Welcome to Warwick, the horsepower capital of Australia! The Southern Downs region is set to roar to life in 2024 with a jam-packed calendar of motorsport events that will satisfy even the most dedicated racing fans.
The Southern Downs region is a haven for four-wheel drive (4WD) enthusiasts and motocross lovers, offering a diverse range of tracks that cater to both beginners and seasoned adventurers. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of rugged terrain or the beauty of untouched wilderness, our region has something for everyone.
Nestled in the heart of the Granite Belt, Girraween National Park is a must-visit destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Whether you’re looking to conquer a challenging hike or simply soak in the serene beauty of the landscape, Girraween offers an unforgettable experience worth lacing your boots for.
Our region is simply extraordinary in autumn. Warm days are followed by crisp cool nights, and the landscape is splashed with the clarets and golds of deciduous trees preparing for winter. As if that isn’t enough, here are more great reasons to spend time with us this long weekend.
It’s easy to fall in love with the romantic hues of Autumn on the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
Call yourself a foodie? Check out these top food and wine experiences in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
Hello culture buffs! Ready to explore the region’s thriving arts and history scene? Here’s 5 Southern Downs trails for art and history buffs.
Hand-feed birds at Queen Mary Falls, see kangaroos at Leslie Dam or say g’day to country life at a local farmstay.
From four wheel driving in rugged wilderness to camping under the stars, here’s 5 adventure activities you can do in the Southern Downs.
Known as the Horsepower Capital of Australia, the city of Warwick in the Southern Downs is home to a huge calendar of horse and motor-sports events.
The Southern Downs is a mecca for serious gourmets at any time of year, but winter in our region offers some very special flourishes that other foodie destinations can only dream about. Truffles, cheese, red wine, and chocolates are all culinary delights that rate somewhere between a little bit naughty and daringly decadent on the luxury scale, depending on your point of view.
QLD’s Cold Country is the perfect place for a winter celebration. Winter temperatures in some parts of the Southern Downs regularly fall below zero and Stanthorpe is the long term record holder for the lowest Queensland temperature ever seen on a thermometer. That was −10.6 °C on 23 June 1961. When the mercury is that low, you can lose yourself in the crackle and dance of lovely log fires, cuddles are snugglier, roast dinners and hot baths are pretty much compulsory, the coffee tastes better, and you might even get to build a snowman.
There’s no doubt that the ability to enhance one’s witty repartee with words of wine wisdom enhances one’s credibility as a wine connoisseur immeasurably, so we have compiled a list of 20 quotable quotes to help you look good and sound knowledgeable while you are visiting the 50 cellar doors in QLD’s Wine Country where award-winning wine makers are waiting to guide you through unique tasting experiences.
QLD’s Wine Country is famous for a wide variety of wines, some well-known, others wonderfully rare. There’s a good chance your palate will be introduced to something new when you visit the Southern Downs region. It is, therefore, more important than ever to have a good understanding of the tasting process. We recommend that you follow the ‘S’s in this six step strategy.
From grapevine to glass, paddle to plate, and farm to fork, the Southern Downs is a mecca for lovers of fresh, seasonal, regional produce. It is also home to the Granite Belt – Queensland’s only cold climate wine region where multi-award winning hand-crafted wines continue to break new ground both nationally and internationally.
Talgai Weir is the least well-known of all the great paddling destinations in the Southern Downs region of Queensland. However, it is unlikely to stay that way for long because, when it comes to shelter, ambiance, seclusion, and wildlife encounters, it is arguably the best.
With wineries, mountainous peaks, art galleries and romantic B&Bs, you could be forgiven for thinking Southern Downs and Granite Belt is an adult-only destination. But that’s not the case! Here are 17 things you can do with kids of all ages.
Fill up your ultimate Australian fauna and flora bucket list as you explore the Southern Downs and come face-to-face with the rare and iconic wildlife that call QLD’s Wild Country their home.
No trip to Warwick is complete without a visit to the Condamine River and no visit to the Condamine River is complete until you have floated your cares away on the Warwick Paddle Trail.
