Brisbane to Toowoomba Lakes Drive - Brisbane to Toowomba via Esk Enjoy picturesque scenery, charming country towns and quirky gift shops on this ...
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Brisbane to Toowoomba Lakes Drive
Brisbane to Toowomba via Esk
Enjoy picturesque scenery, charming country towns and quirky gift shops on this scenic
tour from Brisbane to Toowoomba taking in Wivenhoe, Cressbrook and Perseverance
Dams.
Brisbane to Toowoomba Lakes Drive
Enjoy picturesque scenery, charming country
towns and quirky gift shops on this scenic
tour from Brisbane to Toowoomba taking
in Wivenhoe, Cressbrook and Perseverance
Dams. Spend some time on the water, enjoy
a relaxing picnic or just take in the sights as
you drive through this delightful part of the
country.
Head west from Brisbane on the Warrego
Highway. Just west of Blacksoil follow the
signs to Wivenhoe Dam and turn onto the
Brisbane Valley Highway. For those looking
for a bit of action and adventure, the
National Paintball Fields are located on the
corner of the Brisbane Valley Highway and
Coach Lane and offer a range of paintball
missions set over 30 acres of varied terrain
on Saturdays and Sundays.
Fernvale – 59.9km
Continue along the Brisbane Valley Highway
to the picturesque village of Fernvale.
The town is a popular rest stop for people
heading to Wivenhoe Dam, especially on
Sundays when they hold their colourful
markets at the Fernvale State School Oval.
There are a number of places to stop for a
snack or a meal including the Old Fernvale
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Bakery and the Fernvale Hotel which are both on the main road. If you would like some tips
on things to do in the area or need to buy a boat permit before heading to the lakes you can
stop in at the Fernvale Futures Complex. The Complex houses an information centre and
is set in a pretty park environment which includes children’s playground, picnic tables and
public toilets.
Wivenhoe Dam - Lake Wivenhoe
Follow the Brisbane Valley Highway to Wivenhoe Dam. There are a number of rest stops,
camping and day use areas along the banks of Lake Wivenhoe which allow visitors to make
the most of this spectacular water reserve. Lake Wivenhoe provides the main water supply
to Brisbane, holding twice the water of Sydney Harbour, and is popular with fishermen,
boaties and day trippers.
Cormorant Bay – 7.5km
Turn off to the signed Cormorant Bay rest area. The large, well maintained park area offers
barbeques and picnic areas along with a playground and public toilets. Alternatively,
Wednesday to Sunday you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at the Cormorant
Bay Cafe & Kiosk which affords spectacular views over Wivenhoe Dam all the way to the
Somerset Mountains.
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Enjoy the impressive views as you drive
across the spillway wall and on to the
modern Wivenhoe Dam Information Centre.
Wivenhoe Dam Information Centre – 2.8km
The Wivenhoe Dam Information Centre
offers a range of informative pamphlets
and helpful staff who can provide an insight
into the area. The informative interactive
displays show information about the Dam
and the environment through a series of
signs, models, touch screens and fish tanks.
The surrounding grounds are dotted with
picnic benches and interpretive signs all
with impressive views over the lake.
Logan Inlet Day Use Area – 6.9km
Take the Hay Road turn off to reach Logan
Inlet Road. Logan Inlet Day Use Area is a
popular spot with visitors and the park
affords beautiful views over the lake. Have
a waterside picnic or barbeque at one of
the gazebos while the kids have fun on the
playground equipment.
The nearby Captain Logan Camp Ground
offers hot showers and fire places. Campers
can bring their own wood or purchase it
from the Park Office which is open Thursday
to Monday.
Rejoin the Brisbane Valley Highway and
continue on towards Esk. As you drive you
will catch glimpses of the shimmering lake
through the trees that line the road.
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Esk – 27.2km
Esk is a lively town which makes for a great
place to stop along the route. Visit the
Visitor Information Centre for information
about the diverse range of attractions the
area has to offer from abseiling and sky
diving to camel bush safaris and antiques
shopping. The centre of Esk is a treasure
trove of delights with quirky antiques
shops, charming cafes and restaurants.
If you have an appetite there is plenty to
choose from including Indian to Thai, have
a hearty counter meal at the local pub or
indulge in a range of delicious cakes and
pies from the Esk Bakery.
A great place to stretch the legs and get
some fresh air is the impressive Pipelines
Park which is the location of the weekly
Saturday Esk Country Markets. The park
is part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and
incorporates the old Esk Railway Station
building along with walking paths, modern
fitness equipment trail and children’s
playground.
Take the Esk – Hampton Road out of town.
The tree lined road offers pretty views as
you begin to wind your way up through
the mountains. Take advantage of the
lookout stops along the side of the road to
appreciate the picturesque scenery. Take a
right hand turn off onto Philip Road, then
left onto Ravensbourne Dip Road briefly
before taking the first right onto Mount
Jockey Road towards lake country.
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Drive through attractive rural surrounds, ferns and trees, interspersed with paddocks of
cows and charming country homes. Just before Mount Jockey Road becomes Perseverance
Dam Road keep an eye out for the sign to the turn off to the Cressbrook Dam Day Use Area
which is well worth a visit.
