Summer is almost upon us, and beach-haters — or those simply looking for a change of pace — deserve to go on holiday too! So swap out the cossies and thongs for a cool outfit and comfortable shoes, and explore everything these hidden gems have to offer.
Bowen
Bowen’s lazy vibes are unparalleled when it comes to a summer getaway, with your choice of gorgeous beaches to chill out at, including iconic Horseshoe Bay, a haven for marine life that also happens to be an excellent snorkelling spot!
Home to the Big Mango, you’ll also be blown away by the food at Bowen, whether that’s fresh produce — the town grows over 90% of our tomatoes and capsicums for the winter — or flavourful seafood, your taste buds will be as happy as the rest of you!
Want to walk off all the tasty food? Hit the silo trail and admire these giant local murals, and the stunning surrounding coastline.
Charters Towers
Travel back to the gold rush at this charming spot near Townsville. Its storied past as the second largest town in Queensland still echoes in its well-maintained streets and heritage-listed buildings. But if you want an even more tangible taste of the past, you can go panning for gold at the Miners Cottage, or enjoy a film under the stars at their drive-in cinema!
Animal lovers can admire majestic Texas Longhorns thanks to Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours and Safaris. In fact, a local Longhor, JR, held the Guinness World Record for longest horns from 2013 until he passed away in 2020. Who knows, you might get lucky and find his successor!
Tambo
You would think being the oldest town in the west would be enough of a claim to fame, but Tambo is even more special than that. As you wander along the Heritage Walk, you’ll feel like you journeyed back in time, and you can even journey back to childhood by paying a visit to the famous Tambo Teddies.
Made with locally-sourced sheepskin, these cuddliest and snuggliest of teddies are all named after the hundreds of stations that dot the vast outback. You’ll be in aristocratic company if you get one, as royal babies are sent a Tambo Teddy as a gift from Australia!
Miles
Known as much for its stunning wildflowers as for its gorgeous turn-of-the-century buildings, Miles is an amazingly well-preserved little gem. The Miles Historical Village Museum boasts authentic an extensive and fascinating collection of war memorabilia, but if you’re not a history buff there’s still plenty of fun to be had!
The town’s jaw-dropping Dogwood Crossing building, with 7-metre tall bottle trees adorning the entrance houses an Art Gallery, a library, a café and more! Once you’ve worked up an appetite, drop by their phenomenal pub, The Windsor for a pint and some delicious food.
Maryborough
Maryborough may be best known for its annual Mary Poppins Festival, thanks to being the birthplace of author P. L. Travers, but it’s got heaps of charm in its own right! Its rich history and classic 1800s Queensland architecture will have your heart beating like a big brass band.
Whether you’re more into art galleries, museums and riverside picnics — or a huge feast if you visit in June for the Relish Food & Wine Festival — or a visit to Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, with its impressive military displays, is more your speed, there is something for everyone in this picturesque town.
Montville
A quaint town with the cutest shops and cafés, Montville’s streets feel like a storybook, with art galleries and boutiques displaying their wares and trinkets, and the Montville Clock Shop delighting visitors with old-fashioned cuckoo clocks.
The town is also the perfect mix of civilisation and nature, because not only does it offer sweeping views of the hinterland and the ocean, but it is also home to the absolutely majestic Kondalilla Falls, a thundering 80-metre waterfall that is a must-visit.