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.
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.
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.
Blue Topaz Diner is located in lovely Severnlea, just a 5-minute drive south of Stanthorpe. The diner is fast growing in popularity and has a wonderful reputation for preparing scrumptious, affordable meals in their newly refurbished 50’s Retro Diner. Enjoy one of their FAMOUS burgers or many other delights from their menu, and sit down in the funky atmospheric diner, while you listen to tunes from the jukebox!
Blue Topaz Diner has been named ‘Best Takeaway’ and ‘Best Burger’ in the Granite Belt Region in a recent poll for a local newspaper, and they have a reputation for friendly staff who will go that extra mile to ensure your experience is a memorable one.
Blue Topaz Diner sits on-site at the lovely Blue Topaz Caravan Park and is a located in a convenient and picturesque location.
A picturesque vineyard near Girraween National Park, just 10 minutes south of the village of Ballandean. Visit our Cellar door and talk to Steve and Lisa who grow the grapes and make the wine all onsite.
People come to enjoy our elegant reds and crisp clean white wines. A special favourite is a sparkling rose.
Our award-winning range of wines are produced at our winery using estate-grown fruit. Every bottle is crafted with lots of love and attention to detail. A tasting experience not to be missed!
Would you like to stay at a place with friendly staff who will go that extra mile to ensure your experience is a memorable one?
Blue Topaz Caravan Park is a family-owned and operated park, located in lovely Severnlea, just a 5-minute drive south of Stanthorpe. The caravan park offers a great range of accommodation options to suit all budgets from unpowered & powered campsites to family cabins & shared dormitory facilities. Blue Topaz also offers fully self-contained sites for motorhomes and caravans for just $10/night.
Blue Topaz is perfectly positioned close to many local wineries & farms, they welcome tourists, backpackers, traveling nomads, and locals to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It is also a short drive from Girraween and Sundown National Parks, so you can bushwalk by day and relax by the campfire at night.
Not only do they provide clean, affordable accommodation, they also have a wonderful reputation for preparing scrumptious, affordable meals in their newly refurbished 50’s Retro Diner. Enjoy a delicious burger or many other delights from their menu, and sit down in the funky atmospheric diner, while you listen to tunes from the jukebox!
From wineries to waterfalls there’s always something to explore in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
Here at Essen we strive to provide delicious, wholesome food prepared with the freshest local ingredients and products that highlight our regions best growers and artisans.We offer you a comfortable environment to share honest food with good friends.
You love Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, but you’re not sure you should visit right now because of the bushfires and drought?
Quaffers on Storm King offers seven luxury fully self contained cabins, set amongst 30 acres of native bushland on the banks of Storm King Dam. The cabins have been carefully situated around the property to maximise water views, while still having privacy. Each cabin features a fireplace and air-conditioning, dining and lounge room with large screen television and a modern fully equipped kitchen with open pantry and cook your own breakfast parcels included.
Luxurious king sized beds (studio features queen bed) with linen and electric blankets to keep you snug in winter and large en suites complete the internal of the cabins. Step out onto the large decks with outdoor lounges and enjoy the peaceful settings with views over Storm King Dam.
Quaffers on Storm King has 250m of dam frontage with access for swimming, fishing, kayaking, boating and skiing (trailer boat ramp 1 kilometre away). Enjoy a picnic by the waters edge with your very own fire pit. Quaffers is located 230 kilometres, around three hours drive, from Brisbane and 12 kilometre from Stanthorpe right in the heart of Queensland’s own wine country.
Special Needs and Access:
Relax in the scenic tranquility of granite country landscape over looking the Severn River and picturesque gardens. Enjoy good old fashioned home cooking using fresh local ingredients, surrounded by local and Australian plus international artworks.
Movie Nights, Art Gallery Functions, Children’s parties welcome!
Breakfast and Lunches Open Thursday – Sunday 8am – 4.30pm
Gallery Opening hours 10 am to 4.30pm |
Thursday to Sunday We are proud to exhibit a wide range of artistic genres, promoting local and emerging artists alongside experienced well known artists with exhibitions of stunning variety, talent and quality. The current collection displays an array of Comtemporary, Indigenous, Representational and Expressionist, Traditional painters, Studio hand made Glass Artists and Potters. The Southern Downs produces a fine array of artistic talent. Local painters and potters have contributed to the Gallery as well as well known artists from Queenland and around Australia.
