Why you should be spending more time in Warwick

Get ready to greet the rose and rodeo capital of Warwick in Queensland country. Settled 150 years ago, the country town nudging the Condamine River has long been a popular place to visit thanks to an endearing concoction of historic architecture, museums, and proudly country events (rodeos obviously included).

Next time you find yourself nearby, take the chance to drop in and introduce yourself to Warwick with this detailed guide to the region.

Eat & Drink

If you’ve already worked up an appetite on arrival to Warwick, you’ll be pleased to hear there are a handful of options when it comes to dining out. The specialty around here is pubs and proudly so, with a number to choose from. Perhaps most famously is the Criterion Hotel, a grand old dame which forms one of Warwick’s accommodation options. But as well as a place to spend the night, this destination has a reputation for its family-friendly pub menu, as well as its adjoining bottle shop.

Then there’s the family-owned Warwick Hotel, one of Warwick’s more celebrated places to grab a bite to eat, and popular for its Sunday sessions and dedicated to live music. The Stockyard Tavern is another casual option, as is the Sovereign Hotel, just off the main drag.

But specialty eateries also abound. The Bluebird Kitchen and Bar definitely deserves some of your attention. The American-style wood-smoked barbecue restaurant is now one of the most popular eateries in town. The Malthouse is a fellow favourite among the locals, a rooftop bar specialising in creative cocktails. And not forgetting about Joie De Vivre, an eclectically styled coffee haunt popular for breakfast.

Stay

Warwick accommodation promises something for everyone. Cheap and cheerful places to spend the night form the majority of offerings, like the self-described ‘best little motel in Warwick’, the City View Motel. Or the Comfort Inn Warwick, a family-focused place not far from the centre of town with enough bunk beds to cater to the largest of broods.

A little more luxury awaits you at Coachmans Inn, comprising 32 units, as well as two bedroom serviced apartments. Or the Abbey Boutique Hotel, a 120-year-old heritage-listed former convent carved from sandstone which now offers adults-only accommodation. The romantic setting has made it a popular place to tie the knot, or take a honeymoon.

Play

Considering Warwick can trace its roots back to a professional buck jumping contest of 1857, it’s no surprise that events remain a key component of the community calendar. Make like the locals do (and some 30,000 others) and attend the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft, which takes place every October with high-octane competition, country music and the Rodeo Queen Quest. 

Though equally popular (especially for musicians) is the Jumpers and Jazz Festival, a 10-day celebration each July. There’s also the Morgan Park Raceway, which plays host to a rotating gathering of car and motorcycle-focused events.

The remainder of the year promises just as much entertainment thanks to a handful of Warwick attractions. Historians will be delighted by the ways to dig into the region’s past, like the Warwick Museum, Pringle Cottage Museum, the Southern Downs Steam Railway, and the CBD Heritage Walk, which winds its way through the district’s grand old buildings.

If you are a fan of a country drive though there’s even more to explore. It’s from Warwick that you’ll gain easy access to Main Range National Park's Goomburra section, as well as the Queen Mary Falls, which plunge 40 metres. And the cluster of country towns nearby, including apple haven Stanthorpe, just 40 minutes’ drive away.

Though you are welcomed to be as leisurely as you like, with a growing population of Southern Downs wineries, like Ravens Croft, Heritage Estate, and Banca Ridge, a tempting way to spend your time while in Warwick. Not yet well-acquainted with the Sunshine State’s vineyards? Let the vine and shine trail lead the way.