Welcome to the Southern Downs. The perfect place for that great get away. The two major towns in this region are Warwick and Stanthorpe. Two and a half hours from Brisbane over the Great Dividing Range and you can get to experience a slice of paradise.
Nature Walks:
For those who are into nature walks there is a choice of 10 national parks with great walking tracks around both Warwick & Stanthorpe’s waterways & Tourist Drives.
These include – Girraween National Park – Sundown National Park – Main Range National Park – Queen Mary Falls National Park – Goomburra State Forest – Leslie Dam – Storm King Dam – Glenlyon Dam – Quart Pot Creek – Condamine River
Festivals:
Two big events staged in the area are the Warwick Rodeo and the Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival.
The Warwick Rodeo is Warwick’s premier event since 1929 and held yearly in October. There is always plenty of fun for the whole family.
The Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival is held on the first weekend in March every two years (Even years). Next Apple & Grape Festival: March 7th – 9th , 2014 – see the Apple & Grape Festival website for more details.
Whilst not a major festival yet, the Jumpers & Jazz and the Jazz in the Garden winter festival events held in July each year at the Grafton Rose Bed & Breakfast are becoming a big hit.
See Page 107 of the 2013 Australian Bowls Directory for further details.
Wineries:
With around 50 wineries in the region you will be sure to find something to suit every taste.
Many of the wineries also have food and coffee available for those who wish to enhance their experience while on a wine tasting tour. Winery Tours available 7 days a week.
For something with a difference make sure you go to the Opera in the Vineyard charity event on the first weekend in May each year. Held in the vineyards of Ballandean Estate Wines the event is one of South East Queensland’s premier cultural events.
The event provides an intoxicating mix of music, wine and food for an unforgettable time.
The event is a partnership between Ballandean Estate Wines and the Rotary Club of Stanthorpe.
Places of interest:
Art Galleries • Antique Shops • Pringle Cottage, Warwick • The Stanthorpe Museum • Allora Museum • Wallangarra Railway Station • Farmers Markets • Market in the Mountain
Clubs:
- Lawn Bowls Clubs at – Allora – Killarney – Tannymorel – Stanthorpe – The Summit – Warwick – Warwick East – Southern Cross (Warwick)
- Indoor Bowls Clubs (Games only no club houses)
- Warwick RSL
- Stanthorpe RSL
Accommodation:
The region caters for all styles of accommodation • Motels • Hotels • Cabins • B&B’s • Home-stays • Caravan Parks • Camping
- Stacey’s at the Gap – On your way from Brisbane you can chose to stay at Stacey’s at the Gap in one of their cabins.
- Grafton Rose Bed & Breakfast – Once in Warwick it is hard to go past the ultimate in old world luxury.
- Heritage Wines – If you are looking at touring the wineries why not stay at Heritage Wine Cottage and experience a taste of yesteryear in the 140 year old cottage with a romantic log fire, and a complimentary bottle of classic Heritage wine.
- The Vines Motel & Cottages – For those who want to stay in the heart of Stanthorpe.
NB The Vines Motel offers “Special Bowlers Packages” so be sure to mention that you are a bowler and enjoy the great discounts.
Take a Northern Granite Belt Tour and discover food and wine to delight the taste buds.
- Heritage Wines is known for its award winning wines and great hospitality.
- Sutton’s Juice Factory where your taste buds will be tempted with their large array of juices and liqueurs & café choices.
- Vincenzo’s is more than an Italian deli as it also offers wine tastings in its wine section and great food in the restaurant 7 days a week all under the one roof.
- Granite Belt Dairy is an absolute must for the cheese lover.
- Summit Estate encourages you to enjoy their wine appreciation sessions when it comes to sampling their wines.
- And no trip to the Granite Belt would be complete without a stop at Sam’s Summit Fruit. Sam has all the local fruit and vegetables available from this diverse agricultural growing area. Load up the car with fresh produce from the local growers.
