The Bush Festival Express

This morning after breakfast, we head off to explore the countryside around Toowoomba, starting with a scenic coach journey to Warwick, dropping in at a couple of the interesting little towns along the way. Upon arrival in Warwick there’ll be time for some morning tea at leisure before we have the privilege of boarding the Downs Explorer steam train to ride with the volunteers taking the train up to Toowoomba ready for our adventure tomorrow.  

We’ll organise some lunch along the way and drop in for a visit to the Clifton Railway Museum, set within the authentic ambiance of the original 1869 station building, for a unique glimpse into Queensland’s rail history. 

We’ll get back to Toowoomba in the mid-afternoon, where the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours at leisure to enjoy the central location and the facilities of your hotel.

Overnight: Burke and Wills Hotel, Toowoomba (B, L)

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel and check out, it’s down to the station to meet the special steam train and our other travelling buddies for the adventure ahead. We’ll be sharing this adventure with members and friends of The Southern Downs Steam Railway, the volunteer-run society that maintains and manages the heritage railway museum, and the rolling stock and locomotives you’ll be riding on – the “Downs Explorer”.  

The first marvel of the day is the beautiful, historic, heritage listed Toowoomba Railway Station itself. Built in the classic Victorian-era railway design, featuring red brickwork and elegant arched windows, the station opened in 1867, and was part of the Western railway line, which connected Toowoomba to Brisbane and the western regions of Queensland. It played a vital role in agriculture and trade, helping Toowoomba grow into the economic centre it is today.  While regular passenger services are limited, the station is still used for heritage and tourism rail journeys, including special steam train events like ours.

The platform will come alive with the interest and activity that accompanies the departure of a beloved old steam train like this one.  Once on board, you’ll settle into the 100 year-old carriages, complete with fully restored timber panelling and comfortable upholstered seats. You’ll have the freedom to roam the train , meet other travellers, and have a cuppa in the Buffet Car. Chuffing out of the yard and onto the main line, we’ll descend the Towoomba Range and gather pace as the lush Darling Downs gives way to the rich open country of the Downs and plains on our way to Dalby.

Dalby was a major rail hub for transporting wheat, cattle, and wool from the Darling Downs to Brisbane, and played a significant role in the economic growth of the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Passenger services were once frequent, but now the station is mainly used for freight transport. Opened in 1868, the original station building  has a classic Queensland railway design, with a timber structure and traditional railway awnings. We’ll enjoy a special BBQ lunch on the platform – a unique opportunity.  

Back on the train, we’ll continue along the line to Chinchilla, established in 1877 as the Western railway line was extended west across the Darling Downs from Toowoomba and Dalby. Known as the “Melon Capital of Australia,” the town is a major producer of melons (especially watermelon), as well as wheat, cotton, and livestock. The area is also famous for its deposits of petrified wood, often found in local gift shops.

Upon arrival, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel for some time at leisure before dinner together at The Palms Motel.

Overnight: Palms Motel OR King Royal Motel, Chinchilla (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast we head down to the station for the short run from Cinchilla to Miles. Our steam train is one of the stars of the bush festival and its entrance into town will be much anticipated. We’ll arrive in time for the street parade, after which we’ll settle in to enjoy all the fun of the fair as the celebration of life in the bush with a vintage twist gets underway. 

The main festival  venue is centered in and around the Miles Historical Village, a perfect setting for this popular bush festival that celebrates “all that we love about living in the bush.” 

During the day you can watch competitors battle it out for the title of ‘Toughest Bugger in the Bush’, hear the roar of the modified tractors as they compete in the Tractor Pull, the premier motorsport of the bush, and hear the sounds of bush balladeers, the toot of the steam train and the buzz of the vintage warplanes flying past overhead.

Later this afternoon our special train leaves Miles in a flourish of steam and whistles and returns to Chinchilla. Dinner provided in the motel is an ideal way to finish off the day’s celebration.

Overnight: Palms Motel OR King Royal Motel, Chinchilla, (B, D)

After breakfast and check out, we’ll depart Chinchilla for the easy gentle journey up the range to  Toowoomba. It’s always a pleasure to trace a previously travelled route as you see things from the other angle and that’s the way we’ll roll along, with a stop at Dalby station for lunch on the station platform once again. 

Upon arrival at Toowoomba Railway Station, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel, check in and enjoy some free time to relax before our last dinner together, which will be at our hotel.  

Overnight Burke and Wills Hotel, Toowoomba (B, L, D)

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. There will be a coach standing by  for transfers to the airport and Roma St Station, getting you there by late morning for any afternoon flights or onward train journeys.