While you could count Stanthorpe as a day trip destination from Brisbane, you wouldn’t be doing the area justice flying through in a matter of hours before turning around and heading home.
With so much good food to devour and beautiful scenery to explore, 24 hours in Stanthorpe gives you more time to see the best that the area has to offer, at your own pace.
Here’s how to spend a winter weekend escape, with a few insider tips from local winemaker Michelle Coelli from Twisted Gum Wines.
Stop and smell the leather!
If you want to purchase quality goods at a price that represents genuine value for money, this is where you have to head. Reminiscent of an old-time saddlery store, guests are encouraged to touch, feel, and examine these beautifully handcrafted leather products, including Kent Saddlery’s own Heritage Collection of locally designed and handmade bags, handcrafted Kent saddles, horse-related products, and an extensive range of handmade leather belts and other top-quality items.
The sights and sounds of the Comet Windmill and the Outback Mural combined with friendly chooks, animals, picnic tables and leather stamping create a relaxing space for everyone to enjoy.
Take a picture of the big apple
About 10 minutes north of Stanthorpe lies the small village of Thulimbah, home to some of the region’s most popular providores and restaurants. There you’ll find Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery, a family-owned and operated, real-working apple orchard. At Suttons they focus on what can be made from apples and are famous for their apple pie or the Big Apple at Vincenzo’s.
Sample local cheese
The locals say the cheese tastes better in Stanthorpe, and not just because it’s made from the milk of a single herd of purebred Jersey cows, but because Stanthorpe Cheese is Queensland’s highest and coldest farm cheese shop, 925 metres above sea level.
Taste your way through the many samples, kick back with a Ploughman’s at Jersey Girls Cafe, or purchase a huge range of chutneys, relishes, cured meats, pastes, fruits, and wines and take them home in a cold pack.
Picnic for two at the Christmas Farm
Visit the Christmas Farm and browse the spectacular range of Christmas decorations in the Mistletoe Store. Feeling hungry? Dine in Mrs Claus Kitchen or grab a picnic hamper and head to the fields of Christmas trees to savour the fresh scent of pine.
Hop from cellar door to cellar door
With over 50 wineries and vineyards scattered around its hillsides, Stanthorpe and the wider Granite Belt area is known for wine. It’s also quickly gaining a reputation for being the place to try those wines that aren’t so well-known.
“…Many wineries are achieving scores from James Halliday of four stars or better,” explains Michelle. “Golden Grove Estate, Ballandean Estate, and Symphony Hill, are three of the larger wineries in the region, are family owned and operated and all are regarded highly in the group by Halliday. Other wineries such as Jester Hill, Ridgemill, Summit Estate and Heritage Wines continue to impress, while some of the small wineries such as Twisted Gum and Tobin Wines and Savina Lane offer rare insights into small batches of single-vineyard wines,” adds Michelle.
Overnight:
Set on 30 acres of natural bushland, the Granite Belt Retreat features 19 rustic cedar cabins, a microbrewery and restaurant. Step inside your cosy cabin with its log fire for cold nights and private verandah for cool summer days. Select from Timber Cabins, Family Cabins, Spa Cabins and Timber Suites. The self-contained Hidden House can cater to 10 guests.
Guests receive a delicious continental breakfast basket that includes freshly baked bread, locally produced apple juice, local jams, cereals and fruit. On Sunday mornings, guests are treated to a hot buffet breakfast in the restaurant.
The onsite Granite Belt Brewery is open daily between 10.00am and 5.00pm for tastings and sales. In house guests and day visitors can savour chef-prepared meals for lunch and dinner in the Granite Belt Retreat Restaurant.
With these tips in mind, you’re ready to embrace the beauty of winter in Stanthorpe. So pack your winter woollies, grab your sense of adventure and enjoy the unique experience of winter Down Under.
Call the Everything Fleet team on 131 381 to discuss the best car rental package for your budget.
