Maryvale and Goomburra Archives - Southern Downs & Granite Belt

Gleneden Farm – Farm Tours and Heritage Trade DemonstrationsApril 29, 2026/in AN Tours, AO Tours, FW Tours, Halfday /by

Gleneden Farm is an idyllic Australian owned and managed working organic farm nestled in the beautiful Great Dividing Range of Southern Queensland, just 90mins SW of Brisbane. Your hosts, 4th generation farmers Rohan and Fiona Morris offer schools and groups a unique and authentic farm tours, herutage trade demonstrations & workshop experiences showcasing traditional Australian farm life.

Free parking for cars, buses, and vans. Ideal for school groups, special interest groups, clubs, and bus tour groups.

Farmyard Tour (approx 1-1.5 hours): Meet and feed our rare breed farm animals (cows, pigs, sheep, ducks, geese, and chickens) on a guided farm tour with the farmers. Explore the farmhouse orchard, and vegetable garden, collect the eggs and taste delicious organic slow grown produce. Ideal for smaller children and less agile adults.

Hayride Tour (approx 2 hrs): Hop onboard the hay-wagon as the farmers drive you out into the paddocks to meet the farm animals. See how a modern regenerative farm uses old fashioned knowledge to grow delicious organic food.

Heritage Trade Demonstrations (2hrs approx.) – Meet the Last of the Australian Bullockies and see a real working bullock team, heavy- horses, blacksmithing and Australian bush crafts in action.

Workshops: Learn a tradition farm skill such as bullock driving, leatherwork, soap making or damper making.

Morning/afternoon tea is available for group bookings. Bookings essential.

Long Neck FarmApril 29, 2026/in Cafes and Restaurants /by

Welcome to Long Neck Farm, a family-run haven out in the sticks.

Opening as a cosy country café, we’ll be serving up freshly baked goods and a whole lot of heart.

Enjoy some wholefood grub and stay a while, sharing in the unhurried rhythms of country living alongside the beautiful farm animals and views.

If you’re passing through later in the day, fear not the sweet lil’ farmstall, Wildflour, lives at the front gate and will be stocked with house-made goodies for extended hours.

Follow along as they grow their regenerative farming dream with immersive farm-stay experiences, glamping and farmsteading workshops all within their sights!

The PeakApril 29, 2026/in Cafes and Restaurants /by ZOIK ACCESS

In the elegant mountain top haven of Spicers Peak Lodge, you’ll discover a dining experience that scales the dizzying heights of Contemporary Australian cuisine elevated by the finest regional produce.

With the ever-unfolding majesty of the Great Dividing Range serving as a seductive backdrop, The Peak Restaurant embarks daily on a peregrination of the best of Australian flavours, produce, creativity and technique. Like the clouds rolling through the valley below, the menu is electrifying, bold, elegant and thoughtful.

Gleneden Farm – Farm Shop and FarmyardApril 29, 2026/in Agri / Mining and Industry, Galleries Museums and Collections, Historical Sites and Heritage Locations, Shopping and Markets, Zoo / Sanctuaries / Aquaiums and Wildlife Parks /by ZOIK ACCESS

The shop stocks Gleneden Farm’s organic produce, including beef, pork, nitrate-free woodsmoked bacon & ham, handcrafted soaps, preserves, and gifts made on-farm.

Farm tours, bookings are essential. Come and meet the farmers, visit and farmyard animals, explore the farmhouse orchard, vegetable garden, and enjoy time outside in the fresh air. Farm Tours for schools and groups are welcome at other times – see our website for further information.

Gleneden Farm is a 650-acre organic working property, Just a 90 minutes’ drive south-west of Brisbane. Nestled in a forested valley on the western side of the Great Dividing Range, Gleneden Farm is a picturesque property with old-world style charm. Owned and managed by 4th generation farmers Rohan and Fiona Morris, Gleneden Farm produces organic 100% pasture-fed beef and lamb and pastured (free-range) rare breed pork.

Family-friendly environment catering for those with special needs and interests; free parking for cars, buses, and vans. Disabled toilet facilities onsite.

Gleneden Farm also offers Camping, Last of the Bullockies Australian Heritage Trade Demonstration, featuring the Gleneden Bullock Team, Backsmithing and Bushcrafts as well as Heritage Skills Workshops for schools and groups.

Spicers Peak LodgeApril 29, 2026/in Retreat and Lodge /by ZOIK ACCESS

A member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and awarded Two MICHELIN Keys, Spicers Peak Lodge sits more than 1,100 metres above sea level and is just two hours from Brisbane. With luxurious suites, panoramic views and personalised service, it’s an ideal Scenic Rim getaway for travellers seeking premium accommodation, immersive nature experiences and an all-inclusive escape. Surrounded by World Heritage‑listed Main Range National Park and dramatic Scenic Rim landscapes, the lodge delivers space, privacy and a deep connection to nature.

