The best things to do with kids in Queensland Country

“How’d that rock end up there?” is a very good question you’ll answer more than once on a trip to Girraween National Park in the aptly named Granite Belt region. The Granite Arch is a fairly short and easy walk that’s perfect for all ages and has plenty of fascinating natural rock formations. With stone archways and secret caves, your kids will feel like explorers on a new planet in no time.

2. Follow Toowoomba’s street art trail

Think kids and art galleries are a no-go? Well, you won’t ever have to worry about them being too loud or *ahem* active in Toowoomba, home to one of the largest outdoor galleries in the country.

Thanks to the annual First Coat Festival which started in 2014, there are now over 55 colourful murals splashed about the city’s alleys, streets, and laneways, where your kids can run wild in their search for the biggest and most colourful artworks.

3. Visit Queen Mary Falls

For a beautiful brush with nature, head to Queen Mary Falls outside Killarney. An easy 20-minute stroll takes you to the lookout point showing Spring Creek plunging 40 metres to a pool below. And don’t worry, the marked trail is easy enough for even a toddler to navigate.

Continue along the track to reach the rainforest at the bottom for a total walk of two hours. A BBQ area set amongst the eucalypt forest offers the ideal resting spot after your walk.

4. Picnic at Picnic Point

Sing Old MacDonald to your kids at a farm stay in Queensland Country with farm animals of all shapes and sizes on show. There are dozens to choose from with a wide variety of activities including live shearing demonstrations, horseback riding, picking freshly laid eggs and of course getting up close and personal with the animals.

Long Neck Farm is an amazing new family experience in the Southern Downs Region offering a unique cafe and gift shop with opportunities to view and interact with the farm animals.

6. 4×4 in Goomburra

For some scenic rough and tumble, head to Goomburra, an area of unspoilt natural beauty, just a 30-minute drive north of Warwick or a 90-minute drive south east of Toowoomba. Choose between the Gordon Country or Janowen Hills 4WD Parks.

Don’t forget to pack your swimmers as there are plenty of waterholes dotted along the way to cool off in! But even if you don’t get out, the kids will be cheering as you splash your way through this hinterland adventure.

7. Tempt your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Cottage Café

Just a short drive north of Toowoomba is Highfields, a quaint country town home to the enticing Chocolate Cottage. Acting as a haven from the outside world, the café is a perfect spot for morning tea.

It sits on a beautiful grassy acreage overlooking unsurpassed views of the Toowoomba Range. While the kids play tag on the grass, indulge in handmade chocolates, sumptuous desserts and revitalising coffee.

8. Go fishing on the banks of the Condamine River

Catch your own dinner on the Condamine River with carp, cod and golden perch aplenty! Bait can be picked up from the Warwick Tackle and Tusk shop in town. Other favourite fishing spots are at Leslie or Connolly Dams.

9. Drive your kids loopy on the Girraween Loop drive

Journey from Stanthorpe to Applethorpe and back again on the Girraween Loop that takes you through the highlights of this area. Begin with the Granite Belt’s Wine Country, and while the kids won’t be able to get involved in the wine tasting, they’ll love running through the vineyards and making friends with the wine dogs of the region.

Next up is the Fruit Run with orchards overflowing with delicious stone fruit, apples and berries. Go fruit picking or forgo the hard work with a jar of jam. Nothing beats an afternoon of storytelling so listen to the tales of local bushrangers before heading south into the national parks where wildlife and waterholes will create a relaxing afternoon.

Keep an eye out for the common (yet elusive) wombat as Girraween National Park is home to the most northern population of these furry-nosed cuties.

10. Visit the Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba

Is it hard to drag your kid along to a ‘boring’ museum? Shake up that tired idea by getting their hands on history at Cobb+Co Museum with its endless interactive elements.

Learn about everything from blacksmithing to silversmithing to lead lighting and millinery; with workshops designed for all kids from toddlers to teenagers, you can keep the whole family entertained here.

11. Giddy up for some Cowboy Up horse riding

Explore the Toowoomba area the cowboy way with a relaxing horseback ride through a working cattle property. From your comfortable saddle, give a friendly ‘neigh’ to the wallabies, wild deer and native birdlife surrounding you.

There’s a variety of rides to choose from to suit your ability but all include magnificent views - this activity easily makes our list of best things to do with kids in Queensland Country.

