Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018 The New England Highway runs for more than 62kms through the heart of the Granite Belt, from Dalveen and The Summit to Stanthorpe, Glen Aplin, Ballandean and beyond. It meets the border with NSW at the historic town of Wallangarra. The Granite Belt is part of the Southern Queensland Country region. granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Welcome Granite Belt Wine Country The Granite Belt, which forms part of the Southern Queensland Country region, is situated on the northern edge of the great New England Tableland, right on the border between Queensland and NSW. At 1000 metres above sea level, the air here is intoxicating – sparkling, fresh – incredibly clean. Here the sky seems a deeper blue. The Granite Belt has always been a place of rest and relaxation – a place where people came to enjoy nature or recover from illness or war. In 1905 the State Government gazetted the region as Queensland’s official ‘health resort’. And it remains so to this day. This is a landscape of dramatic beauty and diversity with four distinct seasons. Here, 200-million-year-old Triassic granite formations emerge from thick forests and house-sized boulders balance precariously one on top of the other. On the Granite Belt you can feast on local fresh produce. Or indulge in a luxury B&B, hide away in a secluded private villa, cottage or cabin or stay in town in a friendly motel or apartment. Granite Belt Wine Country hosts work hard to make your stay in our region unforgettable. It’s also an outstanding place to grow wine grapes, apples, strawberries and all kinds of stone fruit and vegetables. There are more apples grown on the Granite Belt than anywhere else in Australia. At important shows throughout Australia, Granite Belt wineries are winning trophies and gold medals. Visit a host of friendly cellar doors and chat to the people who grow the grapes and make the wine. Try some superb alternative varieties, or enjoy your favourite mainstream wines. A craft brewery offers hand-made beers. Come for the cool summer nights or the apple blossoms of springtime. Come for the reds and golds of autumn trees and vineyards, or the warm log-fires on crisp winter days, after glistening morning frosts or occasional snow. Come whenever you wish, the Granite Belt is always beautiful. Always welcoming. Girraween National Park. Photo: Zac Robinson Cover and Back Page Images: Sam Costanzo – Granite Belt vineyards 2 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018 Contents 4 National Park Splendour 6 More than 150 years of Winemaking History 8 Granite Belt Wineries make their mark 14 Tastes of the Granite Belt 16 Winery Dineries 18 Arts & Heritage 20 Special Events 21 Business Directory Accommodation; Cafes, Restaurants & Attractions; Wineries, Brewery & Tours 25 Stanthorpe Town Map 26 Granite Belt Wine Country Regional Map When you arrive Make sure you visit the friendly Visitor Information Centre located on the southern bank of Quart Pot Creek (through town and over the bridge if you’re coming from the north). Disabled parking and access. 28 Leslie Parade, Stanthorpe Open daily 9am – 4pm QUEENSLAND For more information: GRANITE BELT WINE COUNTRY P: 07 4681 2057 BRISBANE E: [email protected] granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 3 Mt Norman, Girraween National Park some of the animals that make our national Rock or take the hike to Mount Norman. National Park parks their home. This is a place to enjoy A gentle stroll to the Granite Arch is a less nature at its best, especially if you love strenuous adventure. Splendour the seasonal changes – the soft sunshine and wildflowers of springtime, the cold, Girraween’s almost 12,000 hectares of Whether you seek rest and repose eucalypt forests are teeming with wildlife or want to be active, there is nothing crisp days of winter that make those rocky and rare and lovely plants. Girraween is quite like time spent out-of-doors in our summits that much more reachable. an Aboriginal name for ‘place of flowers’ extraordinary environment – it’s ancient, Noticeably absent is that high humidity that and in spring and summer it really does beautiful and bountiful. often makes bushwalking in summer in live up to its name. At Girraween there lower climes, sticky and uncomfortable. Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul with are excellent facilities for camping and picnicking and 17km of well-defined a yoga session in a vineyard, stargaze Girraween National Park under stunning night skies, or sit beside walking tracks – from a gentle 1.4km a rocky cascade to listen to the sound Girraween National Park is renowned for ramble to more than 10km hikes. The of rushing water and watch the birds flit its massive 200-million-year-old Triassic summit tracks have steep slopes. amongst the trees. You may even see granite boulders. Climb the Pyramid, Castle The winding 9km bitumen road to Girraween National Park can be entered 26km south of Stanthorpe or 11km north of Wallangarra at the turn-off to Wyberba. For a shorter hike to Mount Norman, enter from the south via Wallangarra. Follow Mount Norman Road across a couple of grids and gain entrance through a gateway into the park. A few kilometres further is a parking and picnic area and the signposted track to Mount Norman. Sundown National Park South-west of Stanthorpe is the wild and beautiful Sundown National Park – a contrast to the rounded giant ‘marbles’ of Girraween, Sundown is a wilderness On the Pyramid, Girraween National Park park hidden in the Severn Valley to the west of the New England Highway. Over 4 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018 millennia, the Severn River has cleaved through the park’s ancient rock, forming spectacular sharp ridges and steep-sided gorges. It is popular with birdwatchers as many uncommon birds find a haven in its remote gorges. About 5km from Sundown’s 4WD entrance via Ballandean, a side track leads to the spectacular Red Rock Gorge where 50m high falls tumble over cliffs stained red with lichen. At the southern end the Broadwater camping area is a family camping spot (great fun when the river is running). The ranger station is located here and this is the starting point for visitors wishing to experience the true Sundown wilderness. The Granite Arch Girraween National Park Access to this park is via three directions – the access via Ballandean is suitable for 4WD vehicles only, but there are two all-vehicle entrances that can be found south from In a small reserve off Jardine Street right electric BBQ and a playground. (Fishing Nundubbermere Road to Nundubbermere in the heart of Stanthorpe township, is and Power-Boat Permits are required). Falls and east from Glenlyon Dam Road to a group of huge granite boulders that the Broadwater camping area. just beg to be explored. A pleasant walking track leads around the top of the Further afield Closer to Stanthorpe small hillside. Locals call the formations To the east, just over the NSW border, ‘Sentimental Rocks’. reached via Tenterfield, is Bald Rock Not far north of Stanthorpe, reached via National Park and Boonoo Boonoo Falls. The Summit village, a winding gravel road If you’re a fishing fan, take a rod or line out Or north-east of Stanthorpe, the lovely leads to Donnelly’s Castle, a small park to Storm King Dam, which is stocked with and picnic area where huge caves have Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Silver Perch Queen Mary Falls near Killarney. About been formed from house-sized granite and many other fish species. At Storm 90km west is the huge Glenlyon Dam, also boulders. Walking tracks lead over, under King you can sail, kayak, water-ski or swim a haven for fishing enthusiasts as it is well and around the massive boulders. and there is a boat ramp, picnic area with stocked with several excellent fish species. granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 5 A small Granite monster raises its head in a Ballandean vineyard is now recognised as a small but unique reputation as one of Australia’s top More than producer of premium wines and one of producers of alternative variety wines. the most exciting wine regions in Australia. 150 years of A host of cellar doors offer a personal, At just under 1000 metres’ elevation, the unhurried and friendly wine experience. winemaking Granite Belt is one of the highest wine The vast majority offer free tastings, regions in this country and almost 900 and while making a purchase isn’t history metres higher than Bordeaux in France obligatory, if you have enjoyed the wines, or the Napa Valley in the USA. The unique it is considered a courtesy. You can taste Wine grapes were first planted on the terroir with its longer growing season mainstream varieties such as cabernet Granite Belt in the 1860s, by the local and deep granitic gravels, combined with sauvignon, shiraz, chardonnay, sauvignon Catholic parish priest, Father Jerome the innovative approach of the region’s blanc, verdelho and pinot gris – or discover Davadi. Later many Italian families winemakers and vignerons, produces the StrangeBirds – luscious alternative settled in the region and grew vines to wines of elegance and complexity. Cool varieties. Many are old European varieties make wine for their own consumption. climate wines as individual as a fingerprint. that delight the senses with new and exciting aromas and flavours. The children of those first pioneers studied The last few years have seen a number at home and overseas, bringing with them of emerging varieties grown with great And for those who enjoy a great craft beer a new enthusiasm for lesser-known grape success on the Granite Belt which is or cider, a premium craft brewery has varieties.