Stanthorpe, Australia

Stanthorpe is the major town of Queensland’s Granite Belt district that lies in the south east of the state in the mountains of the Great Dividing Range. This range runs right along the east coast of Australia from the Snowy Mountains in Victoria right through New South Wales and stretching from southern Queensland right through to Cape Yorke Peninsular in the north. The granite belt region is a rich agricultural center and very popular as a short breaks destination for the residents of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

During the winter months Stanthorpe can be very cold and snow is not unknown. The Christmas in July festival is very popular with Queenslanders as it provides the unique experience of being able to sit and enjoy an open fire in a state that is best known for its sunshine. Stanthorpe and the surrounding districts has lots of bed and breakasts as well as plenty of quaint country accommodation with hospitable country hosts to look after you. Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt is also the home of the Queensland wine industry and there are many cellar doors in the region for the tourists to visit and sample the local produce.

Stanthorpe lies on the New England Highway and travelers moving north from Sydney or south from Brisbane will travel through the region if they choose to take the inland highway. It is a great place to stop off for a few days and explore some of Australia’s most beautiful countryside.