Bush Christmas in the Surat Basin

Get into the Christmas spirit early this year by heading out to the Surat Basin and joining in the fun at some wonderful festive season events. From Christmas Street Parties, Christmas Concerts and special Christmas Markets there is something for everyone to experience a very special Christmas in the bush!

Chinchilla – Christmas Street Party

17 December - The CCCI Christmas Street Party will be held with rides, food and entertainment for the whole family. Plus there will be late night shopping for some of your last minute Christmas gifts with some fantastic specials available.

Miles – Christmas Street Carinval

10 December - The Miles & District Chamber is hosting the 2015 Christmas Street Carnival to be held this year at ANZAC Park. The evening will see the town celebrate the festive season. There will be activities for children such as laser skirmish, jumping castles and merry-go-rounds as well as amazing entertainment by Memphis Movers. There will be a number of market stalls and craft stalls on the night.

Dalby – Concert and Markets

8 December – The Mayoral Christmas Concert each year hosts a fabulous array of local singers, groups, choirs and soloists to bring joy and the spirit of Christmas to the community - don't miss out! It starts at 7pm at the Presbyterian Church.

19 December - The Christmas Markets will be held at The Dalby Showgrounds and will start at 7am and will stay open until 2pm. Make sure you drop on by to get those last minute Christmas treats!

If you’re planning a visit from outside the Surat Basin, pick somewhere convenient like Chinchilla and use it as an overnight stay point. With plenty of facilities and great accommodation options like Kings Park Accommodation available, you know you’ll get your bush Christmas off to the best start possible. Contact us today to book your stay!

Exploring Western Country Queensland

Stretching from the border town of Goondiwindi in the south to Expedition National Park in the north, from Dalby in the east to St George in the west, the Western Country has room enough for an ideal country getaway.

The region begins less than a three-hour drive west of Brisbane and can be explored while touring some of Queensland's major arterial highways, including the Warrego Way and the Leichhardt Way.

Travellers can explore wide-open spaces and discover the rich pioneering history of real Queensland country. Whether it’s enjoying freshwater fishing, witnessing a working farm in action or discovering the peaceful lifestyle that rural communities enjoy, there is something for everyone in the area.

A great way to see what the region has to offer would be to base yourself at Kings Park Accommodation in Chinchilla and head out on day trips and be sure to include these three towns on your itinerary.

Dalby

Situated in the black soil plains of the Northern Darling Downs, Dalby is a hive of rural enterprise.

But it's not all work in this picturesque town. Every March, townsfolk celebrate Dalby Cotton Week, a festival run over 10 days.

Thomas Jack Park situated on the edge of the town centre is a good place to stop and stretch your legs.

There is plenty of local history and culture on display at Pioneer Park Museum, with its wide range of exhibits. Follow the Heritage Trail, which takes you past historic, late 19th Century buildings.

Jandowae

North of Dalby, the town of Jandowae welcomes visitors to their friendly country community. The Dingo Barrier Fence - 'the longest fence in the world' has its northern end near Jandowae. The fence is 5600 kilometres long and stretches to the Great Australian Bight. 

A two metre dingo sculpture by Scottish artist, Andy Scott, takes pride of place in Jandowae's main street, and don't miss the monthly country markets.

Jandowae dam is a popular fishing, swimming, skiing and boating spot.  

Miles

Miles was originally named Dogwood Crossing and was established on a track blazed by the explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt in 1884. 

The Miles Historical Village is a big talking point among all who have travelled this way before. Here you will literally step back into history when you step into the many buildings in this turn-of-the-century village. There are more than 20 historic buildings, including a hospital, cafe, bank, post office and bakery. 

Another must see when in town is Dogwood Crossing @ Miles, which is home to the local art gallery, library, IT centre and social history. The lovely staff will be more than happy to help you out with any information.

Miles is the centre of a native wildflower region extending north to the Great Divide. The beautiful Balonne River highlights the beauty of Miles, particularly in September when the wildflowers bloom in abundance.

So get the car ready, pack your bags and–  book your accommodation at Kings Park Accommodation and explore the Western Country.

Country Race Days

Thinking of jumping the car to experience something special in regional Queensland?

