Celebrate Spring on the Southern Downs

Hello Spring! If you’re looking for a mini spring break, get ready to pack your bags, fuel your car and sort your playlist! From September to November, our region bursts to life with blooming flowers, colourful wildlife and exciting events celebrated across the season.

1. Apple Blossom Season & Pick-Your-Own Fruit

girl dancing through Apple blossoms at Suttons Juice Factory

Image: Sutton’s Juice Factory, Thulimbah (near Stanthorpe)

🍏 Queensland’s Apple Country in Full Bloom
Stanthorpe is home to all of Queensland’s apple crop, and spring is when the orchards burst into bloom. From late September to early October, you can see stunning apple blossoms, along with plum, peach, and nectarine trees blooming earlier in the month.

🌸 Here’s how to make the most of the season:

Take a self-guided drive along Amiens Road to view the beautiful orchards.
Visit Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery for their famous apple pie, fresh juices, and ciders.
Snap a selfie with the Big Apple across from Sutton’s, next to Vincenzo’s Deli.
For more info on apple experiences, check out Granite Belt Wine Country’s guide to apple blossom season!

🍓 Pick-Your-Own Fruit
Spring isn’t just about blossoms—it’s also the perfect time to pick your own fresh produce!

Ashbern Farms in Stanthorpe offers delicious strawberries to pick straight from the field.
Eastern Colour invites visitors to hand-pick strawberries, bringing you even closer to farm-to-table experiences.

2. Wildflowers on the Granite Belt

Field of coreopsis at Azjure Studio Restreat

Field of coreopsis, Azjure Studio Retreat

A visit to Girraween National Park, about 30 minutes south of Stanthorpe, is a must do on any trip to the Southern Downs. Girraween, meaning ‘place of flowers’ lives up to its name in spring and summer as delicate wildflowers emerge beneath the towering granite boulders. Marvel at golden wattles, orchids, flannel flowers, and pea flowers blooming beneath the park’s granite boulders.

Join the Stanthorpe Rare Wildflower Consortium for Wildflower Walks in Amiens State Forest and Girraween National Park.

3. Grazing the Granite Belt

The region is buzzing in Spring as events season is in full swing! Check out the busy events calendar and don’t miss one of Spring’s main highlights, Grazing the Granite Belt, a popular food and wine event that takes place on 28 October 2024. The event features a leisurely weekend of gourmet food and wine, where you can indulge in fresh local produce paired with award-winning wines as you wander from one winery to another. This is the ultimate experience for food lovers and a highlight of the spring calendar.

4. Family-Friendly Spring Break Ideas

Happy woman and child looking out the window of the moving Downs Explorer train

Spring is also a great time to bring the family! The Southern Downs and Granite Belt is packed with family-friendly fun to keep the kids busy during the school holidays. From farm stays to wildlife encounters, check out our blog on Fantastic Family-Friendly Fun in the Southern Downs for ideas on how to make the most of your time here. Whether it’s hiking in Girraween, visiting local farms, or enjoying hands-on experiences, there’s something for everyone!

Plan Your Spring Escape!
Spring on the Southern Downs is a celebration of nature, adventure, and gourmet delights. Pack your bags, hit the road, and experience the beauty of Queensland’s Horsepower Country this season!

While You’re Here

Make a weekend of it by checking out these other things to do in the area:

For more spring break inspiration, check out these three mini getaway options in Stanthorpe, Killarney and Warwick.
If you’re travelling to Girraween from Brisbane you’ll drive right through Stanthorpe. Here’s a local’s guide on spending 24 hours there.
Travelling in Spring or Summer? Here’s our top 7 must visit waterholes to check out.
If you have the kids in tow, make sure you check out these 20 family activities in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.