Bonalbo

The small town of Bonalbo is a convenient rest-stop on the scenic, border ranges routes linking Queensland's Southern Downs with the Northern Tablelands of NSW.

This is rugged, majestic country to be savoured like a good wine and, nestled at the foot of the Richmond Range, Bonalbo is just the place to sit back and reflect on the surrounding grandeur.

The Mount Lindesay and Bruxner highways and their support roads link such diverse towns as Warwick, Rathdowney, Stanthorpe and Tenterfield, and give access to standout reserves such as Mt Barney, Tooloom, Bald Rock and Giraween national parks.

It is a region rich in both history and natural beauty and is at the heart of the flourishing Granite Belt wine industry. Local Aborigines regard Haystack Mountain" - one of Bonalbo"s distinctive landmarks - as the incarnation of a Gidabal warrior named Nooloigah.

A tranquil picnic area on Peacock Creek, just a few kilometres to the north-east of town, is one of the prime spots to observe some of the local birdlife which includes wrens, bowerbirds, wedge-tailed eagles, black cockatoos, channel-billed cuckoos, spangled drongos and, especially in summer, the magnificent king parrots.