KEITH T. DENNETT | New South | CONTACT
Nestled two hours west of Brisbane, the small regional town of Toowoogongbelah has never had much going for it.
A regional dust bowl, that once was the home of Australia’s third largest chocolate milk factory, “Toowoo” as the locals call it, is the kind of place that has three pubs, two taxis and one footy team that has to be resuscitated every five years.
But with house prices driving Aussies out of the major cities, and big affordable blocks of land opening up in the new estates of Toowoo, the town has really exploded in recent years, enough to start rumours of a Bakers Delight opening up.
And right at the heart of the town’s bustling revival, lies a new precinct, “The Paddocks”.
Owned, operated and renovated by two former Brisbane gays Tony and Rick Campos, the precinct is an old mental asylum on the first left into town, that’s been turned into a thriving hospitality hub and tourist attraction.
Boasting a florist, a Pilates studio, a deli and a bakery that sells $14 loaves of sourdough, The Paddocks has become the new town hall on Saturday mornings, as locals venture out to connect with their community.
“Yeah it’s a bit steep, but I bring the wife in for a weekend treat!” says Dalby cockie Clive Foxley, who drives 55 minutes every weekend for his favourite blackberry pastry.
“When I heard some gays bought the old nut-bag home I was pretty iffy on it, but god they’ve turned it into something!” Clive admits sheepishly.
“Even if that new Bakers Delight opens up, I’ll keep coming here, these croissants are worth travelling into town for!”
