Fantastic family-friendly fun in the Southern Downs
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.
STANTHORPE AND SURROUNDS
1. Visit a Bushranger’s Hideout!
The original bushranger hideout for ‘Thunderbolt’, Donnelly’s Castle (which is more cave than castle) is great for kids of all ages.
Donnelly’s Castle is a granite rock formation that you can walk between, around and over! The massive boulders are just as spectacular as some of the rock formations in Girraween National Park, and is far more accessible for young adventurers. The site offers boulders to scramble over and hidden passageways to explore, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding area from the 200 metre walk to the top.
2. Stretch the legs at Girraween National Park
Kids need to burn off some energy? Girraween National Park’s 30km of walking trails is the perfect spot for restless legs! Try the Granite Arch walk (pictured above). It’s a fairly short, easy trail that’s perfect for all ages and follows some fascinating rock formations, with granite archways and secret caves, allowing the kids to play bushranger for the day!
3. Visit the Big Apple
What’s a Queensland road trip without stopping at an iconic ‘big thing’ on the side of the road? The ‘Big Apple’ will greet you on the New England Highway as you approach Stanthorpe, giving the kids endless photo opportunities! There’s parking onsite at Vincenzo’s Cafe and the region’s famous apple pie can be found across the highway at Sutton’s Juice Factory.
4. Camp Under the Stars
A family escape to the country is all about leaving the iPads at home and reconnecting with each other and nature, and there’s no better way to do that than camping under a starlit sky. You’ll find a huge variety of camping and caravanning spots in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, from National Parks, to tourist parks and bush camping too.
5. Tempt Your Sweet Tooth
Our foodie paradise is not just for adults! It’s easy to treat the kids (and yourself!) to a delicious stop when you’re travelling through the Granite Belt, with plenty of options for a cheeky morning tea stopover. Choose between apple pie, handmade chocolates, berry waffles and heaps more! Check out some of the enticing hotspots.
6. Take a selfie in front of a granite pyramid
You don’t need to fly to Egypt to take a selfie with the pyramids. Head to Ballandean! Built from blocks of local granite, the pyramid stands 17.5 metres in height, 30 metres square at the base and contains 7,500 tonnes of rock. It was built using an excavator and dump truck and took eight months to complete. For directions on how to get to it go here. The pyramid sits on private property, so no approaching the pyramid, however the roadside is close enough to capture a view and a photo of this impressive site.
7. Get festive at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm
Get festive at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm, in Applethorpe. Open all year round, let the kids explore Santa’s animals, wander through the fields of real Christmas trees and savor the fresh smell of pine or visit the farm In harvest season and let the kids pick the perfect tree for your family festivities as the big day draws near.
8. Pick Your Own Fruit
100% of Queensland’s apples come from the Granite Belt, while stone fruit and strawberries also flourish here. Embark on a pick your own adventure at Ashbern Farms, Eastern Colour or Nicoletti Orchards.
9. Walk through fields of spring flowers
The name ‘Girraween’ means ‘place of flowers’ referring to why this spectacular Queensland national park is even more special during springtime. Wildflowers appear amidst the granite boulders and rocky outcrops during the spring months and the mild spring weather makes for an ideal time to walk the many walking trails. Image by Joyce Bryant.
10. Take on a maze!
Come and get lost in the Granite Belt Maze and try to solve the riddles in this fun adventure destination for all ages. The venue has wheelchair access to most areas and there is a mini maze for the younger children as well as a hexagonal maze with obstacles to squeeze through! Solve riddles as you work your way through and out of the maze. All entry fees include the mazes and 1 game of mini golf.
Open daily during QLD school holidays and other times, closed Tuesday’s and Wednesdays. Last entry at 4pm.
WARWICK AND SURROUNDS
11. Farmstay
Say howdy to life in the country by experiencing first hand how a functioning farm works. There are a number of farm stays in the area with plenty of activities available including live shearing demonstrations, horseback riding, milking cows, whip cracking and plenty of 1:1 time with the animals.
12. Leslie Dam
Swap the surf and the sand for freshwater and fish at Leslie Dam, one of Queensland’s most popular freshwater fishing and camping destinations. It’s also an ideal spot for swimming and watersports, so BYO kayak, tinnie or jetski and head out onto the water! You’ll spot plenty of kangaroos onsite too!
13. Queen Mary Falls
Queen Mary Falls is one of the region’s must stunning attractions, with an easy stroll that takes you to the lookout point (even suitable for toddlers) and a massive picnic area. Once you’re done hiking, head over the road to Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park to hand feed rosellas and lorikeets.
14. Fossicking
Eureka! Try your luck at striking gold with three fossicking areas in the Warwick region, including Thanes Creek, Durikai State Forest and Talgai State Forest. If you’re in the Stanthorpe area you can check out Swiper’s Gully. Keep in mind you need to purchase a fossicking permit in Queensland before you head off, or drop into the Warwick Visitor Information Centre to purchase one (cash only).
15. Mary Poppins House, Allora
Did you know, the author of Mary Poppins, PL Travers, lived in Allora as a child when her father Travers Goff managed the Australian Joint Stock Bank, now known as the Mary Poppins House (built in circa 1880, pictured). Take a tour of this Heritage listed house by contacting Les on 0428 746 458 or lesstruthers@bigpond.com.
16. Dalrymple Circuit, Goomburra
The Goomburra section of Main Range National Park is home to the Dalrymple Circuit, a family friendly trail that only takes about 30 minutes and is even suitable for toddlers. You’ll cross bridges and platforms over cascades, where you can stop and look for tadpoles, platypus and fish. Make sure to print off the activity sheet before leaving home.
For more ideas on things to do in our backyard, check out our Things to Do section, or drop into our Stanthorpe or Warwick Visitor Information Centres when you arrive and say hi! Our volunteers are ready to inspire you with fun and family activity for your holiday.
You May Also Like…
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/@shaneandersenphotography_2_4x3_1024.jpg
768
1024
ZOIK ACCESS
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SDGB_Logo_Jacaranda_600x195.png
ZOIK ACCESS2024-11-25 06:25:332024-11-25 06:25:33QLD’s Cold Country
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LachlanGardiner_SQCT_October2019_HIGHRES-1045113_lr.jpg
1616
2422
Vivien Doneley
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SDGB_Logo_Jacaranda_600x195.png
Vivien Doneley2024-09-23 04:21:312024-09-23 04:21:31Celebrate Spring on the Southern Downs
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Leyburn-High-Resolution-046_lr.png
358
536
Vivien Doneley
https://southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/SDGB_Logo_Jacaranda_600x195.png
Vivien Doneley2024-08-28 22:42:382024-08-29 00:43:26Start Your Engines: 2024 Motorsport Events in the Southern Downs
Michael F. Braby, Associate Professor, Australian National University