An attractive wooden house in Landsborough

Landsborough (and Beerwah)
A quiet rural town with an excellent local history museum.
Located 76 km north of Brisbane at the southern end of the Blackall Ranges and to the north of the Glass House Mountains, Landsborough is one of those towns rich in local history but, by accident of geography, not reaping the economic benefits of tourism which has become the stable of the Sugar Coast's economy since the 1960s.

The area was first settled in 1871 by Isaac Burgess. At the time the tiny settlement was known as Mellum Creek. Almost immediately it became a stopping point for Cobb & Co on the route from Brisbane to the new goldfields at Gympie. Business was so good that by 1877 Burgess had acquired 572 acres and built a two storey hotel, store and butchers shop to service the passing trade and the local residents.

Apart from Burgess' activities the area grew as a result of the timber cutters. Large stands of red cedar, beech, hoop and bunya pine on the Blackall Ranges were cut and hauled to the Mellum Creek where they were floated downstream to waiting steamers.

The railway arrived at Landsborough in 1890. The settlement continued to grow although it was always overshadowed by the larger settlements which surrounded it.

Landsborough was named after the explorer William Landsborough (1825-1886) whose great claim to fame was that he was chosen by both the Victorian and Queensland governments to lead a search for Burke and Wills. He arrived in the Gulf of Carpentaria in November 1861 and, although he didn't find Burke and Wills (their bodies had already been recovered), he did become the first explorer to traverse the continent from north to south. He was criticised for working for pastoral interests and it is true that his expedition did result in a land grab throughout the Gulf country. After an extraordinary life he retired to Caloundra in 1882 where he bought a property which he named Loch Lamerough. He died four years later. He was, by any measure, a remarkable and controversial man. The town of Landsborough is a suitable acknowledgement of the part he played in opening up large areas of Queensland.

Things to see:  

Shire of Landsborough Museum

Landsborough Museum
The highlight of any visit to Landsborough is the Landsborough Museum which has to be one of the finest and most comprehensive folk museums in Australia. Its displays are interesting and detailed. It is located at 4 Maleny Road and is open Thursday to Tuesday from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., tel: (07) 5494 1755.

De Maine Pottery and Gallery
Further along, at 55 Maleny Rd, is De Maine Pottery, which is open from Thursday to Monday. It is the studio of award-winning clay artists and potter, Johanna De Maine, tel: (07) 5494 1458.

Big Kart Track and Bungy Bullet
Located just to the north-east, on Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive, visitors can take a ride in one of 60 motorised go-karts. There is a1200-metre track for adults and a separate track for youngsters. Concessions are available for group bookings and night rides are available.Thrill-seekers may enjoy the sensation of being shot 50 metres in the air in just one second on the Bungy Bullet, attaining a thrust of 4 Gs. This is, in essence, an open capsule, securely seating two people, which is literally flung into the air via a huge catapult. Slot-car racing and video games are available, there is a large kiosk, barbecue facilities are provided and staff cater to various European languages. They are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day except Friday when they close at 10.00 p.m., tel: (07) 5494 1613 or info@bigkart.com.au

Omaru Archery Park
Toxophilites can get their fill to the north of Landsborough, at 223 Kings Rd, in the Mooloolah Valley. It has shaded walking tracks through state forest and rainforest and 25 three-dimensional targets. Visitors can camp within the grounds (camping facilities are provided) and can also enjoy swimming in the natural water holes, and freshwater fishing for golden perch, silver perch and bass. Saltwater fishing, 4WD and horseriding are also available by arrangement. The Park is open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. As of October 1, 2002, the entry price was $10 for adults, $8 for children and $7 per person in a group, tel: (07) 5494 7593 or email doring@ausnetwork.com.au

Australia Zoo
About 3 km south of Landsborough, on Glass House Mountians Tourist Route, is Australia Zoo, the home of the late Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter. It occupies 45 acres of bushland and contains around 750 species, including endangered animals. Demonstrations (some involving photo and handling opportunities) include foxes, otters, crocodiles, large pythons birds of prey, koalas, kangaroos, camels and a galapagos tortoise. It is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. , tel: (07) 5436 2000 or www.australiazoo.com.au.

Beerwah and Hilton Gardens
5 km south of Landsborough is the prosperous rural community of Beerwah, named after the Aboriginal word for one of the Glass House Mountains (see entry on Glass House Mountains). Beerwah came to replace Campbellville and Coochin as the major centre of this timber district after the arrival of the railway in 1890. Today the district produces strawberries, macadamias, pineapples, avocados, custard apples and vegetables. A local market is held on the first Saturday of each month at the community hall in Simpson St.

Situated on Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive is Hilton Gardens, which is open every day except Monday, tel: (07) 5494 6270. Beerwah also has an 18-hole golf course.

Coochin Creek State Forest Park
Those wanting to explore some of the less populated aspects of the Sunshine Coast hinterland can investigate the pine forests of Coochin Creek State Park, located to the south-east of Landsborough (between the Bruce Highway and Pumicestone Channel). It offers opportunities for picnicking, swimming, fishing, picnicking, barbecues and camping. There is also a boat ramp in the park. Access is via Roys Rd, tel: (07) 5494 0150.

Markets and Events
10 km west of Beerwah, along the Beerwah-Kilcoy Rd, is Peachester, which is surrounded by farms at the foot of the Maleny Plateau. Markets are held every Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Markets are also held at Landsborough each Saturday morning from 8.00 a.m. in Memorial Hall, with live jazz.

The Landsborough Heritage Festival is held in October.

	Hotels
	Landsborough Hotel Cribb St Landsborough QLD 4550 Telephone: (07) 5494 1001
	Caravan Parks
	Landsborough Pines Caravan Park Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Rd Landsborough QLD 4550 Telephone: (07) 5494 1207 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Fu Tasia Chinese Restaurant, 40 Cribb St Landsborough QLD 4550 Telephone: (07) 5494 1544