https://youtu.be/awl0A3SSDRw
Don’t whistle through the little towns of the Western Downs. Warra, Kogan and Tara all have great reasons to stop; explore; and meet the friendly locals.
Warra is situated just half an hour beyond Dalby, along the Warrego Highway. Drop into Frank Best Heritage Place to discover a great collection of historical buildings – including a gaol; country school; and the town’s original railway station which is now a mini-museum. In its heyday of the early 1900’s, Warra was a boom town thriving on the first Government-owned coal mine. But water issues and the onset of World War closed the mine.
A beautiful tribute to Warra’s fallen can be found gracing the Warra Memorial Hall. Head over the road to the Western Warradina for one of the best hamburgers in the west and delicious home-made pastries and sweets. Or settle in for a sociable drink at the Warra Hotel. The grand, two-story heritage pub is undergoing a face-lift, thanks to its new owners.
Turn off the highway and follow the signs another 20 minutes to the town of Kogan. There’s a distinctly artistic vibe to this little community. In fact, it was one home to celebrated outback artist Hugh Sawrey. Before he found fame, Sawrey was a humble shearer who’d yarn with Beryl Dwyer and her husband “Darkie”, publicans at the Kogan Hotel. Kogan’s ‘Artist Walkway’ is a lovely park, featuring creative tributes to Hugh Sawrey – including a bronze sculpture called “Bush Friendship”, which captures the mateship between Sawrey and Darkie Dwyer.
The local community hall features a great selection of limited edition Sawrey prints.
Sawrey left his artistic signature right across the Western Downs. Further evidence can be found in the small town of Tara, about 30 minutes from Kogan. Early Hugh Sawrey works are proudly displayed in the dining room of the town’s Commercial Hotel. Stick around for a ‘coldie’ or head over the road to the Woolshed Bakery, for home-made pies, sausage rolls and freshly made sandwiches.
Tara is hosting its popular Festival of Culture and Camel Races in August next year.
Contact:
Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races
4th to 6th August 2017
www.tarafestivalncamels.org.au
Southern Queensland Country Tourism
www.southernqueenslandcountry.com.au
