Stanthorpe - Queenslands Wine Capital

Stanthorpe is a picturesque town known for itswith interesting artefacts from the mid 1800's.The four
amazing national parks, historical buildings and wineries,major national parks surrounding the city provide an
located on the New England Highway close to theunspoilt wilderness beckoning you to drive further on
New South Wales border. It has become more popularand explore at your own pace. Easily accessible by
over the last few years as a tourist destination with socar, each park offers a contrasting
many rural activities and sightseeing optionsexperience.Girraween National Park is perfect for
available.There are a large number of bed andbushwalkers of all levels, with picturesque walking trails
breakfasts if you are stopping over for a night or two,ranging from 25 minutes to six hour hikes. With
and self contained cottages are available for a longermassive granite rock formations, wildflowers in Spring
stay. Black Creek Mountain Cabins are a uniqueand eucalypt forests, it is a nature lovers dream.
accommodation option, located five minutes south ofGirraween is easy to find if you take the turnoff from
Stanthorpe.The locals of Stanthorpe experience thethe New England Highway at Wyberba.Bald Rock
four seasons of the year, which is not common toNational Park is famous for its name, Bald Rock, which
Queensland. Winter is a fantastic time to visit, and withis Australia's largest exposed granite rock. With
low temperatures, a popular retreat is in front of amagnificent views, rock formations and bushwalks this
roaring fireplace with local wine and great food. Makepark is accessible from the Mt Lindsey Highway, 39
sure you pack your scarf and mittens as there is evenkm from Stanthorpe. Camping areas are
the occasional snowfall.With such high altitudes theavailable.Boonoo Boonoo National Park is well known
frosts are perfect for excellent grape harvests, andfor its river system and impressive waterfall. Take a
perfect wines. There are over 50 wineries in thepicnic lunch and relax for an afternoon by the rock
Stanthorpe district on the Granite Belt as well as stonepool that is above the cascading falls, and surrounded
fruit and apple orchards.There is so much to see andby open forest and lush vegetation.Sundown National
do in Stanthorpe, with vineyards such as Bald MountainPark is located on the Queensland/New South Wales
Vineyards, Aventine Wines and Kooroomba Vineyardborder. You can leave your car at the entrance of the
and lavender farm all deserving a visit. North ofpark and then travel by foot to experience the remote
Stanthorpe is also the famous Old Caves winery.wilderness. There are steep gorges, rainforest and
Winery tours are popular, and each year in August thewaterways and there are places to picnic, camp, swim
famous Jazz in the Vineyard is attended by almostand just relax and enjoy the amazing birdlife and
1000 people each year. Opera in the Vineyard, held inbeauty of the park. You can also explore the
May, also promises to be an amazing culturalimpressive Red Rock Falls, Mt Lofty, Red Rock Gorge
experience.In February, the Apple and Grape festival isand Carpenter Gully.More than just a stopover,
held every second year, along with the Food and WineStanthorpe is a unique and relaxing destination and
Festival. With Mediterranean food on the main menuperfect for your car hire holiday.Jenny Brewer is a
and a favourite with the locals, it has all ingredients fortravel agent whose passion is writing. After spending
a memorable cuisine experience.You cant miss theher leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she
Historical Society Museum, located in the town centre,now enjoys writing about travel destinations.
with a shearers hut, preserved school and goal, along