You can benefit from Glen Aplin Gardens Art Gallery’s Obligation Free consultancy, as we are able to provide an on site home decorating service, allowing you to see paintngs in place before you decide to purchase. The gallery’s curators Jenny & Allan are very happy to discuss your special art decor, fine art investment and decorating needs. It is our privilege to assist you whether in our gallery, your home or workplace, to find the painting, or ‘object art’ that meets your decor needs. If you are unsure how your chosen artwork will look in your home or office, we provide a free onsite consultancy to allow you to view the artwork in place without obligation.
Lay-by –Use our 3 month lay-by payment terms, which are available and often enjoyed by clients purchasing their first art work. Investing in a valuable fine art work, painting, or an individual item of pottery for example is an important decision. Let us make it easier for you to purchase that gift or special item you have always desired. There are no charges for lay-by over three monthly payments.
What Our Winery Accommodation Can Offer You…. Our farmhouses are available to host couples and groups, as well as catered functions and weddings. The onsite Gallery Café provides our guests with stunning valley views while dining on old fashioned home cooking. Besides the local scenery, we also have a fabulous art gallery with inspiring paintings, pottery, wood carvings, furniture, handmade jewellery and much more made by local artists for sale.
We provide a venue for celebratory events, as well as old fashioned movie nights on Saturdays with our “Dinner & Flicks” option. Tours of the local wineries and vineyards can be easily arranged.
Glen Aplin Gardens highly recommends that our guests go with Crisp Bus Tours for winery tours. This is a great way for our guests to gain a better understanding of the processes of viticulture and oenology that makes the wine taste so delicious, which you will get to taste in the process. They are available to pick up and drop off guests at our gate for your convenience, meaning you can taste as much wine as you want without having to worry about driving or taxi costs.
If you drive to our Stanthorpe retreat with an all-electric car, then you will be pleased to know that Glen Aplin Gardens has a Tesla Destination Charging Station on site. Our guests with electric cars can now experience seamless travel from Brisbane to Glen Aplin in the Granite Belt.
Sommerville Valley Tourist Park was established on a private property, 12 km from Stanthorpe in a beautiful and quiet area on Storm King Dam. Spacious powered sites, bushy unpowered sites and small budget cabins are available as well as luxury self contained apartments located just on the water edge and providing all the luxury imaginable.
Storm King Dam offers great swimming, fishing, boating and canoeing. Sommerville Valley is close to wineries, berry farms and national parks. Facilities include:
modern camp kitchens, amenities blocks with hot showers and laundry, under cover barbecue areas, community room. Canoes and push bikes are for hire. Well behaved pets are welcome; campfires allowed (weather permitting).
Logger’s Rest B&B consists of 3 spacious Bedrooms each with Ensuites.
There’s a large comfy Lounge room and convivial Breakfast room, both are common areas shared by all Logger’s B&B guests.
For your entertainment enjoy the Games room complete with Pool Table, Spa, TV and woodfired Heater making it a cosy intimate retreat.
Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park is 93 kms west of Stanthorpe.
Bring your tent, van or just stay in one of the cabins (not S/C).
The area is a fishing hotspot , kayaking, water skiing, birdwatching and nature.
No domestic pets or generators.
If you think romance is all about chocolates and rose petals, think again. Before you rush off to book another movie night or dinner date, let us play cupid with this guide to the 6 most romantic places to visit this Valentine’s Day.
If it’s time for the kids to breathe in some fresh country air, reconnect with nature (and each other!) and go offline, then bundle them in the car and head south west to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
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!
Eco-friendly boutique accommodation in the heart of Queensland wine country. Five minutes from Stanthorpe township, and just down the road from several of the region’s premier wineries (including Savina Lane and Whiskey Gully).
We are a B&B style accommodation featuring two luxury queen bedrooms with ensuites for our guests. There is also a well-appointed shared kitchen area, complete with microwave, gas cooktop and a wood oven. The area is stocked with all the necessary requirements for guests to enjoy anything from a cup of coffee to a fully prepared meal.
Self-serve breakfast is included in the cost of accommodation, including everything from cereal and locally sourced seasonal fruit to bacon, farm fresh eggs, bread, juice and milk. Guests are welcome to use the fully equipped kitchen to prepare and cook their own meals. The kitchen also contains a coffee pod machine, toaster and fridge.
We also provide guests with access to an outdoor BBQ, free wifi, and a television in each bedroom (including Netflix).
