The high-altitude Granite Belt Wine Country makes Stanthorpe the coldest town in Queensland.
With frost-covered hills and vineyards, and the mercury plunging below the zero mark, this Queensland winter wonderland is the obvious place to celebrate Christmas in July.
Stroll amongst the real Christmas trees, sip hot chocolate, feed Santa’s animals or snuggle by a log fire and sip warm mulled wine.
Pack your ugliest Christmas jumper, here’s all you need to know about doing Christmas in July in Stanthorpe for your next winter escape.
Visit the Christmas Farm
The Granite Belt Christmas Farm brings the festive cheer all year round. Walk through the Christmas gates to a wonderland of 15,000 real Christmas trees, Santa’s animals to feed (including donkeys and deer), warming hot chocolates and a Christmas store that is so delightful it feels like Christmas morning!
Their ever-popular Christmas in July Luncheons have sold out for 2024, but you can still join their Ugly Sweater Party challenging the Guinness world record for the largest gathering of people wearing Ugly Christmas Sweaters on 24th August. On the day there will be Christmas pie and eggnog to enjoy.
Mrs Claus’ Kitchen is open daily where you can enjoy marshmallow moustaches with their famous cup of Belgian Hot Chocolate. Alternatively, order one of their picnic baskets and throw down a rug amongst the rows of Christmas trees to enjoy with a bottle of local wine.
Granite Belt Christmas Farm is free entry, animal feed is $2.
Christmas in July at Granite Belt Brewery
Christmas in July at Granite Belt Brewery is held across two Saturdays in July. This traditional three-course Christmas feast dinner event makes for a delightful wintery retreat, with the log fire burning in this cosy cedar-walled restaurant.
It’s a family-friendly evening, with live entertainment and even a visit from Santa. Wearing your ugliest winter sweater is encouraged.
The Most Christmassy Place to Stay!
From June to August Sabo’s on Severn Bed & Breakfast transforms into a winter wonderland complete with mulled wine, delicious old-fashioned Christmas fare, carols and decorations galore.
Dine with the Granite Belt’s resident cooking school teacher, Lizzie Sabo at this festive paradise, hosting 4-course Christmas dinners that will warm your heart.
The 15 foot high giant reindeer is the first thing you’ll spot as you arrive and from that point onwards every window sill and doorway is laden with Christmas cheer.
Rooms at Sabo’s on Severn are available in the main homestead, or separate suites are available with your own separate entrance.
Christmas in July Dining at Heritage Estate
Step inside the elegant antique-laden cellar door of Heritage Estate transformed with Christmas cheer for a traditional Christmas 4-course lunch and glass on arrival.
Keep warm by the open fireplace while the food and wine will be flowing, Saturdays 6th and 27th July. Santa arrives on his reindeer with gifts for everyone, while festivities include Christmas sing-a-longs by the pianola, bonbons, trivia and prizes. Be sure to save room for their Moonshine Madness Balls served up with a glass of liqueur of your choice.
More about Christmas in July at Heritage Estate
A Barrelroom Christmas in July
The loved Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate will roll out a warm festive Christmas in July welcome on Saturday 13th July. Step inside the warming atmosphere surrounded by the giant old barrels of the Barrelroom and warm up with Christmas-themed grazing platters, mulled wine and a wine tasting experience.
A Jolly Good Christmas Feast with Girraween Smoke House
Girraween Country Inn’s Smokehouse Restaurant will feature a Christmas in July menu Friday – Sunday nights during July. Bring your appetite and get ready to feast through the menu collaborated with local producers.
Start with pumpkin soup, oysters and prawn cocktails. For the main fare, there’s crackling pork shoulder, beef brisket and Mediterranean chicken, all straight from the smoker with plenty of sides to be dished up. To top it off there’s dessert featuring a choice of puddings and lemon curd mascarpone meringue.
Vegetarian and vegan menus are available. Christmas menu also available other nights by prior booking.
Find out more about Christmas in July at Girraween Country Inn here.
Drink Mulled Wine at Sunset at Summit Estate
Mulled wine is a traditional part of a wintery cold Christmas in many parts of the world and right here on the Granite Belt mulled wine awaits to be served at the Summit Estate Cellar Door. Their signature mulled wine is the perfect winter warmer to enjoy at Summit Estate’s Friday and Saturday Sunset Sessions by the roaring campfire as the sun sets over the vineyard.
Stay cosy inside by their wood-burning stoves or sit back and enjoy the outdoor campfire.
Find out about their Friday and Saturday night sunset sessions.
Book a Cosy Place to Stay
If you love a glass of red by the cracking fire, you’re in the right place. Almost every cottage, villa, holiday house and bed & breakfast on the Granite Belt offers a wood-burning fireplace to keep you warm and cosy.
Find your perfect winter accommodation here.