Wyaralong Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lovely spot for a picnic.
Lovely spot for a picnic.
WYARALONG – A DAM GOOD DAY Every day this man posts pics on Facebook. That’s because every day he goes out photographing birds. He knows where all the good stuff is and it’s in two places. One is the Scenic Rim, the other is Wyaralong Dam; that’s where I’m going to meet him. The best pics are nearly always around sunrise but, that’s about when I wake up, then there are animals to feed. Oh, and it’s also an hour drive to get to the carpark where John, for that’s his name, is going to meet me. I rock up in plenty of time before he arrives, jump in his 4WD and head off to a secluded area at the end of the pondage. There’s a parking area, a sign with information and not much else. I’m pleased I came with John as a guide, because I doubt I’d ever have found the spot. Apparently it’s a go to area for runners and off road cyclists as well, John informs me as a familiar jogger bounces past. The entire area John scouts would only be about a kilometre long but he knows where all the birds are, the best times and when to sit down and wait (most of the time apparently!). We have a moderately fruitful time but John insists that, to get ideal conditions, we need to be here earlier; thus arrangements are made to meet again at an earlier time two days hence. There’s still a bit of bite in the air when I arrive at the pickup point slightly pre-dawn, but I’m keen to get going. Laconic John just gets on with it and, as we alight, I’m taken by the mist caressing the surface of the lake. It infuses the dead leafless trees with a hint of magic and the birds I’ve come to photograph are forgotten. A partly submerged fence line adds to the allure and I’m off and almost running with my phone/camera. The sun’s early rays sparkle in the dew and kiss the cloud remnants on the horizon giving them some delightful pastel shades that resonates with the foreground. As a photographer, you know when moments are special. The only problem is what to take a picture of first; there are so many competing images. (continued nex pic)
(Shot of red backed wren) I squelch along the foreshore and it’s only the rising of the sun, the dissipating mist and the shortening shadows that makes me return to what I originally came for. Changing cameras I get back to the birds. John’s camera has a longer range than mine so he gets large images of the birds than I do but, my consolation is that the photos can stand to be blown up more. John’s a patient man, which is why he gets such good images, while I tend towards jack-in-the-box and want to move on. Still, today is more exciting than the first and I get to see my first chestnut breasted mannikins, a whole flock of them deep in a thicket with red browed finches and they keep popping up unexpectedly, checking for danger. The trees in the dam are the refuge of black ibis and royal spoonbills, the latter with their probing beaks tucked away beneath their wings, while along the foreshore black necked stilts and double banded plovers are aggressively chasing a feed, casting an occasional glance at the patrolling pelicans. It all seems to come to an end too quickly, but much time has flown, so I bid farewell to John, thanking him for putting up with me and showing me one of Queensland’s little treasures.
Early morning to catch first light at Wyaralong , was hoping for some fog and I got it
The Manor

The Manor

3.5 out of 5
160 Long Road Tamborine Mountain QLD
The price is ₹9,545 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
₹9,545
₹10,594 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Tamborine Mountain. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (590 reviews)
Very relaxing atmosphere Very spacious room Food is top notch Will definitely stay here again

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

The Manor
Johnson Road Motel

Johnson Road Motel

4 out of 5
116-120 Johnson Road Hillcrest QLD
The price is ₹10,626 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
₹10,626
₹10,626 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Hillcrest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a conference centre. Popular attractions Wineglass Water Tower and Blunder ...
9/10 Wonderful! (205 reviews)
Room was clean and tidy, lady at the front desk was lovely and friendly, had a good chat

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Johnson Road Motel
Browns Plains Motor Inn

Browns Plains Motor Inn

4 out of 5
30-32 Anzac Avenue Hillcrest QLD
The price is ₹9,749 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
₹9,749
₹10,775 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Hillcrest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (312 reviews)
room was spotless

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Browns Plains Motor Inn
See all 274 properties in Wyaralong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Wander in the Scenic Rim

Wander in the Scenic Rim

3 out of 5
1660 Beaudesert Boonah Rd Wyaralong QLD
Stay at this cabin in Wyaralong. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room massages.
Private and peaceful......comfortable king size bed

Reviewed on 7 Apr 2024

Wander in the Scenic Rim
Quest Ipswich

Quest Ipswich

4 out of 5
57 - 63 Warwick Road Ipswich QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Ipswich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (259 reviews)
Large, clean room and the staff were very friendly and helpful

Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025

Quest Ipswich
Camelot Boutique Accommodations

Camelot Boutique Accommodations

4.5 out of 5
322 Main Western Road Tamborine Mountain QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury cottage in Tamborine Mountain. Enjoy free parking, a garden and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (247 reviews)
Clean, quiet, well appointed and very restful.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Camelot Boutique Accommodations
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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