You’re in for a true amazement if you’re never discovered Donnellys Castle… and let’s clear it up from the start, it’s not actually a ‘castle’. This quiet spot is a wonderland of giant granite boulders near Stanthorpe and walking amongst the boulders you can explore into cave-like entrances and narrow crevices – a hidden gem that’s fun to explore at all ages!
Donnellys Castle is famously the site used by bushranger ‘Captain Thunderbolt’ as his hideout! Thunderbolt was the longest roaming bushranger in Australian history and it’s no surprise he managed to elude authorities here, because as you wander over, under and through the network of boulders, you too will feel you’re hidden away from the world! There’s also an exciting lookout sited on the top of one of the granite outcrops.
While it’s not suitable for those with limited mobility, it’s ideal for young families to explore. It’s just 50 minutes from the carpark to you’re already disappearing between boulders and exploring the exciting maze of granite.
Tip: If the family are left waiting to see a ‘castle’, don’t worry, you can view Castle Glen Winery on Amiens Road – it is an intriguing faux castle.
Donnelly’s Castle, Donnelly’s Castle Road, Pozieres
(13 minutes drive west of The Big Apple and Sutton’s Juice Factory, Stanthorpe)
CLICK HERE for Google Map location.
Directions: turn off the New England Highway at The Big Apple (Vincenzo’s at the Big Apple) and travel down Amiens Road to Stanthorpe Cheese. Continue past Stanthorpe Cheese until you reach Donnelly’s Castle Rd (turn left onto Donnelly’s Castle rd) and travel 4.7kms until you see Castle Lane on the left. Turn in and it’s just a few hundred metres to Donnelly’s Castle carpark.
Facilities are basic here. There’s a toilet and a few wooden picnic tables.
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At the lookout you are treated to a giant cock and balls carved into the rocks. Throughout the cave system you are greater by a range of graffiti and culturally inappropriate images. The Kambuwal People are not shown respect with the treatment of this obviously significant site. Aboriginal history completely ignored and shameful place for Australian history.
Own or work here?