Canungra

It's been the lyrics in a song, an old sawmill, home to a military base and now charming Canungra is coming into its own as a haven for talented artists and craft workers. Just 40 minutes from the Gold Coast, drive over rolling green hills to this lovely country town whose 1880s timber industry heritage remains evident among historic buildings such as St Luke's Church and the Lahey Tramway Tunnel through which visitors can wander.

Canungra was immortalised in Australian band Redgum's song He was only 19 depicting the Vietnam War, and nearby Kokoda Barracks are still in operation. Canungra Creek gurgles like a contented baby through the town's centre, and is the perfect place for a pretty picnic or some platypus spotting. Potter through local galleries, sip a cuppa at a local caf?, quaff your way around nearby wineries and make sure you don't miss the historic Canungra Hotel for a beer or two.

There's also numerous accommodation options, such as beautiful bed and breakfasts, dotted around these parts, where you can hang-glide, para-glide or hop on horse back and enjoy the clippety clop that gives Canungra such character and charm.