Day 2 – Country Road Trip. This Is Why The Scenic Rim Was Named One of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Regions To Visit

Day 2 – Country Road Trip. Add to our Day 1 trip, Fine Food, Historic Mansions, Art, Walking Trails, and Stunning Views, this is Day 2 of our Scenic Rim, South-East Queensland road trip. Amongst other revelations we’ll uncover an inside story of the legendary Mary Poppins and get off the highway, taking an absolutely stunning country backroad drive from Warwick to Gatton.

Arriving at the Coachman’s Inn in Warwick marked the end of our Day I road trip; this is our accommodation for the night. The check-in was easy and parking outside our ground floor unit made it a dream to unpack the car. 🔥Tip: I pre-booked before our arrival to ensure that there was room for us at the Inn. Due to several festivals and other events in and around this area at this time of the year, Warwick’s accommodation can get totally booked out. 🔥Tip: There are also other accommodation options; Hotels, Motels, Caravan Parks, ETC.

It was that time of the day, “Beer O’clock”. Time to wind down, grab a “coldie” from the bar and work out what’s on the menu for dinner tonight. Warwick has an abundance of takeaways, restaurants, cafes, clubs, and pubs all within easy distance of the Coachman’s Inn. What an advantage this place has, not only offering top accommodation but there is also an on-site restaurant – Rupert’s Bar & Grill. No need to drive anywhere tonight, a “Happy Hour” cold beer and excellent food right on our doorstep.

The Warwick Art Gallery is now open, as with a lot of Country galleries, there is always something unique to look at. 🔥Tip: Always check opening and closing times before visiting any attractions.  It’s only a short drive from the café to the Gallery with plenty of off street Free parking. This Art Space was officially opened on the 18^{th of} February 1990. The art is spread over a number of rooms, with the Gallery being a member of Queensland’s regional gallery network there are ever-changing touring exhibitions and local art all on show – Free Entry.  

We’re back on the road again, heading north out of Warwick.  On the horizon emerging from the ruins of an 1867 sandstone mansion, restored in 2001, we approach historic Glengallan Homestead. Open 10am – 4pm Wednesday to Sunday. Glengallan House forms part of the Glengallan Heritage Center where we are most welcomed to take our own self – guided tour of the homestead and surrounds.

Plenty of free car parking, with entry through the Café. The café entry is free but there is a cost to inspect the Homestead and grounds. The café serves traditional café food from quite an extensive menu, cold drinks, tea, and coffee. We had heard that freshly baked scones with jam and cream are “must try”. Coffee & Scones were ordered, I can assure that our local intel was 💯% correct – absolutely delicious.

The Glengallan Homestead is not just any old house, uninhabited for many, many years, its history is a very interesting story. Built 1867 – 1868, the house went through boom and gloom times before being rescued from total ruin with partial restoration in 2001. Being a two-level sandstone structure with huge, covered verandahs, the House is a unique example of a Queensland Homestead as most at that time were single storied complexes. I all can say is WOW, how the other half must have lived and enjoyed their life. 

Start your journey in the café, the Glengallan Timeline outlines the fascinating story of the area allowing you to learn about Glengallan from yesteryear to today. Moving outside there is plenty of opportunity to explore the grounds and out houses. From here you will see what a grand house it was in its day and with the restoration how spectacular it is in the present. The interior is a blend of the restored and the decay and abandonment over many years which is still on display in several of the rooms.

Take as long as you like to fully investigate every room, the grandeur is spread over 2 stories. Through the main doors onto the lower level, you’ll enter the magnificence of the formal dining room, the ball and drawing rooms are at the other. Glengallan house also has a number of surprises for the visitor, one of which was hidden under the floorboards of the ground level. Don’t be too shocked with your find (a mummified cat was found hidden under the floorboards), I’ll let you discover what this is all about and why it was hidden.

