jhdfjkhdksfhdhjf 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 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.