NATIONAL PARKS AND SCENIC AREAS
Cambanoora Gorge is situated on the eastern edge of the Southern Downs, the western edge of the Scenic Rim, the northern edge of the Northern Rivers tourist area and is within easy reach of the Granite Belt and the wineries.
Therefore Killarney is surprisingly close to a wide range of tourist destinations. (Adjinbilly is 15-20minutes from Killarney), From Killarney you can head south over the border (5 minutes) into the Clarence River Catchment area of NSW. The Mt Lindsay Highway is a beautiful drive, though in rough in places. Mt Lindsay is 1hr (75k) away.
Favourite destinations for us are Boonoo Boonoo falls and Bald Rock. Boonoo Boonoo is 1hr (80)k down the Mt Lindsay Highway from Killarney and features great waterholes at the top of the falls for swimming. Bald Rock is 50mins(75k) from Killarney. The walk up Bald Rock is unique. It is the largest exposed granite rock in Australia. Also to the south via the Mt. Lindsay Highway is the ever popular Girraween National Park 1hr30min (100k) from Killarney.The famous historical town, Tenterfield, is 100k (1hr15mins) down the Mt. Lindsay highway in NSW.
The Mt Lindsay Highway is steeped in history and was a stage coach road through to the coast from the gold mining towns such as Tenterfield. There are many reminders of that history along the way. We are putting together drive notes you can take along on your drive which can give you an insight into this history as you are driving along. Just ask Tony and Sue about these.
To the north and east is Main Range National Park (bordering Adjinbilly) which includes the exciting walks up Mt Cordeaux and Mt Mitchell which Sue and I love doing regularly. The views from the top of both mountains are superb and stay with you forever. Don’t try walking up Mt Mitchell if you are scared of heights as there are sheer cliffs at the top and the vehicles travelling the Cunningham Highway look like matchbox toys below! The Mt. Cordeaux lookout is also surrounded by sheer cliffs. You can walk to the plane wreck on Mt. Superbus from the campsite at the end of Emu Creek Road (best done with a guide or a bushwalking club) via Emu Vale, and Goomburra is 60k(1hr) from Killarney and features beautiful rainforest walks to Mt Sylvester and Mt Castle lookouts. There is also a great shorter walk to Governor’s Chair near Spicer’s Gap just south of Cummingham’s Gap.
The wineries in the Granite Belt are a great attraction (80k 1hr) and the vibrant town of Stanthorpe is only 68k (50mins) from Killarney via the Mt. Lindsay highway.
There are many natural attractions and walks in the Scenic Rim area as well. See the link above.