The Chronicle

5 hidden spots in our region

You don’t need to travel far

- Meghan Harris meghan.harris@thechronic­le.com.au

YOU don’t have to travel far to see some incredibly unique places - many of them are hidden right here in the Toowoomba area. Even residents may not have been to some of these places. Here’s five hidden gems to check out.

1. Fireflies at Redwood Park

MT LOFTY resident Bradley Begg, who lives near Redwood Park, said visitors at dusk were greeted by an incredibly magical sight as fireflies came out and lit up the park.

“I have lived here for 50 years and didn’t know they existed,” he said. “There are thousands of fireflies fluttering up out of the grass.”

2. Redwood Park butterflie­s

GET up close and personal with the thousands of butterflie­s that flutter around Redwood Park.

Friends of the Escarpment Parks regularly holds events in the park, with entry off the Toowoomba Range.

To find out more about the park, its butterflie­s or the group visit fep.org.au.

3. Coomba Falls, Maidenwell

GET in your car and head out for a drive to Coomba Falls in Maidenwell.

The deep natural swimming hole stays icy cold almost all year round.

Pack a picnic and set up on the large grassy patch next to the waterhole and make a day of this rocky oasis.

4. Strange Bird Alternativ­e Wine Trail

STRANGE Bird is the quirky name given to the Granite Belt’s self-drive alternativ­e wine trail.

But not just any wine trail - it’s a route through the unusual varieties of wine produced in Southern Queensland Country’s Granite Belt region. It’s located near Girraween National Park.

5. Valley of Diamonds, Crows Nest National Park

WORK up a sweat bushwalkin­g at the Crows Nest National Park before heading for a dip in the natural rock pools.

Walk up to the summit of Koonin Lookout. There visitors get a bird’s-eye view of the sparkling gorge known as Valley of Diamonds as it disappears into the rolling hills around Ravensbour­ne.

 ?? PHOTO: PETRA HARRIS ?? HIDDEN OASIS: The deep natural swimming hole at Coomba Falls stays icy cold almost all year round.
PHOTO: PETRA HARRIS HIDDEN OASIS: The deep natural swimming hole at Coomba Falls stays icy cold almost all year round.
 ?? PHOTO: BRADLEY BEGG ?? MAGICAL SITE: Fireflies flutter around Redwood Park at dusk.
PHOTO: BRADLEY BEGG MAGICAL SITE: Fireflies flutter around Redwood Park at dusk.
 ?? PHOTO: CONTRIBUTE­D ?? STROLL: One of Crows Nest National Park’s many walking trials.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTE­D STROLL: One of Crows Nest National Park’s many walking trials.

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