Summer treats: How to spend the school holidays in your own region

Holidays can be a testing time for parents, but here is a full list of ways to keep the kids entertained this school break.

DEEP into school holidays and the kids’ return still a month away, now is the time many parents are wondering how they can keep their children occupied.

The Chronicle has put together a list of the top spots where kids can enjoy the summer.

Eight-year-old twins Cooper and Hudson Knauth are loving the summer school holidays at Toowoomba's Queen's Park. Wednesday, December 29 2021. PICTURE: Morgan Burley

1. Queen’s Park

Toowoomba’s Queen’s Park is a must-do for local families, particularly with the large playground off Margaret Street.

The playground features a water section – perfect for those hot summer days.

For more information on the park, visit the Toowoomba Regional Council website.

2. Darling Downs Zoo

Want to get out of Toowoomba and surround yourself with animals? Darling Downs Zoo is the place to be.

Kids can now even see one of their favourite Madagascar characters, King Julien, in his new enclosure, with his pals Zola, Ven, Priscilla and Dahlia.

The zoo is open to the public from 9am to 4pm every day.

For more information, visit the zoo’s website.

3. Cobb and Co Museum

Toowoomba’s Cobb and Co Museum has numerous exhibitions and programs over the school holidays, including an Under The Sea program from January 10.

Currently, children can see the world in a new light through Questacon’s Colour exhibition.

The museum is open from 9.30am, seven days a week.

For more information, visit the museum’s website.

PICTURE PERFECT: Coomba Falls are just one of those perfect destinations around our region to spend a summer day. PICTURE: Neale Maynard

4. Coomba Falls

Looking to enjoy nature and cool off? Why not head out to Maidenwell on the edge of the South Burnett and Toowoomba regions and take a dip at Coomba Falls?

Families can pack a picnic and relax by the natural deep swimming hole and admire the striking granite cliffs.

For more information on the falls, visit the Discover South Burnett website.

REACH FOR THE SKY: A sculpture in the Bunya Mountains. PICTURE: Neale Maynard

5. Bunya Mountains National Park

Have you ever wanted to visit an actual volcano? Well the Bunya Mountains are the remains of a shield volcano formed about 30 million years ago.

Now, it is home to a variety of species, including the Bunya tree and the red-necked wallabies, and is the perfect spot for a summer stroll.

Take a hike, have a picnic, and enjoy the views of the Darling Downs.

For more information on the mountain ranges, visit the Bunya Mountains website.

Will and Georgia Connolly as Warraba Sunflowers opens its drone-planted sunflower field to visitors, Monday, December 27, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

6. Warraba Sunflowers

Have you ever wanted to visit a sunflower field? Grab that perfect photo? Well, now you can!

Warraba Sunflowers, near Cambooya, is an eight-hectare property completely planted and maintained by a drone.

For a small fee – to cover the maintenance – families can walk among the flowers, have a picnic, have a photo shoot, have a day out and even take home a sunflower.

The paddock – whose official location is unveiled after purchasing a ticket – is open from first light to the last.

Visit Drone Commander Australia Facebook page to purchase your tickets.

A Chinook at the open day at the Australian Army Flying Museum, Saturday, August 28, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

7. Australian Army Flying Museum

Located just 25 minutes from Toowoomba is the Australian Army Flying Museum, a spot sure to spark the imagination of children.

Inside the museum you will find a vast collection of aircraft and related memorabilia from all eras of Australian military flying.

Visit the museum’s website for opening times.

Do you have a favourite summer activity not included on this list?

Send through your recommendation to [e-mail] to share it with the rest of the world.