A wood fire, with wood oven, is provided in the shared kitchen area, perfect for roasting a meal on a winter’s night.
Want to go remote with zero distractions and the chance of not seeing anyone else? On the Queensland/New South Wales border lies Sundown National Park, a rugged wilderness of spectacular steep-sided gorges, sharp ridges and peaks rising more than 1000m.
If it’s a nature fix you’re seeking, then these three national parks in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt will keep you satisfied for days.
Want to experience a true winter this year? Before you start planning a July jaunt to our southern states, simply head two hours south west to Stanthorpe, the coolest place in the State!
Fairbanks Guesthouse is a fully self contained home on a working cattle property at Ballandean near Stanthorpe, Qld just minutes from award winning wineries and tourist destinations. The guesthouse is suitable for groups or families (up to 6) and features, wood fire, gas heating & airconditioning,Queen beds with cosy doonas and blankets, fully self contained kitchen with coffee machine, full size fridge, TV, DVD, Stereo, Games, DVD’s, BBQ, 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets, Towels & Linen provided, Laundry, Walking track, creek, bird watching, wildlife.
A refreshing, relaxing stay awaits you in the scenic Sundown Valley. Peace and quiet are assured.
Fairbanks Guesthouse is a 3 hour dive from Brisbane.
Good Life | Good Food | Good Company
Happy Pig Farm is a paddock self sufficiency working farm only 3 km from visitors center on the Granite Belt in Stanthorpe, Qld.. Ideally located for day trips to wineries and other local attractions or to the pool and gym in town. Can cater all meals from our Paddock to Plate menu.
Accommodation: A self contained holiday apartment in a private wing of our 100 year old Old Queenslander farm house. Can accommodate up to 6 and children welcome. Has 2 bedrooms each with en-suite, nursery annex with single bed & cot, extra beds in spacious lounge area. Self catering kitchenette & private BBQ courtyard. Has wood fire (wood provided) & reverse cycle air conditioning.
Farm Tours: A one hour farm tour is included in the price of your accommodation. Children are welcome to join in farm activities with adult guest supervision.
Stanthorpe has four distinct seasons with something special to do each season. Book early so you don’t miss out.
Happy Pig Farm is a self sufficiency farm on the edge of Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in south east Queensland.
FARM TOURS: An opportunity for kids of all ages, from toddlers to 90s, to meet our animals – pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens and ducks – first hand. Find out how we farm the old fashioned way using our pigs as tractors and without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Discover real Paddock to Plate Good Food grown on our farm or locally and sold from our Good Food Farm Shop at farm gate prices – including traditionally wood smoked ham and bacon from our ethically paddock raised pigs. Groups welcome by prior arrangement and yes, we can organise morning tea or lunch.for your group.
Happy Pig Farm is a fair dinkum working farm – not a resort – so come expecting to rediscover how farming used to be on our self sufficiency farm a stones throw from the edge of Stanthorpe.
Farm Tours & Good Food Farm Shop is open daily on school holidays, 9am – 4pm on weekends on non school holidays and closed Fridays.
The stunning location of Eagle’s Nest Retreat perched upon Mt Banca’s eastern ridge boasts spectacular views of Stanthorpe & the region beyond.
Set on 33 acres of private bushland this fully self contained cottage accommodates up to 4 guests. Features 2 spacious bedrooms each opening out to verandah with own ensuite, a fully equipped kitchen with water filter & coffee machine, cosy fireplace, reverse cycle air conditioning throughout, a comfortable open plan dining/lounge with TV & entertainment system, and a wide covered verandah running the full length of the cottage. Complimentary extras include tea/coffee, locally made quality soaps & locally made bottle of red or white wine with crackers. Bring your own groceries and/or enjoy the diverse range of local cafes & restaurants.
Disabled guests are catered for.
Enjoy glorious sunrises & stunning sunsets over Stanthorpe on your private verandah, bushwalk, practice photography, read, or simply watch the world go by as you unwind. Or explore the township which is less than 5 minutes away by car. Close to wineries, national parks & Storm King Dam.
Eagle’s Nest Retreat is a 2.5 hour drive from Brisbane.
We might be the coldest place in the state, but come December 1, we’re just as ready as the rest of Queensland to head outside, relish the longer days
Happy Apple provides air-conditioned rooms, camping and caravan sites for tourists and backpackers. There are amazing National Parks and wineries throughout the Granite Belt for tourists and we especially welcome farm-workers and backpackers picking fruit and vegetables on farms in our area.
