Name: Grandchester
Item: Grandchester
Author: Editor

The tiny hamlet of Grandchester is located in the beautiful Lockyer Valley between Ipswich and Toowoomba. The pride and joy of Grandchester is the Grandchester Railway Station, built in 1865. Listed by the National Trust, the Station is significant as the terminus for the first railway line built in Queensland. Running from Ipswich to Grandchester the railway was also the first narrow gauge mainline railway in the world. Before the construction of the railway line, Grandchester was little more than a whistle-stop for travellers, and was known as Bigge’s Camp. Queensland’s Governor at the time, felt that a place at the centre of such a significant historical event deserved a more dignified name, and so renamed the site Grandchester. Visitors can experience the days of the steam engine at Grandchester’s Model Steam Railway (open the first Sunday of each month from 10.00am to 3.00pm) by riding scale models of steam (and diesel) locomotives. Not far from the railway station, the historic buildings of an old homestead have been restored and converted into a luxury resort – right in the heart of a working cattle station. Here amidst the clean country air, guests can experience the workings of a real farm. The nearby villages of Rosewood and Laidley are of equal historical significance with heritage buildings lining the streets and charming aspects making them well worth a look. Grandchester is located approximately 45 minutes west of Brisbane and 20 minutes from Ipswich.

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Grandchester

Grandchester

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