Page 11 - BOL Dec 20 Jan 21 Holiday Edition

The Moreton Bay region has many beautiful towns to discover, but
if you want to hop in the car and drive a little further, then there
are some equally amazing gems to be enjoyed within a few hours
of our region. So for these holidays, fuel up the car, turn on the

road tripping tunes and plan a day-trip.

Bribie Island, Queensland

the 1kg donut challenge or sample Australia’s first coffee in a
donut. And if that isn’t enough for your tastebuds, then head
out to the Kenilworth Dairies where you can purchase gourmet
cheeses and other dairy products or have a bite to eat at the
café. To stretch your legs head approximately 7km out of town
to check out the massive Moreton Bay figs at the Fig Tree Walk
(780m circuit) or try the slightly longer Little Yabba Circuit (1.8km
circuit.)

Kilcoy
Known for the mysterious and mythological creature – the Yowie
– Kilcoy is home to all things Yowie. Visit Yowie Park, where you Toowoomba Botanic Gardens
can enjoy a picnic, have fun at the playground, take a picture
with the Yowie statue or just relax in the tranquil setting. For Toowoomba
more Yowie-ness sip a Yowie Coffee, tuck into a Yowie burger or Toowoomba is not called the Garden City for nothing! With more
stock up on other Yowie merchandise. Tell the kids to keep their than 150 public parks and even a festival to celebrate flowers
eyes open in case they are one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones to (the Carnival of Flowers held in September) this gorgeous
spot the elusive Yowie. town will not disappoint. High on the hill is the State heritage-
listed Picnic Point Parklands where you can enjoy a picnic and
soak up the panoramic views. Elsewhere there is the peaceful
Japanese Gardens at the University of Southern Queensland,
the lush Queens Park and Botanic Gardens or the popular Laurel
Bank Park. For a more historical take on the region head to the
Cobb+Co Museum where you can explore the range of National
carriages or get up close to fossils. The Highfields Pioneer
Village is a wonderful place where visitors can climb aboard the
Miniature Steam Train (Myrtle May), visit historical buildings,
peruse the museums or snap a pic with the newly unveiled ‘Big
Cow’, which is seven times the size of an Ayrshire cow!!

Tamborine Mountain
Lake Somerset, near Kilcoy Head for the hills and get lost in the magic that is Tamborine
Mountain. Kids and adults will delight in thunder egg fossicking,
Ipswich mini-golf, the high ropes course or laser skirmish at Thunderbird
There are so many brilliant things to do in the historic mining town Park, where you can even stay overnight if you want to extend
of Ipswich, including visiting the Workshops Rail Museum, where your day-trip. Other popular activities include the Tamborine
you can see model railways, embark on a museum heritage tour Rainforest Skywalk, a guided tour at the Glow Worm Caves, or
or marvel at the many carriages on display. For a more laid back partaking in one of the many eateries, wineries or breweries
experience then climb aboard for a train trip at the Queensland dotted throughout the area. A visit to the area would not be
Pioneer Steam Railway. If it is nature you are craving, a visit to complete without experiencing mother nature – Tamborine
the popular Queen’s Park, Denmark Hill Conversation Reserve Botanic Gardens, Curtis Falls, Witches Falls, Cedar Creek Falls and
or Ipswich Nature Centre, will tick all your boxes (you may even the beautiful Tamborine National Park. To finish your visit on the
be able to spot a quoll or an endangered bilby!) Hot air balloon mountain amble along the Gallery Walk, which is home to more
rides are a popular activity in the skies above Ipswich, as is a visit than 70 speciality shops, ranging from antiques, clothing, gift-
to the Ipswich Art Gallery. shops, galleries and more.
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