Art enthusiasts can experience stories of Somerset and a farm that’s anything but calm as part of two new exhibitions at The Condensery. ‘Colourful Chaos II’ is full of vibrant 2D colour pieces featuring animals and the occasional human. Each piece is inspired by Sandi Harrold’s country upbringing. Get carried away in the colourful chaos […]
Award-winning art on show
The Somerset Bendigo Bank Art Awards returns to Somerset this Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 July. Showcasing entries from South-East Queensland and New South Wales, this exhibition provides a visual feast at Somerset Civic Centre in Esk. Mediums include 3D/sculptures, textiles, painting, works on paper, photography and more. EXHIBITION TIMES Saturday, 27 July | […]
Experience free festival fun in Esk
Looking for a great day out with family and friends? The Esk Cultural Festival is a free event on Saturday, 27 July at Pipeliner Park, Highland Street, Esk. The festival celebrates the diverse histories, foods and cultures of Somerset and its neighbouring regions. Come along and enjoy a day full of cultural activities showcasing international […]
Free family festival this Sunday
Bring the family and celebrate with us at the Somerset Rail Trail Fun Run or Ride festival from 9am to 12pm this Sunday, 14 July. There will be free activities galore including jumping castles, rock climbing wall, slide, baby animal farm, live music, DJ and more. All welcome! Food and drinks available for purchase. […]
Esk races back on track this Saturday
Come and enjoy some of Queensland’s finest regional racing at Esk this Saturday, 13 July. Treat your family to an action-packed day of racing, fashions on the field with cash prizes and more. Gates open | 10.30am First race | 12.45am Fashions on the field | from 1pm Last race | 4.15pm Food and drinks […]
Looking for the perfect winter warmer?
Just because the weather is getting cooler doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Somerset. If you’re a keen cyclist, warm up your legs and keep active by joining the BVRT 100 Challenge Bike Ride in June, on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. BVRT 100 CHALLENGE BIKE RIDE This Brisbane Valley […]
It’s showtime!
Enjoy all the family fun of a rural show. Treat the children to rides, activities, games, stalls and more. Oh, and did we mention the laidback country atmosphere? LOWOOD SHOW Held on Friday, 14 and Saturday, 15 June. Features horse, cattle and pavilion displays. Saturday features fireworks, demolition derby, children’s entertainment, facepainting, live music […]
Esk Garden and Lifestyle Fair
Enjoy a day out in the winter sunshine at the Esk Garden and Lifestyle Fair on Saturday, 15 June from 8am to 3pm. This family friendly event will cater for people of all ages, with more than 100 stalls featuring plants, gardening products, hand crafted bush furniture and more. Free lectures by Claire Bickle, […]
Winter wine time in Somerset
Warm up this winter with a drop of wine at one of Somerset’s boutique country wineries. Set among the rolling pastures and native landscape of the stunning Somerset countryside, our wineries are sure to surprise. WINYA WINES Visitors to Winya Wines can drop into the cellar door and choose from a selection of eight […]
Free family fun at the Somerset Art Beat Festival
We can’t wait to celebrate the arts, of all kinds, at the inaugural Somerset Art Beat Festival. Held at the Somerset Regional Art Gallery – The Condensery in Toogoolawah on Saturday, 1 June 2019 the free festival will be a family friendly event celebrating all things creative. The festival will offer a range of art […]
Blacktop Motorcycle Works in Esk
We sat down with Jim and Naomi McKenzie, owners of the Blacktop Motorcycle Works in Esk to chat about living and working in Somerset. DESCRIBE BLACKTOP MOTORCYCLE WORKS We are a family owned and run business and we work hard and believe in producing quality products. To put it simply, we restore and repair pre-1980’s […]
Reel Wivenhoe Classic is back!
