Take the long way home
The adventure begins in your own backyard. Become weekend explorers with some hidden gems just a few hours’ drive from home. Why not make it a day trip with some of your Living Gems neighbours and create some wonderful new memories.
Discover Brisbane’s Alcatraz
Take a visit to early South East Queensland’s darker side with a trip to the historic prison island of St Helena Island. We reckon it’s such an arresting experience that you’ll be glad you went.
Established in 1867, the high-security facility was created out of an earlier quarantine station. The buildings you see – the cell blocks, kitchen, hospital and bakery – were constructed by the prisoners themselves. In later years, inmates learned trades including boot making, book binding and carpentry.
Cat O’ Nine Tail Tours leave from Manly and offer comprehensive historical and eco-tours to help you make the most from the experience.
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Make a cool change on Mt Tamborine
Take a respite from the city heat by taking a drive up the Gold Coast hinterland to Mt Tamborine. Start Sunday morning early with one of the various markets available, including the Tamborine Mountain Country Market on the fourth Sunday of the month and the Tamborine Mountain State School Market on the second Sunday of the month.
After sampling the home-made produce, make your way to one of the invigorating bushwalks including Witches Falls, then stop for wine tasting at Witches Falls Winery before checking out the unique gifts available on Gallery Walk. End a day on the mountain with a spectacular sunset view at Rotary Lookout before venturing to the glow worm caves.
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The mysterious Strangler Cairn
Deep inside Conondale National Park, north-west of the Sunshine Coast is an intriguing artwork shaped somewhat like a giant pinecone and made of natural stone atop which sits a young strangler fig. The Strangler Cairn was created by British artist Andy Goldsworthy as a feature on the Conondale Range Great Walk.\
The Cairn is accessible from the Booloumba Creek camping and day-use area but requires a high clearance 4WD to get there. Conondale National Park is home to several lovely half-day treks. Or, if you’re keen hikers, the 56km great walk will take you four days.
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The Barn & Scotty’s Garage
It’s worth taking the drive back in time to explore The Barn and Scotty’s Garage in the Lockyer Valley. Perfect for car enthusiasts and nostalgia buffs alike, this special place is a hidden gem that you’ll only uncover once you bypass the main roads around Toowoomba.
Outside the old-fashioned petrol station, you’ll discover an Aladdin’s cave of mid-20th century treasures and lovingly restored classic cars. The Barn has
a classic country menu and a diner and, once you visit, you’ll realise why this special place is a popular spot for wedding receptions
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The Falls Drive
You’ll fall in love with the view on the Falls Drive, a stunning 80km scenic drive that skirts the Queensland-New South Wales border from Killarney, just east of Warwick to just west of Boonah.
Take your time on the winding roads and stop along the way to take in the breathtaking valley vistas and impressive waterfalls.
This drive will take you to Teviot Falls, Browns Falls, Daggs Falls and Upper Browns Falls but the place to stop for a picnic is at Queen Mary Falls where Spring Creek falls 40 metres to the Condamine River which is part of the Murray-Darling River system.
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