5 reasons you ought to visit us this autumn
2024 Updated Edition
It’s easy to fall in love with the romantic hues of autumn in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. Warm days and crisp cool nights provide the perfect conditions for early hikes in a national park followed by an afternoon spent wine tasting or discovering heritage sites. Here are 5 excuses to hit the road and visit our backyard this colourful season.
1. Crunchy crimson leaves
Image by @peterajgreen via Instagram
You’ll fall in love with autumn and its rich colours as our deciduous landscapes turn to hues of gold and crimson with plenty of crunchy leaves. Leaf-chasers can pack a picnic and head to one of our many parks to take it all in. For the most insta-worthy spot in the region, head to Rotary Park on Quart Pot Creek (just outside the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre) – a popular spot with plenty of space for the kids to stomp, throw and hide in the leaves!
2. Spectacular Autumn Scenery
It’s not just the leaves that turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn. The romantic colours on the ground mirror those in the sky with epic sunsets that sink to nights cool enough to light a fire. Warm days and crisp, cool nights provide the perfect conditions for hiking at one of our three National Parks or why not try a cycling tour amongst the vineyards. Cellar doors are normally starting to harvest their grapes for new vintage wines as the leaves turn golden. Check out our extensive listing of wineries on the Granite Belt.
3. Autumn Events for Your Social Diary
The region has a huge calendar of events across autumn. Celebrate the season at Allora Autumn Festival (4-6 May), head to the Stanthorpe area for Grazing the Granite Belt (18-19 May), or lace up your joggers for the Warwick Pentathrun (25-26 May). Foodies can check out our Southern Downs Food Maps on how to get their hands on seasonal local produce in stunning settings. Check out our the Events Calendar for our great line-up of winter events too, including Jumpers and Jazz in July, Historic Leyburn Sprints and heaps more.
4. Produce Harvest Time
Autumn is harvest time on the Granite Belt, where you can celebrate as vineyards bring in the grapes and fruitpickers fill the orchards. Seasonal produce is readily available, whether its the jams, preserves and cheeses at our local providores, just-picked produce from our roadside green grocers and regular markets or the seasonal flavours on the plate in our restaurants, cafes and country pubs. Discover more about our local food and wine.
5. Endless Exploring
Our cooler seasons are an ideal time to head outside and explore untouched national parks, hiking trails and waterfalls. Nature’s playground is waiting for you with three National Parks in the region, offering a range of walks, cascading waterfalls, prolific birdlife and pristine bushland. Head to the popular Girraween National Park (pictured), for incredible boulders and walking trails, Main Range National Park for rainforest hikes and waterfalls or Sundown National Park for a remote wilderness escape. Camping is available at all three National Parks.
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