See it again for the first time: Restorations and renovations in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt

There’s something special about returning to a place you thought you knew, only to discover a new story waiting behind an old door.

Across the Southern Downs & Granite Belt, familiar buildings are being given a new purpose. A century-old church now pours local wine. A former railway cottage welcomes weekend guests. Old farm sheds have become places to stay, while grand homesteads, railway stations and country pubs are finding their feet again.

If you look a little closer, you’ll find that the region’s past hasn’t been polished away. It’s there in the sandstone walls, stained glass, old railway timbers and weathered buildings, now sharing space with new restaurants, cellar doors and places to stay.

If it’s been a while since your last visit, come back and see what’s changed.

At a glance

The Southern Downs & Granite Belt is best for:

  • History lovers
  • Architecture fans
  • Food and wine lovers
  • Weekend escapes
  • Couples

In the Southern Downs & Granite Belt look out for:

  • Restored heritage buildings
  • Renovated pubs and accommodation
  • Repurposed farm buildings
  • New food and wine experiences
  • Brand-new visitor facilities

Where can you see old buildings given a new life?

Savour wine in a beautifully restored church at The Church: Local Wine Project

Church on Sunday? Not quite. At The Church: Local Wine Project in Ballandean, a beautifully restored heritage church has been given a very different purpose bringing together small-batch wines from across the Granite Belt under one roof. The result is part cellar door, part wine discovery hub and part excuse to linger a little longer.

Consecrated in March 1926, the original Saint Oswald’s Church has served as a community focal point for 100 years, and its latest iteration is one that invites visitors to explore wines from multiple local producers, with self-guided tastings and rotating features such as Winery of the Week.

It’s a particularly handy stop if you’ve been exploring the wine trail before, because there’s always the chance of finding a new favourite.

Abbey

The Abbey

For a heritage stay with modern comforts, The Abbey, Warwick 

Built in 1891, The Abbey has had a serious glow-up without losing the character that makes it special.

The heritage-listed, adults-exclusive hotel has been extensively renovated, with modern comforts added while the historic architecture and original charm remain firmly part of the experience. Think pressed metal ceilings, spacious verandas overlooking manicured gardens, stained glass windows, French doors and rooms filled with period details combined with all the high-end comforts you’d expect from a luxurious stay. Why not make your next weekend away feel a little more old-world than usual.

A railway cottage with a new journey, The Fettler’s Cottage

The Fettler’s Cottage, a late-1800s cottage located on Mt Stirling Farm, was originally owned by Queensland Rail and was home for the Fettler family who toiled for the railway’s progress. Today, it has been lovingly restored as accommodation, blending its railway history with the comforts of a country escape on a 170-acre farm in Glen Aplin.

Renovated just a few years ago, the cottage sleeps up to six guests and comes with the creature comforts you’d expect, including spacious bedrooms, modern bathrooms and air-conditioning. It’s a little piece of railway history, just with a much more relaxing commute.

This old packing shed has a very different purpose, The Packing Shed

Once the working heart of Mt Stirling Farm, The Packing Shed was built in the mid-1900s to package and prepare local produce. These days, you’d be forgiven for forgetting its industrial past. The former packing shed has been transformed into one-bedroom accommodation, with polished concrete floors, a handcrafted timber kitchen bench made from an old wool-classing table, and a restored bathroom featuring an early-1900s vanity. There’s even a private fire pit for the evenings.

In the past this was a bustling hub for farm life, however today The Packing Shed is a place to slow down, settle in and enjoy the countryside.

Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre

Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre

For a heritage landmark that’s still telling its story, Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre

The restoration story at Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre is a little bigger than a fresh coat of paint – it’s a story of boom, gloom and return from ruin.

Built between 1867 and 1868, the grand sandstone homestead was described in its day as ‘the finest house in the Colony’. After sitting abandoned for more than 70 years, a major conservation effort began in the 1990s to save the home from disrepair.

Today, visitors can once again step inside and experience one of the region’s significant historic properties. Guided tours continue to bring its history to life, taking visitors through a building that has survived decades of neglect and now has a new role as a place for heritage, education and events.

While the café isn’t currently open to the public, seasonal markets, bus tours and large group bookings are still part of the experience, giving visitors a reason to put Glengallan back on the itinerary.

This grand railway building is getting another lease on life, Warwick Railway Station

If you haven’t been inside Warwick Railway Station for a while, it’s worth another look.

