CHASE WATERFALLS IN KILLARNEY The rural town of Killarney is surrounded by waterfalls – Browns Falls, Daggs Falls and Queen Mary Falls – that you can visit year-round. In autumn and winter, they’re wrapped in mist; by summer, they’re a quiet spot to cool off. If swimming isn’t your thing, there are also walking tracks, lookouts and park areas with barbeques. Did someone pack a picnic blanket?WANDER THROUGH WARWICK’S HERITAGE TRAIL Warwick is one of Queensland’s earliest settlements, and many of its beautiful heritage-listed buildings are still standing today. While walking down the town’s leafy streets, which are lined with sandstone facades and century-old pubs, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time. (Don’t worry – the fresh coffee and frosty pints will be ready and waiting when you decide to come back to reality.) To continue the old-timey activities, take a trip on the steam train.

SCORE HIDDEN GEMS The best thing about visiting regional towns? Getting to rummage through all the curious bits and bobs that can only be found in locally-owned small businesses. To make your city-dwelling friends jealous of your one-of-a-kind wares, just take a stroll down Allora’s quirky main street, peek into Warwick’s boutiques, and check out the pop-up shops that, ahem, pop up during festival season – there’s always something worth fossicking through.GET IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT The folks in Southern Downs sure love to celebrate! In February and March, head to Stanthorpe for the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival, where you can enjoy a three-day food and wine fiesta, crush grapes and learn to make apple pies just like Nonnas. Spy majestic horses and old-school trades (like blacksmithing!) in March at the Darling Downs Heavy Horse festival, held in Allora. Stick around for the Allora Autumn Festival in April, which is packed with market stalls, heritage displays, live music and, of course, the chance to stomp on piles of crunchy leaves. Then in winter, pop over to Warwick for Jumpers & Jazz in July – a festival that celebrates art, handicrafts and good tunes. Where else can you listen to live jazz while admiring yarn-bombed trees?

WIND THROUGH THE BACK ROADS Swap the highway for twisty country roads that run through Killarney, Allora and the villages in between. You’ll spot rolling hills, mountains, farms and, if you’re there in summer, the abundant sunflower fields that line the roads with gold.

NOSH ON LOCAL PRODUCE Southern Downs is the place to be if you’re a fan of locally-grown-and-made produce – think fresh cheese, homemade jams, and an array of fruits and veg. Just pull up at a farm-gate stall or pop into a market for citrus in winter, berries in summer and pumpkins in spring. Oh, and there are plenty of grassy, shady spots to pop a picnic blanket down – if you make it that long without digging in from the seat of your car.

EXPLORE THE NATIONAL PARKS Ahh, so you’re one of those outdoorsy folks. No worries, there are almost too many national parks to see in this lush region! Head to Main Range for misty hikes, Girraween for whopping granite boulders and wildflowers, and Sundown for red-rocked cliffs. There are plenty of camping areas around if you want to turn your hike into a night under the stars, too.SMELL THE PINE AND GINGERBREAD Deck the halls with Christmas goodies that you picked up from the Jingle & Mingle Twilight Markets, which light up Warwick on December 5th. Then pop over to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm, where you can stroll through rows and rows of real Christmas trees, stock up on tinsel and sip on Belgian hot chocolate. The festivities continue in Allora on December 6th, where the town celebrates its annual Bush Christmas with show rides, entertainment, market stalls and tasty treats. (Apparently Santa rocks up, too, so be on your best behaviour.)

FEEL LIKE YOU’RE AT HOME – BUT BETTER After a long day of travel, the last thing you want is to sleep on a tiny bed in a grotty hotel room. Lucky for you, Allora offers farm stays and historic cottages, while a night in Warwick looks like a quaint bed-and-breakfast or a tiny house on the range. Want something a bit grander? Stay in Warwick’s Abbey – a heritage-listed building that was constructed in 1891 and is now a boutique hotel. (Mr Darcy not included, but there is a bangin’ fireplace.)

This handy guide was brought to you in partnership with the Warwick Chamber of Commerce. Enter to win a five-day Queensland Country Adventure of your choosing, to take in all these sites and more.