Granite Belt & National Parks

Allow a couple of days for this trip

Head west from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway and veer left just before Ipswich onto the Cunningham Highway.

Shortly Main Range, part of the Great Dividing Range, comes into view with Cunningham’s Gap showing up as a saddle in the range.

The trip up the range is spectacular, wind down your windows and listen for the melodic ping of the bellbirds. Stop at the top for a walk in the Main Range National Park.

Heading further south west is the rolling farm country of the Darling Downs and the historic town of Warwick. Take some time to see the many sandstone buildings that tell the story of the town. Australia’s Country Way leads south to Stanthorpe with its apple orchards and vineyards. It’s easy to see why this area is called the Granite Belt as its covered in granite outcrops best seen at Girraween National Park.

Explore the area’s wineries which benefit from the cool climate because of its high altitude. As well as apples there’s lots of seasonal produce grown here and served up at the region’s cafes and restaurants.

For a different route home travel back through Killarney, east of Warwick, visit the spectacular Queen Mary Falls, view the Valley of the Head and head over the spectacular road down the range to Boonah and Brisbane.

Places of Interest

• Try to solve the riddles at the Granite Belt Maze and Mini Golf just north of Stanthorpe.

• Be amazed by the huge granite boulders that tower above open forests at Girraween National Park.

• Visit historical Warwick, known for its roses and rodeo and featuring some of the state’s finest original sandstone buildings.