Gordon Country - the gem on our doorstep
A little over an hour’s drive from Toowoomba lies a secret retreat
ordinarily being the camping type, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I joined a group of Toowoomba-based journalists for a weekend retreat at Gordon Country at the head of the Goomburra Valley near Allora.
However, what a pleasant surprise.
Though Gordon Country is well known to quite a few people from across the Darling Downs and South Queensland, it still remains something of a secret gem for the occasional campers like us.
Just over an hour’s drive south of Toowoomba, how was it that none of the four of us had been here before?
A high country working cattle station with between 400 and 500 head on the property at any given time, the 4000 acre (1618ha) property which adjoins the World Heritagelisted Main Range National Park has been in the Gordon family since the 1860s.
It has two clear water running creeks (Dalrymple and Banshee creeks) — with fish in some areas and some deep swimming holes — “friendly” 4WD tracks from which visitors can enjoy some spectacular views of the valleys below, easily accessible walking tracks also with wonderful views — especially when trekking to the area’s picturesque waterfalls — and a range of camping spots.
Over the years, the Gordon family has acquired a number of buildings such as railway quarters and school buildings which have been turned into
very comfortable cabins which can sleep a honeymooning couple or a family or group of eight or more.
For those who like to camp with the comforts of home, there is even a four-bedroom, two lounge room house with fireplace, gas heating and splitcycle air-conditioning.
For some, a four-bedroom home with all the mod cons might not seem much like “camping” but the house is surrounded by bush and rainforest and there is virtually no mobile phone or television coverage so those modern “luxuries” can be left at home or packed away in the bag for the duration of your stay.
There’s something very relaxing, particularly for journalists or busy business people, to be able to pack away the mobile phone for a weekend and enjoy being “non-contactable”.
“When you come here you can do as much or as little as you like,” is how owner Sue Gordon explained it.
However, for the “real” camper, there are plenty of clearings along the creeks to pitch a tent or park a caravan and the property has plenty of toilet and shower blocks within close walking distance.
Gordon Country has proved very popular with Brisbanebased families who regularly travel to the property knowing their children are safe to ride their bicycles and approach the people-friendly animals such as the horses and foals bred on the property and the occasional donkey.
“The cattle are used to peoNOT
‘‘ WHEN YOU COME HERE YOU CAN DO AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU LIKE. GORDON COUNTRY OWNER SUE GORDON
ple,” Sue explained.
“And, it’s fascinating to see the children approach the foals.
“They stand there staring at each other for a moment, wondering what’s going to happen, then you see the kids pat the foals.
“They get such a thrill out of being so close to the animals.
“It’s a great education for the kids.”
It is also a great place to get back to nature and experience the real Australian bush.
While we were there, a 50strong group of university students bused in from Brisbane.
The students being mainly from Scandinavia, the chilly weather certainly didn’t bother them.
They set up camp along the creek and enjoyed a few days of fun, prepared games, laughter and experiencing the true Australian bush.
“The university students have actually been coming here for about five years now,” Sue said.
“They really enjoy themselves.”
Gordon Country welcomes four legged animals so it’s a BYO horse or dog friendly property as well.
Among the added attractions is the Rivergums Barn Function Centre which is available for weddings, parties and other gatherings.
Sue and Ian’s daughter Sarah and her husband Sam Camp
bell were married on the property last year.
“It really is great for weddings or parties,” Sue said.
“The guests all arrive on the Friday and everyone gets together for a barbecue and camp oven dinner and catch up.
“Then the boys might go 4WD-ing in the morning as the women start to get ready for the wedding.
“That night they have the wedding reception before everyone meets for breakfast Sunday morning.
“Unlike a lot of weddings when you simply go to the ceremony and reception then head back to your motel and head home.
“Here the wedding becomes a whole weekend for all the guests.”
Gordon Country borders onto the Great Dividing Range and incorporates beautiful reaches of rainforest into the Heritage listed Main Range National Park.
On the drive there, our group couldn’t help but note how dry the countryside outside of Toowoomba is at the moment, yet, because Gordon Country has maintained much of its tree growth from the early days, the camping areas are lush and green.
Listing all the attractions of Gordon Country would be too much for one article.
However, to get a better understanding of what this special property has to offer, go to
gordoncountry.com.au