Category Archives: stanthorpe

The Importance of Romantic Weekend Getaways for Couples with Kids

Once the honeymoon is over, married couples tend to get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of home life, especially if they have young children. Both partners get busy planning their lives around their kids, and around their jobs, leaving little energy for couple time in the busy family calendar. Add to this extensive technology use, whether for work or leisure, and you have a recipe for couples growing older under one roof, but not really growing together.

Sometimes you just need time away in order to reconnect. Sound familiar? If you’re looking to create space to spend time with your spouse and keep the romantic spark alive in your relationship, a romantic weekend getaway can make a world of difference.

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Why A Stanthorpe Wine Tour Is for You

Whether you’re on a weekend vacation and looking for things to do in Stanthorpe, or you’re looking for a romantic getaway, you should definitely consider adding a wine tour to your plans.  Wine tours not only answer all the questions you’ve ever had about the wine you are drinking, but they  also provide you with an exciting, relaxing and enlightening experience.

Have you ever wondered what the winery looks like where your favourite cabernet sauvignon is made? Have you ever wondered about the story behind the winemaker listed on the bottle you buy at the store? Have you ever wanted to impress your friends with your extensive (and we won’t mention newly acquired) wine wisdom?

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Travelling to Stanthorpe? Here’s Your Fab Road Trip Playlist

Road trip music - romantic getaway for couples

Your suitcases are packed and you’re ready to jump in the car for a romantic escape to Alure Stanthorpe, but what are you going to listen to? Not to worry! We have it all sorted for you.

Last year we published the Top 100* Romantic Songs playlist. This year we thought we should step up and curate a fabulous 3 hour Drive Songs playlist.

We can safely say we’ve listened to A LOT of songs searching for the right playlist for your drive to Stanthorpe. We wanted a fabulous, fun, mostly Aussie rock, sing out loud, playlist to make your road trip in the car fly.

With lyrics like “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway. Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way”, we had to kick off with Steppenwolf. Quickly followed by Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the hill’, Shepphard, The Angels, Neon Trees and Sia. If you’re travelling from Brisbane, by the time you’ve heard Silverchair, Powderfinger, Crowded House and Australian Crawl you should be at Aratula and starting the beautiful climb up Cunningham’s Gap.

From here on it’s smooth driving with Queen, Jonas Brothers, Stanthorpe boy – James Blundell, Crowded House, and GANGgajang. Finally Hunters & Collectors iconic ‘Holy Grail’ should have you delivered to your glamping tent or luxury villa.

So, here it is! Your fab, fun, sing out loud, Road Trip Songs playlist. Enjoy!

Things to Do – Summertime

Things to do Summertime

It’s summertime and the livin’ sure is easy on the Granite Belt in Queensland’s high country. Now that the busy Christmas and New Year period is drawing to a close many are enjoying some well-earned downtime and relaxation whilst pondering their plans for 2019. The Granite Belt certainly delivers no matter what the season but this time of year is especially delightful.

Whilst January is perhaps best spent exploring on foot (working off the foodie indulgence of Christmas), and for those that love a good cocktail keep your exercise up because on 19 January Cocktails on the Green is the event for you.

The highlight for January is surely the 2019 Australia Day celebrations. If you choose to celebrate then there are options at Stanthorpe’s Weeroona Park and also in Warwick. Head over to the Southern Downs website for details.

February sees the return of the popular and much anticipated Stanthorpe Show at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds from 1-3 February.

Steam train buffs can enjoy a train ride to Wallangarra and return on 9 February. Explore the historic Wallangarra train station and have fun with one foot each in Queensland and New South Wales at the same time. Tickets are available at the Southern Downs Steam Railway website.

Dreaming of being a winemaker? Well, February 23 and 24 are the dates for you. Winemaker for a Weekend is on at Queensland College of Wine Tourism. There you will spend an amazing weekend with a complete, ‘hands-on’ winemaking experience, served with delicious meals and matched wines.

Cyclist’s rejoice! The charity event, That Dam Ride is on again for another year on 24 February, taking you throughout the scenic Granite Belt ending at Storm King Dam. The have catered for all levels of cyclists with a 125km main ride, a 70km challenge, 45km intermediate or 20km ride for beginners, kids or the whole family.

5 Reasons You Should Visit Stanthorpe for Your Next Weekend Retreat

If you haven’t been to Stanthorpe you might not understand what sets it apart.  But we’re here to tell you Stanthorpe is the greatest place for Queensland couples to getaway.  As locals, we’re biased of course but here are a few reasons why Stanthorpe is a top weekend retreat location:

