Top things to do in Stanthorpe CBD

Stanthorpe is the apple of the Granite Belt’s eye, a 3-hour drive from Brisbane or 2-hours from Toowoomba.

In the centre of this charming hub find a range of cafes and boutique stores, surrounded by the Granite Belt’s farmlands, fruit orchards and vineyards that are waiting to be explored.

While in Stanthorpe’s CBD, here are a few suggestions on what to put on your must-do list.

See the Street Art Murals

Within an easy four-block walking distance of Stanthorpe’s main street, you’ll come to find the town’s street art scene. The large murals that decorate the town tell stories of Stanthorpe’s history and culture, including tributes to local firefighters, recognition of Stanthorpe’s Italian heritage and even a quirky ‘Gone with the Wind’ toilet block mural.  

Make your first stop coffee at one of the many bustling cafes on Maryland Street before heading on foot to find the murals in Weeroona Park, then up Lock Street, back onto Maryland Street and continue down the main street to the lane beside Amcal Pharmacy.  

MORE ABOUT HOW TO SPOT  STANTHORPE’S MURALS

Saturday Farmer’s Markets

If you’re in the Stanthorpe CBD on a Saturday morning you’re in luck. Every Saturday from 7.30am – 12pm the Granite Belt Farmers Market brings local growers together with their freshest produce and locally produced products to the town’s CBD.

Grab your shopping basket and take the short walk from Stanthorpe’s main street to the Railway Precinct on Davadi Street.

MORE MARKETS AROUND STANTHORPE.

Walk Along Quart Pot Creek

Quart Pot Creek runs right through the town of Stanthorpe and the concrete walking path beside the creek makes for a lovely stroll.  Walk to the creek from the CBD or park at the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre by the creekside.  If you’d like to explore a little, follow Quart Pot Creek from Heritage Park on Rose Street in the direction away from the town centre and after a short walk you’ll find the historic Red Bridge sitting impressively astride the creek.

Find the Brass Monkey

On the corner of Maryland and Railway Streets, find Stanthorpe’s resident ‘winter poster-boy’ Brass Monkey.  He comes with a story to tell, which you can learn from the plaque that sits by the monkey and tells why he’s the ‘poster boy’ for winter in Stanthorpe.

Check out Stanthorpe’s Art Gallery

Stanthorpe Art Gallery is currently closed for renovations and is currently located at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre 61 Marsh Street, Stanthorpe.

Stanthorpe’s Art Gallery punches above its weight with a reputation earned by an impressive schedule of exhibitions and treasured acquisitions.  The gallery changes its exhibitions like we change our underpants, so return here again and again to see edgy new exhibitions every time.

See WHAT’S ON here.

Open weekends 10am – 1pm.
Tuesday to Friday 10am – 4pm.
Closed Mondays.

Satisfy Your ‘Zest’ for Pastries

A visit to Zest is worth the drive to Stanthorpe alone. Step inside this local bakery to be met with the smell of freshly baked sourdough, pastries, gourmet pies and coffee. Head pastry chef and owner of Zest, Stephen Lambert, is a Swiss-trained pastry chef who sources all ingredients fresh and locally. Trust us, we would give it 6 stars if we could.

See The Big Thermometer

Stanthorpe is Queensland’s official coolest town. The town’s soaring elevation of over 900 metres above sea level means unlike the rest of Queensland, the town enjoys four seasons and a dusting of snow on the odd occasion in the peak of winter.

The iconic Big Thermometer is hard to miss, standing as a minute-by-minute proof of the town’s cooler temperatures. Find it located a short walk from the CBD on the banks of Quart Pot Creek in Rotary Park on Leslie Parade.

Visit The Railway Precinct: Art + Cafe + Gardens

Artworks is like a warm country embrace from a bunch of locals.  Located in the railway station on Davidi Street, the Artworks Cafe and Gallery opens 9am – 2pm on weekends, offering a wonderfully affordable home-cooked style menu – think scones, lasagne and quiches! Surrounded by gardens, inside the railway building find exhibitions from local artists in the small gallery.

Boutique Shopping in Stanthorpe’s CBD

Boutique shopping is a treat in country towns like Stanthorpe, where less big franchise stores leave room for small businesses to bring a distinctly local shopping flavour.  Maryland Street is Stanthorpe’s main shopping strip, dotted with boutique clothes and gift stores between the coffee shops for that caffeine fix between shopping.

While we don’t pick favourites, small boutique emporium Gracious Giving features lovingly handpicked homewares, decor, beauty products and gorgeous fashion labels. If you love supporting small local businesses, this family-owned store has been operating for 30 years strong. Need we say more?