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Things to do and see
Stunning landscapes, forests and places of interest
Explore south west Scotland from Queensland!
Queensland Holiday Park is situated on the borders of South Ayrshire and Dumfries so it makes an excellent base to explore south west Scotland and the many attractions it has to offer.
Barrhill
The Park is situated on the edge of Barrhill. This historic 'martyrs' village has a shop, public house (serving meals and welcoming of families), a bowling green and a large redeveloped play park with an all weather multi-user games area and picnic/ barbecue area which must be one of the best play parks in South Ayrshire. With the Barrhill train station only 2 miles from the park and having the advantage of the buses stopping at the entrance, you can enjoy a relaxing day travelling taking in all the Scottish scenery and visit Stranraer, Girvan, Ayr or Glasgow by train from this quaint little country station which is sure to be of interest for railway buffs as it still has a working signal box on the platform, semiphore signals and a block token machine, the last on the British Rail network!
Image: Rosser1954
Girvan
Girvan is an unspoilt seaside town with a lovely sandy beach where many activities take place in the summer. In the town you will find shops, amusements and cafés. For more than a snack, there are Chinese, Indian and traditional restaurants and, as befits a seaside town, a number of quality fish & chip shops as well as a variety of takeaways. A range of sporting pursuits can be found and during the summer months, family events are held. A boat trip to Ailsa Craig is a must for anyone interested in wildlife or curling. The paddle steamer "The Waverley" also runs trips out of the harbour along the Clyde coast during the season. The new leisure complex with swimming pool, The Quay Zone, opened in 2017.
Image: Girvan Harbour by Billy McCrorie
Newton Stewart
Newton Stewart is the Gateway to the Galloway Hills. The leisure activities are endless in and around this market town. You will find a leisure complex with a swimming pool, gym and sports hall and there is also a community run cinema which shows recently-released films and provides a venue for "live" theatre. As a long established tourist location, there are several cafés in the centre. The River Cree which runs through the centre of the town and has some pleasant riverside walks.
Image: Rosser1954
Beaches
The park is only 20 minutes' drive to the nearest sandy beach at Girvan. Ballantrae's shingle beach is a similar distance. There are also sandy beaches at Ayr and Troon. Ayr also has a large children’s play area on the seafront overlooked by the Ayr Pavilion, a landmark building in the town..
Image: Tanya Dedyukhina
Galloway Forest Park
The Galloway Forest Park is right on our doorstep. Whether you choose to explore the rugged yet majestic grandeur of the mountains, the extensive forest trails or even nightime star gazing, Britain’s largest forest offers plenty to see and do for visitors. Spot birds of prey flying overhead, visit Glentrool Visitor Centre for refreshments or view the stunning Loch Trool from Bruce’s Stone, you won’t be disappointed with this beautiful natural willderness or for the incredible experience of watching far away galaxies and standing in awe of the darkest sky in Europe. Whichever way you choose to spend your time; meandering through the forest, hiking up the high summits or racing downhill on a mountain bike for an adrenaline rush, there is most certainly something for everyone, for more information click here.
Image: Andrew Bowden
Dark Skies Park
The Galloway Forest Park is the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. Once the sun sets on the three hundred square miles of rugged wilderness that is the Galloway Forest Park, under an inky-blue sky they become the darkest in all of Europe. It is here that enthusiasts come to stand in awe, wonder and amazement at the vast universe which is revealed above them. Onlookers are given the rare chance to witness shooting stars; the Andromeda Galaxy, the Aurora Borealis and stellar nurseries, where new suns of distant planets are born. Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Walking
A short drive from the park brings you to the unspoiled Galloway Forest Park. Glentrool is home of forest trails and the Merrick Hills. The Merrick is the largest of the southern upland range at 2,740 ft with an ascent of 4 miles. There are many more excellent locations within the area. For the serious walker the coast to coast Southern Upland Way passes close by. Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Cycling
The quiet roads and amazing scenery around the Barrhill area make for excellent cycling opportunities. For road enthusiasts, check out the Ayrshire Alps website. Cycles can be hired from: Kirkcowan Cycles in Newton Stewart, The Old Red Cross Hall, Victoria Lane, Newton Stewart, DG8 6DA Tel: 01671 401529.
We are also lucky to be so close to the Southern Upland Way which presents a great opportunity for both cyclists and walkers. This Way is a coast-to-coast path that crosses Scotland from Portpatrick in the west to Cockburnspath in the east. There's a more detailed description on the
Cycling UK website.
Mountain Biking
For off road and mountain biking in the Galloway Forest Park, the Glentrool and Kirroughtree Visitors centres are a good starting point. The 7 Stanes trails are internationally renowned and very popular. Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Action Adventure Activities
For the more adventurous, south west of Scotland has endless possibilities with outdoor activity centres offering the Europe's longest zip wire, segway's, kayaking, waterskiing, SUP boarding, coasteering, gorge scrambling, mountain balling and mountain biking. These are just a few activities which can be enjoyed locally. Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Golfing
For the golfer there are many superb courses within easy distance. Excellent public courses can be found at nearby Girvan and Ayr. Private courses such as Newton Stewart and Wigtonshire County both welcome visitors. For the more discerning golfers there is of course the magnificent Turnberry complex with its world famous championship course located just north of Girvan.
Use these links to World Golf's website giving details on the courses in South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
Fishing
Fishing is one of the most popular pursuits in Scotland. Whether it is fly fishing, coarse fishing or sea fishing you will find them all offered at reasonable prices and within easy distance of the park.
Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Bird Watching
The region around Queensland Holiday Park is rich in wildlife and birds in particular. Buzzards, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Goshawk, Hen Harrier, Kestrel and Merlin are all to be seen and a rare sighting of Osprey over nearby lochs. On the smaller scale there are Owls, Crossbills, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat, Grasshopper warbler, Redstart, Wheatear, Treecreeper, etc. over 70 varieties recorded within Barrhill and many more to be seen when visiting the coast. The RSPB has reserves at The Wood of Cree, Mull of Galloway and Ailsa Craig.
Find out more by visiting the following websites:
Other nearby attractions:
- Culzean Castle and Country Park with its beautiful country gardens, swan lake, deer park, trails, guided walks and regular shows and events.
- Heads of Ayr Farm Park - fun for all the family
- Crafty Distillers - learn about how they make Hill and Harbour gin and sample the product!
- The Electric Brae - where you can defy gravity
- Cocoa Bean Factory - children will love this
- Logan Botanic Gardens, Glenwhan Gardens, Castle Kennedy
- Boat trips to Ailsa Craig, home to 40,000 pairs of gannets and puffins and where curling stones come from.
- Day trips to Ireland and Isle of Arran
- Horse riding
- Robert Burns birthplace museum and the Robert Burns museum