Category: Queensland

Nestled at the foot of Mount Cooroora, Pomona is a relaxed country town with some pleasant easy walking tracks around the delightful parks. Pomona was first settled in the late 1880s and the railway that arrived in 1891 started the expansion of the agricultural industries. Originally known as Pinbarren siding the name was changed in 1906 to Pomona, named after the Roman goddess of fruit and orchards. In 1909 Pomona was the administrative centre fro Noosa shire. The town prospered and declined along with the changing agricultural industry. Pomona is located about 25 minutes from Noosa, just beyond Cooroy. The drive is very pleasant and can be linked as part of a circuit to include Boreen Point on the return journey. There are many historical attractions along with some pleasant cafes. Distance from Brisbane (State Capital): 166 Kilometres.

Karragarra is the smallest of the bay islands, and has a very small permanent population. It is a very tranquil, peaceful place to visit. ‘Karra’, as it is affectionately known has no store or retail facilities – one of the secrets to remaining a quiet and peaceful place to be enjoyed by visitors looking for seclusion and tranquility. There are some public amenities for visitors to enjoy – Karragarra has a beach with a jetty for mooring boats and fishing. The beach sits in a beautiful secluded position with an enclosed swimming area and free electric barbecues and undercover seating for the rare rainy days. Take a leisurely walk through the rainforest, or along the esplanade. There is also a local historical museum and an artist’s studio with interesting pieces on display.

Eidsvold, beef capital of the Burnett, is named after ‘Eidsvoll’ in Norway. The area was first settled in 1848 and with the discovery of Gold in 1887 became a populous centre for miners. Indigenous communities lived in the area before European settlement and continue to rediscover their traditions today with a strong presence. Cattle, timber, citrus and vegetable crops are the backbone of this rural economy. The area offers wide, open spaces, country drives and a relaxing stop along Highway 17. Sites around Eidsvold of interest include the Eidsvold Historical Complex, Tolderodden Environmental Heritage Park, Alice Maslen hitching rail, a World War II inland defence road to Cracow and historic Eidsvold Station. Wuruma Dam nearby offers fishing and recreation. The Ceradatodus Rest area just north of town offers an insight into the area’s past with historic photos on display. Partially unsealed roads offer a shortcut through Mt Perry back to Bundaberg.

Dingo is a small town located just across the railway line from the Capricorn Highway. A bronze statue of a Dingo is in the town commemorating the town’s name. There is accommodation at the cattle station, where you can horse ride and muster. Dingo also holds the annual World Championship Dingo Trap Throwing and Picnic Races in July. For more information, just ask at the 24 hour service station on the Highway.

Located just to the south of Emu Park and Yeppoon, along the Capricorn Coast. Zilzie is gaining high prominence as one of Australia’s booming destinations, with significant new tourism and residential developments underway. With beautiful beaches and magnificent views across to the Keppel Islands, just 35 minutes from Rockhampton.

Wilson Island is a beautiful coral cay which serves as a wildlife sanctuary on the Great Barrier Reef. Wilson Island is an important turtle and bird rookery fringed by a white coral beach and covered with pisonia forest. The wonders of the reef are just below the waterline. There is limited accommodation on the Island.

Amby, originally called Amby Creek, became a township in 1883 and forms part of the eastern boundary of the Outback region. It can best be described as where the grain and the grazing belts meet. The Old Stage Changeover Shanty – known to the locals as Netting Hole – dates back to 1875 and is located on the northern side of town, along the Warrego Highway near Amby Downs waterhole. Amby Quarry, located on the western side of town, is a lava flow of pure basalt ten metres deep, five kilometres wide and sixty-four kilometres long. It is quarried for construction of roads, bridges and dams. Fossils can be found occasionally in the lava. Renowned for its country hospitality, stop and meet the locals and take up the challenge of the ‘no horse’ golf course.

Cooyar is a small town in the Rosalie Shire, located north of Toowoomba on the New England Highway. The suspension bridge is a real talking point in this town. It was rebuilt in 1988 after a devastating flood swept away the previous bridge, a local hall, three houses and several cars. The bridge is located in Swinging Bridge Park in Cooyar, a short distance from the Cooyar Hotel. A general store and toilet facilities are available nearby. Cooyar’s yearly show features great country show competitions, including the night rodeo. Cooyar also boasts the tiny Palms national Park, which preserves remnant rainforest and a stand of piccabeen palms in a spring-fed gully.

This town with the longest single place name in Queensland is known locally simply as ‘The Bun’. This enthusiastic township recently won the community action award in the Tidy Towns Competition and is a regular finalist and category winner. Kaimkillenbun was the setting for the movie ‘Chase Through the Night’ which starred Nicole Kidman and it is also the birthplace of Olympic basketballer, John Dorge. Accommodation and country meals are available at the historical ‘Bun Pub.’