Category Archives: stanthorpe

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.

Stanthorpe Weather

 

Stanthorpe Weather–Four Seasons in Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe weather is unique among Queensland towns because, with the state’s coolest temperatures, every season offers something quite unlike anywhere else! Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt are beautiful whatever the season, whatever the weather. There are lots of things to do and here are some great seasonal activities to try on your next visit. Temperatures can vary significantly in any season, so best advice is to dress in layers. Despite Stanthorpe being Queensland’s coolest town, temperatures can still occasionally reach the low 30 degrees Celsius range during the day in summer, and often down to below zero at night in winter. Luckily we have nice and cosy villas and our luxurious five-star tent to accommodate you.  

Spring Weather in Stanthorpe

Temperatures average from a maximum of 22.3 degrees and 7.8 degrees minimum.

Spring is wildflower season at Girraween National Park on Pyramids Road. The best time to see the wildflowers in bloom is late September into October each year. The contrast of delicate colour against the stark granite can be viewed from the many walking tracks through the park. The flowers attract many local wild animals as well – be on the lookout for wombats, wallabies, lizards, birds and insects.  A swim in the water hole will refresh you ready for your next adventure.

 

The region’s produce season is starting with many farm gate shops starting to sell their wares. Much of the region was founded by people with European heritage, and each year this is celebrated in true ‘Primavera’ (Italian for ‘spring’) style with various cultural and culinary events in almost every vineyard and attraction in the area. Let us know your interests and we can help you choose from the myriad of events on offer, including (but in no way limited to) Jazz and Wine events held by Robert Channon Wines (Bradley Lane, Stanthorpe) throughout the season and “Shakespeare Under The Stars” at Bungawarra Wines, Bents Road Ballandean in early November.

 

Summer Weather in Stanthorpe

Photo: Sonia Ghiggioli

Summer temperatures reach an average of 28.8 degrees Celsius maximum and 14.6 degrees minimum.

Summer is a busy time in Stanthorpe. The warmer weather means fruit picking is in full swing, with fruits such as berries, apples, pears, stone fruit (cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots) and rockmelon are available. Vegetable lovers are in for a treat with a wide range of these available also. Pick your own fruit farms and farm gate sellers abound along Granite Belt Drive, accessible from the New England Highway. One shop not to miss on this road is Sam’s (The Summit Fruit Shop). They buy direct from the farmers and even accept major credit cards. Strawberry Fields on the edge of town at Stanthorpe is a must-do for pick your own strawberries and a great café. The Bramble Patch, Townsend Rd Glen Aplin, is another must if you enjoy our breakfast basket – they supply the jam and berry compote. It’s a nice place to stop off for ice-cream and waffles on a sunny day. They also sell 60 different products including sauces, jellies, marmalade, coulis, chutneys and other preserves. You are sure to find something to take your fancy!  Golden Grove Estate hosts a Sicilian Vintage Lunch in February each year to celebrate the beginning of the vintage. Traditional Sicilian fare, the blessing of the first grapes harvested, followed by a grape stomp! What a great afternoon!

Commercial lavender farm Crystal Ridge Lavenders harvests lavender during December and January and sells lavender products like soaps and lotions, but also lavender chocolates and biscuits. Find them on Daniells Lane Stanthorpe.

Fishing at Storm King Dam, accessible via Nielsens Road Eukey, is best in the summer. You will need a permit to catch Murray Cod, Yellow Belly (Golden Perch), Silver Perch, Spangled Perch and Eel-tailed Catfish. Size and catch limits apply also.

Autumn Weather in Stanthorpe

Photo: Granite Belt Wine Tourism/Cory Rossiter Photography

Stanthorpe weather is starting to cool down with maximum temperatures averaging 21.9 degrees Celsius and minimum 8.8 degrees.

Autumn is the season for golden vistas among the vines. The 40 cellar doors and 55 vineyards are starting to harvest their grapes for new vintage wines as the leaves turn golden. Ballandean Estate Wines (Sundown Road, Ballandean) in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Stanthorpe holds a charity event “Opera in the Vineyard” on the first Saturday of May each year. This event attracts around 2000 people and is open for booking from January. Lunch and dinner are available as well as the opportunity to experience one of South East Queensland’s premier cultural events. “Art in the Mill” at Ballandean Case and Timber Mill, Curr Road Ballandean is another great event on the first weekend in May each year. It showcases local art and is a great opportunity to socialise (with a glass of mulled wine) by an open fire – handy as the weather starts to cool down.

Not into wine? Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery, on Halloran Drive Thulimbah, have a juice factory, cidery, distillery, home style café and open the orchard for ‘pick your own apples’ from February to June. We like their juice so much we include it in your breakfast basket for you to enjoy. Or you could soak up the view at Mount Marlay (pronounced “marlee”) with a stunning lookout over the township of Stanthorpe. The lookout is located on Lock Street. Why not visit the regions only dairy farm and appreciate the cheese platters and local wines on offer or sample a great coffee and cheesecake, at Stanthorpe Cheese, corner Amiens Road and Daniells Lane Thulimbah. 

