Welcome to the Western Downs

You’re now entering Big Sky country

Blankets of produce, wildlife that carries the song of the bush, landscapes that spring to life and a proud heritage with an appreciation of the land.
Experience Western Downs, It’s the people that make it.

Less than three hours west of Brisbane, the Western Downs is a welcome escape from fast-paced city life. Known as Big Sky country, here in the Western Downs days unfold under vast open skies before the sun sets in tinted pastels and a blanket of stars appears in the clear night. Discover country towns, rich with pioneering history and friendly local characters, along with a vibrant arts and culture scene. Our country landscapes, national parks and freshwater lakes provide natural settings for camping and all kinds of outdoor adventures, from water sports to birdwatching, fossicking for rare petrified wood and much more.

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We pride ourselves on our distinctive and quirky festivals and events, helping to make the region what it is. Join the fun of the world’s biggest watermelon festival; experience a grand night of opera in the grounds of the magnificent Jimbour House; watch the camels take to the track at Tara’s Festival of Culture and Camel Races or immerse yourself in country-style fun at the Back to the Bush Festival in Miles.

Our Western Downs Visitor Guide will inspire you to search further into the region.

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Getting Here

There’s plenty of ways to get to the Western Downs – by road (drive at your leisure) coach (with daily services departing from Brisbane), train (operating twice weekly from Brisbane) or air where QantasLink, Regional Express (Rex) and Airnorth will connect you with the region via Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.

With its beautiful gardens and bustling main street, the thriving regional hub of Dalby is the gateway to the Western Downs.

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Discover some truly remarkable treasures in this corner of the Western Downs.

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Famous for its quirky and fun-filled biennial Melon Festival, a vibrant country town in the heart of the Western Downs.

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The charming town of Miles sits at the crossroads of the Warrego and Leichhardt Highways.

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The quiet wheat and cattle town of Wandoan, the perfect stopover as you travel along the Leichhardt Way.

First proclaimed by European settlement in 1862 and referred to as ‘Jindowie’, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘waterhole’.

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Driving Routes

Visitor Information Centres

RV Friendly Information

Towns

Discover why the towns along the Western Downs are well-known for their local produce – colourful tapestries of grain, wheat and cotton crops; cultural festivals and events – such as camel racing and melon festivals; and local sights such as historical villages, vibrant sunsets and the second-longest manmade structure in the world.

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Experience

The towns in the Western Downs region have plenty of experiences to offer visitors, from fishing in quaint local spots to camping and birdwatching, strolling through gardens, art galleries and observing the area’s rich history and heritage – each town has a story to share with you.

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Events

From Miles’ Back to the Bush Festival to Chinchilla’s Watermelon Festival, you won’t be short of quirky events to attend during your stay in the Western Downs. There’s also Dalby’s Delicious and DeLIGHTful Festival, a multicultural food extravaganza, the award-winning Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races and Big Skies Festival set against the backdrop of Jimbour House.

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Bunya Mountains – Mountain Bike Trails

The trails have been designed to be enjoyed by beginners right through to those more experienced, with four dedicated one-way loops and a dual direction link trail. This included a 1.7km link from Dandabah to Fisher’s Lookout

These mountain biking trails are a first for the region and offer another fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the region and enjoy all we have to offer here on the Western Downs.

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Stay

The Western Downs has plenty of options for your stay – from camping and caravanning to the creature comforts of rural retreats and farm stays, your preferences are well catered for. Take your pick from campsites that get up close and personal with nature along waterfronts or state forests – many of which won’t even cost you a dime. The region’s hotel and motel offerings are vast, from villas to boutique accommodation like rural retreats and farm stays.

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Blog

The Western Downs blog is the best place to stay up to date with local news and events. Get ideas on what to do and where to go when planning your itinerary for the Western Downs.

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