Sunday, June 28, 2009

Darling Downs

By Patrick Daniels

Beginning 100 kilometres west of Brisbane is a 72,000 square kilometre agricultural district, 900 metres above sea level; Darling Downs. This region has rich volcanic soil that yields grapes, oilseeds, wheat and magnificent gardens.

Throughout the country side you will see English style elms, plan trees, green pastures, grain fields and historic towns. The native landscape is preserved by the National Parks including the eucalypt forests and granite outcrops.

Jondaryan Woolshed: This 1859 Woolshed on historic Jondaryan Station is the centerpiece of complex old farm buildings. Sheepdog and shearing demonstrations are held daily and for a taste of yesteryear, sit down for a yarn over the billy tea and damper!

Allora: This is a reminiscent town which lives off the highway between Toowoomba and Warwick. The streets are lined with Victorian veranda shop fronts and old timber hotels, as well as Davids Anglican Church, est. 1888. The town just south of here, Glengallen Homestead, was built in 1867 during the golden age of pastoralism.

The Toowoomba Japanese garden: With 3 kilometres of paths at Ju Raku En, a Japanese garden at the University of Southern Queensland, it is visited by a thousand people a week for a leisurely stroll. These gardens showcase the harmony and beauty of ancient Japanese design with its lake, willowy beeches, islands, bridges, stream and pavilion.

Granite Belt Wineries: Queenslands only significant wine region is on an 800 metre plateau in the Great Dividing Range around Ballandean and Stanthorpe.Over 40 boutique wineries, many with tastings and sales, grow major grape varieties on the well-drained granite soils,favouring soft reds made from shiraz and merlot grapes.

The climate and soils of Darling Downs is what creates Australians finest gardening district. There are over 150 public parks and numerous private ones as well. You can visit the areas information center to find out all you need to know on the parks you would like to visit.

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