Thornbury Lodge offers luxury accommodation at its finest. Situated a short drive east of Stanthorpe on 130 acres, the gardens at Thornbury are a real feature.
This is a perfect base to explore the National Parks at Boonoo Boonoo , Bald Rock and Basket Swap. The local wine tour buses collect from the front door for full or half day visits to local wineries. With 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and chef’s kitchen, Thornbury is a favourite of groups of friends for weekends away.
Serenity Cottage is set on 60 acres in beautiful Thulimbah, just outside of Stanthorpe. The cottage accommodates up to 6 people, has a fireplace for those cooler Granite Belt nights, fully equipped kitchen, electric blankets on all beds, TV, BBQ, walking distance to the local cheese factory and only a short drive to the famous Sutton’s Apple Pie. Serenity Cottage is 2.5 hour drive from Brisbane.
Mallow Organic Lamb is produced near Stanthorpe in southern Queensland’s Granite Belt district. Mallow Lamb is certified organic and is also noted for it’s tenderness and flavour – awarded Finalist 3 times & Medalist in the Delicious Magazine Produce Awards.
Farming practices on Mallow follow biological farming principles where emphasis is on excellent soil health and nutrient value to maximize plant health. This is turn produces meat that is nutrient dense and good for our own health as consumers.
You can order Mallow Organic lamb direct from the farm or purchase from local stockists Brinx Deli High St or The Friday Farmers Markets in the Piazza. Many fine local restaurants in the Granite Belt feature Mallow Lamb on their menu: McGregor Terrace Food Project, Barrelroom & Larder, Ballandean, Queensland College of Wine Tourism Varias Restaurant, and Spicers Peak Lodge.
Situated on five manicured acred gardens, Stanthorpe Villa gives you the sense of home away from home. A feel of Tuscany right here in sunny Queensland.
Our grand villa is spacious and able to cater for your family holidays, work retreats, reunions, winery tours or simply just a quiet escape.
This house has three large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and spacious lounge areas with reverse cycle air conditioning and wood fire place in the living areas and is located close to the main town of Stanthorpe.
Balancing Heart Wines is the Granite Belt’s newest Cellar Door – the excitement and love of wine is in exploring something new! Situated just beyond Ballandean and close to two other excellent Cellar Door experiences as well as the chocolate shop, it makes for a great half-day out. Plus, it is only minutes from Girraween National Park.
Be delighted by the wine; be inspired by the landscape, views and vineyard; and enjoy the Cellar Door experience from the owners, David & Lori Broadbent, and their brave story of love behind the label. Visitors are most-welcome to stroll through the vineyard to Balancing Rock – the label takes its name from this amazing natural granite structure which sits among the premium Shiraz vines. The rock assumes the role of the vineyard’s guardian – the ever-watchful protector.
The vineyard has been operating for more than 20 years, producing a range of individual, estate-grown, vegan wines, including a beautiful Campfire series, a Rock Shiraz, Pinot Gris, Verdelho, a lovely Sparkling and a very special Reserve Sagrantino.
Top of the Town has a national park atmosphere and fantastic amenities to make your stay both adventurous and comfortable. The park is set in twenty acres of bush just fifteen minutes’ walk or two minutes’ drive from downtown Stanthorpe.
Jamworks Gourmet Foods is a cafe & larder where you can try a selection of our 100 plus preserves made in small batches on site at the tasting bar.
Why not enjoy a meal featuring a Jamworks product or sit and relax with a glass of local wine and a freshly prepared platter.
Grovely House Bed & Breakfast is centrally located in Stanthorpe, close to fabulous food and wine destinations across the Granite Belt.
We offer warm traditional hospitality, sumptuous homemade breakfast and all the comforts of our elegant sandstone home and hope from the moment you arrive, you feel at ease, ready to immerse yourself in all the fabulous offerings the Granite Belt has to offer.
Grovely House is the perfect choice in accommodation with style. We specialise in making your stay an occasion to remember, whether it is a 10th wedding anniversary, proposal of marriage or just the need to get away for the weekend.
