Dine on farm-fresh produce and try subtropical highland wines while overlooking the rolling foothills of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland’s pastoral heart.
Grassy plains and rippling crop fields stretch out for miles in the rural region of the Darling Downs. Extending west from the slopes of the Great Dividing Range, the Darling Downs has a subtropical highland climate and the region is prominent for its fertile farmland, high-quality produce, fine wines and cheeses. Get to know the hinterland way of life and explore wide open spaces and cosy country towns as you discover the scenic roads and pioneering heritage of this region.
Toowoomba is Queensland’s largest inland city and a major hub in the Darling Downs, cresting the foothills of the mountain range and Lockyer Valley. You can have the region’s finest produce served up to you in Toowoomba’s local restaurants. Visit during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers to see the city burst into colour for 10 days in September. Be sure to try local cheeses and ice creams made using Darling Downs’ renowned dairy milk. Sample some of the Darling Downs’ excellent local wines in the city’s bars or go straight to the source on a tour of the region’s boutique wineries, cellar doors and vineyards.
Head west to begin exploring the Darling Downs’ charming townships and pastoral estates. Check out the rolling hills of Killarney and Stanthorpe, framed by the Bunya Mountains named for the ancient native pines that dot the landscape. The Condamine River meanders through the river-plain towns of Warwick, Dalby and Chinchilla. Learn about the region’s pioneering heritage at the Cobb & Co. Museum in Toowoomba or the Jondaryan Woolshed.
Experience some of the region’s wilderness with a trip to the Main Range National Park. Hike along breathtaking mountain ridges and check out the plunging cascade of Queen Mary Falls. You can also enjoy highland scenery from the natural mountain passes of Cunningham’s Gap and Spicers Gap. Go camping in the Goomburra Forest or the Bunya Mountains National Park.
The Darling Downs encompass a large area of southwest Queensland. Reach Toowoomba within a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and its international airport. Enjoy exciting festivities in spring or try fragrant red wines in the region’s cooler wintertime. It is easiest to explore this region by car and take your time exploring the region’s pretty townships and hidden gems.
