Laidley is just over 1 hour’s drive (70kms) west of Brisbane in the pretty Lockyer Valley.
Take the Laidley exit from the Warrego Highway and make it a stopover on your way west.
Explorer, Allan Cunningham, travelled through the district in 1829 (he was the first European into the area) and named Laidley’s Plain in honour of New South Wales deputy-commissary-general, James Laidley.
Patrick St in the town centre has oodles of historic ambience with it’s well preserved old buildings housing antiques, collectibles, tea rooms and cafes.
Look out for the Whitehouse Bakery, an heritage-listed former bakery in the main street, built from 1904-1905. It’s a classic old building, but the giant palm tree towering over the building really wows us! We’d love to know how old it is 🤔
Das Neumann Haus is a house museum built in 1893 by German immigrant Hermann Neumann. Wander through the fully furnished 1930’s style rooms then opt for a devonshire tea from Annie’s Place Coffee Shoppe & enjoy it under a 100 year old Jacaranda in the park.
The Queensland National Hotel has a family friendly dining venue with bucket-loads of eclectic charm and a comfortable country atmosphere inside and out. Offering lunch and dinner 7 days a week, all day bar snacks as well as coffee and cake, this is a great place for a lunch stop or to enjoy a couple of drinks at the bar.
From Laidley you can easily access other towns of the Lockyer Valley such as Rosewood, Gatton, Ispwich (back towards Brisbane) or Toowoomba at the start of the Darling Downs.
So call in and enjoy a little historic charm only an hour’s drive from Brisbane
Local Recommendations:
Nestled in the heart of Laidley, Grace Eats is your go-to spot for great coffee, delicious meals and warm hospitality. Open from 7am, seven days a week, this charming café celebrates fresh, locally inspired flavours from breakfast right through to lunch and everything in between. 152 Patrick St, Laidley
Family-run for 80 years, Porters Plainland Hotel is an iconic landmark at the gateway to Queensland’s beautiful Lockyer Valley. Porters offer modern pub dining, entertainment and gaming along with state of the art function and accommodation facilities, catering for any event from weddings to morning teas.
Queensland National Hotel, Laidley
“Great Beer, Great Food, Great People” The Queensland National Hotel in Laidley, Queensland, is a cherished establishment that blends historical significance with contemporary hospitality.
Explore Further:
Visit Queensland – Destination Focus
If your bucket list Aussie adventure is to snorkle the Great Barrier Reef, meet some locals at an historic outback pub, cuddle up close to a furry Aussie icon or explore the bright city lights, then Queensland is the destination for you.
Although we planned to visit many country towns, discover dozens of dinosaurs, climb pristine red sandhills to see stunning sunsets and search the parched ground for elusive Opals, we decided our main goal would be to visit as many old, unique and historic outback pubs as we could in the time, buy a beer or two and help these drought affected communities by sharing our love and some money.
Exploring Scenic Rim: Kalbar, Boonah, and Lake Moogerah
The Scenic Rim Region in Southeast Queensland is the perfect weekend getaway. it covers approx. 4,243sq km and showcases World Heritage Listed rainforests, fertile farmland, hiking trails, lakes, waterfalls, local produce, wineries, craft breweries and charming country towns. There’s heaps to explore so we’ve broken it down for you as a series of Weekend Diary instalments.
A tasting menu is created with the chef’s talents in mind. Not only is each dish created to delight your taste buds, they also showcase the chef team’s collective skills with unique plating and food styling. Choosing a chef’s tasting menu allows you to truly understand the complexity of the different dishes a high end restaurant has to offer.
Nerima Gardens – ‘A place of peace and tranquility, a place to meet nature and calm the spirit.’
Once we took the first Lake Somerset turn off, we discovered why it is so popular. The Spit was pumping with boats, jet skis, wake boarders, picnickers and campers who all seemed to be die hard water sport enthusiasts.
From Shipwreck to Ruin – The Trial Bay Gaol Story
Take a step back in time and soak up the history and beauty of Trial Bay Gaol, just 5km from South West Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast. Named after a tragic shipwreck, and sitting atop a sun-drenched peninsular overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the silent and powerful ruin of Trial Bay Gaol stands as testament to a time of ingenuity, courage and survival in Australia’s colonial history.
Room With A Zoo – On Zoofari at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo
Spend a night under the stars, watching zebra and giraffe saunter by as you sip on your favourite Safari style cocktail, binoculars in place around your neck and the roar of distant lions in the air. You are on Zoofari!
Goonoo Goonoo Station – from Historic Station to Luxury Destination
Goonoo Goonoo Station is a lovingly curated rural resort of the highest standard, from the exquisite gardens lining the paths and buildings, to the picture perfect rural vistas from each guest’s window. Top this off with a contemporary and architecturally striking fine dining restaurant and you have a winning formula for a unique events destination and a truly unforgettable stay.
A Taste of Australia – The Great Southern Land
Defining Australian cuisine is like trying to describe a sunrise while it’s still changing colours—it is vibrant, evolving, and beautifully complex. It is a journey that spans 60,000 years, moving from the ancient “bush tucker” of the First Nations people to the globally-inspired “Mod Oz” (Modern Australian) fusion we see today.
A Taste of Australia – Recipes from Down Under
To understand Australian food is to understand the spirit of Australia itself – a blend of deep ancient roots, a colonial past, and a restless, modern curiosity. It is a cuisine defined not by rigid rules, but by quality, freshness, and a fearless willingness to experiment.
Pixsell Travels 