Day Trips
Jimbour House and Bunya Mountains Drive
307 kilometres – early start recommended
Travel east from the Tourist Information Centre, along the Warrego highway to Macalister (55kms), and turn left across the railway line to head for Jimbour (72kms). Just outside this small township, stands the classic sandstone homestead Jimbour House (75kms), where visitors can stroll through the impressive gardens (gold coin donation) and admire the view across the expanse of the Jimbour Plains.
Proceed back to the Jimbour-Bell Road, and travel to the picturesque town of Bell (100kms). The Bell Railway Heritage Park houses 1172, one of the first Queensland model diesel locomotives. Turn left onto the road to Kaimkillenbun (117kms) locally known as “the Bun” and follow the signs to the Bunya Mountain Environmental Park. The ancient Bunya Pines are a feature of the pristine forests of the Bunyas. These conically shaped trees are distinguished by their seed cones, which can weigh up to 10 kilos.
Dandabah Picnic Area (155kms) is the hub of the activity. Relax with a BBQ, picnic or at a café, and view the colourful King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and Currawongs, as well as the wallabies. There are many well-maintained walking tracks of varying lengths to choose from.
Proceed down the range towards Kingaroy, where the thick rainforest gives way to a dry woodland forest. Turn left onto the Bunya Highway (181kms) and proceed along this scenic section of the road where there are plenty of opportunities to admire the many bottle trees. Turn right at the first Jandowae sign (205kms), and travel to Jandowae (243kms), the major town of Wambo Shire. Travel back to Chinchilla via the Chinchilla-Wondai Road.
Miles and Condamine Drive
137 kilometres
Travel west along the Warrego Highway to Miles (45kms). Step back in history and wander through the turn of the century at
Proceed south down the Leichhardt Highway to Condamine (78kms) and witness Condamine's own invention, the Condamine Bell. This is a huge replica of a bell designed to be hung around cattle's necks, so the stockman could determine the distance between himself and the animals.
Travel north-east along the Kogan-Condamine Road, and turn left towards Chinchilla. The Chinchilla Weir (129kms), just 8 kilometres out of town, is the setting for a host of water-based attractions, bird watching or just relaxing and taking in its beauty.
