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!
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, 19th and 26th. 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.
A Barrelroom Christmas in July
The loved Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate will roll out a warm festive Christmas in July welcome, date to be advised. 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.
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.