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Vacy Hall - Things to see and do

This is not an exhaustive list but a list of ideas grouped under headings to get you thinking. Also check out the Regional Events Calendar (120 KB PDF)

Physical

• Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness Centre brochures on table in main hall
• Tennis - Qld Tennis Assoc. has courts on James Street near railway line
• Horse-riding www.cowboyup.com.au 4698 4772 from $55 per person or try Forsdale Farmstay in the Lockyer Valley.
• Bush-walking - there are numerous great bushwalks when you walk over the escarpment. Picnic Point Lookout has a number of options or drive to Warana Street at Mount Lofty and walk off the edge!

Retail

• Grand Central Shopping Centre 150m South
• Ladies boutiques in Margaret Street 500m
• Hanna's - wonderful old fashioned country drapery business in 563-569 Ruthven Street 1 km South.
• Antiques - Darling Downs Art & Antiques in West St 200m, Lancaster's Antique Centre in Railway St 350m East or many others just ask.

Cultural

• Toowoomba Regional Gallery Ruthven St 800m South East
• Ju raku en - Japanese Garden at USQ different in every season 4km South
• Empire Theatre in Neil St a great program see brochure in hallway 500m East
• Boogey Shack - old time rock n roll venue - upstairs 488 Ruthven St 700m East

Gastronomic

• Preston Peak Winery - 15 mins south of Toowoomba on the Preston Boundary Rd - tastings, wine sales & meals (great views).
• Visit Alan Wynn at Phat Burgers in Ruthven Street - try a burger (My favourite is the Van Helsing - yum! Or if your vego his Veggie Burger is superb) or ask him about fresh locally caught wild Murray Cod (arguably one of the best eating fish)
• Picnic hampers ideas or delicious nibblies try either Deli-delicious cnr of Hume and Herries Streets or Wendland Olives cnr of Mary and Bridge Streets (the best delis)
• Check out the Spotted Cow Cellars Bottleshop across the road from Wendland Olives - is this the best range of beers in the country!
• Chocolate Cottage (great coffee and meals too) 10475 New England Hwy (on the right on the service road) at Highfields

Kid Friendly

• Cinemas - Grand Central 150m
• Indoor Go Karts - 4km west
• Parks - try Queens Park Cnr Margaret and Lindsay sts or Laurel Bank cnr of West and Herries sts
• Ten Pin Bowling Herries St near Laurel Bank Park
• Food - Sizzler, Hogs Breath, Spotted Cow Hotel, Montezumas, La Porchetta (Pizzas) or the Wilsonton Hotel

Drive ideas

• Head up to Hampton (Ruthven St North) - 30 mins stretch the legs and check out Ravensbourne National Park (for more inspiration head to the Visitor Centre at Hampton)
• Lunch at the Royal Arms Hotel in Goombungee - meet the locals who are very friendly, play pool, great value pub lunches. 25 mins north west
• Day trip to the Bunya Mountains (a very special place) - get the Bunya drive brochure for all the information/options.
• Combine, bush walks, picnics, wineries, and history just ask for ideas

Historical

• Cobb and Co Museum (Part of the Queensland Museum) has the largest collection of horse drawn vehicles in Australia -1.5km Cnr Lindsay and Campbell Street (kid friendly too)
• Army Aviation Museum at Oakey 40kms west
• Jondaryan Woolshed 65 kms west (this'll wear the kids out too)
• Guided Historical Walks see brochures on table in the main hallway

Cafes/Restaurants I recommend (based on personal experiences)

• Contemporary A la Carte (Excellent and great for special occasions)- Gips Restaurant 30m across the road 4638 3588
• Italian (Terrific - no pizzas) - Angelo's House 400m South (210 Herries St) Phone 4659 9200 BYO and licensed
• Veraison (Great Wine List and Fine Food) Margaret Street 400m East
• Indian (Great Atmosphere and the most popular Indian in town also great value takeaways) - Bindi Spot 164 Margaret St 400m East Phone 4638 0044
• Thai (BYO - but the best Thai in town) - Hot Basil Thai Cottage Margaret St 400m East
• Chinese - Q'in Lin - Hooper Centre Cnr Hume and Herries St 1.2km
• Burgers (great gourmet burgers) - Phat Burgers 420 Ruthven St 650m South
• Vegetarian (My vego friends swear by this place - they also have a great range of Meat Dishes too!) and it's always cosy and warm Breakfast lunch and dinner 7 days a week - Angel Café 142a South St 3km South East 4636 3177
• Café Metro (Good coffee and a great buzz) - Railway St 300m East
• Engine Room Café (Good coffee very popular - I love the leafy courtyard) - Railway St 300m East
• Café Valetta (Good coffee & nice atmosphere) - Margaret St (opposite Queens Park) 1.2km west

Hotels we recommend (based on personal experiences)

• The closest is the Irish Club Hotel 250m down Russell St (towards Town) - generous country sized meals, good old fashioned atmosphere, live music and wood fires - they dream of pubs like this in the big cities.
• The Spotted Cow Hotel Cnr Ruthven and Campbell Sts - 500m North East - a huge range of international beers and great food (especially the steaks) - popular with the rugby union crowd. The publican Mick is a Rabbitohs tragic - be kind.
• Fitzy's Fibber Magees - enter through Margaret St (go through to the back) - a huge refurb here has set this pub up for the next 5 yrs - great food, nice atmosphere (could be anywhere) young happening crowd.
• Country pub - The Royal Arms Hotel in Goombungee is a typical Australian Country Pub 25 mins North West (main street of Goombungee)