The cry of a corella fills the air. The warm scent of baked goods wafts enticingly from the Old Fernvale Bakery & Cafe. Morning has broken in Fernvale, and what a lovely way to welcome the day.
With easy access to Wivenhoe Dam along the Brisbane Valley Highway, and a close proximity to the city of Brisbane, Fernvale is a flourishing township in the Somerset Region.
The community spirit of Fernvale shines in any number of events offered throughout the year. Every Sunday morning, from 6am-12pm, the Fernvale Markets are open in the Fernvale Primary School grounds. You’ll find everything from local produce, poultry and plants to secondhand goods, books and handmade crafts and soaps.
Two events every year provide great entertainment in Fernvale: a Fun Run and an annual campdraft. The Fernvale-Lowood Trail Fun Run takes participants along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, with your 8K of running fun going toward a good cause every year, contributions go to a chosen charity. In 1947, the Fernvale Camp Draft Association was formed, and an annual campdraft is still held every year in March at the Fernvale Showgrounds. The showgrounds are also home to the Lowood-Fernvale Pony Club.
For everyday activities, stop in to the Fernvale Indoor Sports Centre, which opened in 2010. The Centre incorporates a gymnasium and a four court sports stadium, offering indoor cricket, netball, indoor touch football, junior indoor sports and cheerleading. If youre more of an outdoors kind of person, youll enjoy the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, accessible at Fernvale Memorial Park, for horse-riding, cycling and walking.
Wivenhoe Dam
Fernvale is close to Wivenhoe Dam. Wivenhoe Dam is known as the water storage and water supply for Brisbane and greater Ipswich. But locals and people from all over Queensland also know that Wivenhoe Dam and Wivenhoe Lake is a wonderful place to swim, fish, BBQ and picnic under cover or outside under the trees. Water enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their non-motorised vehicles for fishing and fun in the sun.
You can stop in for homemade tarts and tea, or settle into one of the delicious meals at the caf, all while absorbing the friendly atmosphere and getting lost in the view the caf has one of the best overlooks of Wivenhoe Lake!