There’s always more to explore in Granite Belt Wine Country. Check out our guide on new places to stay, drink and play in Queensland’s wine country.

Stays

rokkwell Vineyard Cabins

Looking for a vineyard stay for your next winery weekend? rokkwell Vineyard Cabins is a new adults-only accommodation, providing an exclusive stay nestled in the vineyards with just two cabins on site.

These sleek studio cabins include well-equipped kitchens, a fireplace, self-check in and an open deck made for taking in the afternoon sunsets over the paddocks, surrounding vineyards and distant mountains.

The location couldn’t be better either, located in the hub of Ballandean.  You’re just a short drive to local wineries including Just Red Wines, Symphony Hill, Serrena Que Estate, Bent Road Winery, View Wines, Bungawarra Wines and on the doorstep of the brand new Ballandean Pub (read: walking distance!).

Mountview Wines Camping and Cabins

Love camping? In a first for the Granite Belt you can now camp next to the vineyards at Mountview Wines in Glen Aplin (10 minute drive from Stanthorpe).

The first vines were planted here in 1921 and since October 2023 this boutique country winery now offers tent and powered caravan sites to share their mountain views with guests (pets included too!).

If camping isn’t your ideal getaway stay, check out their newly built cabins overlooking the vineyards. Find a mix of studio, family and disability cabins available with kitchenettes, decks to admire the view and firepits to get cosy by during the cooler nights.

Once you’ve set up camp or unpacked your bags, walk on over to their red cedar barn cellar door for an authentic winery experience. We’re sure you’ll be making your way back with a bottle of two of their popular ‘Bloody Good Red’ to enjoy by the fire.

Grab a bike and pedal over to Art of Krupinski and Jester Hill Wines to continue your tasting journey around the Granite Belt.

Glen Lough Cabins

If you’re in search of bush luxury, make your next stay at Glen Lough Cabins.

Known as a mini-Girraween Park, the owners choose to have only four cabins on the 40-acre property to avoid spoiling the peace and tranquillity in the bush. Just 15 minutes out of Stanthorpe you’ll find their new cabins surrounded by natural bushland, abundant with wildlife and walking trails to explore.

Each cabin features a fireplace, full kitchen and generous deck with a barbeque and telescope to admire the clear night skies. Bonus, it’s pet-friendly too. This is a hidden retreat for everyone with their well-appointed fully accessible cabin having just opened.  It features thoughtfully designed layouts, lower-height fixtures, and a full wet room, including a roll-in shower, a tilt shower seat, grab rails, and a raised toilet.

Drink

Dear Vincent: ‘Off the Back of a Ute Cellar’ Door Experience

Like our Strange Bird Wines, we like to do things a little differently here in Granite Belt Wine Country.

Say hello to Queensland’s only ‘Off the Back of a Ute’ cellar door with Dear Vincent Wines. Roll up to the St Judes Vineyard in Ballandean on weekends and find the region’s newest wine label ‘pop up’ pouring country style amongst the rows of vines.

 The label is a nod to Saint Vincent the patron saint for winemakers where their wines are designed with sun-soaked, long lunches in mind, surrounded by friends and family.

Serrena Que Estate

The Granite Belt is Australia’s highest wine region and if you missed the memo, the region’s highest cellar door Serrena Que Estate opened up in mid-2023.

If you’re in the Granite Belt to taste Strange Bird Wines, this is the spot for you, with 8 varieties to taste your way through at this stunning boutique cellar door. Find Cortese, Garganega, Mencia and Saparavi on the wine list, just to name a few.

Open Friday – Sunday, sip away in the Granite Belt sunshine as you admire elevated vineyard views or on the cooler days stay cosy by the fire inside. Bonus, you can bring your pooch too!

To get there, take the Highland Drive, the scenic route between Stanthorpe and Ballandean and you’ll find other local drops on the way too including Symphony Hill Wines, Twisted Gum Wines, Hidden Creek Vineyard and Just Red Wines.

Love their wine? Take your tastebuds on tour of the region with their Wine Discovery Tours. Taking a maximum of 6 guests enjoy cellar door tastings and a gourmet lunch or have a tour tailored to your taste.

Flame Hill Vineyard

New to the Granite Belt block, Flame Hill opened up its second cellar door in late 2023.

Flame Hill wines are 100% estate-grown and hand-picked from their own sprawling vineyards in Montville and the Granite Belt. Grown, made and bottled by Queenslanders.

Make your way to their cellar door Friday – Sunday for wine tastings and sales, just 15 minutes south of Stanthorpe.

Pick up one of their white wines to pair perfectly with the summer days ahead or share one of their reds with family and friends.

Ballandean Pub

Everyone loves a classic country pub, so it’s no surprise locals and visitors alike have been flocking to the newly reopened pub, Ballandean Pub, since March 2024.

Being in wine country, you won’t find just beers flowing at this pub, the local wine list here is sure to impress.

Their menu prides itself on sourcing from local farmers and businesses, so order a pub classic and take a seat in their beer garden or on the spacious decks with country vineyard views.

Find live music on weekends, a kids playground, a pool table and outdoor firepits for the cooler afternoons. This one’s a local pub for everyone.

Open 7 days.

Play

Vintage Tours

For a wine tour with vintage style, enjoy a relaxed day exploring the Granite Belt on a personalised VIP Vintage Tours experience.

Tour the Granite Belt in vintage style in a 1960 Morris Minor with your own personal tour guide, taking a maximum of 3 passengers.

The bespoke itinerary for up to 6 hours includes wineries, foodie stops, local attractions and local artisans. Tours include pickup & drop off from your accommodation.

All you need to do is choose a lunch location from 3 included options.

The 1960 Morris Minor hits a top speed of 70 km/hour so you will be enjoying the journey as well as the scenic country roads of wine country.

Soirees @ Ridgemill Estate

Got Friday night plans? Now you do! Kick off your weekend with Ridgemill Estate’s new fortnightly event.

Expect pop-up local food delights, great company, sunsets fading into a twinkling night sky, festoon lights, and the exquisite wines of Ridgemill Estate.

There’s no need to dress up, come comfy and grab your friends for a good time.

Bonus, it’s free entry. See you there!

Next Visit: Coming Soon to the Granite Belt

Save these up your sleeve for your next trip, with these spots opening up soon in the back half of 2024 and early 2025.

View Wine by Sancerre Estate

Currently by appointment only or for Sancerre Estate B&B and Shiraz Cottage guests, soon you’ll be able to drink in the spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding wineries and national parks from their new ‘Big Red Shed’ cellar door set to open late 2024.

rokkwell Cellar Door

Soon you’ll be able to taste the boutique hand-crafted wines of rokkwell at their Ballandean vineyard at their new cellar door set to open mid to late 2024. At their vineyard, you’ll find varieties including chardonnay, nebbiolo and sauvignon blanc alongside newer plantings of nero d’Avola and arneis.

If you can’t wait for a taste, find their wines online through their online store.

Dear Vincent Wines

Dear Vincent Wines is set to transform the St Judes Vineyard in Ballandean to feature a winery/cellar door for our wine label, restaurant, function spaces, and accommodation. But for now, taste their wine on the menu at the Ballandean Pub, pick up a bottle to take out the door with you or stop in at their ‘Off the Back of a Ute’ cellar door on weekends in the St Judes Vineyard.