FRESH AND FANTASTIC
THE LOCKYER VALLEY HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS A FOOD BOWL AND WE HAVE FOUND SOME GREAT SPOTS FOR YOU TO SAMPLE THE BEST ON OFFER
THE paddock has been just a little further from the plate during the COVID-19 restrictions, but the Lockyer Valley has an abundant harvest waiting to be tasted.
From its fertile alluvial soils, the region delivers an array of mouth-watering flavours and dishes featuring crisp, fresh vegetables to tender meats.
The devastating drought is still fresh in the minds of the Valley’s farmers, but a few drops of rain earlier this year have turned the dry, cracked earth into a seedbed of renewed hope.
Here’s a guide to a must-eat country-style indulgence just an hour’s drive west of Brisbane. Porters Plainland Hotel
Halfway between Brisbane and Toowoomba, Porters Plainland Hotel is a century-old, family-run watering hole that’s been around almost as long as the former blink-and-you’ll-miss-it village on the Warrego Highway.
Plainland is now a rapidly growing community luring new home buyers and offering an increasing array of services. But the pub has lost none of its charm.
The shady verandah out the front and windmill in the carpark are a sign of the country hospitality.
The generous dining room menu is as fresh as you can get, with a selection of “Valley Favourites” focusing on local ingredients to the char grill options which
feature Stanbroke beef.
Don’t forget to leave room for a mouthwatering daily selection of cakes and desserts that include cold-set cheesecake with meringue on top and the popular carrot cake.
66 Laidley-Plainland Rd, Plainland. Open for meals from 11am daily. Phone: 5465 6547. Web: portersplainland.com.au Schulte’s Meat Tavern
If food travel is all about the destination, you can’t go past Schulte’s Meat Tavern while you’re in Plainland.
It’s just across the road from Porters Plainland Hotel and has built a reputation for its sausages and smallgoods.
Following a German family tradition, Peter and Belinda Schulte have become prized purveyors of salamis, bacon and hams, with all the main ingredients sourced locally.
Peter says they’ve been doing “paddock to plate” for over 50 years, well before it became a fashionable term.
For something special, try their popular smoked mettwurst and original beersticks.
4424 Warrego Highway, Plainland. Phone: 5465 6592. Web: schultes.com.au Awassi Cheesery
Sheep play a starring role on this familyowned farm.
Nestled in the hills behind Grantham, David and Di Piggott run a stud of awassi sheep, renowned for their high quality milk, and craft a constantly evolving variety of bespoke cheeses from a yoghurt-style labneh to the delightfully exotic halloumi dipped in cinnamon.
If you’re looking for something unique you must try their own Grantham cheese.
And one of their new flavours is a dessertlike coffee cheese, served with a chocolate biscuit.
Sheep’s milk has the advantage of being significantly higher in protein and calcium than cow’s milk and naturally homogenised.
The Piggotts are more than happy to keep their cheesery small-scale. “We didn’t go into this to feed the world, we went into it to feed our village,” says Di.
776 Sandy Creek Rd, Grantham. Contact the farm for opening times. Phone:
0412 671 047. Web: awassiqueensland.com.au 9Dorf Farms
If chicken or fish is on your menu, 9Dorf Farms is the source of some of the Lockyer Valley’s best.
It operates on a principle of sustainable and ethical farming.
The fourth-generation family farm has pastured-raised chickens using a rotational system whereby chickens are able to nest in former caravans and to roam freely on paddocks previously grazed by cattle.
9Dorf has also adopted a recirculated aquaculture system to grow Murray cod,
barramundi and jade perch, predominantly for the live and chilled fish market in Australia, using large tanks.
Their produce is available from selected butchers in Brisbane and the Lockyer Valley.
542 Flagstone Creek Rd, Lilydale. Visit by appointment only. Phone: 4697 5215. Web: 9dorf.com.au
The Barn and Scotty’s Garage
Take a drive down memory lane to this motoring enthusiast’s paradise.
“Scotty” loves his old cars and has opened his automotive museum to visitors.
Check out the 1928 Model-A Ford, the immaculately recreated T-Bird retro diner and one of three Red Flying Horse children’s rides in the world.
The Barn offers light meals and snacks, including traditional Aussie classics such as bacon and eggs, omelettes, pancakes and burgers, as well as malted milks in 1950s-style tin cups.
1709 Flagstone Creek Rd, Upper Flagstone. Contact the owners for opening times. Admission: $10 adults, children free. Phone: 4697 5334. Web: thebarnandscottys garage.com.au
Cafe 4342
Named after the postcode for its location, this quaint coffee shop doubles as the century-old post office for the tiny town of Forest Hill.
Sit down for breakfast, lunch or tea, or browse the gift shop while you wait for your order. You can’t go past the eggs benedict with seasonal sides on the breakfast menu or a mouth-watering crepe with cream.
Afterwards take a stroll down the main street for some antique and retro shopping.
49 Victoria St, Forest Hill. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and Friday to Sunday for breakfast. Phone: 5465 4147. Web: cafe4342.com.au
Branell Homestead
After a big day out, you will want to put your feet up and head down at Branell Homestead Bed and Breakfast.
The federation-style homestead was rebuilt by the owners over five years and is now a luxurious rural retreat which also offers cabin accommodation with excellent views of the valley.
If you’re feeling lucky, you can even borrow a fishing rod to try and catch a fish from the dam on the poverty.
Alternatively, take a wander over the property and say hello to the cattle while they graze.
12 Paroz Rd, Laidley. Phone: 5465 1788. Web: branell.com.au