Discover Gatton

Gatton combines experiences in nature with insights into the history of a university campus and offerings related to art and regional culture. You can watch birds by the lakes, learn about a campus on a guided tour, or take time to visit museums and exhibitions. Which of these discoveries interests you most can help shape your choice of where to stay in Gatton.

Nature and birdwatching

UQ Gatton’s Environmental Park has two bird hides, walking tracks and boardwalks. The plants there include species that provide habitats for local wildlife. This makes the park a way to combine nature watching with exercise. Lake Galletly, established in 1980 as a habitat and refuge for waterbirds, is home to a variety of bird species, including the Red-rumped Parrot and the Magpie Goose.

Lake Apex is also interesting for birdwatching: the lake is home to more than 150 different bird species. Nearby Lake Apex Park, a few minutes from the centre of Gatton, has a sealed walking path around the lake. You can choose a circuit for a lakeside visit, while the bird hides, tracks and boardwalks in the Environmental Park offer other options for nature lovers.

Discover campus history for yourself

The University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus has its own history, which you can explore through photographs and artefacts at the UQ Gatton Museum. The exhibition tells the story of the campus and its community, from its time as the Queensland Agricultural College, through the Queensland Agricultural High School and College, to The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus. If you want to understand the place not only through its current use but also through this transformation, the museum offers a fitting focus.

Be sure to check the opening hours for your visit: the UQ Gatton Museum is open most Monday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Visits at other times are possible by prior arrangement. The 2004 publication “The Stories So Far” is available for a self-guided tour of the Heritage Walk. You can get a copy at the museum or at the UQ Gatton Past Students' Association office. The walk relates to the Gatton Campus, founded in 1897; a guided tour and exploring independently are different ways to learn about the campus. A tour of the UQ Gatton campus can be booked.

Art, transport history and people from the Lockyer Valley

At the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, you can explore several subjects in one place: the art gallery features visual art exhibitions that change every 6 to 8 weeks. The Queensland Transport Museum showcases transport from different eras. At the Lockyer Legends Hall of Fame, visitors can look around and learn about notable people from the Lockyer Valley. Whether you are interested in visual art, transport history or people from the region, you can focus on different things here.

Information and regional produce

The Queensland Explore Centre – Gatton Visitor Information Centre offers travel information, including maps, brochures and itineraries. It also sells locally made food products. If you are planning your discoveries in Gatton or are interested in products from the area, you will find two different points of interest here: practical travel information and regional food.

The offerings cover nature, history and culture, without requiring you to limit your stay to just one way of exploring.

More places to discover: Glen Aplin, Hervey Bay, The Gemfields, Meadowbrook, Ormeau, Cairns, Doughboy and Dinmore.

Go to the main travel overview: Queensland.