Winter Weather in Stanthorpe

Photo: Karen Roberts

Make sure to pack your woollies – overnight temperatures can drop to an average of just 1.8 degrees Celsius, but rise to a brisk 17.2 degrees during the day. There is an average of 14.3 nights of zero degrees or less in July so warm clothes are a must! Our villas and tent are built to keep out the cold, and each has their own open fire to keep you toasty warm.

Winter is “brass monkey season” – for a reason.  Are you ready for this?  It snows in Queensland – only in Stanthorpe! Snowfall is not unheard of in the area, with overnight frosts common, so why not take the opportunity to rug up and find a great open fire, there are plenty around! The Bramble Patch offer a range of award winning products like blackberry and apple pie, why not enjoy it next to their fire. Christmas in July events are available in many local restaurants, with the cooler weather being perfect for the traditional hot dinner.  Vegetables in season now are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, leeks and mushrooms.

Stanthorpe weather is quite unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in Queensland and it’s the ideal weekend escape for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba and other South East Queenslanders!

Discover Why Stanthorpe is the Ultimate Escape this Summer

 

 

Escape Queensland Summer….To The Granite Belt

Officially Queensland’s coldest town, Stanthorpe is definitely the cool place to be this summer. Our warm, sunny days lack the high humidity of the city and make it enjoyable to get out and enjoy the many enticements that Stanthorpe in summer has to offer.

The Granite Belt’s perfect summer climate

During the day, Stanthorpe’s summer temperatures are, on average, 5 to 7 degrees cooler than Brisbane. Overnight, our temperatures can be up to 9 degrees cooler.  The Granite Belt is a great place to delight in outdoor pursuits, even in the peak of summer when the days are warmer, as the humidity is so much lower than Brisbane.  Perfect sunny skies are often followed by clear nights, perfect for star gazing.

Enjoy Stanthorpe’s amazing summer scenery

The best way to fully experience the Granite Belt in summer is to pack a picnic lunch full of fresh local produce and cool off in a tranquil stream in Girraween National Park. Or you might prefer taking a walk along the many creek banks of the area, enjoying a relaxing pace and soaking up the spectacular landscape. When all of these options become too taxing, you could simply enjoy the view from your Alure Boutique Villa.

Feast on Stanthorpe’s delicious, summer fruit

Amazing stone fruits and berries are harvested throughout the Granite Belt every summer and the juiciest grapes are getting plumper for wine making. Summer in Stanthorpe sees the production of some of the most delicious berries, apples, pears, rockmelon and stone fruits in Australia, as the mild temperatures are ideal for growing.

Stop and smell the summer wildflowers of the Granite Belt

Beds of fragrant lavender and gorgeous roses are a constant hive of activity with bees and butterflies, offering many ideal photo opportunities amongst the blooms. Keep an eye out for the bright yellow coreopsis and the lovely pink and white cosmos flowering on the roadside and in the orchards. It truly is a beautiful sight to see the wildflowers in bloom in the summer in the Granite Belt region.

We’d love for you to escape the heat and humidity of the city, to indulge in luxury accommodation at Stanthorpe in the heart of The Granite Belt.  Come and experience the Granite Belt’s incredible natural summer attractions for yourself.

Welcome to the Home of Berry Love…

We’ve been meaning to write about this Granite Belt home of yummy things (berry and otherwise) for quite some time. Of course, we’re talking about The Bramble Patch, a family run, Granite Belt institution.

We discovered the joys of The Bramble Patch shortly after moving to Stanthorpe in early 2009.  Located at the end of Townsend Road at Glen Aplin, with large ‘prose’ filled strawberries guiding us along the way, we reached the multi award winning home of  jams, preserves and  fortified wines, along with waffles, poffertjes, berry ice creams and yes … coffee…. sigh.

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It’s Gold, Gold and Gold on the Granite Belt!

There are gold medals everywhere on the granite belt at the moment and it has nothing to do with the Commonwealth Games!  Local wineries and food producers have come home from competition with a full swag of medals. 
At the prestigious Queensland Wine Show, Golden Grove Estate Winery at Ballandean came away with the big awards; Champion Wine of the Show, Best Alternate Red Wine and The Most Successful Exhibitor.  Not to be left out, Summit Estate Wines won Best Red Wine and Robert Channon Wines won Best White Wine.
Now, we’ve always loved The Bramble Patch and it seems we’re not alone.  Judges from around Australia are impressed with their range of gourmet goodies.  Here’s their latest list of medals:
  • Royal Hobart Fine Food Show – 3 Gold and 1 Bronze medal
  • Royal Melbourne Fine Food Show – 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze
  • Royal Sydney Fine Food Show – 3 Bronze
Congratulations everyone.  Keep up the good (and tasty) work!