2024 Discover Ipswich Visitor Guide

The Barn at Spicers Hidden Vale

Spicers Hidden Vale

Rosewood Hotel

Tallegalla Cemetery

WALLOON , ROSEWOOD & GRANDCHESTER ITINERARY Country road trippin ' If you’re looking for a country drive with plenty of scenery, then head west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway.

Your first stop is in Walloon at the historic Walloon Hotel . The pub was originally opened in 1891 and features a true country atmosphere and great food. Keep driving west and you’ll end up in the town of Rosewood. Here you can visit the Cobb & Co Heritage Park and the largest timber church in Queensland. St Brigid’s Catholic Church was opened in 1910 and the interior includes murals, a pressed metal ceiling and stained-glass windows. Visitors are welcome to enter unless a church service is in progress. The Rosewood Hotel is another great place to visit, it was re-built after a fire in 1914 and recently refurbished. It is also said to be haunted, so ask about the ghosts when you stop in. Explore the Rosewood Scrub Arboretum at Peace Park in Rosewood. The arboretum is a museum of living plants home to 150 different species. If you’re travelling with the kids visit Pace Park , a golf inspired playground with a giant dome, more than 170 play activities including a double flying fox, in-ground trampoline and carousel. Keep driving west to Grandchester and if it’s the first Sunday of the month stop in at the Grandchester Model Steam Railway . You can ride scaled down versions of real coal burning steam engines here. There’s also the historic Grandchester Station to visit, the end

of the first rail line in Queensland, originally opened in 1865. Turn left on Grandchester Mount Mort Road and drive for roughly another 7km to Spicers Hidden Vale . Set on a sprawling 12,000 acres of natural bushland, this retreat features sophisticated style and embraces country charm. At the heart of the property, you’ll find a grand homestead, home to the award-winning Homage Restaurant . Enjoy paddock-to-plate dishes with produce sourced from generous gardens on site and local producers. Book for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner daily. For the ultimate getaway book to stay the night and add on a wine and cheese tasting. If you’re after some adventure, visit Hidden Vale Adventure Park located on the property, and discover more than 110km of world-class trails suited for mountain bikers, runners and hikers. You could also take a four-wheel-drive tour, go gold panning or enjoy a luxury picnic at a scenic lookout. Onsite you’ll also find the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre , where you can book a tour to learn about koala conservation and take a closer look at native animals like scaly skinks, squirrel gliders and potoroos. On the way home detour via Tallegalla to visit the grave of Sidney Cotton, the real-life inspiration behind James Bond, located in the Tallegalla Cemetery .

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