Dayboro is
Brisbane's closest country town, just far enough away for an enjoyable day trip. Its sawmill, butter factory and railway line have gone, but it's a pretty community of large properties and small farms. Jules Lund hopped into a 1998 AC Cobra replica of the 1960s racing car and headed north.
Dayboro Butchery
Who would've thought that this little area would be home to an incredibly well-known butchery? Well, here it is, selling more than 300 flavours of sausage, including kangaroo, emu, fish and crocodile, as well as the usual beef, chicken and pork. Owner Scott Heathwood was even able to direct Jules in his quest to find "the best steak in the country".
Elvis Parsley's Grapeland
On his steak search, Jules headed to Woodford, a little town on the other side of the mountains. Woodford hosts an annual summer folk festival and is just as well known for Elvis Parsley's Grapeland.
Nick Comino, aka Elvis Parsley, grew up in the fruit and veg industry and, in 1983, he purchased his own business. With the introduction of regional shopping centres and chain stores, things became tough and he decided to do something different. Elvis Parsley's Grapeland combines Nick's three favourite things: fruit, vegetables and Elvis Presley.
He decked out the business with his collection of Elvis memorabilia and took on the jumpsuits, look and moves of the King. He sings songs such as 'Jailhouse Rockmelon', 'Suspicious Limes' and 'Return to Slender'.
As entertaining as it all was, Jules was still on the hunt for a steak, so after enjoying a Banana Mouskouri smoothie, he hopped back in the Cobra and hit the road.
Millawa Country Retreat
Success at last! Just outside Kilcoy, this 150-hectare property is an operational cattle farm and farm stay.
Guests stay in a two-storey farmhouse overlooking the vineyard, creek and paddocks. It sleeps six adults in two bedrooms and the convertible double sofa. It has separate kitchen and dining room and the lounge area has a fireplace. The bathroom has a spa bath. A breakfast hamper is supplied, and lunch and dinner are self-catered.
Owner Grant Bentley takes visitors on tours around the farm where they can help herd the two Wagyu cattle herds if they choose. In fact, guests may be involved in any of the farm activities. Wagyu beef is recognised as the most tender in the world. It's very expensive and most of Millawa's beef is exported to Japan.
There are four-wheel drive farm bikes for cross-country trail riding. Tuition and safety equipment are provided. The trails are also great for walking, and as Millawa backs on to state forestry parks and ranges, there is a wide diversity of flora and fauna to be enjoyed. The property also has a 150-metre par-three golf hole.
