LAKE APEX PRECINCT

Welcome

Welcome to the Lake Apex Precinct – a family-friendly hub of arts, culture and history set within picturesque parklands.

This diverse community attraction is located just minutes from the centre of Gatton in the heart of the Lockyer Valley, just an hour from the Queensland capital of Brisbane and 40 minutes from Toowoomba in southeast Queensland. The Lake Apex Precinct boasts a range of cultural and recreational activities, so there’ll surely be something to suit every kind of traveller. In this audio guide, we’ll escort you through some of the highlights you’ll find here, including the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, the Queensland Transport Museum, Lockyer Valley Art Gallery, and the Story Path.

First, let’s get orientated to the geography of the overall Lake Apex Precinct. Most of the exhibits we will describe are located within the one complex or building which houses the Visitor Information Centre and Cultural Centre. This complex is located directly on the banks of Lake Apex.

If you were to exit the rear doors of this building, you would find yourself on a walking track which hugs the perimeter of Lake Apex. If you were to take the path to the left, this would lead you to the picnic areas, playground, a waterfront park, barbecues, toilets, skate park and exercise facilities. If you follow this path to the playground, it will lead you to the Story Path, which is one of the attractions we will describe a little later.

It is also worth noting Lake Apex Park is dog-friendly and features a paved walking track along the lake’s edge. Whether you're planning a family outing or a solo adventure, Lake Apex Precinct has something for everyone.

Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre

The Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, opened in November 2009, is a modern, spacious facility overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Apex. It is a multifaceted venue that currently houses the Lockyer Valley Visitor Information Centre, Queensland Transport Museum, a cafe, public library, and an art gallery.

The Cultural Centre offers parking, accommodating RVs, caravans, trailers, and buses in the top carpark, with easy and convenient bus drop-off access to the door.

As you enter the Cultural Centre foyer, you’ll find the Lockyer Valley Visitor Information Centre on your left. Here you can take up the opportunity to engage with local experts, who will be able to answer all your questions and help you make the most of your time in the Lockyer Valley. The friendly staff can assist with maps, brochures and itineraries, as well as offering insider tips and local know-how to help you discover the region’s hidden treasures. The centre also offers a selection of locally crafted gourmet and artisan products from regional artists and businesses available for purchase.

The onsite café, located through the foyer to the right of the Visitor Information Centre, is the perfect place for a coffee and a bite to eat, with an alfresco dining area overlooking the tranquil lake and parklands. The Café and Function Centre also caters to both large tour groups and conferences.

The main hallway of the cultural centre showcases the Lockyer Legends gallery, inviting visitors to stroll through and learn about prominent figures from the Lockyer Valley. The Lockyer Legends and Champions book, featuring these local heroes, is also available for purchase.

Lockyer Valley Art Gallery

The Lockyer Valley Art Gallery is located a little further down the foyer, on the left-hand side of the building. It presents an exciting program of visual exhibitions showcasing the talents of both local, Queensland and national artists. The Lockyer Valley Art Gallery exudes a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to explore and contemplate the various artworks at your own pace.

The Lockyer Valley Art Gallery is a public gallery owned and operated by the Lockyer Valley Regional Council. Purpose built in 2009, the Gallery presents an ever-changing program of new and exciting visual arts exhibitions to engage local audiences and visitors to the area. Exhibits change approximately every six to eight weeks. Entry is free for all visitors.

The space is expansive and open, spanning a floor area of approximately 230 square metres. Guests should be aware that given the transient nature of exhibitions, the layout may change from visit to visit, with a series of moveable walls allowing for the spaces to be used flexibly. The gallery is fully climate controlled and incorporates a professional lighting system to maximise visibility of the artworks and displays.

The surrounds of the gallery are quite scenic. Behind the Gallery is the picturesque Lake Apex, which makes for some fantastic photo opportunities of native birds and other wildlife. Alternatively, you can explore the surrounding walking tracks which feature a variety of public art installations, crafted from interesting materials like wood, iron and sandstone. Sandstone sculptures and metal cut-outs in art exhibits throughout the park are tactile.

Queensland Transport Museum

The Queensland Transport Museum is a unique attraction featuring magnificent displays of various forms of transport vehicles throughout Queensland’s history. It presents a fascinating journey that explores the creations, founders and functions of the transport industry in Queensland across the ages. With a focus on the bus and trucking industries, the vehicles displayed at the Queensland Transport Museum all hold historical significance. Some of the displays you may experience include vintage vehicles in their original and carefully restored condition, military vehicles, and even the original Mack furniture truck. There are also displays in cabinets containing models, as well as a crop-dusting plane.

The refreshing thing about the Queensland Transport Museum is that exhibits changeover at least twice a year, meaning you can visit the museum multiple times and have a different experience with every visit.

The Queensland Transport Museum is accessed through the café, and is located on the western (or right-hand side) of the complex. Please note, there is a small entry fee for admission to the Queensland Transport Museum, with concession card holders receiving discounted entry.

Story Paths

the Lockyer Valley Story Paths are an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading together while exploring the environment around them. The Story Path is a permanent fixture along the accessible walking tracks of Lake Apex. It tells a unique local story called ‘Let’s Go on an Adventure’, that incorporates the environmental and wildlife aspects of Lake Apex. The story sees children and adults exposed to repetitive, descriptive and directional movement words, as well as bright and colourful imagery to help capture the eye and the attention of the passer-by. The Story Paths offer a fun and interactive way for children and adults to read together while walking.

Lockyer Valley Libraries wrote and published the book that accompanies the Story Path, while illustrator Jo Cuskelly produced the bright and colourful artwork.

The Lake Apex Story Path commences near the children’s playground, just a short stroll uphill from the Cultural Centre. Before you head out to explore, be sure to call into the Lockyer Valley Library, located within the Cultural Centre, to collect your hardcopy of the Story Path book.

Accessibility

The Lake Apex Precinct is located a few minutes from the CBD of Gatton, a rural town in the Lockyer Valley Region. Gatton lies roughly 100 km and one hour by road west of Brisbane. For those who are not self-driving, Gatton can be accessed by public transport. Greyhound Australia and Murrays Coaches provide regular bus services from Brisbane CBD, and partial rail access is available, with trains taking you as far as Ipswich, and local buses the rest of the way.

The Lake Apex Precinct is designed with accessibility in mind for all travellers. The walking paths surrounding the lake are paved and level and are wide enough to easily accommodate a wheelchair. Accessible bathrooms are available within the parkland, near the children’s playground. There are multiple grassy areas appropriate for toileting service animals. Owners of a service dog should note that there may also be domestic pets present in outdoor areas of the precinct, as the area is dog friendly.

The indoor areas of the precinct, such as the Cultural Centre, Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre are also able to be accessed by wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. Although the museum is on a lower level, it has ramp access which is also wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Accessible bathrooms with braille signage and baby change tables are located within the centre itself.

Each of the attractions we have discussed has slightly differing hours of operation.

The Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre is open daily from 7.00AM to 5.00PM and until 9.00PM Fridays and Saturdays. The Visitor Information Centre and Queensland Transport Museum is open daily from 9.00AM to 4.00PM. The Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 5.00PM and 9.00AM to 4.00PM on weekends. All the abovementioned attractions are closed on public holidays.

The Story Paths can be accessed at any time that access to the Lake Apex Park is available.

The address of the Lake Apex Precinct is 34 Lake Apex Drive, Gatton. For any questions about any aspect of the precinct, you can call the Visitor Information Centre on 07 5466 3426.