Warwick, Queensland - Heritage Streets, Roses & Country Charm

Warwick, Queensland - Heritage Streets, Roses & Country Charm

Set along the Condamine River, around 158 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, Warwick is one of Queensland’s oldest inland cities and a standout destination in the Southern Downs. Known as the Rose and Rodeo City, Warwick blends grand sandstone architecture, beautiful gardens, public art and deep rural traditions — all wrapped up in an easygoing country atmosphere.

During our visit, we spent time exploring the historic town centre, wandering leafy parks, admiring heritage buildings and venturing out to nearby waterfalls and homesteads that reveal Warwick’s rich past.

Exploring Warwick’s Town Centre

Wandering through Warwick’s town centre is like stepping back into Queensland’s colonial era. The streets are lined with impressive heritage sandstone buildings, colourful street art, and rose gardens that give the city its nickname.

There’s a great mix of local shops, cafés, restaurants and a shopping centre, making it an enjoyable place to slow down, browse and soak up the town’s character.

Parks, Gardens & Public Art

Warwick is dotted with leafy parks and gardens that add to the city’s relaxed country feel and provide lovely spaces to slow down and explore. In the centre of town, Leslie Park is home to the heritage-listed War Memorial, which was built in 1923 to honour the men who served in World War I and remains an important focal point for the community.

Nearby, Queens Park features a striking 15-metre-high metal horse sculpture that celebrates the many roles horses have played in Warwick’s history, from pulling Cobb & Co coaches to working the land and starring in the town’s famous rodeo.

Along the banks of the Condamine River in Federation Park, we wandered past several interesting sculptures that form part of the Southern Downs Stone Sculpture Trail. A short walking track winds through the park, with informative plaques along the way sharing stories about Warwick’s history and the significance of each artwork.

Walking Warwick’s Heritage Trail

Warwick is one of Queensland’s earliest European settlements and boasts an impressive collection of heritage-listed buildings. Following the heritage trail is one of the best ways to appreciate the city’s architectural legacy.Highlights include:

• The Warwick Court House was opened in 1886 and is still in use today.

  
  

• St Andrew’s Uniting Church was completed in 1870 and is still used as a church today.

  
  

• The Warwick Post Office was built from locally quarried sandstone and opened in 1898. This stunning building is one of Warwick’s most prominent landmarks and is still used as a Post Office today.

  
  

• The Warwick Town Hall was also constructed from local sandstone and opened in 1888. It is one of the oldest local authority buildings in Queensland and now houses the information centre.

  
  

• St Marks Anglican Church was built in 1868 and is still used today.

  
  

• St Mary's Catholic Church on Palmerin Street is a landmark in Warwick and is the highest and most prominent building in town. This stunning church was built between 1920 - 1926 and the tower is 29 metres high.

  
  

• The Abbey was built in 1891 and used as a convent and boarding school from 1893 to 1888. Since 1994, the building has been privately owned and used as a boutique hotel, wedding and events venue.

Waterfall Adventures Along Falls Drive

Around 40 kilometres from Warwick, Falls Drive in Main Range National Park offers a scenic route to three beautiful waterfalls, making it an easy and rewarding half-day adventure. We began at Browns Falls, where a gentle 600-metre walk follows the edge of Spring Creek to a lovely 15-metre waterfall cascading over distinctive basalt columns.

From there, we continued to Daggs Falls, the most accessible of the three. A viewing platform located close to the car park provides an impressive vantage point as the water plunges 38 metres over the cliff into the rocks below.

The highlight of Falls Drive is Queen Mary Falls, which drops 40 metres into a rocky pool at its base. A well-maintained 2-kilometre circuit walking track allows you to experience the waterfall from both the lookout above and the base below, offering different perspectives and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

Step Inside Glengallan Homestead

Just 15 kilometres from Warwick, Glengallan Homestead offers a fascinating glimpse into life on a 19th-century pastoral property. Built in 1867, this heritage-listed two-storey homestead sat empty for nearly a century before a team of volunteers restored it in the 1990s.

Today, visitors can take a self-guided tour through restored rooms filled with period furniture and interpretive signage. After exploring the homestead and gardens, we enjoyed scones with jam and cream in the café — the perfect country treat

Discover Local History at Warwick’s Museums

The Warwick Museum Complex on Dragon Street consists of seven historic buildings, including Pringle Cottage, built in 1870 by stonemason John McCullock — who also constructed many of Warwick’s landmark buildings.

The museum tells the story of Warwick’s people, industries and daily life through household items, photographs and farming machinery.

Nearby, the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre celebrates Warwick’s rodeo culture with memorabilia and displays showcasing the history and traditions of Australian rodeo. It’s open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Why Visit Warwick?

Warwick is a destination that beautifully captures the spirit of Queensland’s country heartland. With its elegant sandstone buildings, rose-filled gardens, fascinating museums and easy access to waterfalls and historic homesteads, it offers a rewarding blend of history, nature and rural charm.

Whether you’re exploring the Southern Downs on a road trip or spending a relaxed weekend in town, Warwick delivers an authentic country experience that’s rich in stories and well worth the visit.

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