12. Go wild at the Darling Downs Zoo

A visit to the Darling Downs Zoo is almost like a visit to Pride Rock. It’s home to the only pride of African lions in Queensland, along with baboons, the largest herd of zebras and even monkeys! The zoo participates in breeding programs for endangered Sumatran tiger and Sri Lankan leopards - keep your eyes peeled for sightings of these elusive big cats on the property.

Not only is Darling Downs Zoo filled with fascinating animals, but it’s also extremely interactive with lion feeding, python posing, and a reptile show that will send shivers down your spine.

13. Check out the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre in Warwick

Revel in the spirit of the cowboy at the only musem in Australia that celebrates rodeo history and its greatest champions. Learn your wrestler from your hazer and try your luck at roping ‘Sparky’ the mechanical steer.

You’ll leave with a greater understanding of the past, present and future of rodeo in Australia and will be yee-ha’ing the whole way home.

14. Choo-choo to Warwick's Downs Explorer

Train buffs, prepare yourselves for a museum full of railway memorabilia in Warwick. Downs Explorer is your ticket to a yesteryear, with many exhibits to explore. But the highlight, of course, is the restored heritage C17 Steam Locomotive -offering steam train tours to surrounding towns that take you up and down hillsides and around historical sites, this is so much more than your usual commute.

15. Eat some apple pie - and see the 'Big Apple' - in Stanthorpe

If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that apple pie makes everything better. With crispy, golden pastry and warm apple and cinnamon filling, Sutton Farm’s speciality dessert is a cut above the rest - and a must for any family visiting Stanthorpe.  

While you're in town. don't miss the chance for a family photo at the Big Apple  - one of Queensland's iconic ‘Big Things’.

16. Explore the Bunya Mountains

For a wilderness walk like no other, visit the majestic Bunya Mountains. With a cool, lush rainforest and the world’s largest grouping of Bunya Pines, you will easily get lost in the greenery and marvel at the height of these forest giants.

This national park doesn’t just attract human families, though! Keep an eye out for wallabies and colourful native birds.

If you’re dropping by on the last Sunday of the month, check out the Bunya Mountain Markets to buy cakes and local Bunya nuts to keep everyone fed throughout the trip. And from horse drawn carriage rides to quaint cafes and cabins with cosy fireplaces, there's endless Queensland Country charm to soak up.

Here's how to nail a family holiday to the Bunya Mountains.  

17. Visit Toowoomba during the Carnival of Flowers in September

Stop and smell the roses at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Held in September/October each year, it’s all things spring with a floral parade, delicious food and wine, concerts and kids activities galore. Though older kids will probably be drawn to the thrilling carnival rides and novelty showbags of Sideshow Alley.  

18. Rug up for the Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival in Warwick

Whilst Queensland is famous for its endless sunny skies and warm days, we do like to celebrate winter! And there’s no better place for it than Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July festival. Going down smack bang in the middle of winter, you’ll want to don your favourite knit jumper and join in on the celebrations.

With amazing outdoor art, live jazz performances and a myriad of exciting events for all ages, the whole region will be bursting at their (knitted) seams!

19. Camp under the stars

There's nothing quite like quality time by a campfire - and there are endless camping and caravanning spots in Queensland Country for the whole family to enjoy. Take in your surroundings with nature walks or simply lie back and absorb the beauty of sunset's golden skies melting into a Milky Way show for all. BYO marshmallows.  

20. Fossick for gold at Thanes Creek

If you’re raising little entrepreneurs who want to strike it rich, be sure to take them fossicking for gold at Thanes Creek near Warwick (secure your licence at the Warwick Visitor Info Centre). If they get their hands on a gold nugget, they’ll be set for life!

21. Go ‘nuts’ in Kingaroy

Visit the Kingaroy Heritage Museum and learn why peanuts are so important to this region of Queensland – then visit the Peanut Van and try one of their 15 different varieties of peanuts including Mexican, chicken and wasabi!

22. Coomba Falls

While everyone loves a beach holiday, there are also plenty of great swimming spots in the country.

One of them is Coomba Falls, a deep natural swimming hole that’s perfect for a midday dip. Yes, the water is icy cold almost all year round, which is a welcome reprieve on a hot summer day, but even during the cooler months, the refreshing temps can make a game of family touch footy even more fun!

Ready to plan your trip? Here's how to spend a family weekend in Queensland Country.