Great Stuff from 2020
The gems that came out of the Granite Belt
2020 will be remembered for the curve-ball Covid… but it was also a year when some cool new stuff came out of Queensland’s Granite Belt. Did you miss any of these…?
NEW! Orchard Experience
4th Generation orchardist David McMahon explains how this exciting new farm tour came about…
“I’ve just moved home to the farm, which gives us an extra set of hands to try something new, like our Orchard Experience. We’ve always been passionate about taking friends and family around the farm and we wanted to open it up to tourists too.”
“As we walk through the field, the visitors can hang back and enjoy the sights, or they can come up alongside and ask lots questions.”
Tours of the orchard are finished up with a brunch amongst the trees in the orchard.
Times: Saturdays and Sundays NOTE: Tours are temporarily suspended, but Orchard Experience will be available for bookings again from approximately April 2021 and certainly available during the 2021 spring blossom season!
Location: 638 Pozieres Rd, Pozieres, near Stanthorpe
Phone David mob: 0498 138 410
Photo: Orchard Experience
New! 4382 Terrior Wines
The name and the funky labels on the newly released 4382 Terrior Wines is an instant giveaway that this is a new wine product out of Ballandean. Recognise the Ballandean Pyramid landmark?
These wines are a delightful collaboration between Winemaker Andy Williams and Ree’s Rd Vineyard Manager Rob Davidson. It’s available for tastings at St Jude’s Cellar Door in Ballandean.
Image credit: St Jude’s Cellar Door & Bistro
NEW! Big Make-Over: from Backpackers to Glam!
The new Granite Belt Cabins appeared in 2020, re-made and re-born from what was once Stanthorpe backpackers accommodation. From basic to glamorous, the make-over has been a big one and the result… beautiful cabins which are dog-friendly too!
Granite Belt Cabins also offers wine and sightseeing tours in the their own bus.
Click to check them out on Facebook
NEW! The Upple
The Savio family have been growing apples at their Stanthorpe orchard for over 70 years… and in 2020 they released an exciting Australian first innovation. Introducing The Upple!
It’s Australia’s first drinkable whole fruit and they say it’s got more fibre than juice. So now we can even drink our daily Granny Smith or Pink Lady, knowing it’s still been hand-picked apples and from a Stanthorpe orchard.
View their growing list of Stockists in Stanthorpe and everywhere else!
Photo credit: Upple
NEW! Kurrajong Barn in Ballandean
A rustic old barn, converted to a stunning large 5 bedroom retreat is an exciting new accommodation option that emerged on the scene in 2020… check it out, it’s Kurrajong Barn & Cottage. It sleeps up to 10 people (an extra four can be accommodated in the cottage too) and it’s conveniently just a walk to Ballandean Tavern and St Jude’s Bistro & Cellar Door. Surrounded by the wineries of Ballandean… groups of couples get excited fo this new spot!
NEW! Cannon Creek Cabins
At the end of 2020 something completely new opened 10 minutes outside of Stanthorpe in a quiet and picturesque pocket of bushland. Cannon Creek Cabins offer unique and very affordable non-unsuited sleep cabins. The bathroom facilities are close and adjoin a stunning communal lounge and beautifully crafted large kitchen for guests.
Camping is also available onsite and perhaps what makes this spot most unique is that with total 20 guests the maximum available to stay, it’s easily possible to book the entire place for just your group’s private use!
…MORE ABOUT CANNON CREEK CABINS
Communal guest lounge at Cannon Creek Cabins
NEW! Afternoon Tea with the Alpacas
The menagerie of farmyard animals expanded in 2020 at Straw House Cottage B&B north of Stanthorpe and with the arrival of the herd of alpacas came the release of a new tourism experience. Guests are invited to book an Afternoon Tea with the Alpacas, who are as friendly to pat and as cute to photograph as the gorgeous pair of Highland Cattle.
NEW! ‘Cooked from Scratch’ Cooking School
Lizzie Sabo, the woman behind Sabo’s on Severn Guesthouse released a new tourism offering in 2020… her new cooking classes – ‘Cooked from Scratch’. The classes are available by pre-booking and are held at Sabo’s on Severn, just south of Stanthorpe.
The full roll out of cooking classes for bookings has had some understandable hiccups during the turmoil of 2020, but keep an eye out for classes in 2021!
…Read what Eat Drink & Be Kerry had to say about Cooked from Scratch here.
NEW LOOK! Anna’s Candles
Anna’s Candles moved to a large new location in Ballandean in 2020, moving in to an exciting new rustic barn with lots of space for visitors to browse the handmade and hand poured candles and oils.
NEW LOOK! R and R on the Ravine
New owners has meant a whole new make-over for cabins R and R on the Ravine near Stanthorpe. Two gorgeously re-styled cabins will in early 2021 also be joined by a newly-built cabin, taking the number of cosy cabins to three on this unique property with features valley views and even a walk to a private ravine.
NEW! Commercial Coffee Stop
The old Commercial Hotel building in Stanthorpe’s CBD was given an exciting breath of new life, accompanied by the smells of incredibly good coffee with a renovation 2020. The site now operates as Commercial Coffee Stop in 2020 serving Bottero coffee and a light, but increasing menu of delicious foods to match.
NEW NAME & LOOK! Balancing Heart Vineyard
The distinctive heart-shaped balancing rock remains in the vineyard, but new owners Greg and Lee-Anne have transformed almost everything else about the styling that was previously Balancing Rock Wines and is now an exciting new look Balancing Heart Vineyard.
New wine label design, new outdoor fire and seating are some of the first of the changes for this popular little cellar door south of Ballandean near Girraween National Park. Big plans are ahead for this site, including plans for accommodation and dining, so watch this space!
NEW! The Little Larder Stanthorpe
New to the Stanthorpe dining scene in 2020 was Little Larder Stanthorpe, which offers ‘a New York inspired, modern Australian menu catering for breakfast, lunch and dinner.’ Find it in Stanthorpe’s CBD and see why the locals have put this spot on their return-list for a meal out.
Photo: The Little Larder Stantorpe
New! Events & Dining at Heritage Estate
2020 Was a busy year for Heritage Estate Wines, who introduced the new dining experience, ‘Nips and Nosh’ – a 5 Dishes Degustation with Paired Wines. They are available on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.
Also new in 2020 were 5 Senses Degustation Dinners, with the food, wines and music as elegant as the heritage style surrounds of this unique winery. See the Heritage Estate calendar to see future dinner dates.
Heritage Estate also hosted their first hugely successful Ukulele & Folk Event in 2020. Look out for their next one in May 2021.
New Mural
A new mural appeared in Weeroona Park at the beginning of 2020 and the meaning behind it is an inspiring part of the Granite Belt’s recent story. It was painted in tribute to the Emergency Services who saved so many properties in the bushfires of 2019.
…Find out more about the Street Art Murals in Stanthorpe’s CBD
Also NEW in 2020…
Right next to the new Mural in Weeroona Park, Stanthorpe is newly opened coffee spot, Bean Better. Order from the park side via their cutest little ordering window, or access via the street side to enter inside.
In 2020 Granite Belt Gourmet opened with a new line of products onsite at Truffle Discovery Centre, north of Stanthorpe.
What have we missed?
Hmmm… we have the feeling we could have easily missed a few of the exciting changes around Stanthorpe that happened in 2020. Send us an email to let us know what we missed! info@granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
