Explore the Granite Belt Wine Region
Immerse yourself in the enchanting Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Wine region – a captivating destination that promises a delightful escape. Begin your adventure by exploring renowned local wineries in Australia’s highest wine region, such as Ballandean Estate. Here, you can indulge in their award-winning wines and soak in the stunning vineyard views. Continue your wine journey at Symphony Hill Wines, known for their elegant varietals and captivating cellar door experience.
Local Wineries to explore
For a unique twist, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Balancing Heart Vineyard. Here, you can enjoy a glass of wine while surrounded by the modern luxe design of the cellar door and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Prefer apples over grapes? Look no further than Suttons Juice Factory, Cidery, and Cafe in Stanthorpe. This establishment takes pride in delivering an authentic farm-to-plate experience, thanks to its working orchard and a variety of apple offerings. With an extensive product menu that is free from additives and preservatives, David and Ros invite you to their apple shed cafe. Here, you can savour their must-try dishes, including the renowned apple pie that has become a local favourite.
Girraween National Park
Venture beyond the vineyards, and a world of captivating attractions unfolds before you. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Girraween National Park, where granite arches, boulders, and monoliths create a mesmerising landscape along nearly 30 km of picturesque hiking trails. These trails are not only a haven for diverse animal and bird species but also lead you to tranquil waterholes nestled along the path of Bald Rock Creek. For a delectable experience, indulge in the offerings of the Granite Belt Brewery, where handcrafted beers tempt your palate. Alternatively, satisfy your taste for local excellence at gourmet providores like Jamworks, where an array of mouth-watering jams and condiments awaits your indulgence.
Queen Mary Falls
Embark on a leisurely stroll through ever-changing forests, ascending to the majestic summit and then descending to the base of the breath taking Queen Mary Falls. Setting out from the Queen Mary Falls picnic area, follow the path that winds along a fragrant eucalypt-topped ridgeline, leading you into a lush, rainforest-clad gorge. Upon reaching the lookout, be captivated as Spring Creek cascades magnificently, plunging 40 metres over the falls and painting the valley below with its dramatic display. Marvel at the iridescent rainbows formed by the waterfall’s mist, and observe the creek’s meandering journey through the valley, ultimately merging with the upper reaches of the Condamine River. Continue your adventure along the trail, descending to the valley floor where you can relish the refreshing embrace of the waterfall’s misty spray—an ideal respite on a scorching summer’s day. Rangers recommend tackling the circuit in a clockwise direction to make it gentler on your legs and exercise caution when traversing the causeway, especially during wet conditions when the surface might become slippery. Do not venture across during flooding or if the causeway is submerged.
Visit the Southern Downs Summer Sunflowers
The blooming of sunflowers in the Southern Downs region is an event that local photographers eagerly await. Picture rows upon rows of these splendid flowers, their vibrant hues and joyful faces lifted towards the sky, creating an enchanting spectacle that truly embodies the essence of nature’s beauty. To partake in this mesmerising showcase, venture to the areas surrounding Warwick and Allora. Here, for a month or two during the summer season, the landscape is adorned with the graceful presence of sunflowers. To stay in the know, keep a regular watch on the Warwick QLD Visitor Information Centre’s Facebook page, especially between December and March. This is where they’ll announce the sunflowers’ bloom, your signal to be on the lookout for fellow enthusiasts sharing their own breath-taking photos. These shared snapshots will be your guide to discovering the exact spots where the sunflowers are flourishing. Take a moment, unwind, and immerse yourself in the enchantment of the sunflower fields. Let the unparalleled beauty of nature gracefully unfold before your lens, and capture a slice of this wondrous display that promises to leave you awestruck.
Photo Credits: Southern Queensland Country Tourism