Somerset will host the 2019 Reel Wivenhoe Classic at Captain Logan Campground, Lake Wivenhoe from Saturday, 17 August 2019 to Sunday, 18 August 2019. The event is open to competitors and day visitors and is perfect for families with free family fun festival including jumping castles, slides, rock climbing wall, live music, fireworks, kayak and […]
Lowood Art Cultural Festival
It’s that time of year again, when Lowood comes alive with creative flair and cultural experiences. All are welcome to join in on all the fun at the Lowood Art Cultural Festival on Saturday, 27 April 2019. Get the chance to immerse yourself among the cultural performances available on the day including unique fire dancing, […]
Experience Toogoolawah Charity Rodeo
Lace up your boots, grab your camping chairs and get your mates together and travel to the Toogoolawah Showground on Saturday, 13 April 2019 for the 24th annual Toogoolawah Charity Rodeo. Starting at 11am with some of Australia’s best cowboys and cowgirls this rodeo is going to be an event you do not want to […]
Top four child friendly outdoor adventures
Treat the kids to a host of outdoor adventure activities in Somerset during the school holidays. HORSE RIDING ADVENTURE – NASH HORSE TREKKING Nash Horse Trekking can tailor packages to suit families with children from as young as three years. Children can brush, feed and interact with their horse as they ride the Brisbane Valley […]
Experience Somerset’s wild side
Lace up your boots, grab your camera or binoculars and head outside for some wildlife spotting in Somerset. Somerset is a wildlife watcher’s paradise with regular glimpses of koalas snoozing in the trees and kangaroos grazing in grasslands. Make sure to keep an eye out for elusive echidnas meandering along our trails or the shy […]
Top spots to take the kids camping this Easter
Get back to basics with a camping trip to remember this Easter school holidays. Somerset boasts caravanning and camping spaces galore to suit families of all shapes and sizes. NRMA LAKE SOMERSET HOLIDAY PARK NRMA Lake Somerset Holiday Park offers the perfect family getaway with family friendly facilities including a large playground, basketball court, sporting […]
Reel Somerset Classic 2019
The inaugural Reel Somerset Classic is a family friendly, non-professional fishing competition held at Somerset Park Campground, Esk Kilcoy Road, Somerset Dam, from Friday, 29 March 2019 to Sunday, 31 March 2019. Come along for a great weekend at Lake Somerset, spend the day fishing and relax with live music each evening. Food will be […]
Experience Somerset Visitor Guide
Pick up a copy of the new Somerset visitor guide to experience a real country adventure. The Somerset Visitor Guide, hit the shelves in February and is now available at our visitor information centres in Esk, Fernvale, Kilcoy and Toogoolawah. Flip pages to discover information about Australia’s longest recreational rail trail – the Brisbane Valley […]
Jensens Swamp Environmental Reserve – Lowood
Jensens Swamp Environmental Reserve is located seven minutes drive west of Lowood in Somerset. The reserve covers 20 hectares of bushland and has bush walking tracks suitable for young children through to adults. FACILITIES Features sensory garden with wheelchair walk, bush walking tracks, picnic tables (some with shelters), quiet sitting areas, toilets, beautiful bushland and […]
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – Toogoolawah to Moore
Just in case you needed another reason to experience Somerset’s Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Somerset Regional Council won an engineering excellence award for the newest section of the trail on Thursday, 11 October 2018. This award recognises Council’s achievements and its collaboration with various stakeholders including all tiers of government to complete the project, which […]
Now that’s Basstastic!
You might have heard about the two amazing lakes in Somerset… Yes, we’re talking about Lake Wivenhoe and Lake Somerset. Both lakes provide fantastic locations for camping and spending a day out on the water. But have you heard how fantastic the fishing is? Did you know an Australia Bass, weighing 4.455 kilograms, measuring 59cm […]
Shiels Lookout
If you’re a keen photographer, be sure to check out Shiels Lookout. Head out early to Shiels Lookout and capture the early morning sunrise with breathtaking, uninterrupted views over Lake Somerset, Hazeldean and Kilcoy. After your photo session, pop into one of the neighbouring villages of Esk, or Kilcoy for a hearty breakfast at one […]
Hamon Cove – Lake Wivenhoe
Looking for place to launch your boat or go kayaking on calm waters? Hamon Cove is the ideal location for you. Located along the Brisbane Valley Highway in Somerset only 12 minutes south of Esk, Hamon Cove is great place to spend a relaxed day by the water. FACILITIES Hamon Cove, Lake Wivenhoe features toilets, […]
Yowie Park – Kilcoy
Located next to Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre, Yowie Park provides a tranquil lagoon, scenic parklands to explore and Kilcoy’s Yowie statue. FACILITIES Yowie Park features toilets, barbecue, picnic tables, playground, parking, large open spaces, grassed areas, shady trees and a lagoon abundant with birdlife. KILCOY’S YOWIE AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE A Yowie is a […]
Cormorant Bay – Lake Wivenhoe
If you’re looking for a beautiful spot to relax, explore nature and spend the day with family, Cormorant Bay, Lake Wivenhoe is for you. This immaculately maintained recreation reserve is located in Somerset only five minutes drive north of Fernvale above the Lake Wivenhoe wall. FACILITIES Cormorant Bay, Lake Wivenhoe features barbecues, under cover […]
Get on your bike…or hire one!
Discovering the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail just got easier, with mountain bike hire now available from Esk Caravan Park. We recommend booking in advance as numbers are limited: Esk Caravan Park 26 Hassall Street, Esk (07) 5424 1466 Esk Caravan Park website Keen to get started on a Brisbane Valley Rail Trail adventure and don’t […]
Billie’s Bay and Hays Landing, Lake Wivenhoe
Located at the southern end of Lake Wivenhoe, Billie’s Bay and Hays Landing offer the perfect destination to spend a day by the water. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the calm, cool waters of Billie’s Bay. Bring a fishing rod, launch your boat, kayak or canoe from the boat ramp adjacent to the swimming area. […]