Looking for something beyond Chardonnay and Shiraz? Embark on the Strange Bird Wine Trail, where you can sip and swirl your way through the Granite Belt trying alternative varietals like tempranillo, verdhelo and mourvedre.
Pack the cricket set and lay down your rug! We’ve rounded up the top 10 picnic spots in the Southern Downs for your Australia Day BBQ this summer.
This free travel guide is the ultimate resource for your trip to the Southern Downs & Granite Belt. Install it on your mobile device and start planning your next visit today!
For a panoramic view over Stanthorpe, head to Mt Marlay lookout and get your legs pumping by taking the concrete stairs from the bottom of the mountain.
If you prefer your walking trails with more granite and less rainforest, then head straight to Girraween National Park and tackle the monster of all walks, the Pyramid track.
Visiting Queen Mary Falls is a must do on your next trip. Embark on the easy Queen Mary Falls circuit, a 40-minute walk that takes you from the lookouts at the top of the falls to the creek below.
Dust off the boots and hit the Dalrymple Circuit Track in the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park.
Can’t leave home without your four legged friend? You don’t have to! We’ve rounded up your full list of pet-friendly camping spots in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
Swap online deliveries and busy shopping centers for a weekend away in the country where you can #SupportLocal. Stock up on berries straight from the farm or attend a festive market.
Whether you’re a practicing artist or you enjoy other people’s creative abilities, we have two weekends of art trails to give you the perfect excuse for a country getaway this Spring.
No plans yet for the People’s Weekend? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to enjoying a country escape. Put that ‘out of office’ on and hit the road to enjoy a long weekend here.
Every Spring the Southern Downs and Granite Belt bursts to life with blooming flowers, colourful wildlife and exciting events celebrated across the season.
Head off on the Southern Downs Dunny Run, where painted murals have transformed toilet blocks from public loo to public art!
If it’s a nature fix you’re seeking, then these five trails in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt will keep you active for days. From walking past waterfalls to taking in epic views, these trails are serving all the outdoor vibes you need.
Want to experience a true winter this year? You’re in luck! Simply head two hours south west to the coldest place in the state.
Want to experience a true winter on the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, but not sure when exactly to come?
A new podcast series is set to highlight the Southern Downs and Granite Belt as the ultimate Queensland Adventure destination.
Foodies rejoice! The Southern Downs and Granite Belt has two new food maps to showcase the freshest produce of the region.
With just one month until Easter, now’s the time to book that camping holiday for the family! We are spoilt for choice in our region for fantastic campsites for the whole family.
See the Southern Downs from a different perspective when you follow winding trails through shady forests, cross monolithic granite platforms, roll through magnificent gorges, or cruise along the country roads. The crisp country air provides idyllic cycling conditions. There are many trails suited to families, as well as black diamond tracks for more experienced riders.
Summer is sunflower season on the Southern Downs and every year they’re blooming beautiful! From late December onwards, a sea of yellow floods parts of the region.
If “postcards from the edge” appeal to you more than just an insta worthy travel snap, then check out these 5 unique adventures.
For roadtrip warriors who like an element of surprise to their getaway, here’s five unusual activities that will intrigue and delight!
Whether you’re a practicing artist or you enjoy other people’s creative abilites, we have two weekends of art trails to give you the perfect excuse for a country getaway.
Looking for somewhere to stay where you can bring your four legged friends? We’ve put together a list of places where you can take your pets on holidays.
For a truly unique holiday you’ll want to escape the city rush and experience the best of Queenslands’ country hospitality.
In these unusual and challenging times, it’s critical we support our local industries, many of whom can still deliver their products to you.
From wineries to waterfalls there’s always something to explore in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
Every year in November, fire flies emerge at our beautiful town of Killarney, just over 2 hours from Brisbane.
You love Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, but you’re not sure you should visit right now because of the bushfires and drought?
Want to experience a true winter this year? You’re in luck! Before you start planning a July jaunt to our southern states, simply head two hours south west to the coldest place in the state!
Contact Information
Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au
