The Western Downs is a distinctive rural Queensland tourism experience, exhibiting traces of early Australian pioneer settlement. It is an area rich with rural character, welcoming country towns and plenty of interesting bush events..

West of Toowoomba lies a variety of experiences on offer. Take a trip back in time and discover towns bursting with history, or experience nature based activities like bushwalking and birdwatching or, relax and enjoy warm, hearty country cuisine and hospitality.

Bunya Mountains and National Park

Embracing much of the mountains, 11 700ha Bunya Mountains National Park is best-known for its bunya pines, with their distinctive, dome-shaped crowns. Just 90 minutes’ drive from Toowoomba, or three to four hours from Brisbane.

Birdlife is abundant, with brightly coloured parrots popular visitors to picnic areas. Rare and threatened birds, reptiles and mammals are found in the park.

The Bunyas are also famous as a place where Aboriginal people gathered for seasonal feasts of bunya pine ‘nuts’. Europeans established a pioneer timber industry, relics of which remain today.