Oakey - QLD

Located just 26km west of the Toowoomba CBD along the Warrego Highway, Oakey is ‘the perfect place to grow’, offering a safe and secure town for residents and visitors alike. Oakey is a vibrant town that prides itself on being friendly and welcoming. Oakey has very rich traditions, particularly in defence and the horse racing industry.

One of many attractions in Oakey is the majestic life-sized bronze sculpture of Bernborough which is located outside the Council Service Centre. Described as ‘arguably Queensland’s greatest horse’ by Queensland Racing, Bernborough was foaled at Rosalie Plains in 1939. He raced from 1941 to 1946 when heavy weights were carried to victory in a winning streak of 15 consecutive wins, which included the Doomben 10,000. Bernborough was one of five inaugural inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. More information about Bernborough including memorabilia can be found at the Oakey Information Centre.

The Oakey Army Aviation Centre provides a training facility and hosts a Singapore Armed Forces Helicopter Squadron and is located just outside the town. Additionally, the Australian Army Flying Museum displays all aircraft flown by the Australian Army since World War II, including the latest high-tech military helicopters. Other remarkable flying machines are on display including a replica Bristol Box kite that was used to train pilots in World War I.

15km west of the town, near Jondaryan, is the major cultural tourist attraction The Woolshed, home to a historical museum and park, event venue, a brand new café and site of the annual Jackie Howe Festival.

Oakey is located on the edge of the resource-rich Surat Basin, with coal mining operating in the surrounding area. Local rural industries are predominantly cropping, beef grazing and feedlotting. An abattoir is located on the western side of the town.