VISIT VIBRANT HIGHFIELDS Bursting with natural beauty, historic sites and gorgeous boutique shops and cafes

Highfields, just north of the Toowoomba CBD on the New England Highway, is a vibrant, family-oriented community that is rich in history and also offers boutique shops and cafes.

The stores attract day-trippers from as far afield as the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Brisbane, as well as Toowoomba folk looking for some out-of-town retail therapy.

Heading north from Toowoomba, you can make Abbie Lane your first port of call.

It has boutique shops including Gottabee Country, a converted church stocked with charming homewares, as well as cottage gardens dotted with birdhouses, a cafe and a fenced kids’ play area.

In the next block north is Jacaranda Manor, which features a coffee shop and restaurant, as well as speciality shops offering everything from clothing to homewares.

Across the road is the Village Green, where you’ll find the Chocolate Cottage,which offers spectacular views and serves excellent food, fabulous coffee and homemade chocolates.

Another popular destination at the Village Green is Mccartney and Creed, with a stunning range of shoes and accessories on offer.

Further north is the Black Forest Hill Cuckoo Clock Centre, the largest collection of German grandfather and cuckoo clocks for sale in Australia.

The Highfields Pioneer Village, on Wirraglen Rd about 2km west of the highway, is a year-round attraction featuring rare and unusual collections of vintage machinery.

Most of it has been restored to working condition and can be seen in action, bringing the past to life.