Celebrate Spring on the Southern Downs
Hello Spring! If you’re looking for a mini spring break from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, get ready to pack your bags, fuel your car and sort your playlist! From September to November, our region bursts to life with blooming flowers, colourful wildlife and exciting events celebrated across the season.
1. Apple Blossom Season
Image: Sutton’s Juice Factory, Thulimbah (near Stanthorpe)
Did you know that all of Queensland’s apple crop (about one million trees!) is grown around Stanthorpe? That makes Stanthorpe Queensland’s most stunning location for viewing orchards of apple blossoms this spring! End of September and early October is the best time to see the blossoms, with other trees, such as plum, peach and nectarine blooming as early as the first week of September.
Here’s some apple experiences you can’t miss:
- Take a self-guided drive to see the apple blossoms. The best route to take is along Amiens Road.
- Visit Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery to taste their famous apple pie. Stock up on their popular juices and ciders too!
- Nab a selfie with the Big Apple! Located across the road from Sutton’s, and right next to Vincenzo’s Deli, you can’t miss taking a pic with this huge Royal Gala apple!
- Picnic under the blossoms at Nicoletti Orchards. This farm is opening its doors to share their flowering fruit trees. BYO picnic. Open Sundays in October/November. Secure your ticket first.
- Cycle through the orchards with Granite Belt Bicycle Tours, who can guide you to the best spots, meandering through blossoms, wineries and gourmet providores.
- For more info on apple experiences, check out Granite Belt Wine Country’s guide to apple blossom season!
2. Wildflowers on the Granite Belt
Field of coreopsis, Azjure Studio Retreat
A visit to Girraween National Park, about 30 minutes south of Stanthorpe, is a must do on any trip to the Southern Downs. Girraween, meaning ‘place of flowers’ lives up to its name in spring and summer as delicate wildflowers emerge beneath the towering granite boulders. Golden wattles, yellow, red and purple pea flowers, dainty orchids and flannel flowers grow amid the forests.
On your drive around the Granite Belt, you’ll also spot springtime yellow flowers everywhere! It’s the annual arrival of the coreopsis flowers, which blanket fields and pop up by the thousands on the roadsides around Stanthorpe each November. Discover more about the coreopsis blooms.
3. Springtime Events
Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft. Image by Storm Lahiff
The region is buzzing in Spring as events season is in full swing! Check out the busy events calendar and don’t miss these highlights:
- Granite Belt Art & Craft Trail (29-31 Oct)
- Condamine Country Art & Open Studio Trail (6-7 Nov)
- Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft (25-31 Oct)
- Killarney All Round Rodeo (16 Oct)
- Stanthorpe Berry Festival (13 Nov)
- Australian Small Winemakers Show – Public Tasting (23 Oct)
- QLD Super Sprint State Championships (12-14 Nov)
While You’re Here
Make a weekend of it by checking out these other things to do in the area:
- For more spring break inspiration, check out these three mini getaway options in Stanthorpe, Killarney and Warwick.
- If you’re travelling to Girraween from Brisbane you’ll drive right through Stanthorpe. 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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