Tip-offs about Accommodation Spots with Benefits!
Stanthorpe and Ballandean is dotted with dozens of cabins, b&bs, motels and more… and some come with some exciting extra benefits that you probably don’t even know about…
Free Nightly Tours of the Universe!
All guests of the Twin Star Guesthouse in Ballandean are welcome to join their hosts on a nightly tour of the night sky from a real observatory with a huge telescope – right in the guesthouse’s backyard! Tours are no extra cost as they are included in your accommodation tariff and tours are exclusively available for overnight guests.
Apple Picking on a Private Orchard
The Straw House Bed & Breakfast, exactly as it sounds is a house (plus twin guesthouse cottage) made of straw. In itself this is a really special spot to stay, but included in the guest benefits at this property are exclusive access to their private apple orchard!
This is Queensland’s apple country and so where better to stroll through the spring apple blossoms or pick an apple from the tree in late summer – early autumn. Ask your host Anna the best time of year to book to enjoy these bonus activities. Plus, this dog and kid friendly accommodation has some adorable farm residents, including 3 labradors, friendly chooks and gorgeous ‘Aklan’ and ‘Bahookie’ – Scottish Highland Cattle which can be hand fed!
A Cottage Full of Chocolate Next-door
Endless supplies of handmade chocolate, delicious European hot chocolates and great coffee are a mere stroll down the hill for guests that stay at Wisteria Cottages. The Heavenly Chocolate cottage being a close (but not too close) neighbour will certainly be a side benefit to delight any chocolate lover!
Access to the Giant’s Marbles
Staying at Girraween Environmental Lodge of course you are close to the Girraween National Park walks, but guests have the added benefit of accessing private walks from the lodge area, including to the extraordinary rock formation of Giant’s Marbles.
More things to love… there is wildlife everywhere at the chalets!!! The views are out over a quiet field where wallabies and kangaroos graze daily and there are rosellas who come close to the chalets too. Plus… there’s kayaks provided for guests to use on the onsite dam.
A Private Lookout
Only guests will ever know about amazing lookout. Guests of 31 The Rocks Villas on the outskirts of Stanthorpe are invited to make use of their private bushwalking up to an amazing lookout across the Granite Belt. Sunsets are epic here and being a completely private spot you could even first secretly deposit a waiting surprise there for a loved one.
Private use of this Pioneer Hut
Guests at Diamondvale Cottages & Lodge have exclusive access to the Pioneer Hut that sits by the creekside onsite. Inside are leather lounges for sinking into while sitting around a grand fireplace, a bbq and picnic tables on the verandah, plus out the front is a fire pit for gathering around under the stars. Guests who book as a group at these cottages can use the venue for sharing meals and gathering for drinks.
Private Boulder Caves, Glow Worms & Wine!
Being onsite at a winery with a cellar door is already fabulous, but the Just Red Wines Vineyard Stay Cabins also offer 30 acres of private bush country to explore! And exploring you’ll find huge granite boulders and a small stream runs through the property with boulder caves and even glow worms for adventurous cavers. Ask owners Tony and Julia more about the best time to see glow worms and how to access this spot when you book.
Also on the property is an interesting piece of history – a granite rock well which was originally dug by an Italian prisoner of war.
A Private ‘Summer House’
Mallow Farm Cottage is a stylish 3 bedroom cottage near Stanthorpe and if just being in the serenity of a sheep farm isn’t enough… the private ‘Summer House’ (pictured above) by the dam is an amazing extra benefit of choosing to stay here. Take a glass of wine here to soak in the quietness, or gather with your travel party for lunch and be sure that no-one else will ever take your perfect picnic spot first!
The cottage overlooks the shearing shed too for amazing photography opportunities.
A Hidden Canyon to Discover
Tucked away in a private valley south of Stanthorpe, R and R On the Ravine cottages are named after the Ravine (or canyon) for guests to discover on a bush walk. There are other walks on the property too, to the dam for relaxing by the water or exploring the top of the property for amazing views towards Severlea and Stanthorpe.
