HAMPTON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

Welcome to Hampton

Discover warm hospitality within the walls of a charming historic homestead at Hampton Visitor Information Centre.

The quaint country village of Hampton is perched high on the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, just a 30 minute drive north of Toowoomba and two hours from Brisbane. At 700 metres above sea level, this often mist-clad mountaintop hamlet is in the heart of the high country, surrounded by historic townships, stunning national parks and fertile farmlands. Embrace life at a slower pace, as you meander beside lakes, enjoy leisurely lunch picnics amidst ancient forests, or simply sit and relax by a crackling log fire in a charming country cottage. Or visit in May for a sensory feast at the annual Hampton High Country Festival, showcasing the region’s finest flavours and fresh produce.

Here at the Hampton Visitor Information Centre, we delight in helping visitors unearth the hidden gems of our beautiful region. You can find us amidst the peaceful surrounds of Chapman Park – a dedicated overnight rest area for caravans and motor homes. Our centre is set within a gorgeous 100-year-old building, which entices visitors in with its quaint charm and warm welcome, connecting visitors to the region’s rich past. Our friendly staff and volunteers can provide local insights and expert advice that will point you in the right direction, help you plan your itinerary, and equip you with the knowledge you need to make the most of your time here. We also offer a range of locally made products, souvenirs and refreshments for sale.

We know you’ll love our region as much as we do, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our gorgeous high-country home.

The Home of High-Country Hospitality

Take a step back in time and discover the magic of our mountain-top hamlets here at the Hampton Visitor Information Centre.

Our centre is conveniently located within the serene setting of leafy Chapman Park. The shady surrounds are dotted with mature trees, which reflect the magnificent colours of four distinct seasons. There’s plenty of parking room for cars, coaches and caravans, and the playground, picnic and onsite toilet facilities make this a great place to stretch your legs, let the kids run off some energy, or pull up for the night and enjoy the peace and quiet of the country.

The stunning centrepiece of the park is a century-old slab house – home of the Hampton Visitor Information Centre. It’s quaint charm and warm ambience invite you in to explore all that’s on offer. The sloping roof and wrap-around veranda add to the building’s character and appeal.

The interior is awash in warm, neutral tones – with honey-coloured hoop pine walls and wide planks of native Australian tallowwood flooring. On the wall, a beautiful artwork of the surrounding landscape reflects the talents of one of our local artists, and captures the natural beauty of our region. On another wall, a screen displays the many highlights of the area.

Within this nostalgic and welcoming space, you’ll find our team of passionate local experts, eager to share their extensive knowledge and insights to help you enjoy every inch of our region. You’ll also find a comprehensive collection of brochures, guides and travel information on local attractions around the high-country hamlets of Hampton, Crows Nest and Highfields, as well as Toowoomba, the surrounding Darling Downs and the rest of Queensland.

We have a retail display with a thoughtful selection of local produce, souvenirs and refreshments, and a 24-hour Wi-Fi hotspot to help keep you connected with loved ones back home.

Historic Insights

For thousands of years before Europeans arrived in the area, the Garumga, a small tribe of the Dalla people, lived in the Crows Nest area, as well as along the Brisbane Valley and the South Burnett. The Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair people inhabited the broader Darling Downs region, including the territory of present-day Toowoomba. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Toowoomba Region whose song lines traverse our lands and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the knowledge, rich traditions and bold ambitions of Australia's First Peoples.

In 1827, English botanist and explorer Allan Cunningham was one of the first Europeans to arrive in the area. He named the region Darling Downs, in honour of the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Ralph Darling. Soon the land became valued for its farming and grazing potential, and agriculture continues to be a key driver of the region’s growing economy.

In 1886, the Crows Nest railway line reached the town, creating greater connectivity with coastal settlements and promoting the area’s development. The village of Hampton got its name from this former railway station, which was named after its namesake in Middlesex, England.

Our rich history comes to life at the intriguing Highfield Pioneer Village, which offers fascinating insights into a bygone era. An impressive collection of building, vehicles and relics are housed on the site, including the Southern Cross Museum featuring products from the Toowoomba Foundry, the Transport, Ambulance, and Toowoomba Fire Brigade Museums, heritage chapel, village silversmith, slab cottage and pioneer toyshop, escorting you on a nostalgic journey back in time.

Learn more about the hidden history of Toowoomba by visiting the Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba CBD, and the Army Flying Museum in Oakey.

Local Highlights

Follow winding country roads to high-country hamlets sprinkled with attractions and experiences to delight and ignite your senses.

Take an invigorating hike amongst the towering trees, lush palm groves and trickling streams of Ravensbourne National Park – a fine example of rainforest which once covered this area of the Great Dividing Range. The serenade of birdsong floats in the air, providing a soothing soundscape to relaxed picnics feasting on the region’s fresh produce. The Gus Beutel Lookout near Cedar Block day-use area offers an eagle-eye view over the range towards the Scenic Rim, Brisbane and the fertile Lockyer Valley.

Or take a wander through the dramatic landscape of Crows Nest National Park. Especially impressive after rain, this pristine park features bush camping, picnic areas, and creek-side walks to waterholes and lofty lookouts. Take a refreshing dip in freshwater pools surrounded by bottlebrush and granite boulders, listen for birdsong and the ‘tock tock’ calls of striped marsh frogs echoing around The Cascades in summer, or check out Crows Nest Falls Lookout, where water tumbles 20 metres over a towering granite cliff.

Enjoy a picnic in the tranquil timbered parkland at Lake Perseverance near Crows Nest. For boaties, anglers and anyone who loves the great outdoors, Cooby Dam is a fantastic recreational area for aquatic enthusiasts and landlubbers alike. Pick up a permit and try your luck at some great fishing spots, head out for a peaceful paddle or sail, take a picturesque walk, or fire up the free gas barbecues for a relaxing day out with family and friends.

Hampton and the surrounding villages also boast a host of enticing specialty shops, boutiques, galleries, antique stores and monthly markets. It’s easy to while away a day (or three) fossicking for rare treasures and discovering their diverse offerings!

Accessibility

Hampton is located 30 minutes north of Toowoomba, and approximately two hours’ drive west of Brisbane. The Hampton Visitor Information Centre is nestled in the peaceful surrounds of Chapman Park at 8623 New England Highway. Our centre is open seven days a week, from 10am to 2pm Mondays and 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday, except for some public holidays. For any enquiries ahead of your visit, please contact our friendly centre team on 1800 009 066 or email hamptoninfo@tr.qld.gov.au.

Hampton is approximately 50 kilometres from the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, with regular domestic flights, hire cars and taxi services available. Several coach companies operate services to the Toowoomba region, with convenient connections to air, rail and local buses. Alternatively, take a scenic journey from Brisbane to Toowoomba and the Darling Downs aboard Queensland Rail’s Westlander service. Limited Translink public bus services are available within the broader Toowoomba region, but these do not extend to our Visitor Information Centre. For public transport journey planning information, please visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

This beautiful historic centre features wide doorways and ramp access along the south side of the building, ensuring ease of access for wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility.

Public toilets, including accessible facilities, are in an adjacent building, just to the north of the Hampton Visitor Information Centre, or to your left as you face the entrance. The surrounding parkland setting provides plenty of grassy areas for toileting assistance animals, if required.