Day Tripping In Logan
Just south of the city of Brisbane, the city of Logan has plenty of options and a few surprises for day trippers who decide to take a detour off the M1; including a Buddhist temple and tea house, historical village, hidden water hole, secret couverture chocolate factory and Australia's oldest rum distillery.
Chung Tian Temple is a beautiful Buddhist temple set in bushland near Underwood Park where visitors can take guided tours with monks, stroll through gardens scattered with buddhas and enjoy Chinese tea in the Water Drop Teahouse.
Beenleigh Historical Village is a blast from the past, with more than 20 heritage buildings from Logan and surrounds, old machinery and vintage fire engine; enjoy a light meal or refreshment on the verandah of the Village Café.
Explore eucalypt forests and paperbark wetlands within Daisy Hill Conservation Park with this beautiful bush walk that leads to an old quarry.
Pack your pushies and helmets and head to Berrinba Wetlands with more than 7km of shared walking and bicycle paths passing over five bridges as well as other mountain bike trails.
Discover the cultural diversity of Logan at the Global Food Village where you'll find fresh produce and gourmet fare from more than 185 nationalities; held every Sunday morning at the Woodridge Train Station.
Poppy's Chocolate is Logan's best kept secret - a couverture chocolate factory tucked away in Beenleigh where you can watch chocolates being made by hand and sample some too.
Start the day with a detour to Extraction Artisan Coffee, a specialty coffee café and roastery in Slacks Creek serving excellent espresso and top-notch food in a cool, industrial warehouse space or Kiwanda Cafe, a cool coffee roastery, cafe (and cocktail Bar) in a converted warehouse.
Try one of Logan's many fantastic cafes, scattered throughout the suburbs, where you can enjoy everything from Middle Eastern sweets to home-baked treats.
There's also 4 fascinating Heritage Trails to follow: Underwood to Eagleby, Logan Central-Kingston, Greenbank to Veresdale and Logan Village to Beenleigh.
Beenleigh Artisan Rum Distillery is Australia's oldest rum distillery and has a spiffy new visitor centre offering tours and tastings of Beenleigh's artisan rums.
There's also a fantastic range of kids parks, walks and even a shark and ray petting zoo, so this south side region offers plenty to fill a day or more.