YANGAN is a pretty town with historic buildings and lovely parks set in the glorious Swanfels Valley.
The town became known as Yangan in 1887, an aboriginal word thought to mean moving forward or upwards.
The settlement began to grow as a result of the railway development between Killarney and Warwick.
Sandstone was quarried from near Yangan and sent to Warwick to be used in the construction of its buildings including the Town Hall and police station.
The Yangan Masonic Hall, also known as The Temple with the Long Stairs, was built as Yangan’s first School of Arts building in about 1898. In 1912 another School of Arts building was constructed.
Just up the road is the equally beautiful town of Killarney.
Killarney is a place to immerse yourself in tranquillity and breathe the mountain air, surrounded by glorious mountain views and plummeting waterfalls that have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
Originally part of Canning Downs, Killarney Farm was leased in 1856 and the town site chosen in 1878.
Killarney was named by Irish settlers who were reminded of the Killarney lake area of their homeland. Today Killarney relies on its farming industry producing meat, potatoes, onions, grain and timber.
In 1864 the Governor of Queensland Sir George Bowen described Killarney as “the rose of the Darling Downs – a sight never to be forgotten”.
Driving east into the Main Range National Park, visitors can discover the head of the Murray Darling river system, visit Browns Falls, Daggs Falls and the spectacular Queen Mary Falls.
Queen Mary Falls drops 40 metres to the pool below and offers visitors magnificent views of the rainforest and natural wildlife.
There are a number of clearly marked walking tracks to suit all ages and abilities as well as picnic areas and lookouts.
Condamine River Road, takes visitors through the spectacular Cambanoora Gorge and offers four wheel drivers the opportunity to go off-road.
This track can also by explored on foot or bicycle. The road crosses the Condamine River 14 times.
