A first-timer’s guide to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt

Planning your first trip to the Southern Downs & Granite Belt promises a journey into one of Queensland’s most charming regions.

With the perfect mix of natural landscapes and national parks, country towns, cool-climate wine experiences, delicious local produce and an exciting events calendar, there’s always so much to do across the four seasons – only 2 hours’ drive from Brisbane.

Our major towns Warwick and Stanthorpe are the gateway to slowing down, exploring deeply and discovering this exceptional slice of Australia. Let us show you around in this itinerary.

Day 1

Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre is a stunning piece of southern Queensland’s pastoral heritage built in 1867. The solitary sandstone mansion offers a time-warp experience with the partially restored building essentially frozen in time. Neglected for over 50 years, and undergoing restoration since 2015, the grand old lady offers insight into one of the most luxurious homes in Queensland – with stories from farmer settlement to squattocracy. The on-site café offers light refreshments and visitors can tour the building and gardens for a small fee. Look out for the seasonal Glengallan Markets on our Events page.

Continuing the historical experience, head towards Warwick where you can explore the Warwick Heritage Trail using the official Southern Downs Visitor App. You’ll learn about the many sandstone public and private buildings for which Warwick is famous. The trail is 6.75 kilometres long and will take just under 2 hours’ walking time to complete. Make sure you stop at the Warwick Town Hall where the Warwick Visitor Information Centre volunteers are at the ready with lots of local insights.

For lunch, it’s time to tuck into some of the town’s best eats. For a hearty meal choose between Psycho Suzie’s piping hot pizza’s, burgers and wings alongside their award-winning beers or Bluebird Kitchen & Smokehouse‘s American-style wood smoked brisket, wings and burgers.

For a café lunch and a spot of shopping, Little Gallery Café and Garden’s Galore both serve a delicious range of coffee, cakes and light meals alongside beautifully curated homewares, fashion, jewellery, art and gardening supplies.

It’s Christmas all year round at the magical Granite Belt Christmas Farm, located on your drive to Stanthorpe. This twinkling wonderland is home to a decorations store with over 20,000 festive items, a real Christmas tree farm, farm animals and Mrs Claus Café.

When it’s time to catch some Z’s, the Stanthorpe Holiday Park isn’t your ordinary camping ground. What’s better than visiting wine country? Bathing in a wine barrel of course! Book a Bath Haus soak, an infrared sauna or zero-gravity massage experience before heading back to your powered campsite or cabin.

Day 2

Young couple sipping wine in the vineyard at Summit Estate Wines

Rise and shine for your second day in the region.

Swirl, sniff and sip your way through Queensland’s only cold climate wine region and visit the cellar doors of the region’s hand-crafted wineries aboard Filippos Tours.

Along the way, you’ll meet the makers and visionaries behind the wines, visit simply stunning scenic outlooks and sample local produce. Whether you’re here to relax and unwind, or acquire a little wine knowledge, you’ll be in the best hands as you savour the flavours.

Bookend your foodie expedition with a dinner reservation at the Ballandean Pub. The gastro-pub style steaks, pub classics and burgers have a Southern Downs flair proudly showcasing local produce at the heart of each meal.

Rest and rejuvenate back at your comfortable Stanthorpe Holiday Park accommodation overnight.

Stanthorpe Holiday Park Bath Haus - Image Credit GBWT and Geordie Lillis

Day 3

The early bird catches the sunrise at Girraween National Park.

Depending on how much time you have, choose between Granite Arch walks (1.6km and 30-minute roundtrip journey) or The Pyramid (3.6km and 2-hour roundtrip journey).

Both tracks start at the Bald Rock Creek day-use area. Cross a creek and wander through a scenic forest before reaching Girraween’s natural stone archway. Taking the left route will lead you to The Pyramid while the right takes you back to the rest area.

If a sweet treat is on the agenda after your morning hike, jump in the car towards Heavenly Chocolate, a boutique chocolatier located in Wyberba enroute to Ballandean. Indulge in a handmade creation or European hot chocolate in the garden setting. You’ve earned it, plus some souvenirs for home.

Amiens Legacy Centre is the next stop, where you can get up close to artefacts from the original villages of the Pikedale Soldier Settlement after WWI. See the 1909 refurbished train carriage, walk over the Bailey Bridge honouring all the engineers in all conflicts and learn about the Kambuwal people and indigenous plants in their experimental garden.

Another locally-made favourite is Washpool Supply Co for handmade soap and skincare products using ethically sourced ingredients. Shop their extensive range of soaps, body butters, bath bombs, shampoos and more. Drop by the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre and take a taste of the region home with you. Browse a handpicked selection of local products including skincare of Washpool Supply Co, Lirah Vinegar, Stanthorpe Honey, and so much more. It’s the perfect way to savour your visit long after you leave.

Big Apple at Vincenzos - Image Credit GBWT and Geordie Lillis

On your drive back to Brisbane, keep your eyes peeled for the Big Apple at Thulimbah for signs you’ve reached Vincenzo’s – a well-stocked deli where you can even pick up some last minute Granite Belt wines. The Big Apple has featured in many Instagram stories – why not try to take a bit out of it yourself?

Cross the highway for a slice of apple heaven at Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery where you can pick up artisanal Granite Belt apple juice, cider and a slice of their world famous apple pie – of course, using locally grown apples from the orchard out the back.

Planning your visit

From foodie events to country shows, there’s always something happening in the region. Click here for a list of all upcoming events.

Want to explore each town some more? Click here for a guide to Stanthorpe, Warwick and all towns.

Our Visitor Information Centres offer a wealth of knowledge and advice. Click here to see where they’re located in the region.

Download these helpful traveller guides and maps plan your journey.

Download the free official Southern Downs visitor App from your favourite App store and save your bucket list, find your way around the region with the handy Google Maps integration and win $50 when you undertake the official Dunny Dash Trail!