Contact Information
Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au
Animal Experiences
Country life brings with it stacks of opportunities to get up close and personal with animals. From horse riding to glow worm hunting, animal lovers are spoiled for choice on the Southern Downs.
Farm Stays
We have a number of local spots that you can enjoy a horse or pony ride, visit an animal nursery and enjoy some old fashioned country hospitality. Check out:
- Cherrabah Resort – horse or pony rides, animal nursery
- Long Neck Farm – visit alpacas, ostriches and other farm animals
- Granite Belt Christmas Farm – explore Santa’s animals and wander through fields of real Christmas trees
Bird Feeding
Hand feed parrots at Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park and Cabins. One of the most enjoyable activities for those young and old is the daily hand feeding of the king parrots and crimson rosellas. They are so tame they will land on your hands to feed. Also available at the same location is the Twilight Native Animal Walk, where you are likely to see bandicoots, kangaroos and sugar gliders. You can also hand feed the friendly possums.
Glow Worms
Fireflies light up our forests and glowworms illuminate the caverns near Queen Mary Falls in Main Range National Park. This natural wonder only occurs for approximately one month every year, from late October to late November. The best time to see the fireflies is at dusk between 6pm and 8pm. For more information, contact the Warwick Visitor Information Centre.
Darling Downs Zoo
Just past Warwick on the way to Toowoomba, the Darling Downs Zoo features the only pride of African Lions in Queensland, Baboons, Monkeys, Marmosets, African Serval, endangered Sumatran Tiger, tropical birds, Kangaroos and White Wallabies, Deer, Crocodiles and Alligator, Boa Constrictors and Tortoises, unusual South American animals like Brazilian Tapir and Capybara and much, much more. The Zoo is also home to the only White Lions in Queensland and the largest herd of Zebras and Giant Tortoises in this State!
The zoo is open to the public from 9am six days a week. Visit their website or phone them on 07 4696 4107.