With four beautifully appointed ensuite guest rooms, an extensive library and inviting guest lounge with double sided fireplace for those chilly Stanthorpe nights. Grovely House offers you the best of all possible worlds in a magical garden setting. The truly beautiful gardens are yours to enjoy. Sit on the deck and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Severn Ranges to the south, the playful grey kangaroos or afternoon tea in the cottage garden
Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage is the perfect place to spend the weekend when you are visiting the Granite Belt. This friendly 1920’s farm cottage is located in the centre of our vineyard. It has a beautiful outlook, a toasty wood fire, three generous bedrooms and much more.
The cottage was fully renovated in 2010. We have a new kitchen, two new bathrooms, new paint and new floor coverings throughout. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of our premium quality, award-winning Twisted Gum wine on arrival.
Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage features:
The cottage can comfortably accommodate six persons.
The Bush Rock Gallery is a local art gallery showing original paintings done by resident artist Graeme Schreiber.
The gallery is set in a native plant garden and is surrounded by native bush. Paintings are mainly landscapes and wildlife subjects and are done in realistic and semi abstract styles. Giclee reproductions of many of the original paintings are also available.
Carriage Stop Cottages features four house-size self contained accommodation sites, located on 24 hectares in close proximity to Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and the stunning Girraween National Park.
Fireplaces allow for a cosy winter stay in the region, with many wineries close to the accommodation. An outdoor BBQ is also available for us.
Ravens Croft Wines is set high in the hills, at an altitude of 950m above sea level, 12 kilometres west of Stanthorpe, in Queensland’s premier wine growing region, the Granite Belt.
The cellar door is a charming Western Red Cedar cottage surrounded by vines, with views across the valley. It opened in July 2004. Tastefully decorated, this modern intimate cellar- door has the charisma of a wine bar. The vines were planted around the cellardoor area to allow you a tasting experience surrounded by and relaxing in the vineyard.
There are also beautiful views over the valley towards Bald Rock. The wines are all handmade and bottled on-site in a modern winery. We use minimal handling and minimal sulphur. Our wines are all vegan friendly.
Stanthorpe Cheese is the region’s original cheese factory. We are situated 10 minutes on the north side of Stanthorpe. We are a complete farmhouse factory, processing all the milk from our small herd of purebred Jersey cows and selling it in our lovely little on- farm shop and on- line. The shop sells a huge range of other Granite Belt produce including jams, chutneys, relishes, olives, juices, wines, vinegars, chilli, sauces, cold meats, honey, fresh bread and crackers and unique hand made gifts.
We have everything great in the district all under one roof. While you’re here you can enjoy a delicious shared Ploughman’s lunch with your friends or for something lighter, a cheese platter and our homemade cheesecake and coffee. We do the best fresh, Jersey milkshakes.
The weekly Granite Belt Farmers Market showcases the unique culture and authentic regional food and wine experiences of the Granite Belt. Bring a basket and stock up on some of the freshest local produce, with the offerings changing through the seasons. The Markets are held every Friday, 7:30am – 1:00pm at the Railway Precinct, 31 Davadi Street, Stanthorpe
The Vines Motel & Cottages is a family run Motel in the heart of Stanthorpe. The Two Storey building is surrounded by beautiful gardens & verandahs for every room. We also have 2 fully self contained Cottages on site for those looking for some extra space.
Anna’s Award Winning Italian Restaurant is only 100m away. Breakfast is served in the lovely Dining Room at the Vines with seating for up to 45 guests. All rooms have split system air-conditioning, ensuite, Austar, fridge, kettle and tea and coffee.
Phone Direct for Best Rates! Tour & Packages available via Direct Bookings.
At High Street Motor Inn you’ll be within just a 5-minute stroll of Stanthorpe Heritage Museum and within 20 minutes of Wineries, Breweries and other attractions. Highlights at this motel include a restaurant, free self parking, and a bar/lounge.
All rooms feature LCD TVs with digital channels, and you can enjoy free WiFi, coffee/tea makers, and ceiling fans. Refrigerators and room service make in-room dining convenient.
Peace and tranquillity awaits you at Fergies Hill Cottage, which sits above the vineyard at Granite Ridge Wines, Ballandean. Sweeping views and fabulous sunsets are yours as you sit on the deck sipping a glass of wine. The cottage has two Queen bedrooms and two bathrooms (one with spa), wood burning stove and full cooking facilities.
Your continental breakfast basket includes homemade bread and jams, fruit, Yogurt, cereals etc.
Close to Girraween and Sundown National Parks, with restaurants nearby, it is a great place to stay to explore everything the Granite Belt has to offer.
Contact Information
Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au
