also home to Brisbane’s Chinatown. For a variety of ethnic experiences, the West End is also a great place to visit with its diverse mix of cultures.
If you enjoy outdoor activity, be sure to spend some time at Kangaroo Point, where you can picnic, kayak, or try rock climbing. New Farm is another lovely stop, and is home to the fourteen-acre New Farm Park. Also of note is the Brisbane Powerhouse, a building of remarkable architecture that is home to many of Brisbane’s concerts and performances.
As the capital of Queensland, it’s no wonder that Brisbane is a happening city. With a wide variety of activities sure to suit everyone, the city is a great place for travelers of all kinds to enjoy themselves. If you plan on exploring Australia’s third most populous state, Brisbane is a perfect home base, with many outlying regions of Queensland not much more than an hour’s drive from the city.
With the river winding its way right through the heart of the city, taking a river cruise or ferry is a fabulous way to explore Brisbane. This is truly a beautiful city, with a multitude of green parks and old buildings combined with state of the art new architecture. There is no better place in Queensland to indulge in shopping, so if you are looking for something to buy there is no end of possibilities. Visit the Queen Street Mall with its nearly one kilometer length of shops; an area known as The Valley where cutting edge young designers can sell you the latest in clothing and jewelry; or Little Stanley Street for riverside, upscale shops. If outdoor markets are more your style, Brisbane has several on most weekends.
For those looking for more of a cultural experience, Brisbane offers many fantastic options. The Gallery of Modern Art is Australia’s largest modern art museum, and is a must-see for art lovers. The Queensland Museum & Science Centre, State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Art Gallery are all located near the Gallery of Modern Art on the south bank of the Brisbane River. The area is known as the cultural hub of Brisbane and is also home to many of the performing arts groups in Brisbane, including ballet, opera, theatre and orchestra.
Whether you are looking for a hot and exciting nightlife or a fun and carefree day with the family, Brisbane is sure to not disappoint.
