SELF CONTAINED STANTHORPE

Two and a half hours drive south-east of Brisbane, discover Queensland's premier wine region in the Granite Belt - where they've been making boutique wine since the 1870s in the cooler microclimate temperatures. Centered on the town of Stanthorpe, which sits 700 to 1200 metres above sea level, holds the status of some of the highest altitude wines in Australia. It's known to even snow occasionally in winter. Meet the families who've lived here for generations and sample their hand-picked white varieties of verdelho, semillon, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Red lovers may choose instead to swirl classic full flavoured varieties like shiraz, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. If you don't feel like driving you could cycle, hire a chauffeur or join a tour for the day. Lush seasonal fruit and vegetables thrive in the granite soil, making the region also renowned for its gourmet produce. Purchase stone fruit, apples, figs, olives and berries from roadside carts and create the perfect decadent cheese platter of locally cured meats and warm artisan bread washed down with an apple cider. Pair your food and wine on the Strange Bird alternative wine trail with different blends like viognier, mourvedre, gew?rztraminer and tempranillo. Foodies can also join a cooking school or stone preservation class and impress your friends at your next dinner party. ...

Filippo's Tours Stanthorpe offers quality tours to the region. Whether you are a couple, a group or small club, Filippo's can easily cater for you as they provide seating for 90 people. The mini-buses and luxury coaches are air-conditioned. Tour offers fine food and country hospitality. Experienced and knowledgeable guides await you. Whether you are staying in the Stanthorpe area or have a group of friends or colleagues to be picked up from other areas, Filippo's Tours can make your tour to the Granite Belt possible and enjoyable....

Sundown provides a variety of camping experiences. Camping areas at The Broadwater and Nundubbermere Falls can be accessed by conventional vehicles, while a rough Four Wheel Drive track leads to camping areas at Red Rock Gorge, Reedy Waterhole and Burrows Waterhole. All camping areas, except Red Rock Gorge, are on the Severn River. Bush camping is permitted in all areas of the park. For your safety consult rangers about your proposed trip and to learn of park conditions or special operations such as planned burns. Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site....

A white cottage-like pavilion, nestled in a rocky park, provides visitors with a chance to take in the panorama of Stanthorpe and remember the legacy left by men from this area in WWI. Soldier hero Major General Sir William Glasgow officially opened this soldiers' memorial on 6 February 1926. Slatted bench seating inside provides a place to ponder the impact a war on the other side of the world had on this farming community. Five WWI honour boards record the names in alphabetical order, without rank or honour, all are revered equally. Another is reserved for those who died, raised letters stating: 'To the memory of our gallant boys who fell in the world's war 1914-1919'. Further honour boards have been added, remembering later conflicts. Warwick architects Dornbusch and Connolly designed the rest house which was built by local contractors NJ Thompson and Sons. Many returned servicemen settled in this area under a soldiers' resettlement program. Towns around Stanthorpe echo the names of French conflicts: Amiens, Pozieres, Bullecourt and Fleurbaix. A neighbouring house, once owned by war heroes Sir Harry Chauvel and Major Alan Chauvel, uncles of film maker Charles Chauvel, also carries a name reflecting WWI, 'El Arish'. ...

The pretty Quart Pot Creek meanders through granite country and natural bushland, passes through the town of Stanthorpe, and continues out through the south-west, where it meets Spring Creek to form the Severn River. Granite outcrops are evident along the water course - and make good spots to sit or picnic. The creek banks have been attractively landscaped by the local Council to include five kilometres of walking and cycling tracks, linking one end of town to the Red Bridge. You'll find tranquil picnic and barbecue areas along the way. Take time to walk alongside this beautiful creek, past water-worn granite boulders; take some bread to feed the ducks, watch for native birds, paddle at the water's edge or just relax under the shade of a tree. Near the visitor information centre on the creek bank is Kidspace - a brass monkey-themed playground for families and a good spot to take a break....

Permanent Waterhole is an easy walk upstream from the Broadwater camping area in Sundown National Park. As its name suggests, this waterhole on the Severn River is permanent even in the driest of times and is ideal for bird watching in early morning or late afternoon. See ducks, herons, cormorants and tiny azure kingfishers along the river. Watch eastern grey kangaroos browsing on the grassy flats around The Broadwater and camping area....

The Stanthorpe Museum is situated on the main street travelling north through the town and it is a popular place for visitors and tour groups. There are 10 heritage buildings on site, with over 20,000 artefacts in the extensive collections. Pastoral, mining, farming, health resort, orcharding and wine growing industries have contributed to the regions diverse and colourful past. The museum has been collecting community history for over 40 years and is the custodian of one national and two state recognised collections. Included amongst these amazing artefacts is the unique 'Make-Do' Collection which comprises hundreds of items crafted by the regions forebears to fulfil a specific need from materials at hand. The museum also attracts family researchers because of its comprehensive original records from the Granite Belt families and businesses. ...

The Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre is located on Leslie Parade in Stanthorpe. We have travel information, maps, delicious local products and knowledgeable local staff. There is caravan and motorhome parking out the front, and a beautiful creek in front of the Centre. Swing by for information about the area, and then enjoy a picnic on the creek-bank....

The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery displays quality exhibitions of both national and local importance, as well as fostering a strong program of regional artist exhibitions and displays that are relevant to the history and character of the Granite Belt region. The exhibition program also includes those specially curated from the Gallery's wide-ranging permanent collection of traditional and contemporary paintings, works on paper, ceramics, sculpture and fibre artworks. Quality national touring exhibitions encompass displays varying from contemporary jewellery, ceramics, noted Australian artists' displays, to talented works by young upcoming artists. The art gallery also encourages the presentation of established artist exhibitions from outside the region or state....

A contemporary Bed and Breakfast nestled on the southern edge of Stanthorpe township, on the Granite Belt Queensland. There are five guest rooms each with an ensuite, extensive library, free wi-fi, doubled sided open fireplace, guest lounge, full cooked breakfast served to you in the dining room and gorgeous rose and cottage gardens for you to enjoy. Situated on two acres with beautiful views of the Severn Ranges to the southwest, sit on the deck and enjoy the grey kangaroos in the backyard or sit under the wisteria reading a book from the library. Grovely House Bed and Breakfast is only five minutes to town, restaurants and ten minutes to wineries. Faith and Stephen with their two dogs Sparky and Diamond welcome you to Grovely House Bed and Breakfast and ensure your stay is relaxing and memorable while spoiling you with traditional hospitality....

Granite Belt Brewery Retreat is the only resort in Queensland that boasts it's very own onsite brewery - Granite Belt Brewery. With 19 cosy timber cabins including spa and family cabins - all with log fires, a house that sleeps 10 guests, an onsite restaurant and bar and a brewery and function room, Granite Belt Brewery Retreat really does have it all. Nestled amongst the hills surrounding the Queensland border town of Stanthorpe, Granite Belt Brewery Retreat is located on 30 acres of beautiful Australian bushland, yet is only a five minute drive from Stanthorpe town centre. As the sun sets, wander down to the main homestead for a tasting paddle of Geoff's craft beer or a local wine or cider. The rustic ambience of exposed beams and timber panelling, chesterfield lounges, an open fireplace and the friendliest staff, ensure a relaxed atmosphere in which to unwind before moving to the dining room for a heart-warming meal showcasing local produce....