Stanhorpe

Stanthorpe Qld 4380 (Pop 4 800) 

Stanthorpe is a picturesque SE Qld town in the Granite Belt 218 km s-w of Brisbane. It sits on the New England Hwy close to the NSW border and experiences some of Qld’s coolest weather. European settlement began in 1850s with subsequent tin discoveries that were shortlived. Successful orchards followed together with an influx of German settlers. Soldier settlements occurred after WWI and large numbers of Italian migrants & POWs settled the area. Today vineyards, orchards and sheep & cattle grazing support the local thriving economy. The district boasts over 40 wineries, several national parks (Girraween, Boonoo Boonoo, Bald Rock, Sundown) and Storm King Dam popular with watersports. Market in the Mountains second Sun each month, In-season markets third Saturday each month. Food & Wine Festival (Feb odd-numbered years), Apple & Grape Harvest Festival (Mar even-numbered years), Brass Monkey Season (June-Aug), Granite Belt Spring Wine Festival (Oct), Australian Small Winemakers Show (Oct).

Accommodation:
Stanthorpe has half a dozen motels and hotels, a resort, numerous B&Bs, holiday apartments/cottages/cabins, a farmstay and a couple of caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre, 26 Leslie Pde. Tel (07) 4681 2057 or 1800 060 877.