The Granite Belt is part of the Great Dividing Range, located in the Darling Downs region of Qld and the New England area of NSW. The centre is the thriving town of Stanthorpe.

Being one of the most picturesque parts of the country, the Granite Belt attracts visitors all year round. This article highlights some top reasons to visit the area this festive season. Discover more about the Granite Belt’s stunning natural features, family and pet-friendly activities, and charming accommodation.

• Indulge in holiday wine tasting
• Visit local markets for unique gifts this festive season
• Family-friendly holiday ideas in the Granite Belt
• Pet-friendly activities and accommodation in Stanthorpe
• Experience the Granite Belt’s Christmas lights and decorations

Indulge in holiday wine tasting

The Granite Belt region is a wine connoisseur’s paradise.   If you enjoy a good drop, you’ll find plenty of wine tasting opportunities this holiday season.

Tobin Wines is one winery you need to put on your list. It’s a boutique winery that limits production to a small quantity each year to focus on quality. Twisted Gum Wines is another must-see winery. A hand-tended vineyard ensures top quality fruit for premium winemaking, and the wine cellar is in an old 1920s Queenslander home. If you want to celebrate the romance of wine, visit Summit Estate, known for its aromatic Mediterranean and European wine varieties.

Visit local markets for unique gifts this festive season

If you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts while visiting the Granite Belt district, pop into the Markets in the Mountains in Stanthorpe. You’ll discover homemade treasures galore crafted by local artisans. Not only will you find eclectic arts and crafts, but you can also enjoy food and drinks, and meet the winemakers from local wineries.

On the fourth Sunday of every month head to the Stanthorpe Showgrounds and discover a wealth of holiday gift ideas at the car boot sale. If you want to find something different, this Sunday morning market is the ideal hunting ground.

Family-friendly holiday ideas in the Granite Belt

Take the kids to visit Donnelly’s Castle, a natural granite rock formation that you can walk in, between, and over. It’s an ideal location for young adventurers. There are caves to explore, hidden passageways, and huge boulders to scramble over. From the top you’ll have expansive and spectacular views of the local scenery.

Another family-friendly activity is the Big Apple, located off the New England Highway as you approach Stanthorpe. Enjoy refreshments at Vincenzo’s Cafe, then take photos of the kids standing beside the Big Apple. Across the road at Sutton’s Juice Factory, the whole family can indulge in the region’s best apple pie.

Fuel the festive spirit with a visit to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm, located in Applethorpe. The kids can wander fields of real Christmas trees. Learn more about Santa’s animals, and you’ll even find a selection of awesome gifts and decorations.

Pet-friendly activities and accommodation in Stanthorpe

Your beloved pets are family members too and they also deserve to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones. Fortunately, Stanthorpe offers an abundance of pet-friendly activities, so pets don’t miss out.

There are some great walking spots around Girraween National Park. While pets are not allowed in the park itself, there are plenty of trails to explore nearby with your four-legged best friends. Sentimental Rocks and Donnelly’s Castle are just two examples.

• Held on the first Sunday of every month, the Stanthorpe Showground Markets is a pet-friendly event.
• Many of the wineries in the district are also open to pets. You can take your furry friends to the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum.
• Quart Pot Creek is an awesome place to enjoy a leisurely walk with your dog while visiting Stanthorpe.

When it comes to pet friendly accommodation , at Country Style Holiday Park we welcome your fur babies.  We have beautiful unpowered sites on the river’s edge, plenty of powered sites for your tent or van, and a range of pet friendly cottages. Your four-legged family members are very welcome and will enjoy running free in our off-leash doggy park.

Experience the Granite Belt’s Christmas lights and decorations

If you arrive before 25 December, you’ll see how the Granite Belt truly comes alive, with many homeowners decorating their properties with dazzling light displays. Whether you drive around Stanthorpe or other nearby towns, you’ll be in awe after the sun goes down.

You can even jump aboard a Christmas lights bus for an organised tour of all the best Christmas lights displays in Stanthorpe. The bus departs from the Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre at 7pm sharp and the tour lasts approximately one hour.