  1. Stanthorpe is one of the few places in Queensland you will experience four distinct seasons.  This is because of it’s elevated position – for example,  Alure is more than 950 metres above sea level.  This means we’re likely to get snow, and more of it, than Stanthorpe town.  Check our website gallery photos of the 2015 snow event.  Just beautiful. Spring, summer, autumn and winter are all quite different and they all offer their own nuanced delights for a great holiday.
  2. Because of the seasonal variance, Stanthorpe is one of the only locations in Queensland where you can enjoy accommodation with a fireplace most of the year.  Alure Stanthorpe provides complimentary firewood so you can enjoy the fireplace all year round.  As we say,  you never know when a cold snap might come!
  3. Cold climates make for the most delicious produce and growing conditions. Think crunchy fresh apples, berries, truffles and grape varieties found in Strange Bird wines unique to the area.  This makes the food here ‘aahmazing’.  Our local chef’s love the access they have to produce and design menu’s to suit the seasons.  Check out Varias,  and McGregor Terrace Food Project for their delicious offerings.  These Stanthorpe restaurants will turn you into a foodie quick smart.
  4. The scenery is spectacular.  If you get a chance to walk through Girraween National Park, try to catch a sunrise.  There’s nothing quite like a good Stanthorpe sunrise at Girraween.  This is the stuff of memories and if you like we can pack a breakfast basket for you.  Imagine a warm blanket and brekky together enjoying the gorgeous sunrise from atop the giant granite boulders that feature in every Stanthorpe Instagram.  Remember to add yours and tag us!
  5. Accommodation in Stanthorpe covers a wide range of options from B&B’s and motels to the luxury accommodation that we provide here at Alure.  We’d love to show you just how wonderful a weekend away at Alure can be with either our glamping tent or luxury villas.  There are two villas to choose from and all are secluded, well appointed and feature beautiful country views.

We look forward to providing an unforgettable accommodation experience for your weekend retreat in Stanthorpe.

Wineries in Stanthorpe, Granite Belt

The Granite Belt region is home to many wineries.

This list is not complete but is a start on a comprehensive list updated occasionally.  You may wish to book a Stanthorpe wine tour during your stay at Alure.

Robert Channon Wines 32 Bradley Lane, Stanthorpe

Ravens Croft Wines 274 Spring Creek Rd, Stanthorpe

Casely Mount Hutton Winery 94 Mount Hutton Road, Greenlands, Stanthorpe.

Kominos Wines 27145 New England Highway, Stanthorpe.

Whiskey Gully Wines 25 Turner Road, Severnlea, Stanthorpe.

Ballandean Estate 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean

Golden Grove Estate 337 Sundown Road, Ballandean

Tobin Wines 34 Ricca Road, Ballandean.

Heritage Estate 747 Granite Belt Drive, Cottonvale

Symphony Hill Wines 2017 Eukey Road, Ballandean

Pyramids Road Wines 25 Wyberba Lane, Wyberba via Ballandean

Bungawarra Wines 181 Bents Rd, Ballandean

Mason Wines 27850 New England Hwy, Ballandean

Boireann Wines 26 Donnellys Castle Road, The Summit

Bent Road Wine 535 Bents Road, Ballandean

Winter in Stanthorpe

Accommodation Stanthorpe Winter getaway

The winter season in Stanthorpe delivers beautiful crisp days and early morning frost with mist blanketing the landscape. Visit Alure Stanthorpe in winter and enjoy a glass of wine next to a romantic fireplace or perhaps a steaming hot tub under the stars and a glass of bubbles is more your style?  Whether you decide to stay inside and hibernate all day or venture out to explore Stanthorpe and Ballandean,  you’ll feel that life is just as it should be.  There’s plenty to be grateful for when you get away to Alure Stanthorpe in the winter time.  Continue reading

Midweek Escape Special – STAY 3 NIGHTS PAY FOR 2!

celebrate romance at alure with a midweek escape special

Celebrate romance with a fabulous Midweek Escape Special at Alure Stanthorpe – STAY 3 NIGHTS PAY FOR 2!

We are all about romance and reconnecting with the special person in your life. Escape the coastal humidity at Alure for 3 nights midweek (Monday to Thursday) and only pay for 2 nights. Valid until 22 December 2016.

Our Midweek Escape package also includes a scrumptious Tastes of the Granite Belt continental breakfast basket.

Book some romance in your life now!

Luxury Accommodation – Pet Friendly Packages

Pet Friendly Packages

Attn:  Much loved pets

Have you been dreaming of a romantic getaway and pet-friendly accommodation in the heart of Granite Belt Wine Country, where after a full day of exploring and sniffing, you can stretch out by the fire, or end the day stargazing in your own private courtyard?

We know that…

• With your sunny disposition that you use an ‘inside voice’ so as not to disturb other guests.
• You resist the temptation to climb on the furniture, or sleep on the bed.
• You only use the outside toilet facilities and would never mess inside.

What about your humans? Do they…?

• Include you in all their daily travels and would never dream of leaving you behind? Alure has a list of pet friendly attractions and activities. Occasional pet sitting is available on request
• Keep you safely on a leash when outside to protect you from native animals, or from getting lost?  Foxes might find you very tasty and you certainly don’t want to get lost while enthusiastically exploring the natural bushland.
• Pick up your outside er… messes?  Bathroom facilities are located outside your villa and Alure provides doggie bags.

There is just one pet friendly villa and prior approval is required.

Alure Stanthorpe will provide for your enjoyment, your very own plush bed, food and water bowls and a gift bag of toiletries & gourmet treats.

Villas  Tent  Pet FriendlyAvailability & Pricing