Thornton Country Retreat Bed & Breakfast

Thornton Country Retreat Bed & Breakfast is only 90 minutes from Brisbane and the Gold Coast; 50 minutes from Toowoomba; 30 minutes from Gatton, Ipswich, Grandchester, Plainland and Forest Hill; 15 minutes from Laidley and 10 minutes from Mulgowie.  We are close to the University of Queensland - Gatton Campus.

Thornton Country Retreat Bed & Breakfast is situated deep in the heart of the valley facing Cunningham's Gap.  The views from the Garden Cottage are host to some of the most magnificent scenery you will ever see.  That, coupled with luxurious accommodation, will ensure you a holiday to remember.

Thornton is in a world of it's own.  As you drive along the quiet country roads, you are surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Great Dividing Range and the Little Liverpool Range.  Your attention will be drawn to the farm animals and abundant wildlife, so take your foot off the pedal and breathe it all in!  Enough to make you read on?  Good!  Now a little about the old school and the headmasters' House.

The history of Thornton Public School, our home, has been well documented in many books written by local historians, and the area is correctly described as being 'rich in history and one of the most fertile valleys in the world'.  Generations of families have their foundations here and many remain.  Farms here are still owned and run by descendants of the original settlers.

The story of Thornton Public School began when it was decided that the other smaller hamlets of Mulgowie and Townson were too far for some children to travel.  A very generous farming family by the name of McGrath, donated 14 acres of land to the School Authority in 1880 and the school doors finally opened in 1889.  Many children rode over the range for miles on horseback to attend and the track they rode can still be ridden to this day.  The school soon became a local meeting place for many social functions, including Saturday night dances. 

The old school house is now as it was then, with the exception of extensions at both ends which have been added to carefully reflect the original style and the 14 acre property on which it stands is still the original parcel of land.

Appreciate the original school rooms with their 16' VJ walls and marvel at the large amount of Silky Oak timberwork.  The interior has been decorated in an old world theme to compliment the school and the walls are adorned with many original paintings and sketches from local artists to preserve the original character of the property.

The headmaster's house is some 100 metres down the road.  This has recently been moved back 7 metres and has been restumped ready for renovation.  A tennis court once stood behind the headmaster's house, but unfortunately, for reasons unknown, it has been removed.  The Headmasters' house was the first radio and parcel station in the area, and the daily weather forecast reports attracted a regular gathering of farmers.  This property on a quarter acre is currently for sale.  It is worthy of your inspection.

We warmly invite you to spend one, two or more nights at Thornton Country Retreat Bed and Breakfast and you will leave feeling refreshed and revitalised.  

Please read on to find out more about our details, cottage and rates and local and Valley attractions.

And see our wonderful family School Holiday Package.