An adventurous weekender in the Bunya Mountains
Itinerary
By Sarah Bristow
Escape to the wilderness with a weekender in the Bunya Mountains. Formed 30 million years ago, the cluster of mountains form a part of the larger Great Dividing Range, and stand an average of 975 meters above sea level. As you may have guessed, this is the home of the world's largest forest of bunya pines (not to mention the rare species that reside within it), which nestle alongside high altitude grasslands, and breathtaking views over South Burnett and Darling Downs.
The best part? This under-the-radar country getaway is within easy reach of the Queensland capital, at just under a 3 hour drive from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, making it ideal for a quick getaway. Use the following guide to help plan your 48-hour adventure in one of Queensland’s best kept secrets.
Day One
Morning
Hit the bitumen with the rising of the sun to leave yourself plenty of time for this Bunya Mountains weekender. Departing the Queensland capital of Brisbane, meander your way along the Bruce Highway, turning onto the D’Aguilar Highway until you reach the heritage-town of Blackbutt two hours away. It’s here you can stop to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat at the rather famous Blackbutt Bakery - don’t leave without tucking in to one of the specialty fudge slices (our pick is the Snickers). A
fter a snack stop, proceed to Yarraman around the corner. It’s here you’ll join the New England Highway - trungle along its length following the Bunya Mountain sign posts to reach your destination.
Afternoon
Photo by @bunyamountains
Make yourself at home at one of the holiday abodes available courtesy of the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre. There are more than 100 homes to choose from for your temporary digs, with a place available to rest your head no matter your requirements. Amongst the lengthy array of options you’ll find off-grid studio cabins tucked into the foliage, to expansive homesteads with a collection of beds to cater any group size. Considering the temperatures around these parts (which tend to drop quite dramatically at night) we suggest you’ll want to keep an eye out for those with a fireplace.
Evening
Photo by @thebunyas
Before you snuggle up for the night in front of the fire, venture into town to grab some dinner. The Bunyas Coffee Stop & Tavern is one of the area’s most popular eateries - drop in for a plate of pub grub like the homemade Guinness pie or a chicken parmy. Or make the most of the bunya-nut heavy menu, indulging in the likes of the chicken bunya nut salad, followed by some bunya nut scones topped with jam and cream. Not to mention the neighbouring Shackleton’s Whiskey Bar, Australia’s highest whiskey den with 116 different varieties to choose from.
Fancy a cook up instead? Channel your inner chef with a visit to Bunya Mountains General Store where you can procure any ingredients you might need for your self-prepared feast.
Day Two
Morning
Lace up your walking shoes and prepare for a morning spent meandering the idyllic surrounds of the Bunya Mountains. There are more than 40 kilometres of walkways to choose from but begin with the Bunya Bunya Track - a picturesque wander which winds through the multitude of rainforest that calls this district home, past Dandabah camping area and along Bunya Avenue. Be mindful in these parts it’s best to keep an eye out between February and March, when the Bunya nuts are known to fall from the trees (they can weigh up to a staggering 8kg).
Worked up an appetite? Stop in at Poppies on the Hill for a decent coffee and a bite to eat before you return to town.
Afternoon
Photo by @wander.with.chloe.and.dan
The adventures continue this afternoon - another lengthy nature walk beckons along the Barker Creek Circuit, with the luscious stretch taking about an hour and a half to complete. Or keep things a little more leisurely with a horse-led foray through the region with Bunya Mountains Horse Drawn Tours, which follows its rides with some billy tea and damper. Of course if you’re historically inclined (and exhausted from this morning’s travels) you can choose to immerse yourself in the Bunya Mountains’ timber history. Make your way to Russell Park where you can stroll just 2 kilometres to the top of Carbine’s Chute, the first of the many earthen trenches established in the area when the Bunya Mountains was a haven for logging.
Evening
Pack an esky and make way for Fisher’s Lookout where you can enjoy the sunset and panoramic views of the surrounding Bunya Mountains. A $600,000 refurbishment of the site was only recently undertaken, resulting in a new 350sq m elevated viewing platform, and upgrades to the existing walkway. Toast to the day’s end before making your way back to your car, keeping an eye out en route for the arrival of the region’s bounty of nocturnal creatures. Chocolate wattled bats, possums, sugar gliders, and frogs are among the dark-favouring animals which call the region home.
