The Bunya Mountains is the perfect place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you just want to sit by the fire with a glass of wine or are feeling more energetic, there is something for everyone here.
Fishers Lookout is the perfect spot to see for miles. Walk up the grassy knoll to admire the view and orient yourself with the towns and cities that surround us. Stay for sunset and gaze out as the sun goes down over the horizon which seems to stretch forever. Stay a bit longer to admire a billion stars, look for shooting stars and watch the light twinkling from the local towns and cities.
Enjoy Being on Top of the Clouds or in amongst it with our legendary morning mists! Experience real mountain fog where you can barely see 50m in front of you.
Stand quietly in the rainforest and soak up the calm, peaceful, revitalising and healing energy of the forest. Listen to the birds and wildlife around you and feel your cares and worries float away in the mountain breezes.
Enjoy a coffee and our famous Bunya nut and carrot cake or Bunya Nut scones at Poppies on the Hill Café. If you want something a bit more substantial, pick something for lunch from our extensive menu of homemade meals from locally sourced ingredients. We cater for all dietary requirements so please come and talk to us. Poppies on the Hill can also arrange BBQ packs for you and your family that has everything you need to have a great BBQ at your chalet.
Spotlighting at night to try and spot nocturnal animals such as sugar gliders, mountain brushtail possums and the smaller ringtail possums. Watch out for the Great-barred frogs waiting to catch unsuspecting insects.
Cedarvale History Cottage is a great outing to read about the history of the Bunya Mountains and the lives of the timber cutters and their families that used to inhabit the area. Cedarvale is open 10am – 3pm every Saturday and Sunday (market days and long weekend only) and is manned by volunteers from the Natural History Association.
Fireflies are out in October/November and can be seen along the forest line for about an hour from dusk until dark. Watch the sunset at Fishers Lookout then walk slowly down Bunya Mountains Road marvelling at these flashing beetles.
Chocolate Wattle Bats (Chalinolobus morio) emerge at dusk in October/November to feed on insects. Bunya Mountains is home to Australia’s largest colony! Station yourself quietly near the old timber school house where the bats live in the ceiling to see them flit out for their nightly adventures. In winter the bats reportedly roost in the Muntapa tunnels between Cooyar and Peranga.
Be one with Nature as you experience interacting with our local birds, animals, tree and plants.
Bunya Nuts are Falling in February/March and can weigh up to 8kg. Go hunting for these nuts and see the cones gnawed away by some of our sharp toothed local inhabitants. Be careful not to park under these giant trees while the nuts are dropping!
Timber Chutes in Russell Park are an interesting part of our history along Carbines Chute or Chute No.3. You can see the scars of Carbines Chute clearly from the Dalby road.
King Orchids flower in September/October and are stunning. Walk along the tracks from Westcott or Cherry Plains to try and spot the bright yellow flowers clinging on to the sides of cliffs.
Walk through the giant strangler fig on the 4km scenic circuit. This magnificent tree has a walking platform built right through the middle and has been the site of many hide & seek games over the years. While you’re on the 4km scenic circuit, keep an eye out in ponds and streams for the large tadpoles of the great barred frog.
Outdoor Sports – A Tennis court available for hire through our reception office – cost is $15/hour and bookings are essential. Pop in and see us or phone today to book. (day use only)
General Store for more information please contact 07 4668 3131.
Horse & Cart Rides with Allan – enjoy the novelty of being powered by 2 enormous draught horses while learning about the local plants and wildlife from a true local. For more information or booking, please contact Allan direct on 07 4668 3115.
Plan your next trip to the mountain – Grab a brochure from our office and talk to us about houses to suit your next holiday. Borrow a gate key from us and go for a drive in the locked gate estates, as well as the properties along Bunya Avenue, Tolmie Street and Bell Street. Too much choice? Come and have a chat to our friendly office staff and we can help find you the perfect property.
Places of Interest
Galleries
Bluebelles Art Gallery and Pips and Cherries
Bluebelles Art Gallery has been operating out of the Bell Bunya Community Centre since October 2012, and is managed by the dedicated members of the Bell Art Group Inc. Pips and Cherries have n amazing atmosphere with their swanky cafe and coffee shop.
Location: Bell
Crow’s Nest Regional Art Gallery
Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery actively nurtures and promotes the local artistic community, with monthly exhibitions featuring the original works of local painters, sculptors, photographers, textile artists, ceramicists, printmakers and wood turners.
Location: Crow’s Nest
Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery is the place if you’re looking for beautiful local art or a creative keepsake of your travels. It’s the oldest public art space in the South Burnett
Location: Kingaroy
Markets
Third Sunday of the month
Location: Blackbutt
Last Sunday of the month
Location: Bunya Mountains
Fifth Saturday of the month
Location: Kumbia
First Saturday of the month
Location: Nanango
Makers Bakers & Growers Market (Twilight Markets)
Third Friday of every month
Location: Nanango
Second Saturday of the month
Location: Wooroolin
Second Saturday of the month
Location: Yarraman
Museums
The Clifton Historical Museum is a worthy tribute to the district’s pioneering past.
Location: Clifton
The Woolshed at Jondaryan isn’t just a place to stay – it’s a place to explore and encounter a different way of life.
Location: Jondaryan
Kingaroy’s fascinating Heritage Museum is housed in what was the town’s power house from 1925 to 1952 – and is now part of the Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct.
Location: Kingaroy
Experience the adventure and romance of their military pioneer aviators and see the progression from Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines to present day.
Location: Oakey
Nature Reserves
Benarkin State Forest on the Blackbutt Range is a great spot to picnic, fish, spot platypus or hike or ride on forest trails.
Location: Benarkin
Weeping bottlebrush, river she-oak and forest red gum line watercourses while dry vine scrubs grow in sheltered gullies where soil and moisture accumulate at Crows Nest Falls, a prominent feature of Crows Nest National Park, located about a half-hour drive from Toowoomba.
Location: Crow’s Nest
Discover spectacular scenery, granite outcrops, a scenic waterfall and eucalypt forest remnants on the edge of the Great Dividing Range.
Location: Crow’s Nest
Lake Broadwater Conservation Park
Lake Broadwater Conservation Park protects the only natural lake on the Darling Downs. Waterbirds and wildlife are drawn to the shallow lake and find refuge in the surrounding vegetation.
Location: Dalby
Coomba Falls, at Maidenwell, is an exceptionally beautiful place, featuring a deep natural swimming hole and striking granite cliffs. The water is icy most of the year, so it’s the ideal site to cool down on a hot day.
Location: Maidenwell
Parks and Gardens
A peaceful rest stop, Apex Park was the site of the first public hospital in Kingaroy and was developed by the Apex Club in the mid 1960s.
Location: Kingaroy
Other attractions and places of interest
Kingaroy Observatory is a public stargazing attraction, located at the town’s airport just a short drive from the town’s Central Business District.
Location: Taabinga
The memorial and wrought iron gates flanked by carved sandstone pillars were designed by local monumental mason, J Shill. British sculptors John Whitehead and Sons modelled the Dalby soldier statue, based on a sergeant-major of the Grenadier Guards. The statue was cast at a London foundry.
Location: Dalby
Kumbia Pioneer Tribute beside the Memorial School of Arts Hall
Location: Kumbia
