From the Gold Coast

Trade the surf for stunning mountain views on this unforgettable journey from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba. Your adventure begins with the winding ascent to Tamborine Mountain’s rainforest plateau, before meandering through the picturesque countryside of the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs. Passing through historic Glengallan and the charming village of Nobby, you’ll discover a rich tapestry of Queensland’s rural heritage before reaching the garden city of Toowoomba atop the Great Dividing Range.

Distance:
274km of jaw-dropping scenery

Driving time:
Close to 4 hours (plus stops to explore)

Highlights:
Tamborine Mountain and its foodie delights
World Heritage Main Range National Park
Glengallan Homestead (where history blooms as beautifully as our gardens)
A pit stop at Rudd’s Pub in Nobby (because every road trip needs a character-filled watering hole)
Bonus fact: This route passes through Allora, hometown of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers – practically perfect in every way!

GOLD COAST TO BOONAH VIA TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN
(121KM)

Travel via State Route 90 from the Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain, often described as ‘the green behind the gold’. If you enjoy bushwalks, then you have a choice of 12 walking tracks, each no longer than around 3km. Food and wine lovers will discover several
wineries, a brewery, a distillery and award-winning restaurants. There are also a number of popular attractions including the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and glow worm caves. Next stop is Boonah, a vibrant country town and gateway to the Moogerah Peaks and Main Range National Parks. Visit Flavours Café located on the site of the still standing historic
Boonah Butter Factory, once the largest butter factory in the southern hemisphere.

BOONAH TO GLENGALLAN
(71KM)

Travel through the picturesque farmlands of Maryvale just five minutes’ drive from the World Heritage listed Main Range National Park. There are a number of health resorts and farm stays in the region offering guests fine dining, award-winning local wines, pools, spas, horse riding, and bushwalking. Continue your drive and visit the heritage listed Glengallan Homestead*, a 19th century country house. Walk through time and re-live the Glengallan story from squattocracy to farmer settlement. An innovative interpretation allows Glengallan to evolve with time as old photographs and documents shed more light on life in what was once described as “the finest house in the colony”. 
*Check opening hours on 07 4667 3866

GLENGALLAN TO TOOWOOMBA VIA CLIFTON & NOBBY
(82KM)

Drive northwest along New England Highway to Allora with its inviting old-time streetscape. Author of Mary Poppins, PL Travers, lived in Allora as a child and you can see the Mary Poppins House (circa 1880), now a private home. Turn left on the Gatton-Clifton Road to Clifton, where Aussie classic The Thorn Birds was filmed. Discover the area’s pioneering past on self-guided heritage walking trail and visit the museum in the old butter factory building. A short drive from Clifton is Nobby and well-known Rudd’s Pub, dedicated to the author Steele Rudd who found inspiration among his drinking partners for his stories. It’s a great place for a hearty pub meal and to view the historic memorabilia and photographs. Continue north to Greenmount then rejoin New England Highway to Toowoomba.