Stanthorpe Food & Wine Country
Days:
6 Days
Activity:
3. Active Moderate
Transport:
Fly/Drive
$2,995.00
Tour description
Discover the flavours, scenery and country hospitality of Queensland’s beautiful Granite Belt and the New England region on this delightful six day journey. Combining local produce, wineries, picturesque national parks and charming country towns, this tour is a wonderful opportunity to experience some of Australia’s most rewarding regional destinations.
Flying from Sydney to Brisbane, we begin with sightseeing and time at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens before travelling through Ipswich and the scenic countryside to Stanthorpe, our base for four nights. From here, each day introduces another side of the Granite Belt, a region renowned for its cool climate produce, boutique wineries and distinctive landscapes.
Taste locally made cheese, cider, juice, chocolate, gourmet foods and wine as we visit some of the region’s favourite producers. Enjoy the scenery of Girraween National Park, take in beautiful mountain lookouts and discover local farms producing everything from lavender to Christmas trees. There is also time to explore Stanthorpe itself and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of this popular country destination.
Our journey then continues south through Tenterfield and Armidale to Tamworth, where we visit the famous Golden Guitar before an overnight stay. On our final day, we travel through the Upper Hunter, stopping in Aberdeen and Muswellbrook before returning to Sydney.
With comfortable accommodation, thoughtfully selected meals and a wonderful variety of sightseeing and tasting experiences, this relaxed journey showcases the produce, people and landscapes that make the Granite Belt and New England so special.
Tour Highlights
• Explore the beautiful Granite Belt and New England regions
• Four nights in Stanthorpe
• Visit Donnelly’s Castle Lookout
• Taste locally produced Stanthorpe cheese
• Tour Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery and Café
• Discover the Granite Belt’s fascinating truffle industry
• Walk through beautiful Girraween National Park
• Chocolate tasting at Heavenly Chocolate at Wisteria Cottage
• Lunch and shopping at Jamworks Gourmet Foods
• Wine tasting at Ballandean Estate
• Visit spectacular Mount Marlay Lookout
• Tour Aloomba Lavender Farm with morning tea
• Visit Granite Belt Christmas Farm with lunch and a farm talk
• Browse Kent Saddlery
• Wine tasting at Ridgemill Estate
• Visit historic Tenterfield
• Explore Armidale and the New England countryside
• Visit Tamworth’s famous Golden Guitar
• Travel through Aberdeen and Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter
• Accommodation, transport, experiences and meals as listed in the itinerary
Itinerary
Our holiday begins with our flight from Sydney to Brisbane. On arrival, we meet our coach and enjoy a sightseeing drive through Brisbane before stopping at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, where there is time for lunch in the café and an opportunity to enjoy the gardens.
This afternoon, we leave Brisbane and travel towards Stanthorpe via Ipswich and Maryvale, with a comfort stop along the way. We arrive at The Vines Stanthorpe at approximately 5.00pm, our comfortable base for the next four nights.
Tonight, we come together for dinner at the hotel and settle in ready to explore the Granite Belt.
Accommodation: The Vines Stanthorpe
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we depart for Donnelly’s Castle Lookout, where there is time to take in the distinctive Granite Belt landscape.
Our first tasting of the day is at Stanthorpe Cheese, before continuing to Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery and Café. We stop for a photo at the Big Apple along the way before enjoying a tour, tasting and lunch at Sutton’s.
This afternoon we visit the Truffle Discovery Centre for an interesting talk, tour and tasting experience. Learn more about this prized local produce and the conditions that make the Granite Belt ideal for truffle growing.
We then return to Stanthorpe with some free time to explore the town before dinner.
Accommodation: The Vines Stanthorpe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, we travel to spectacular Girraween National Park. Enjoy time at the visitor centre followed by a walk through this beautiful landscape and morning tea.
Next, we visit Heavenly Chocolate at Wisteria Cottage, where there is an opportunity to taste some delicious locally made chocolate and browse the shop.
Lunch today is at Jamworks Gourmet Foods, another wonderful showcase of regional produce. After lunch, we continue to Ballandean Estate for a wine tasting and the opportunity to sample some of the Granite Belt’s renowned cool climate wines.
We return to Stanthorpe later this afternoon before heading out for dinner tonight.
Accommodation: The Vines Stanthorpe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, our morning begins with a visit to Mount Marlay Lookout, offering lovely views across Stanthorpe and the surrounding countryside.
We then travel to Aloomba Lavender Farm, where we enjoy a farm tour and morning tea while learning about lavender production in the region.
Our next stop is the Granite Belt Christmas Farm for lunch and a farm talk. This unique attraction offers another fascinating insight into the diversity of local agriculture.
This afternoon, we visit Kent Saddlery for time to browse before continuing to Ridgemill Estate for a wine tasting.
We return to The Vines Stanthorpe before heading out for dinner on our final evening in the Granite Belt.
Accommodation: The Vines Stanthorpe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we farewell Stanthorpe and begin our journey south. Our first stop is Tenterfield, where we enjoy morning tea and time to experience this historic New England town.
We continue to Armidale for lunch, followed by a short sightseeing tour introducing us to this attractive regional city.
Our journey then continues to Tamworth, arriving later this afternoon. Before checking into our accommodation, we visit the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre and the famous Golden Guitar, one of the city’s best known landmarks.
Tonight, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodation: Best Western All Settlers Motor Inn, Tamworth
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and beginning our journey home.
We travel through the New England and Upper Hunter regions, stopping in Aberdeen for morning tea. We then continue to Muswellbrook, where lunch is enjoyed at the Royal Hotel.
After lunch, we begin our final journey towards Sydney, with a short comfort stop along the way. We expect to arrive back in Sydney at approximately 5.00pm, bringing our six day Granite Belt and New England adventure to a close.
Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch
Activity Levels
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1. Easy
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2. Moderate
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3. Active Moderate
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4. Adventurous
Testimonials
Thanks for such a great trip to Bright. I really enjoyed the trip and the weather was great, including the unexpected snow at Mount Hotham.
Sally
Hi Kerry Great trip as usual in the Alps. Hans was able to secure 2nd spot on the bus line and we were away very quickly leaving lines of buses behind us. The motel was excellent and the food service the quality A1. The chap in charge of the Bar and foor service, lan, was most attentive and with the help of Hans did a wonderful job of keeping everyone happy. The escorted Tour of Albury by Allan was one of the best I have encountered. The Hibernian Hotel was ‘spot on’, the hotel was spacious and the food perfect. The Red Stag Deer Farm was without doubt one of the highlights of the trip. The complex looks over the valley with sweeping views. The owners gave a very informative and entertaining talk and we really could have stayed longer. I believe it would be an ideal venue for a bit of variety to say have morning tea at Bright and then go to the Red Stag for Iunch and a talk by them. They did well out of the bus with people buying lots of their products. Most of the people on the bus have done the same Bright trip previously in one form or another and the inclusion of this I feel would draw other ‘past’ travellers to do the same trip again. I know I can speak for everyone, it was a top trip.