Country Race Days are certainly a guarantee of a fun time to be had and with Chinchilla’s racing carnival about to kick off, why not make a weekend of it and treat yourself to some true bush racing and country hospitality.

The 2015 Chinchilla Racing carnival will begin on Saturday November 7, where hundreds of locals and internationals are expected to turn up trackside for a day under the pavilion.

The November race day is considered as the warm up for the Chinchilla Cup, which will be held on Saturday December 19. Two more race days will follow in the early part of 2016.

A great day for the young and old, couples and families - all gather trackside to see professional jockeys and sleek horses contest the five race program, while hats and high heels fill the catwalk for Fashions of the Field.

The day starts at 11am when the gates open and the first race is at 1:30pm. The Bar and Canteen will be open and the nighttime entertainment kicks off at 5pm. Admission is $15 and under 18s are free of charge.

The local tip is to arrive well before the first race so you can enjoy a great country lunch, find a cool drink and have time to watch the horses parade.

There is a long history that surrounds the Chinchilla races as the Chinchilla Amateur Picnic Race Club was formed on 17 November 1959 and the first race meeting was held on 30 April 1960, racing for a trophy valued at 15 pounds.

Today the club is known as the Chinchilla Race Club and the first meeting on the new grass surface track was held on 21 March 1998.

After the horses have raced and fun was had, the sure thing would be to stay at Kings Park Accommodation for a little spot of luxury after an awesome day at the Chinchilla Races.

 Contact us today to book your stay!

Affordable Queensland Outback Holidays

Outback Queensland has a lot to offer tourists if they know where to look. There’s a rugged beauty to the red dirt and mulga trees that are the essence of the outback – and the physical aesthetic is only the beginning! There are heaps of events, attractions and natural landmarks that don’t just draw tourists in; they also keep them coming back time and time again.

Many of these destinations are a several hours’ drive from the east coast of Australia, so if you’re planning to holiday out west, plan in regular stops and make the most of your trip. There are gems to uncover at every stop – and, of course, Chinchilla is one gem you shouldn’t miss!

Here are our top picks for outback holidays that you won’t need to mortgage the house to afford.

Carnarvon Gorge and back again

The Carnarvon Gorge, particularly the Carnarvon National Park, is known for its majestic sandstone cliffs, side gorges, diverse flora and fauna, and rich local Aboriginal history. There is an abundance of walking tracks that take you to the notable parts of the landscape, including rock pools, rock paintings, narrow canyons, bluffs and caves.

The Carnarvon Gorge is 8-9 hours northwest of Brisbane, so be sure to plan your trip in advance.

See the stars at the Cosmos Centre

Instead of veering north as you would to discover Carnarvon, keep going west and you will end up in Charleville. This picturesque country town is a popular tourist destination thanks to its Bilby education program, the Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre and the iconic Warrego River, the channel river after which many locations and events in the district are named.

One of the most notable drawcards of this great town is the Cosmos Centre. This observatory and information centre features experienced guides who take you on a journey to the stars and planets, and the clear country night sky means you will get a front-row seat to the heavens. Make sure you book at the Cosmos Centre before you visit to ensure a spot in the specialised tours, and look forward to an unforgettable glimpse into the endless night sky.

Visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame

Head northwest from Charleville through Tambo and Barcaldine to reach perhaps the most well-known town in outback Queensland: Longreach. Its popularity is largely due to the iconic Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, which was officially opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth. The Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre is home to five themed galleries that use a variety of mediums to communicate the stories of key players in Australia’s outback history. Visit them online to learn more about exhibits, events and admissions.

Check in at a homestead

Homesteads in outback Queensland often showcase the vast contrasts present throughout the vibrant landscape. These beautifully kept gems nestled amongst the raw wilderness give visitors a taste of the harsh environment, which swings so quickly between calm and chaos for those that work on the land daily. No matter where you’re headed, you are likely to find a property that offers public access with guided tours by the friendly owners – head to the local visitor information centre to find out if there’s anywhere nearby you can visit.

Put yourself in the shoes of the early pioneers and take the time to discover outback Queensland. If you’re road-tripping, pick somewhere convenient like Chinchilla and use it as an overnight stay point. With plenty of facilities and great accommodation options like Kings Park Accommodation available as a launch point, you know you’ll get your outback experience off to the best start possible. Contact us today to book your stay!