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)

Vacy Hall Historic Guesthouse 135 Russell St Toowoomba e: bookings@vacyhall.com.au p: 07 4639 2055 f: 07 4632 0160

Experience the grandeur and the romance of this heritage-listed mansion in Toowoomba's CBD