From the ground floor we climbed an impressive sweeping timber staircase at the back of the room, giving us access to the even more opulent 2^nd level 🔥Tip: Access to the 2^nd level is by a steep set of stairs. Upstairs are a number of bedrooms running off a long hallway. which also opens onto the upper balcony. This is lavish living at its finest, but nothing surprised us more when we found a huge slate bath in the family bathroom with Queensland’s first flushing toilet, a very welcomed innovative and luxury fitting for a home of this era.

Stepping outside onto the upper verandah you can see why this home was designed in this way, so as to take full advantage of any prevailing breezes to keep everyone cool even on a hot summer’s day. The wrought iron balustrades and buildings are gorgeous and the vistas of the countryside below positively stunning. Standing on the balcony, overlooking your domain, you can really appreciate how the Lord of the Manor must have felt overseeing such a prosperous estate.

Have you heard of Mary Poppins the magical nanny ? Enter the magical world of Mary Poppins when we step inside Mary Poppins House in the tiny outback town of Allora. Built in 1879, this enchanting timber residence was the childhood home of PL Travers (born Helen Lyndon Goff) creator of Mary Poppins. PL Travers lived in the home in the early 1900’s with the building originally incorporating the Australian Joint Stock Bank, former workplace of her father Travers Goff. His gravestone still survives in Allora’s town cemetery.  The author of Mary Poppins, Pamela Lyndon Travers (P.L. Travers) was born Helen Lyndon Goff in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia on August 9^th, 1899. Her family, the father was a Bank Manager, moved to Allora in Southeast Queensland when she was three and this is where you’ll find her childhood home.

These days Mary Poppins House is now owned by Les and Lorraine Struthers, who welcome all visitors to take a guided tour of the house. The couple, who have restored the premises to the resplendence of those bye gone days offer guided tours by appointment. 🔥Tip: Pre-book your visit as Tours are by Appointment Only. Location: 61 Herbert St., Allora QLD 4362. Phone: 0428746458.

The wonderful fantasy world of Mary Poppins House now behind us, we drive north from Allora making a right-hand turn from the Highway onto State Route 80, a country road that connects the New England Highway to the Warrego Highway in Lockyer Valley. This route passes mostly through rural and bushland areas, expect some impressive views and the occasional picnic spot along the way, with our next two stops at Pilton, Gatton, and then home to Brisbane via the Warrego Highway.

The Darling Downs Zoo is situated in Pilton and is open to visitors most days of the year except Christmas day. The Zoo is a sanctuary for wildlife and divided into four main areas featuring animals from Africa, South America, South – East Asia and Australia. A huge display of wildlife is there for you to see – African Lions, herds of Zebra, a Pygmy Hippopotamus, Antelope and giant Tortoises and several other species.

🔥Tip: Check their web site or contact the Zoo directly before visiting. There are entry costs, some special events that need to be booked in advance and the opening and closing times. I have included a link – Darling Downs Zoo – for any extra information.

Our Country Road Trip is almost at its end. The winding country back road, the climb back over the range motoring through what feels like secret hidden valleys with ancient land sandstone escarpments hugging our thoroughfare along the way, our drive from Pilton to Gatton has lived up to all expectations.

It’s late afternoon, a final “Pit Stop” in Gatton at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre has announced the end of this Country Road Trip. If you don’t stop here, keep heading north following the signs to the Warrego Highway, from there make your way back to Brisbane.

Well, my fellow road trippers, there you have it, a 2-day country road trip in the Scenic Rim / Darling Downs of South East Queensland. Warwick, Kalbar, and the Scenic Rim QLD is an unrivalled destination to explore and discover hidden secrets and must-see places. This trip is a very easy drive and would be your one stop shop for great local food, fun and exciting times, and Australian country hospitality. Pack the car along with the kids, you will thoroughly enjoy this family escape, there is all of this and so much more you can add to this already jam-packed fun itenary.

So, don’t procrastinate any longer, grab your friends and family, pack your smiles, and sense of adventure and see why Lonely Planet rated the Scenic Rim in the Top 10 regions to visit. I am sure you will not regret it.

Their are so many new trip ideas for you to tour if you are exploring this region. Take a look at a number of related posts that you can complete in a day excursion or add them to your to your existing itenary.