If you are heading to the South Burnett Region or Toowoomba city, I would recommend stopping by and explore the Crows Nest National Park. It gives you a sneak peak of the Australian rugged landscape.
If you head west from Toowoomba, this beautiful national park is only about 40 minutes away. If you are leaving from Brisbane, it would take about 2 hours drive.
Spring or autumn would probably be the better season to visit this area, and also after some descent rainfall. We visited in November and the place is pretty dry and in the midst of the summer heat, however, with the creek bed dried, we can actually swim in the rockpools and having the whole place to ourselves to enjoy.
If you enjoy camping and hiking, there is camping ground and hiking trails in the national park. The picnic ground is also great for the picnic-goers and people would are just passing by. The hiking trail has a total length of 4.5km return, it winds through the national park and following the Crows Nest Creek. The Koonin Lookout at the end of the trail is a great place, so if you can make it, I wouldn't recommend missing it. It over looks the Valley of Damonds and it also have a great view into the distance as the river break left. If you visit the area in wet season or after some really descent rainfalls, the Crows Nest Fall would be another great spot to stop and enjoy.
In the day-visit carpark, the map of the entire walking trail can be found on the information board along with a introduction of the local flora and fauna. The trail is clearly sign-posted and very well maintained, so it is not easy to get lost. We have met a few hikers and families along our way, so you are most likely won't be along. It took us 2 hours with stop for rests and photos to complete the entire trail. Overall, it is a great place to visit and a relevant short hike to do.
If you return via Toowoomba to Brisbane, you will be welcomed by the endless blossoming Jacaranda trees. We went there in November and the flowers are still in full bloom, which came as a somewhere unexpected surprise to us, as the flowers in Brisbane are mostly at the end of its flowering season. I would highly recommend if you have enough time to have a stopover.
Hope you have been or plans to do some exploring yourselves, and that this can provide you with some new ideas.
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