A Drive Worth Taking….
Indulging in a rural getaway from Brisbane may conjure up nightmarish thoughts to the weary would-be traveller. You may not have the time to drive for hours, arriving exhausted only to spend too brief a time at your destination to then attempt the journey home again, perhaps with cranky children in tow behaving the opposite way your hindered mind and body demands. An easier alternative is at hand. Simply hop in your car and in just over half an hour from the heart of Brisbane you can arrive in secluded Samford Valley for what is one of the most rewarding and effortless trips you will ever undertake. Allow yourself to be surrounded by rainforest, natural forming rock pools, country lanes, great food and attractions suitable for all ages. The Samford Valley region, only 21kms out of Brisbane, is the perfect rural retreat for those wanting a 
refreshing change from the usual Brisbane attractions. The township, while small, has much to offer and see, providing a great launching point to discover the real beauty that has given Samford its well-earned name as being an idyllic getaway location. Access to Samford from Brisbane is through a scenic drive on Samford Road, which takes about ten minutes from passing through Ferny Grove. While it is a short drive, the scenery is beautiful and the sounds and smells of the lush rainforest make the drive seem all too brief. Too soon will you arrive in Samford Village, where you can continue on to one of the many picnic locations found in the State Forest encircling the region. A suggested lunch spot in town is the Buzz Stop Espresso Bar situated on Main Street. Offering a 
fantastic menu by head chef Sam Potter in an intimate setting with warm and welcoming staff, it is an excellent alternative to the very popular and also fantastic Flying Nun Café. If an outdoor picnic setting is more your style, just follow any of the marked signs to the designated picnic areas which offer plenty of room to move and some with BBQ facilities. For those keen to explore what was originally part of the Pine Rivers Shire, now belonging to Moreton Bay Region, a drive along Saltwater Creek Road off Conway Beach Road will bring you to the picturesque Cedar Creek Falls location. Beautiful all year round, the falls flow down from Tamborine Mountain and are criss-crossed by walking tracks. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes as the walk to the falls can sometimes be challenging. The sound of rushing water will guide you on the short hike through the rich rainforest to the 
amphitheatre that surrounds the flowing creek, natural rock pools and cascading waterfalls. It is prohibited to jump off the falls but during the hot summer days try and tell that to those who climb the rock face leaping with enthusiasm into the chilly depths. Once back in the Village there is still much to explore. A visit to the Bora Ring at Wights Mountain will give insight into the original Aboriginal History of the region, with a burial site maintained near Upper Camp Mountain Road and the local museum containing much information, surely an interest to those with a love for Brisbane history. After all this you can still spend your time hiking on one of the many designated tracks around the Forest Park or simply just take in the relaxed atmosphere of Samford Village, with each visit you can always find something new and surprising to do for all.