Free overnighter: Allora Rest Area, Queensland

Dalrymple Creek, Allora, Qld – is a free overnight rest area, close to road and highway. There’s water in the creek, picnic tables and shelter, toilet, swings, bins, plenty of shade in this pet friendly pretty park.

We had no problem with road noise, but were awakened by a late arrival. I took the path beside the creek, and looked up to find a lot of bats! There are a couple of plaques to read – the dedication of the parkland to Eric Ireland and about the wooden water trough, which has been on display here for 30 years.

Dalrymple Creek, Allora, Qld – is a free overnight rest area, close to road and highway. There’s water in the creek, picnic tables and shelter, toilet, swings, bins, plenty of shade in this pet friendly pretty park.

We had no problem with road noise, but were awakened by a late arrival. I took the path beside the creek, and looked up to find a lot of bats! There are a couple of plaques to read – the dedication of the parkland to Eric Ireland and about the wooden water trough, which has been on display here for 30 years.

Allora - 1200 gallon wooden trough was built by Jack Busiko and Bill Blocksidge in 1948
Allora - 1200 gallon wooden trough was built by Jack Busiko and Bill Blocksidge in 1948

Donated by the Duff family, the 1200 gallon wooden trough was built by Jack Busiko and Bill Blocksidge in 1948 as a birthday present to Watty Stark for his cattle yard in Ellinthorpe. The trough was cut from a dead blood-wood tree in the Pechey State Forest, taking two days make, and the process is explained.

Thanks Allora for the free site, the showgrounds are also available for budget camping, with more facilities.

As we drove around town, Heatley pointed out his first school, and where three of his aunties and Mum grew up. We took a photo outside the church our daughter was christened – there are Gilmores aplenty in the district.

You’ll also find a Mary Poppins connection – as the author of the book, Helen Lyndon Goff moved to Allora from Maryborough, Queensland when she was three. Her father, Travers Robert Goff, was a bank manager in Allora. Originally the Australian Joint Stock Bank, it is now Mary Poppins Manse with guided tours by appointment – complete with the original vault.

Allora Mary Poppins Manse House Queensland
Mary Poppins Manse House

It was lovely to see Mim Rogers at the Allora Advertiser, Heatley worked with Mim at the Toowoomba Chronicle in the 90s. Mim and Ted own several local newspapers and it was great to hear the newspapers were thriving. Newspapers like theirs are a community essential.

Heatley with Mim Rogers at the Allora Advertiser

Across the road, is a lavender filled PL Travers Park and monument.

Allora PL Travers Park
Travers Park
Allora PL Travers Monument Queensland
Travers Monument

We are not quite in the sunflower season – Allora and the Darling Downs’ yellow fields are a beautiful backdrop for photos. We filled up the fridge with Allora beef sausages and drove onto our next stop of Clifton.

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Allora Dump Point, Apex Park, Allora
Allora Dump Point, Apex Park, Allora

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