The sandstone station dates back to 1886 and has soaring vaulted ceilings, grand verandas and plenty of railway history. After sitting vacant for decades, the building is now being brought back into use following a restoration project led by Southern Downs Steam Railway and its volunteers.

Recent restoration work has included the exterior sandstone, with the interior now being restored in line with heritage requirements. The station is finding a new role as a community and heritage venue, proving that sometimes the best way to preserve an old building is to give people a reason to use it again.

The Ballandean Pub

The Ballandean Pub

A country pub with a modern makeover, The Ballandean Pub

If your last visit to involved a very different-looking pub, you’re not imagining things.

The former Ballandean Tavern underwent major renovations in early 2024, emerging as a more modern country pub while keeping its place at the heart of the Granite Belt. There’s now a large kids’ playground, a huge beer garden and even an old Bedford truck repurposed as a stage for live music.

The menu also leans into the region, showcasing produce from Granite Belt growers and makers.

What is new in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt?

For a French-inspired celebration, Lagnicourt

A century of family farming has inspired something entirely new at Lagnicourt.

Located at Pozieres, around 20 minutes north of Stanthorpe, the purpose-built wedding and events venue blends French-inspired architecture with country charm. The venue sits on a 650-acre working apple orchard and has been designed for celebrations of up to 150 guests, with landscaped gardens and views across the dam.

In 1925, Clyde McMahon named the family home Lagnicourt after a battlefield in northern France. A century later, the name has been given a new chapter as a destination for special events.

Meteora Vineyard

Meteora Vineyard

Welcome to a new chapter in Granite Belt wine, Meteora Vineyard

The Granite Belt has no shortage of wineries. But Meteora Vineyard is setting the benchmark with a landmark vineyard destination.

The Ballandean vineyard has been transformed over six years into a destination combining an estate-grown vineyard, winery, restaurant, cellar door and Queensland’s first wine cave. The project has also incorporated more than 10,000 reclaimed heritage bricks, historic railway sleepers and timber salvaged from old railway bridges into the new development.

It’s a distinctly modern addition to the wine trail. Mediterranean influences sit alongside Granite Belt produce, granite landscapes and wines made from grape varieties suited to the region.

Escape to Girraween for a new greeting, the Visitor Information Building

If you’ve visited Girraween National Park before, you might notice something different before you’ve even started walking. The park’s visitor information building has been upgraded as part of a broader improvement to visitor facilities, alongside new entry signage, an amenities block, expanded parking and upgraded staff facilities.

Inside, you’ll find information and displays about Girraween’s landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage, plus large maps to help you plan your walk before heading out among the granite boulders.

And that’s perhaps the best thing about seeing the Southern Downs & Granite Belt again for the first time. The landscapes haven’t gone anywhere – but there’s always a new reason to stop, look around and stay a little longer.

Girraween National Park Visitor Park(1)

Girraween National Park Visitor Information Centre 

Frequently asked questions

What has been renovated in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt?

Several heritage buildings, pubs and accommodation properties have been restored or renovated, including The Church: Local Wine Project, The Abbey, The Fettler’s Cottage, The Packing Shed, Glengallan Homestead, Warwick Railway Station and The Ballandean Pub.

What are some new places to visit in the Granite Belt?

Newer additions include Meteora Vineyard in Ballandean, Lagnicourt at Pozieres, and the upgraded visitor information building at Girraween National Park.

Where can I stay in a restored heritage building?

The Abbey in Warwick offers boutique accommodation in a heritage-listed building dating to 1891, while The Fettler’s Cottage and The Packing Shed at Mt Stirling Farm are a restored late-1800s railway cottage and produce shed.

Where can I see a historic building that’s been repurposed?

The Church: Local Wine Project is located in a restored heritage church in Ballandean. It is now a wine shop and tasting room, where you can browse a selection of Granite Belt wines and stop for a tasting.

Is Warwick Railway Station open to visitors?

The restored Warwick Railway Station is being used as a heritage and community venue, with rooms available for hire and events held throughout the year.

Is Glengallan Homestead & Heritage Centre open to visitors?

Glengallan Homestead & Heritage Centre is open to large groups, tour buses, and seasonal market days.

What new wineries are open in the Southern Downs & Granite Belt?

Meteora Vineyard is the latest addition to the wine scene, bringing modern architecture, estate-grown wines and a striking new destination to the region.

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Contact Information

Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au

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