I’ve visited Stanthorpe a few times now. First as a couples getaway with Gary, and again with our toddler in tow.
Both trips were in the dead of winter, and it’s hands down my favourite winter escape from Brisbane.
Although Stanthorpe is best known as a wine region, I’ve been blown away by how much else there is to do. Beautiful walks in Girraween National Park, delicious bakeries serving the best apple pie and scones, and some of the friendliest cellar doors I’ve come across.
But what makes Stanthorpe so special are the people who call it home. The winemakers, the accommodation owners, the cellar door hosts who chatted with us after closing time.
Every interaction felt like a real conversation, not a transaction. That’s not something you get at every wine region.
So, here’s what we got up to, plus a few tips I wish I’d known before our first visit.
How to get to Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe is a 3 hour drive south of Brisbane, just above the NSW border. We stopped at Summerland Camels on the way down to break up the drive – it sits roughly halfway and is worth a quick visit, especially if you have kids.
If you’re coming from the Gold Coast, you’ll drive inland for 3.5 hours before reaching Stanthorpe.
Considering the drive time and all the things to do in Stanthorpe, I’d recommend going for a long weekend at minimum. Three or four days gives you enough time to explore without rushing between cellar doors.
Where to stay in Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe is the main town within the Granite Belt region. But I don’t recommend staying in Stanthorpe town itself.
Instead, stay south of Stanthorpe, somewhere between Stanthorpe and Ballandean. This is where you’ll find the best winery accommodation and riverside cabins, and you’re closer to most of the wineries you’ll want to visit.
We’ve stayed at two places in the area and both were fantastic. 31 The Rocks on our first trip, and Severn River Cottages on our second. They felt completely tucked away and had indoor fireplaces (non-negotiable for us in winter).
If I had to pick one, it would be Severn River Cottages. The cottage had a patio and a big garden where our toddler could run around spotting birds, and there was also an outdoor fire pit. Highly recommend!
Best things to do in Stanthorpe
Go wine tasting
The Granite Belt is a high-altitude wine region with over 50 cellar doors scattered between Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
At most of the smaller cellar doors, you’re served by the winemakers themselves. There’s no rehearsed script, no rushed tasting. Just genuine, passionate people telling you the story behind each bottle.
A few of my favourite wineries:
- Ravenscroft Vineyard has a beautiful cellar door overlooking the vines, run by an incredibly warm couple
- Mountview Wines is a cosy spot with quirky decor and one of the oldest cellar doors in the region
- Jester Hill is dog and child-friendly, and the sommelier puts on a proper show explaining the stories behind the unique wine names
- Kominos Wines has relaxed outdoor seating under the trees and is the spot to settle in with a cheese platter
Here’s my guide to the best wineries in Stanthorpe (yes, I visited them all).
Note: Most cellar doors are open Friday to Sunday only. Check opening days before you drive out.
Hike Girraween National Park
Girraween is a wild, unique national park dotted with huge granite boulders. The park has short kid-friendly loops and longer summit climbs that’ll fill half a day.
We did The Pyramid walk, which finishes at the iconic Balancing Rock at the top. It’s one of the more challenging walks in Girraween National Park and the climb up the granite face is steep, but the views are 100% worth the effort.
For something easier, the Granite Arch walk is a 1.6km loop that’s flat enough for our toddler and takes about 30 minutes.
Try the famous apple pie
Suttons Juice Factory is a Stanthorpe institution. It’s been around forever, and the apple pie is the reason everyone talks about the place.
We skipped it on our first trip because we thought it might be overhyped.
Big mistake. It is not.
The apple pie is incredible, a huge piece served with cream and ice cream for $14.50. We loved it so much we went back for a second slice before leaving.
We also bought a bottle of their apple juice which was delicious and well-priced.
Watch the sunset at Summit Estate
If you only have time for one sunset in Stanthorpe, make it Summit Estate.
They’ve got grassy lawns dotted with outdoor fires and bean bags. It’s a smaller and more intimate setup than Balancing Heart.
The wines are delicious too. Order a glass (or bottle) and settle in next to one of the fires.
Book a cabin with an indoor fireplace
The only thing that beats winter in Stanthorpe? Staying in a cabin with an indoor fireplace and drinking a glass of red by the fire.
Here are a few accommodation options with indoor fire places that I’d recommend:
- Severn River Cottage which is where we stayed.
- Serenità Stanthorpe for something more luxurious.
- Granite Gardens Cottages for a beautiful, quiet location.
