Jimbour is one of the oldest stations on the Darling Downs, dating from 1841.

The most prominent landmark on the property is the heritage listed building known as Jimbour House which was built by Joshua Peter Bell. The Bell family had already built a substantial home from bluestone and cedar in 1870 parts of it can still be seen at the back of Jimbour House but it was the mansion which would leave its mark.

The work of building the present Jimbour House was begun late in 1874 and finished in early 1877. The cedar was obtained from the Bunya Mountains and was brought down to Cattle Creek, where it was sawn, dressed, and worked up as it is now to be seen in the building. Other timbers used in the building were spotted gum, blue gum, ironbark, bunya, cypress, hoop pine, and some satinwood. The stone and sand were procured from Bunjinnie about six miles from Jimbour.

Jimbour was constructed with the most modern ideas of the day for comfort and convenience. Water and gas were laid on, the gas being generated from coal won from a mine on the property. Water was pumped to the top of a 40 ft tower by the first windmill erected in Queensland. This tower is in use today as the propertys visitor information centre and cellar door and is a landmark for approaching aircraft.

Of particular interest are the beautiful slender Tuscan columns at the front of the building, the beautiful French doors, the broad verandahs on the front and side, and the roof which is covered with imported Welsh slate.

In recent times the home achieved some fame when it was used as a major location in the successful TV mini-series Return to Eden. In addition to the main house and its predecessor, the original Station Store, Church and Water Tower remain from the original station township.

Jimbour Jimbour Station Road JIMBOUR QLD 4406

Open: 1000 to 1630

1. Restaurant
2. Wine tastings
3. Toilet facilities
4. Picnic area