Top 6 Must Do Moments in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
From wineries to waterfalls there’s always something to explore in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. Here we celebrate good food and wine, fresh air, time together and the restorative power of nature. Sound good? Check out these 6 must do moments for your next visit:
1. Granite Belt Winery Tours
Image by @channny via Instagram
The Granite Belt is Queensland’s premier wine region, giving you plenty of excuses to hit the wine trail to meet the winemakers at over 40 cellar doors. Let someone else do the driving on an escorted winery tour or join a bicycle tour. Not a wine fan? No worries. Our Granite Belt breweries and cideries make some exceptional drops too.
2. Girraween National Park
Image by Christopher Visentin
Girraween National Park is dramatically speckled with natural rock formations and spectacular boulders balancing precariously on mountaintops, making this park incredibly unique (and totally Instagrammable!). In spring, spectacular wildflower displays splash colour among the granite. The 17kms of trails offers walks for everyone.
3. Events in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
The famous grape crush event at the Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival
The Southern Downs and Granite Belt is well known for its annual events. Don’t know when to visit? Tie in your trip with one of our major events like the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July, Historic Leyburn Sprints or the Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft. Are you a rev head? National and state motor racing events are held most weekends at Morgan Park Raceway. Check out our full calendar of events >
4. Hit the heritage trail
Abbey of the Roses, Warwick
The heritage of the region is unmistakable in the majestic sandstone buildings that still dominate Warwick and Stanthorpe and speak of a thriving history. Discover the history yourself by embarking on the Heritage Building Trails. Before you head off, pick up a copy of the trails at one of the Visitor Information Centres or download it here.
5. Follow the seasons
Sunflower field near Allora, image by @georgiakelleher
The Southern Downs and Granite Belt celebrates four distinct seasons year round. During summer, fields of sunflowers line our highways. In autumn, our trees turn to bright hues of gold and crimson. As Queensland’s coldest region, come winter we snuggle up in front of the fire and welcome frosts and the chance of snow! Read more to decide when to visit >
6. Queen Mary Falls
Queen Mary Falls, near Killarney | Image by @emiliebrooke
Visiting Queen Mary Falls near Killarney is a must do on any trip. Choose between a short walk to the top of the lookout or embark on the full circuit. Head across the road to hand feed crimson rosellas and king parrots and from late October to November, look out for fireflies and glow worms at dusk. Chase more waterfalls by heading off on the Falls Drive.
While You’re Here
Make a weekend of it by checking out these other things to do in the area:
- National Park lover? Make sure you check out Sundown or Main Range National Park as well.
- Stopping off in Stanthorpe for a while? 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.
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