When you want to get out of Brisbane for a change of scenery and it's the country you want to experience, not the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, there's a little known gem you won't know about (unless you're a local!).

Many people are aware that both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have hinterlands, but few are aware that Brisbane has it's own hinterland too. Nestled behind Brisbane, the Brisbane Hinterland is ideally located for those visitors who want it all. About an hours drive in every direction gets you a destination which will have all your possible holiday needs catered for: the Gold Coast to the South, the Sunshine Coast to the North, Brisbane city to the East , and the most amazing array of National Parks and gorgeous country towns to the West.

So what does this seemingly ideal central location have to offer, besides serving as a gateway to everything, I hear you ask?

The main attractions are the lakes. Infact the area is often referred to as The Valley of the Lakes. There are two major lakes: Lake Wivenhoe, a lake created by the damming of the Brisbane River to serve as the main water catchment storage for the city of Brisbane; and Lake Somerset, a lake created by the damming of the Stanley River, which was the first water catchment  storage for Brisbane. When Lake Somerset fills, which happens more often than Lake Wivenhoe, the Somerset Dam gates are opened to allow the excess to flow into Lake Wivenhoe. Together they form a magnificent sight, contributed to by the glorious mountain ranges that surrond them.

The difference between the two from a visitors perspective is that Lake Someset is open to motorised boating activities and Lake Wivenhoe only permits non-motorized boats (excluding electric).   So between them any water based activity you can think of is available. Lake Somerset is especially popular with locals for water sport activities, such as skiing; perhaps it's the absence of sharks! People who love to fish also flock to the area as both lakes are regularly stocked with fish fingerlings paid for by the small licence fee required to fish there. Regular fishing competitions are held too, such is the reputation of the lakes as good fishing grounds. There are also a multitude of picnic spots, some with BBQs, dotted around both lakes providing an ideal spot to stop and take in the views.

However the lakes are not all you'll find.

Nature, in all its glory, is well represented in the region. The mountains and beyond are dotted with National and State parks, with all the amenities one would expect. One of the parks, The Bunya Mountains National Park, is steeped in the local indiginous peoples history as tribes from all over the South East gathered there annually to feast on the Bunya Nut. There is also a walking/horseriding track which extends right across the region, called the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, which allows visitors to get up close and personal with the flora and (if your lucky) fauna of the region. Unfortunately many of Australias unique animals only like to come out at night and consequently sleep all day!! If the natural world beyond earths atmosphere is more to your liking then you can also get up close and personal with the stars.

History buffs are accommodated with a variety of experiences: heritage trails, includes a historical homesteads trail (one you can even dine in!), steam trains, and Cobb & Co displays of horse drawn vehicles, heritage trades and more.

The area is also a great place to grow grapes, so there are a number of wineries in the area. Some of the wineries have established reputations that reach far beyond their locale and the awards they have won, both national and international, speak for themselves.

There are also a number of great places to visit for the foodies because of the wide variety of produce grown in the region.  There are places that specialise in Olives, Dragon Fruit,  Lavender, Cheese, Strawberries and many more. The area is also well known for the beef it produces: Kilcoy beef is specifically listed on the menus of many quality restaurants around Australia, and is exported to the world.

Ramblers, the well known place where people go who love to throw themselves out of perfectly good aeroplanes, is also located in the region, along with other adventure based activities. You can go horse riding (including overnight camp-outs if you like), Four Wheel Driving, .............. it all depends on how much energy you want to expend really. 

There are a variety of entertainment options, from a romantic dinner for two at one of the many restaurants, joining in the fun at one of the many traditional Aussies pubs, and a large variety of entertainment hosted by one of the local wineries, Woongooroo Estate. The biggest entertainment drawcards are the festivals. Some are held locally, such as Kilcoy's Wood Wine & Art Festival. The biggest are held at the Woodfordia site, just outside the town of Woodford. The current annual festivals are: The Woodford Folk Festival,The Dreaming Festival, The Planting Weekend, and for the first time in 2010 Splendour In The Grass (hopefully now it's permenant site).

So, with all that on offer where do you stay? There are a variety of accommodation options available from camping to farm stays, pubs, motels, and B&B's. Another, still under development, purports to be bringing a new style of cottage accommodation to the area for the fist time, which will also be able to take non-boat owners onto Lake Somerset, although opening date is not expected until early 2011. Take a look at http://www.somersettourism.com.au/acc... and http://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/touris... for many suggestions specific to this area.