It does not get better than this!
Taste honey wine at Mount Sterling Meadery
We stumbled on Mount Sterling Meadery on our second trip and it ended up being one of the most unique tastings we did.
Mead is honey wine, which I’d never heard of before visiting Stanthorpe.
Mount Sterling Meadery is a newcomer to the region. The owners pour the tasting themselves – they’re down-to-earth, genuine people who really love what they do.
You work through the full range of their meads, and if you’re feeling brave, order the chilli mead.
We also tried out their honey and purchased a few jars for back home.
Pizzas at Balancing Heart Vineyard
Balancing Heart is one of the biggest wineries in Stanthorpe and has a completely different vibe to the smaller, more intimate cellar doors.
The property is massive. Sprawling lawns, picnic benches everywhere, live music.
Our toddler loved running amongst the vineyards and meeting the farm animals. They’ve got sheep, a llama, a pony, chickens and more.
We came for the pizzas. They’re delicious, but just know there’s often a long wait time over weekends, so grab a glass of wine when you order and do the self-guided walk through the vineyards while you wait.
Note: Call ahead to book a table if you’re heading down on a long weekend.
Order a tasting paddle at Granite Belt Brewery
Granite Belt Brewery sits on its own property a short drive out of town, with rustic timber interiors and a proper country pub feel.
After a few days of cellar doors, the tasting paddle from the brewery was a welcome change of pace. They also serve lunch and have a set menu on offer for dinner.
I wanted to book a cabin at their accommodation which is next to the brewery, but there was no availability. It’s a popular spot so advanced booking for both tastings and accommodation are required. You can check availability here.
Pick strawberries at Ashbern Farms or Eastern Colour
If you’re looking for things to do in Stanthorpe in summer, strawberry picking is a fun activity to slot in.
There are two pick-your-own farms in the area: Ashbern Farms and Eastern Colour. Both are family-run and a big hit with kids.
We visited in winter so the farms were closed, but strawberries are in season October through May.
Feed the goats at Ridgemill Estate
We made a dash to Ridgemill Estate on our last afternoon after losing track of time chatting with the winemakers at Kominos Winery. We got there just before close and managed to squeeze in a glass of their delicious Saperavi wine on the lawns.
The main reason we came was so our toddler could feed the goats. He had the best time!
They’ve also got a nice outdoor area with lawn games and beanbags, and the whole place has a relaxed, casual vibe I really liked. It’s also dog-friendly.
You can stay at Ridgemill Estate too. There’s beautiful winery accommodation overlooking the dam and vineyards. You can find out more here.
Scones at Jam Works
Jam Works is half cafe, half pantry shop. The shelves are stacked with chutneys, jams, sauces, and pantry goods.
But what caught my eye were the scones.
We sat outside on the picnic benches in the sun and worked through a plate. Jam Works also does its own apple pie if you missed out at Suttons.
Visit the Granite Belt Christmas Farm
Granite Belt Christmas Farm is exactly what it sounds like – a Christmas-themed farm where you can feed deer, goats, sheep and chickens, eat pancakes at Mrs Claus Cafe, and grab a scoop at the Rudolph’s Ice Cream bar.
We didn’t actually make it here because we assumed it was only open over the Christmas period. Turns out it’s open year-round, which I only found as we were leaving.
Sample the cheeses at Stanthorpe Cheese
Stanthorpe Cheese runs cheese tastings at their factory door and we stopped here on our way out of town.
Their cheeses are delicious and the tasting board has a great spread to work through.
They also do a ploughman’s platter for a proper sit-down meal.
Best things to do in Stanthope with kids
Here are a few things we did in Stanthorpe that my toddler loved.
- Playing with the resident dog at Jester Hills Wines
- Seeing the farm animals at Balancing Heart Wines
- Doing the Granite Arch walk in Girraween National Park
- Eating apple pie and playing outside at Suttons Juice Factory
- Marshmallows on the fire at our accommodation at Severn River Cottages
- Feeding the goats at Ridgemill Estate
Is Stanthorpe worth a visit
Yes, Stanthorpe is 100% worth visiting and is my favourite winter getaway from Brisbane (or Gold Coast).
It’s the perfect winter weekend if you love slow mornings, cellar door tastings, and the kind of cold that makes an open fire feel earned.
Looking for more Queensland travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Best day trips from Gold Coast
- Best day trips from Brisbane
- My favourite wineries in Scenic Rim
- Best things to do in Boonah
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