Destination dating: Your Southern Downs town match

There’s nothing quite like a holiday destination that has you thinking about staying in the town long term. No need to speed date your way through vacays that don’t quite tick the box, we’ve got you covered with our match making skills, pairing personalities with their ideal destinations.

Whether you’re after an indulgent weekend away, a weeklong adventure, or a mid-week escape fuelled by food and wine, we’ve got just the place for you in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt.

Stanthorpe – Serenity Seekers

For those who seek calm solitude, Stanthorpe is just the place to enjoy unhurried moments in the countryside. Tucked in the heart of the Granite Belt, the town’s infamously cool climate is the perfect excuse to layer up for comfort – there’s even the occasional snowfall in winter, bringing true magic to the land.

Start at Jamworks Gourmet Foods, where more than 80 gourmet jams, relishes, chutneys, sauces, and pastes are just waiting to be tasted. Then settle into a relaxing afternoon at some of Australia’s highest vineyards, sipping your way through cellar doors that are perched more than 1,000 metres above sea level.

Quart Pot Creek

Closer to home and flowing through the town is the tranquil Quart Pot Creek. Make the most of a relaxing stroll along the more than 5km of walking and cycling trails, or choose a shady spot along the grassy creek bed to throw down a picnic rug and enjoy the gentle bubbling of the water as it flows downstream.

Before you leave, uncover secrets of the past at the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum. Featuring two prized collections, one of national significance and the other of state significance, the Stanthorpe Museum is the perfect place for a more intimate view that brings Stanthorpe’s history to life.

Warwick – Old Souls

Seeking the slow lane that boasts a little bit of history and a whole lot of country charm? Settled over 150 years ago, Warwick is a thriving and friendly regional hub famously known as the ‘Rose and Rodeo City’, with its rodeo roots tracking as far back as 1857. Showcasing beautifully preserved sandstone buildings, leafy parks and the flowing Condamine River, Warwick is made for slow wanders and scenic discoveries.

The Abbey

Trace through the history of what once was at the Pringle Cottage Museum Complex, or head to The Abbey for a self-guided tour through one of Warwick’s most significant heritage Victorian Gothic landmarks.

Looking for something a little more… neon? Slightly more modern but still plenty old-school, Retro Arcade Warwick will have you feeling nostalgic playing all your favourite classic arcade games.

Goomburra – Nature Lovers

Dalrymple Circuit Track

Roam through unspoilt natural beauty in Goomburra. Surrounded by peaks, valleys and creeks, it’s the perfect destination to lace up your hiking boots and wander off the beaten path.

Swap out screen time for green time and venture along the 1.2km Dalrymple Circuit Track walk through the mountains. Take in the view from spectacular lookouts, explore the lush subtropical forests, and keep your eyes peeled for swimming spots to cool off along the way.

Goomburra Valley Campground

Have more to explore and want to stay a little longer? Pitch a tent for bush camping along the banks of Dalrymple Creek at Goomburra Valley Campground. With firepits and powered sites on offer, there’s plenty of spots to set up camp in peace. And don’t forget about your four-legged friends! Dogs are welcome on leash at the campsite.

Venture a little further off grid at Gordon Country – a privately owned eco-tourism and farming property. At over 4,000 acres, the property boasts plenty of opportunity to build your own adventure with activities like fishing, hiking, 4x4ing and a good ol’ country campfire. Pitch up for the night and camp under the cloak of the untamed bush, or upgrade to a cozy cabin or cottage for a touch of secluded luxury.

Girraween National Park – Adventure Junkies

Gear up and get set for adventure fuelled by adrenaline at Girraween National Park. Think giant granite boulders, open forests and a plethora of tracks and trails to be discovered. For true thrill seekers, get your heart pumping and tear it up along the park’s two iconic Mountain Bike Trails, the Creek Trail or the Peak Trail.

For something a little tamer, head to Donnelly’s Castle and explore the granite rock formation that once provided the perfect hideout for the infamous bushranger, Thunderbolt.

Pyramid Walk

Keen to up your step count? Set off along the Pyramid Walk, speckled with natural rock formations, boulders that balance precariously on mountaintops and plenty of wildlife – including the elusive platypus in Dalrymple Creek. If you’re up for a real challenge, conquer the steep granite landscapes of The Sphinx and Turtle Rock. This Grade 3 hiking trail leads to the gravity-defying site of a granite monolith precariously perched against the horizon.

Maryvale – Modern Day Romeo

We see you, modern day romantics and we’ve got just the town for you to unleash your inner Romeo. Set amongst lush farmland, Maryvale offers a picturesque escape with the backdrop of sweeping valley views, crisp mountain air and plenty of local stories to uncover.

Spicers Peak Lodge, poised atop the Great Dividing Range, is Australia’s highest non-alpine mountain lodge. Bask in the infinity pool overlooking the mountains or spend an evening at the Spa Anise Day Spa feeling restored and recharged.

The Peak

For dinner, The Peak is a no-brainer, like the clouds rolling through the valley below, the menu is bold and elegant, celebrating the very best of Australian cuisine and ingredients.

Ballandean – The Bon Viveur

Ballandean Estate Wines

Home to the largest cluster of wineries on the Granite Belt, Ballandean will have you sipping, sniffing, swirling and socialising your way across the town. Begin your wine discovery mission at Ballandean Estate Wines, a true feast for the senses and a must-do for wine lovers and foodies. The estate is home to some of Australia’s oldest Shiraz vines, and rare wine varietals. Next up, indulge in the rich Italian heritage of Golden Grove Estate, reflected in their sumptuously rich wines, accompanied by a grazing platter of cheese, marinated olives and condiments best shared with friends.

Sit back and enjoy the view while savouring a glass of wine at Bungawarra Wines. This small family-owned vineyard established their vines over a century ago with Bungawarra – meaning ‘granite rock by shallow water’ – being the perfect place to slow down and soak in the scenery. Enjoy a tasting on the deck, or come with your own picnic spread and pick a secluded spot among the trees and open spaces.

While you’re here

Wanting to add more wildlife encounters to your visit? Here’s how to have a wildlife filled weekend on the Southern Downs.

Short walks with big payoffs in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt

June 23, 2026

Whether you’re chasing a golden-hour stroll with friends, planning a weekend wander, or simply looking to start your morning on the right foot, these walks prove you don’t need to go the extra mile to enjoy a big payoff.