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Heritage and Antiques |
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For some great local and Australian history there are plenty of places to visit. The historic Spring Bluff Railway Station, located 10 minutes from Highfields on the main railway line between Ipswich and Toowoomba is over 130 years old and has exquisitely landscaped and award winning gardens and a quaint old-style coffee house.
The Highfields Pioneer Village in Wirraglen Rd (follow the signs) comprises 20 acres of well-maintained grounds and lovingly restored memorabilia. Enthusiasts of vintage cars, old time machinery, blacksmithing and more will want to stay to experience the pioneering days. Revive with an authentic Billy tea and damper before heading off further on your historical journey.
Further north along the New England Highway are two unique antique stops, Cyrano Maison de France (French giftware and antiques) at Cabarlah and Hampton Court Antiques (Dutch Oak furniture) at Hampton. Although very different styles both have a great variety of old and new furniture and giftware. Further north along the pine-forest flanked highway in the township of Crows Nest is Salts Antiques. Bursting with collectibles, antiques and one of a kind treasures the store is housed in a heritage listed building dating back to 1916 when it began life as a general store. The building itself is now considered a regional icon, and its present wares attract antique lovers from far and wide.
 Not far down the road is the Carbethon Folk Museum and Village. Carbethon (‘happy home’ in an aboriginal dialect) is an old home dating back to the 19th century and was donated to the Crows Nest Historical Society by Doris Walker and her family. Doris, now in her eighties, still presides over the home and grounds. Here you will find an amazing array of unique collections bequeathed from local families, displays of historical memorabilia and a settlement of historical buildings including the first Ray White real estate building; the empire began in the town in 1902.
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