Granite Belt Food & Wine Weekend
When was the last time you escaped to the country? If it’s been too long, it’s time to discover the Granite Belt, the region just three hours from Brisbane, whose natural assets give rise to one of the best food and wine scenes in the country.
Wine Tasting at Cellar Doors
Queensland’s very own wine country needs little introduction, renowned for its cool climate wines which you can sample at over 50 cellar doors in the region. In fact, the Granite Belt wears the title of Queensland’s most-awarded wine region.
The region has a growing reputation as one of Australia’s top producers of alternative variety wines – known here as Strange Birds. To be called an alternative, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia as defined by Wine Australia.
Enjoy some of the best produce in Queensland at these Cafes and Restaurants
Suttons Juice Factory Cidery & Café – The iconic pitstop, located in an old packing shed just two and a half hours from Brisbane, is an Aladdin's cave of foodie fare and famous for their apple pie and cider ice cream.
Wallangarra Railway Café – Take a trip back in time and dine on the historic station platform and watch the steam train “Downs Explorer” arrive. The train departs from Stanthorpe return.
St Judes Cellar Door and Bistro – Located in Ballandean in the heart of the Granite Belt, the local institution serves fresh, wholesome bistro style food for breakfast, lunch and dinner within a cellar door.
Granite Belt Brewery – Crafting their own beer and ciders at their 1000 litre on-site microbrewery. Drop in and try a tasting paddle with a seasonal platter, or match beers with a delicious lunch or dinner at the restaurant.
Ballandean Estate Wines – Established in 1932 and run by 4th generation winemakers, the winery is open for cellar door tastings, wine sales, gourmet picnics and dine-in meals at the award-winning restaurant Ballandean Barrelroom.
Hidden Creek Winery and Café – Here's the place to enjoy a quintessential Southern Queensland Country experience and team an award winning wine with a grazing platter and enjoy a picnic by the lake.
Varias Restaurant – The Qld College of Wine Tourism's award-winning restaurant serves locally-sourced produce. In winter, dine in front of the fireplace or, on warmer days, dine on the deck overlooking the spring-fed dam and vineyard.
Jamworks Gourmet Foods – At this cafe and larder, you can enjoy locally-made, fresh preserves served with delectable morning teas and lunches, or sample a selection of their 100+ preserves at the tasting bar.
Essen Restaurant – Boasting an Australian Good Food Guide Chefs Hat 2021 Readers Choice Nomination, this restaurant offers a wholesome, German-inspired menu with produce sourced locally.
Stanthorpe Cheese and Jersey Girls Café – Featuring locally-made cheeses from the on-farm jersey cows, house specialties are the Ploughmans Lunch, Cheese Platter and cheese tastings, served with coffee, tea or Granite Belt wines.
Blue Topaz Diner – Turn back the clock with a visit to a real retro diner where you can enjoy old-school shakes and burgers in this family-fun eatery within a caravan park.
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