As Australia’s highest non‑alpine lodge, Spicers Peak Lodge blends seclusion with elevated experiences. Guests can enjoy guided walks, mountain biking, 4WD tours and scenic helicopter flights, or unwind with star gazing, sunset picnics and quiet hours by the fire. The infinity pool overlooking the ranges and the restorative Spa Anise treatments add a refined layer of relaxation.

Dining at The Peak restaurant is a highlight of every stay, showcasing seasonal Australian produce and modern interpretations of regional flavours, along with a thoughtful selection of wines and cocktails curated to your tastes. All gourmet meals, selected beverages and minibar are included as part of the lodge’s all‑inclusive offering.

Gordon CountryApril 29, 2026/in Caravan / Camping and Holiday Parks /by ZOIK ACCESS

Gordon Country is located on the Darling Downs in the Goomburra Valley. It is a private family-owned eco-tourism and farming property offering camping, glamping, cabin and caravan stays in pristine bushland – just the way Australia used to be! The property borders on the Great Dividing Range in SE QLD and incorporates stunning native bushland and large beautiful reaches of rain forest in the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park at Goomburra.

Offering authentic family and pet-friendly getaways, there are a myriad of ways to explore the freedom of Gordon Country. With kilometres of 4WD tracks and walking trails adventure can be built into every day or you can simply stare into the open campfire and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery Mother Nature can provide.

Lazy Cow FarmApril 29, 2026/in Caravan / Camping and Holiday Parks, Farm Stays /by ZOIK ACCESS

Small farm nestled in the Goomburra Valley. They farm beef cattle, sheep and pigs. Their lush green farm has a beautiful creek that trickles through the middle, making it a picturesque camping location.

They are 25 mins drive from the Goomburra main range National Park which has beautiful walks and picnic spots. They are a 15-minute drive from the quaint town of Allora and 25 mins from Warwick.

This is a hosted stay through Hipcamp. Below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering.

Bestbrook Mountain FarmstayApril 29, 2026/in Caravan / Camping and Holiday Parks, Cottages, Farm Stays /by ZOIK ACCESS

Escape to Bestbrook – an authentic farmstay near Brisbane with family-friendly activities, cozy cabins, bush camping, animal feeding and country experiences.

Just 90 minutes from Brisbane and 2 hours from the Gold Coast. Whether you’re visiting for the day or relaxing in one of our fully self-contained country cabins, Bestbrook is the perfect place to slow down, reconnect, and make memories that last.

Wake up to crisp mountain air, soak in wide-open spaces, and enjoy a genuine taste of Aussie country life.

Experience real country living, at Bestbrook, you can roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with life on the farm:

Milk a cow (and learn where your milk really comes from!)

Feed the friendly farm animals

Cook your own damper using our bush microwave

Boil the billy for a traditional Aussie cuppa

The friendly team will also teach classic outback skills—from throwing a boomerang to cracking a stock whip—and share stories from generations gone by.

As the sun sets over the hills, unwind in your private cabin, enjoy a hearty home-style meal in the licensed restaurant, and end the night around a glowing campfire under a sky full of stars.

At Bestbrook, you don’t just stay—you experience.

Maryvale Winter Solstice FestivalApril 29, 2026/in Event Markets /

20 Jun 2026 to 20 Jun 2026. Next Date: 20 Jun 2026

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The Maryvale Winter Solstice is the celebration of the warmth of the Maryvale community, with food stalls, markets and live music.

Warm up on the shortest day of the year by sitting around campfires, chatting with family and friends and the crackling bon fire!

Mother’s Day at Spicers Peak LodgeApril 29, 2026/in Food and Wine /

1 May 2026 to 31 May 2026. Next Date: 1 May 2026

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Mother’s Day is every day in May.

Treat Mum to a celebration high above the clouds, where the air is crisp, the views stretch endlessly, and every detail is designed to make her feel cherished.

This exclusive Mother’s Day Package blends award‑winning dining with a deeply restorative spa experience. Escape to the mountaintop and let us elevate her day with a touch of luxury and an experience she’ll remember long after the month ends.

Choose between a lunch and spa treatment package for two, or lunch only at The Peak with breathtaking mountain views.

Rediscover ‘That Holiday Feeling’ on a camping trip to the Southern Downs

July 10, 2025/in News /by Scott Rawstorne

There’s nothing quite like a camping holiday in nature to help you slow down, recharge, and reconnect with the important things in life – and in Queensland’s Southern Downs & Granite Belt, nature is at its very best.

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