To all of the wonderful people who have supported and followed Alure Stanthorpe in 2018 we extend our thanks and warm wishes for the new year. We hope your 2019 is filled with good friends, good times (and good wines).
Happy New Year
Author Archives: stanthorpe_accommodation
What to Pack for Your Romantic Getaway
You’ve booked your romantic escape at Alure in either a luxury villa or our glamping tent. And you’ve received all the information on winery tours, romantic getaway packages and the very best Stanthorpe and Granite Belt restaurants. So, now the big question is… What do I pack?
What to pack when travelling to Stanthorpe?
Answer: Always pack a jacket.
Yes, always pack a jacket. Regardless of the season, what the BOM says, what your colleagues say, or even your best friend, pack a jacket. Even in summer? Yes, even in summer pack a jacket. As we say, the weather ‘turns on a dime’ and a day that started warm and cosy can become quite cool or cold.
You see a lot of the Granite Belt is approximately 850m – 900m above sea level. Alure Stanthorpe is even higher at 950m above sea level. In contrast, our nearest capital city, Brisbane, is only 27m above sea level. All this High Country elevation leads to a cool, temperate climate around Stanthorpe. We are blessed to experience four definite seasons, sometimes in one day! Continue reading
Top 100* Love Songs – For a Couples Romantic Getaway
At Alure we absolutely love helping guests plan the perfect romantic couples getaway into the heart of Queensland’s high country, Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. We already have a range of ultimate romantic packages, tours and indulgences such as relaxing in-villa massages. These are of course in addition to inclusions such as our luxe hot tubs and crackling fires to relax by. The idea of a Love Song playlist seemed so obvious.
Why had we not thought of this before? (we wondered).
It’ll be great! (we said).
It’ll be easy! (we thought).
Ha! How we laugh at our naivety in reflection. It was quite a surprise when we embarked on the journey deep into the world of love songs. There were so many! How on earth were we ever to choose the right songs for our guests? Continue reading
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:
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
What’s On: Spring in the Granite Belt
With just a few days until the official start of spring, it’s timely to take a look at what’s on in Stanthorpe and surrounds over the next couple of months (to end of November 2018). Whilst you’ll no doubt still enjoy the cool weather and might choose to stay snuggled up in front of the fireplace with your loved one, there are certainly some delightful dalliances to be had and places to explore.
6-9 SEPTEMBER If you love arts and culture then The Peter Allen Festival might just be your thing. It’s just one week away and located in Tenterfield which is less than an hour from Stanthorpe.
15 SEPTEMBER Foodies rejoice! Do your taste buds a favour and take them to The Gamekeepers Dinner, which is a delicious 5 course degustation meal. It’s been going for nearly 30 years now, and is held at Ballandean Estate Winery, 20 minutes from Stanthorpe. Continue reading
Romantic Getaway in Queensland
Exquisite and Luxurious Couples Retreat
Enter Alure Stanthorpe and you’ll be transported to a magical setting that makes romance sparkle. This exclusive couples accommodation in the Granite Belt of Queensland’s High Country is nestled in the midst of big skies, spectacular scenery, and many natural and cultural attractions. True to its name, Alure Stanthorpe has irresistible appeal to any couple seeking a romantic winter getaway.
The Ultimate Queensland Escape
Alure’s peaceful Stanthorpe accommodations pamper guests with plush furnishings and luxurious comfort. Two villas and a deluxe glamping tent each spaciously accommodate one couple, allowing you to relax in style. Each unit has a private deck and heated outdoor spa that invites you to glide into soothing bubbles and sip a glass of locally produced wine. Could you imagine a more sublime experience? Set on 50 acres of land, these three romantic accommodations are secluded, so every couple enjoys an undisturbed view of the magnificent countryside. Continue reading
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
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
Luxury Accommodation – 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.
An Aluring Destination for All Creatures Great and Small – Media Release
Alure the Scene for Love Stories
An unlikely romance of the four-legged variety is blossoming at an exclusive retreat for couples nestled amongst tranquil bushland and boutique wineries of the Granite Belt.
Ms Marion Carrick, co-owner of Alure Boutique Villas, says the unusual relationship is emerging between a resident sheep and pony is set to rival any other animal love story.
“We have so many beautiful love stories from the couples that stay with us and now we have our own, between Monty the sheep and Bek the pony,” said Ms Carrick.
“They stand shoulder to knee, but as is the case with true love, their difference in size does not deter this romantic couple from seeking each other across the paddocks of our retreat,” she said.
Bek is a 9 year old Royal Champion Welsh Mountain pony and Monty is a 3 year old purebred miniature Babydoll Southdown ram standing around half her height.
“Monty follows his beloved Bek around the paddock, gazing at her lovingly and when not together he whickers at her when she walks past.”
Ms Ruth McLennan, Marion’s mother and co-owner of Alure Boutique Villas, says most animal love stories seem to occur between two that are in enclosures alone, with no other animals of their species nearby.
“What makes this romance different is that Monty is paddocked with 16 other sheep, yet he still chooses Bek,” said Ms Carrick.
“It’s very Romeo and Juliet, and our guests marvel that love really does come in all shapes and sizes,” said Ms McLennan.