The Bunya Mountains are a terrific option for those wanting to escape the summer heat. The elevation means that it’s quite a few degrees cooler and there’s plenty to do for the whole family.
The drive to the Bunya Mountains is a good one, especially if you take the D’Aguilar Highway north of Brisbane. There are many charming towns to visit including Blackbutt. It’s home to the Bunya Nut Café which offers a terrific menu that includes the Roy Emerson burger, named after the legendary tennis player who was born in the town.
To learn all about the region’s history, a great stop is the Yarraman Heritage Centre. It includes eight heritage buildings and gives an in-depth snapshot of what life was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Once in the Bunya Mountains, accommodation can be found courtesy of Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre. They have 104-holiday homes to choose from. Everything from budget units to spacious chalets. We stayed at Araucaria, a 5-star luxury property, nestled away on private acreage.
The Bunyas is the local hangout and it’s where you can find a coffee shop and tavern, a whiskey bar, corner store and restaurant. It’s also the place where visitors can enjoy bird feeding with cockatoos and parrots.
The Bunya Mountains National Park is Queensland second oldest and home to the largest stand of ancient Bunya Pines in the world. It’s a patch of land that’s very significant to the local indigenous people.
The Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Rangers are traditional custodians of the park and work with partners to manage, maintain and protect the unique cultural, spiritual and natural values of the Bunya Mountains.
A fun way to explore the village is with Bunya Mountains Horse Drawn Tours. They offer 10-minute novelty rides right up to 2-hour tours with Billy tea and damper in the rainforest. They’ve been operating for over thirty years and are a popular activity for visitors.
