NATURAL ATTRACTIONS DALBY

Lake Broadwater Conservation Park protects the only natural lake on the Darling Downs and the surrounding cypress and brigalow. Waterbirds and wildlife are drawn to the shallow lake and find refuge in the surrounding vegetation. The lake precinct was a focal point for local Aboriginal people and later teamsters and early settlers. Picnic under river red gums, relax and enjoy the wildlife and wildflowers. Watch waterbirds nesting on the 'neck' of the lake from an elevated bird hide Visitors can stroll along the two-kilometre track joining the two camping areas or take the five-kilometre (return) self-guided drive. Swimming, boating and water skiing are permitted, but the lake can dry out for lengthy periods so check with the caretaker before planning to take your boat on the water (boating permits required).

Leave Lake Broadwater's main recreation area and wind through huge river red gums skirting the lake edge. Watch for birds on the water or in the lake-side forest, and spy kangaroos, wallabies, lizards and a range of interesting local plants. The Wilga Campground track joins the Red Gum track and leads to the Wilga Campground 600 metres further on....

At Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, south-west of Dalby, an unsealed road leads through woodland south-west of this naturally occurring lake. See some of the native vegetation communities that previously covered the local area before they were cleared for agriculture and grazing. Stop at the elevated bird hide to view wildlife on the neck of the lake....

Lake Broadwater Conservation Park protects the only natural lake on the Darling Downs. Waterbirds and wildlife are drawn to the shallow lake and find refuge in the surrounding vegetation. The lake precinct was a focal point for local Aboriginal people and later teamsters and early settlers. Surrounded by cypress pine, eucalypt and brigalow open woodland, the shallow lake is listed in the Directory of Nationally Important Wetlands and is an excellent example of a semi-permanent freshwater lake in an area where these are rare. The lake fills only after heavy rains and when full is up to three to four metres deep. It dries out periodically, sometimes for lengthy periods. Picnic under river red gums, relax and enjoy the wildlife and wildflowers. Watch waterbirds nesting on the 'neck' of the lake from an elevated bird hide. More than 230 species of birds have been recorded at the park. Stroll along the two-kilometre track connecting the two camping areas or take the five-kilometre (return) self-guided drive. With easy access to water, tracks and recreational facilities, Lake Broadwater a great spot to relax and to appreciate nature. Image credit: Robert Ashdown, Qld Govt...

A taste of life as it used to be is what’s in store when you stay a while in Dalby, an easy 85 kilometres west of Toowoomba along the Warrego Way. To get the best from this charming country town, take your time to talk to locals and delve into the history and stories that give it a character all its own. Hit the Heritage Trail to explore on foot some of Dalby’s historic buildings. Start at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, built in 1921, and discover the old police station dating from the mid-1860s; the Art Centre, which was once the Bath House; and Mary’s Commercial Hotel (1885) – one of the oldest and most legendary pubs on the Western Downs. You can delve further into the local history at Pioneer Park Museum. Exhibits include working farm machinery from the late 1800s and early 1900s, early fashions and household memorabilia and an extensive collection of minerals, rocks and fossils. Of notable interest is the handwritten letter by Ned Kelly asking authorities to allow his mother to visit him in prison. The Myall Creek Parklands Walkway is popular with bird watchers and it’s also signed with plaques detailing places of historical significance. For a great picnic spot with a children’s adventure playground, head to Thomas Jack Park on the edge of town. There’s probably no place better for local flavour than the vibrant atmosphere of Dalby Regional Sale Yards each Wednesday. It’s among the largest one-day cattle sales centres in Queensland with the action getting underway at 7.30am. The Bunya Mountains are easily explored from Dalby. Another easy excursion is Lake Broadwater Conservation Park – which protects the only natural lake on the Darling Downs and the surrounding cypress and brigalow. You can go swimming, boating and water skiing or picnic under river red gums, relax and enjoy the wildlife and wildflowers. Events to travel for include the Dalby Show in April; Dalby Picnic Races in May; the Delicious and DeLIGHTful Festival in August; and Australia’s largest Stock Horse Sale and Campdraft on the first week of December....