Highfields, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Highfields
state = qld
caption =
pop = 6528 (2006)
density = 673
est =
postcode = 4352
coordinates = coord|27.4581|S|151.9491|E|display=inline,title|region:AU-QLD_type:city
elevation = 700
area = 9.7
timezone = AEST
utc = +10
lga = Toowoomba Regional Council
stategov =
fedgov = Groom

Highfields is a small country town, just north of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia along the New England Highway. It is situated on the Great Dividing Range, slightly north of Mount Kynoch. It serves as a satellite town to the city of Toowoomba, accommodating many of Toowoomba business' employees.

Community

Highfields State School is located in the heart of the town and is one of two primary schools. A shopping centre called Highfields Village was developed and opened in 2003 that contains a number of community stores, including a Thrifty-Link hardware store, a Brumby's Bakeries and a Woolworths Supermarket. Highfields Tavern was also opened at the site in 2003. A local produce store was since built. A local butchery and fruit & veg was also established. A cafe is also present. The fruit and vegetable shop "fruice" also provides juices, smoothies, salads and sandwiches etc.

In addition to the Highfields Village shopping centre, the Plaza shopping centre was recently redeveloped. It now has a Coles supermarket, numerous banks, takeaways and a hair dresser.

Highfields is also home to a football club, Highfields FC, with teams ranging from Under 6's to Colts.

Also serving the community are a small bundle of shops found on the turn off from the New England Highway to Highfields Road, amongst them include the Highfields Bakery (Not Brumbys near Woolworths), a delicatessen located beside the Bakery, a hair dressers, a real estate agent and an auto parts shop.

Attractions

The Highfields Pioneer Historical Village has an unusual collection of vintage machinery. The Historical Village also has a fully operating blacksmith shop, a Heritage Chapel, an original Toowoomba 1928 Dennis Fire Engine, a two cell lock up short term prison from 1903, Model T Fords, and a collection of restored antique radios and appliances.

The Danish Flower Art Centre at Highfields hosts a number of displays including a flower barn, Dutch furniture store and operating blacksmith workshop.

The Chocolate Cottage is located at the Village Green which sells antiques, art and other specialty items. Across the road from the Village Green is Jacaranda Manor. Within Jacaranda Manor is a coffee shop, fudge factory and bead store.

Davidson Arboretum which includes Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine) [cite web | url=http://www.crowsnest.info/dmdocuments/D_treelist.pdf | title=Davidson arboretum]

Recreation

The Cultural Centre is a large venue for conferences and performances. Also located at the Centre is an outdoor public swimming complex with a large indoor arena holding two volleyball and basketball courts and a gym. Just outside of this is the Highfields Library and on the other side is a skate park.

References

* [http://www.highfieldsss.eq.edu.au/ Highfields State School]
* [http://www.highfieldsvillage.com.au/index.cfm Highfields Village]
* [http://users.tpg.com.au/wagnerbe/hpv/index.html Highfields Pioneer Village]