Stanthorpe, nestled in the heart of the Granite Belt is the picture-perfect destination to enjoy a well-deserved getaway. Surrounded by unspoilt National Parks you will discover quality handcrafted products, historic homesteads, local farms and a touch of the Christmas Spirit. Celebrate outback creative talent and listen to the stories of the producers as we get lost in the Bush Christmas Exhibition – this tour has something for everyone!
DAY 1: (LD) SUNSHINE COAST TO STANTHORPE Wednesday 22 November 2023
Welcome to our 4 day tour to the Granite Belt Region incorporating Toowoomba’s Bush Christmas Exhibition. Leaving the Sunshine Coast our morning touring takes us through the outskirts of Brisbane and through to Watercress Creek Olives and Limes where we meet one of the family owners to talk about how their business has grown into what it is today from the original dairy farm settled in 1862. We stay on for morning tea and a tasting of their delicious produce. It’s now time to sit back and relax as we continue through to Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre. Uninhabited for more than half its lifetime, it remains frozen in time, and is one of the few remaining examples of a substantial 19th century country house in Queensland. We are enjoying our time here so much we decide to stay on for lunch following our guided tour. Our final visit for the day is in Warwick at the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre, dedicated to the spirit of rodeo and the cowboy. It’s a place to follow the history and relive the glory of the rodeo’s greatest champions. From here we now head to Stanthorpe and check into our accommodation for the next three nights.
Lunch at Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre | Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight: The Vines Motel and Cottages, STANTHORPE
DAY 2: (BLD) THE GRANITE BELT Thursday 23 November 2023
This morning we are joined by a local guide who will introduce us to Stanthorpe. Next, we visit Aloomba Lavender where we are given a talk about the lavender farming process and the lavender products for sale. Lunch today is at Vincenzos café at the Big Apple where there are lots of goodies to taste and buy. This afternoon we visit the Washpool Farm Soaperie. Here we see artisans handcrafting luxurious raw materials into gorgeous natural products for healthy skin and home. There is a product testing station to try the soap ranges, handwashes, shaving soap and more, and the team love nothing more than helping with gift selection and wrapping.
Breakfast at the Hotel | Lunch Vincenzo’s The Big Apple | Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight: The Vines Motel and Cottages, STANTHORPE
DAY 3: (BLD) MORE OF THE GRANITE BELT Friday 24 November 2023
This morning we explore The Truffle Discovery Centre, home to the rare and highly valuable French Black Perigord truffle. Next, we visit Stanthorpe Cheese for a talk and a tasting followed by a visit to Stanthorpe Heritage Museum. With 14 buildings and more than 20,000 artefacts, the collection is supported by local family histories researched during the past fifty years. This afternoon we are off to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. Renowned for bringing the ‘Christmas Spirit’ alive all year round, we are welcomed by our wonderful host and given a short talk explaining how the farm works and the uniqueness of this magical industry. Mrs Claus may even have some of her festive sweet treats on hand for us to sample.
Breakfast at the Hotel | Lunch at Stanthorpe Heritage Museum | Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight: The Vines Motel and Cottages, STANTHORPE
DAY 4 (B) HOMEWARD BOUND Saturday 25 November 2023
Sadly, our tour must come to an end today. We farewell our hosts this morning and retrace our steps a little to Warwick and onto Toowoomba. We are lucky enough to be in the region in time to catch the Bush Christmas Exhibition* – an annual celebration of outback creative talent presenting a magnificent collection of handmade gifts and gourmet delights. We have ample time to browse, listen to the stories of the producers and gather gifts for loved ones. What a fabulous way to end our getaway! We farewell Toowoomba and make our way to the Woodlands of Marburg, a heritage listed mansion and estate. As we arrive at the mansion, we are transported back in time to an era of grand estates and opulent living. Our guide will take us on a tour of the mansion, providing us with a fascinating insight into its rich history. The surrounding gardens are also a must see, with stunning displays of manicured lawns, fountains and statues. After exploring the estate, we stay on for afternoon tea in the elegant dining room. It’s now time to sit back and relax as we head for home arriving back into the Sunshine Coast late afternoon.
*There will be an onsite café at the Bush Christmas Exhibition for the group to grab a light lunch
Breakfast at the motel | *Lunch own expense and arrangements Toowoomba
Tour Inclusions
- 3 night’s motel accommodation
- 3 motel Cooked Breakfasts
- 3 motel 2 course Dinners
- 3 included lunches – see below
- Entry, tour, talk and morning tea at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes
- Entry and guided tour at Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre
- Lunch at Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre, day 1
- Entry and guided tour at Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre
- 1 hour Guided tour of Stanthorpe with the services of a step on guide
- Entry to gardens, talk and Devonshire Morning Tea at Aloomba Lavender
- Lunch at Vincenzo’s The Big Apple, day 2
- Entry and visit to Washpool Farm Soaperie
- Guided tour of Truffiere and tastings at the Truffle Discovery Centre
- Entry and tastings at Stanthorpe Cheese
- Group Self-guided tour at Stanthorpe Museum
- Lunch at Stanthorpe Museum, day 3
- Farm talk and Afternoon Tea at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm
- Entry, guided tour and Afternoon Tea at Woodlands of Marburg
Confirmed Accommodation
- The Vines Motel and Cottages, Stanthorpe – 3 nights
| Double / Twin | $1,480 per person = $2,960 |
| Single | $1,715 |
A non-refundable deposit is required within 7 days of booking. the amount of the deposit will be specified for each holiday. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.