QLD's Wine Country Look Book

Sunshine Coast 3hrs

Brisbane 2hrs

Gold Coast 2.5hrs

15 min

Regional Map

Tenterfield

Southern Downs is home to the only wine region in Australia with its own Geographic Indication (GI), the Granite Belt.

This distinctive region has been protected through recognition as a GI which defines an area of viticultural significance that includes particular geographical and topographical characteristics. This means its name can only be applied to wines made from fruit grown within specific boundaries.

Terroir

Terroir is a French word that describes the combination of environmental factors that affect a crops observable traits. The high altitude of the Granite Belt (650 – 1100 metres) provides a relatively cool climate which is well suited to winegrowing. Growing season temperatures are comparable to Clare Valley, the northern Rhone (Hermitage and Cote Rotie) and south west France including Bordeaux. Further, our soils contain decomposed granite and are generally well drained and naturally acidic, making them ideal for wine production similar to those of the Hermitage region in France which is the home of the Shiraz (or Syrah) grape.

Viticulture We Have Our Own GI.

The Granite Belt has approximately 360 hectares of vineyard area, more than fifty commercial vineyards and about forty boutique cellar doors. Most growers use the vertical shoot positioning system (VSP) trellis which involves one or more sets of movable wires above the fruiting wire that train the canopy upwards. This provides for better disease control with good airflow and light to the fruit zone.

Epicurean Excursions

Grapes have been grown in the Granite Belt since the 1860s and today our wineries are the most awarded in Queensland. A string of over 40 cellar doors dot the Granite Belt villages nestled along the New England Highway either side of Stanthorpe. The perfect gourmet escape, the Granite Belt is Queensland’s premier wine destination, lauded for its vineyards and award-winning small production wineries.

1. Follow the Strange Bird Wine Trail.

Pack a Picnic

If you prefer to swirl, sniff, and sip in a relaxed, unhurried, and picturesque setting, pack a hamper with locally sourced bottles of wine and gourmet delicacies and gather your favourite people together for a sunny afternoon of sampling in one of the many patches of paradise in QLD’s Wine Country.

VISIT THE FALLS

in Killarney

Stock up in Killarney. Picnic at Browns Falls, or Queen Mary Falls

PAUSE

Stock up in Stanthorpe. Picnic on the banks of the picturesque Quart Pot Creek. at Quart Pot Creek

PICNIC

in Goomburra

Stock up in Allora. Picnic on the banks of Dalrymple Creek or head out to the Goomburra section of Main Range National Park.

TAKE A BITE

Stock up a picnic basked in Applethorpe when you visit Vincenzo's at The Big Apple and Sutton’s Juice Factory Cidery & Cafe. in Applethorpe

LUNCH

Stock up in Warwick. Picnic either at the water’s edge or overlooking the dam wall. at Leslie Dam

Strange Birds Wine Trail

Strange Birds is what we call our many alternative (or emerging) wine varieties. These exciting wines are lesser known and rarer to find in Australia (as a rule we only call it a Strange Bird if it represents less than 1% of Australia’s vines).

View the Strange Birds Wine Trail

Pick Your Wine Partners

With 100% of Queensland’s apples grown on the Granite Belt, you can embark on a pick-your-own (PYO) apple adventure, with stone fruit and berry picking also in season.

Summer

Dec - Feb

Apricots

Cherries

Figs

Nectarines

Pears

Peaches

Plums

Raspberries

Strawberries

Mar - May

Jun - Aug

Sep - Nov

Raspberries Strawberries

Wildflowers

Local Brews

The Southern Downs is known as Queensland’s Wine Country but it’s also true that beer tastes better up here. Our master brewers hand craft award-winning boutique beers that reveal their strength through sweet aromas, clear consistent colours, distinctive flavours, and melt in your mouth smoothness. The way our beer is served makes a big difference too.

Psycho Suzies Brewing

79 Fitzroy Street, Warwick. This is beer by the people, for the people.

Brass Monkey Brew House

106 Donges Road, Severnlea. Nano brewery with meals.

Granite Belt Brewery

146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe. Craft brewery, ciders and restaurant.

Follow the Food Map

The Southern Downs & Granite Belt Food Map is a showcase of the freshest produce of the region. It enables discerning consumers to support product that is at least 50% locally grown or made, or that which is grown up to 100% on-site.

You’ll find farms that sell their produce online or you can visit by appointment at their farm gate. Much of the produce can be found at the weekly local farmers markets too. The Food Map also includes cafes and restaurants that incorporate locally grown produce in their menus. Their chefs are just as passionate about their dishes as the creators of the food are.

View Buy & Eat Local Map

View Farm & Produce Map

Foodie Bucket List

The chefs and cooks of the Southern Downs are internationally recognised for the excellence of their culinary creations. They have a passion for quality and an appreciation of fabulous food and fine wine. Their dishes are also enhanced exponentially by the quality and variety of the wonderful fresh ingredients grown right here in QLD’s Wine Country.

Essen Restaurant

McGregor Terrace, Stanthorpe

Awarded Australian Good Food Guide’s Readers’ Choice 2021 and 2022.

Varias Restaurant

Queensland College of Wine Tourism, Stanthorpe Multi-award-winning restaurant featuring locally grown produce and Granite Belt wines.

Bluebird Kitchen & Smokehouse

Palmerin Street, Warwick

Named overall international champions at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in 2022.

The Peak Restaurant

Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale

Luxurious dining experience using the best of Australian produce and boasting three Chefs Hats in the Australian Good Food Guide.

The Ballandean Pub

Ballandean

Recently renovated and reopened, the Ballandean Pub is fast becoming a family favourite.

Royal Hotel

Leyburn Stop in for a coldie, a yarn and some real country cooking at Queensland’s oldest continually licensed establishment.

Rupert's Bar & Grill

Wood Street, Warwick

Modern Australian restaurant offering a seasonal menu celebrating export quality John Dee Angus beef from Warwick.

The Barrelroom Wine Lounge

Ballandean Estate, Ballandean

Sip & savour signature wines as Queensland’s oldest operating winery.

Heritage Estate Restaurant and Winery

Granite Belt Drive, Cottonvale

Highly awarded wines accompany 3 signature immersive experiences:

1.Vine+Dine Journey Lunch (5days/wk)

2. POETs Progressive Dinner (every Friday)

3.5-Senses Black Tie Degustation (every month)

COMPLETE YOUR FOODIE BUCKET LIST HERE

Farmer's Markets

You’ll be spoilt for choice in a region where markets happen every week, with locals selling everything from fresh produce to artisan goods.

Glengallan Seasonal Markets

1st Sunday of March, June, September, December

8:00am – 1:00pm Glengallan Homestead, Warwick

Killarney Country Markets

3rd Sunday of the month

8:00am – 1:00pm Canning Park, Killarney

Market in the Mountains

2nd Sunday of the month

8:00am – 12:00pm Stanthorpe Showgrounds, Stanthorpe

Pig & Calf Markets

Every Wednesday 9:30am – 12:00pm Cnr Fitzroy & Lyons St, Warwick

Granite Belt Farmers Markets

Every Saturday

7:30am – 12:00pm Railway Precinct, Davadi Street, Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe Showgrounds Markets

4th Sunday of the month & 3rd Sunday of the month in December/January

8:00am – 12:00pm High St, Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe Fruit and Vege Markets

Every Saturday

6:00am – 12:00pm Entry via Folkestone St, Stanthorpe

Warwick Farmers Market

Saturday mornings

8:00am – 12:00pm Alice Street, Warwick

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