Lake Cressbrook – 36.1km
The extensive day use area at Lake Cressbrook is a highlight on the tour. It is open 6am to
8pm September to April and 7am to 6pm May to August and costs $3.00 per vehicle to enter
the boom gate. If you are feeling energetic take the 6.7km walking track from the day area
or test your skills on the beach volleyball court or basketball hoop. The park includes a well
maintained children’s playground, public toilets, boat ramp, barbeques and gazebo style
picnic areas, all in a tranquil waterfront setting.
Perseverance Dam – 5.2km
Before reaching the dam wall there is a small park with picnic tables, barbeques and
playground where you can enjoy the peaceful bushland setting. Take a drive across the dam
wall and appreciate the impressive view.
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Crows Nest – 8.7km
Continue through the tranquil setting along
Perseverance Dam Road until you reach
Charles Street which leads onto the New
England Highway. Continue on into Crows
Nest which offers a range of attractions and
things to see. Centenary Park in the centre
of town is the site of the Jimmy Crow
Memorial Statue and a war memorial to
those that served in World War One. There
are also public toilets, playground and
barbeques available. Take a stroll around
the surrounding shops including art and
craft shops, the old post office, Grand Old
Crow Hotel and the popular Salt’s Antiques
just down the road.
For those looking for a little local culture,
pay a visit to the Regional art gallery on
Thallon Street for a range of local and
touring artists or stop by Crows Nest Folk
Museum & Village featuring ‘Carbethon’
which will transport you a century into the
past with a range of old time buildings and
displays.
If you are more of the wining and dining
persuasion you may like to visit the pretty
gardens and charming cellar door and gift
shop at Holland Wines at 89 Pierces Creek
Road or indulge in a Sunday wine tasting at
Bunnyconnellen Olive Grove & Vineyard at
266 Swain Road.
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Once you have explored Crows Nest head back south out of town. Bullocky’s Rest is a
pretty little park on Toowoomba Road, opposite John Street, which has picnic tables, toilets
and barbeques along with a display to commemorate the bullockies and their teams who
pioneered the timber industry in the area in the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Hampton – 11.9km
Enjoy the fresh mountain air at Hampton and pay a visit to their Information Centre, which
is located on the New England Highway in a pretty garden setting with public toilets and
a children’s playground. If you are craving a snack or coffee then head across the road to
Flavours at Hampton Cafe and Gallery which has a range of treats to tempt your taste buds.
Continue along the New England Highway and take in the beauty of this section of highway,
known locally as Cathedral Way as the tall trees that line the road gives the feeling of driving
through a natural cathedral.
Cabarlah – 12km
For a tasty, hearty pub meal right on the highway call into the Farmers Arms which was
established in 1863 and claims to be the longest holders of a continuous liquor licence in
Queensland. It is a popular lunch destination after the nearby Cabarlah Markets which are
held on the last Sunday of the month and sell a range of local produce, art and craft, food
and second hand items.
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For something unique visit the Black
Forrest Hill Cuckoo Clock Centre, also on
the New England Highway. The Centre
is open Tuesday to Sunday and is home
to Australia’s largest display of German
imported grandfather and cuckoo clocks.
They also stock a range of Austrian linen,
music boxes, beer steins and souvenirs.
Highfields – 6.6km
The stretch of Highway through Highfields
is often referred to as ‘the wander’s way’
as there is so much to see you won’t have
any trouble whiling away the hours as you
meander amongst the shops and cafes.
The Danish Flower Art Centre can often be
recognised by the rows of gourds drying in
the sun along the fences and is a must visit
for crafters. They offer an extensive range of
beads, crystals, craft kits, dried flowers, gifts
and much more.
The Village Green is home to the much
loved Chocolate Cottage Cafe which offers
delicious meals and coffee 6 days a week
(closed Tuesday) along with an array of
homemade chocolates which will delight
even the most avid chocolate lover. The
grassy outdoor area provides views over the
Toowoomba range and is edged with a
selection of charming gift shops with a
range of home wares, art and crafts.
9Just across the road is Jacaranda Manor
where you can have a coffee in the cafe,
indulge your sweet tooth in the fudge
factory or get creative in the craft shop.
Take a wander through the Abbie Lane Arts
& Craft Village, a short distance down the
road. The village includes an old church
which has been lovingly transformed into a
country craft shop, nestled in a lane filled
with unique craft and gift shops. The village
offers an array of gifts, jewellery, candles,
country style craft and confectionary.
Open 7 days.
Mount Kynoch Lookout – 10km
As you continue along the New England
Highway towards Toowoomba City, keep
an eye out for the sign to the Mount
Kynoch Lookout. The small park provides
spectacular views over the city and
surrounding areas along with public
bathrooms, barbeque and picnic facilities.
10Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre – 9.2km
Drop in to the Visitor Information Centre on James Street which is a great place to begin your
exploration of Toowoomba and the region. The centre is staffed by knowledgeable locals who
can provide advice on the best things to do and see. There is also a range of local produce
and souvenirs available for sale.
Toowoomba is a vibrant city with a wealth of fine dining, cultural centres and great
shopping to satisfy the most discerning visitor; all combined with a friendly country sense of
hospitality. Spend some time exploring this beautiful city with its hundreds of public gardens
and parks or use it as a base to venture a little further afield to the charming towns that
make up the Southern Queensland Country Region.
Images courtesy of RACQ unless otherwise stated.
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