Stanthorpe and District Historical Society Museum
The Stanthorpe and District Historical Society Museum is a typical, well developed rural museum which includes a shearer's hut (1842), the North Marylands School Residence (1891), the Stanthorpe Shire Council Chambers, a small gaol, some interesting railway artefacts (commemorating the Amiens branch line for the soldier settlement area), and a vast collection of memorabilia from the area. All of the buildings have been beautifully preserved. The setting, next to the Top of the Town Caravan Park at the top of Main Street, is delightful.
Opening times for the museum are restricted to 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. on Sundays and Public Holidays. It can be opened at other times. There are a list of telephone numbers of liaison officers outside the building.
Post Office
The other major building of historical interest is the Post Office in the centre of town. Built by the Government Architect in 1901 it has a commanding position on the main street and its front is decorated by the British coat of arms. It is a good example of Edwardian Classical design with arched windows and a very ornamental ceiling.
Girraween National Park
But the chief attractions of Stanthorpe tend to be the natural features rather than the historical ones. Stanthorpe lies at the heart of what has become known as 'The Granite Belt' a region which extends for 50 km north from the NSW border. The town is totally surrounded by large granite outcrops. The two most important parks in the area are the Girraween National Park and Sundown National Park.
Girraween National Park is located 32 km south of Stanthorpe and is reached by taking the turnoff from the New England Highway at Wyberba. There are a number of walking tracks in the area ranging from a 25 minute walk along Bald Rock Creek to a 6 hour hike to Mt Norman and the Eye of the Needle. Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service have a brochure available on the park which explains its history (it was acquired in 1932 after a long history of sheep grazing), its distinctive fauna including two species of gliding possums, and provides detailed maps of how to get to the famous Balancing Rock and Sphinx Rock, Turtle Rock, The Pyramids and other impressive granite outcrops. The park ranger can be contacted on (07) 4684 5157. Camping facilities are available in the park.
Sundown National Park
This reserve along the Severn River is located on the Queensland-New South Wales border and offers excellent bushwalking opportunities through steep rugged gorges, rainforest, cypress and eucalypt forest and alongside remote waterways, although bushwalking is not recommended in summer months due to excessive heat. Sites to explore on foot include Red Rock Falls, Mt Lofty, Red Rock Gorge, Nundubbermere Falls, along the Severn River, Carpenter's Gully, Koina's Tanks (whirlpool eroded holes in the river), the rocky knowll known as Rat's Castle, McAllisters Ceek, Mt Donaldson and Donaldson Creek Falls, Ooline Creek, Blue Gorge, Mt Emily Creek and Gorge Creek.
The park features over 130 bird species and visitors can picnic, camp, canoe, swim or undertake studies of the birdlife or biosystem. Those with a 4WD vehicles can access the northern section of the park by turning off the New England Highway at Ballandean from whence it is 14 km along a gravel road to the park's eastern boundary. From this point it is anywhere from 7 to 20 km along rough 4WD tracks to campsites along the river. There are lookouts, a pit toilet at Red Rock Falls camping area, where the Falls drop 100 metres after rain, and two pit toilets at Burrow's Waterhole and Rat's Castle. The only water supply is the river - when it is flowing. Bushwalkers can leave vehicles just inside the park.
The southern part of the park is accessible by all vehicles. It is 75 km from Stanthorpe via the Stanthorpe-Texas Road then 4 km along a good gravel road to the main campsite. If you are coming from Tenterfield, head north for 5 km then turn west along the Bruxner Highway. At Mingoola (52 km) turn right and it is12 km to the park turnoff. The main campsite is the Broadwater camping area, which has pit toilets, drinking water, fireplaces, an information display, caravan sites and bush showers with a donkey boiler to heat river water. The only time bookings are required are on long weekends.
For further information ring (02) 6737 5235.
Soldier Settlements
To the north of the town on the New England Highway are the soldier settlements which were established after World War 1. They were named after famous World War 1 battlefields so that, as the old railway signs at the Stanthorpe Museum indicate, there were once railway stations at Amiens, Messines, Bapaume, Passchendaele, Bullecourt, Pozieres and Fleurbaix. Places which must have seemed strange to diggers who, after spending months in the mud and filth of the western front, were now to be called home in southern Queensland.
Orchards
The coolness has meant that the area around the town successfully grows such un-tropical fruits as apples, pears and various stone fruits including plums, peaches, apricots and nectarines.
Vineyards and Wineries
As well Stanthorpe is the centre of a thriving wine area. From Cottonvale in the north to Wyberba (south of Ballandean) there are over 20 vineyards and wineries. Outside of Cottonvale is the Mount Magnus Winery and Orchards, then just to the north of Stanthorpe is the Old Caves Winery. Between Stanthorpe and Glen Aplin are Elsinore Wines and Kominos Wines and from Glen Aplin to Ballandean there are the Granite Belt Vignerons, Stone Ridge Winery and Bugawarra Wines. The southern wineries (those between Ballandean and Wyberba) include Winewood, Sundown Valley Vineyards and Robinson's Family Vineyards. Because of the latitude (it is only a few hundred kilometres south of the Tropic of Capricorn) the area around Stanthorpe boasts the highest altitude vineyards in Australia. This unique microclimate has seen grapes grown in the area since the 1870s.
Vineyards
Mount Magnus Winery
Mount Magnus Winery and Orchards is one of the largest vineyards and wineries in the district. Located near Pozieres it was established in 1833 and has picnic and playground facilities. The wine tasting area is open from 9.00 a.m. -5.00 seven days a week. Contact: (07) 4685 3313.
Old Caves Winery
Old Caves Winery is located 2 km north of Stanthorpe. It is open from 8.30 a.m.-5.00 and offers a range of reds and whites. Contact: (07) 4681 1494.
Elsinore Wines
Elsinore Wines are located at the tiny settlement of Glen Aplin. Open only on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 8.30 a.m.-5.00 it specialises in exclusive boutique wines. Contact (07) 4683 4234.
Kominos Wines
Kominos Wines are located near Severnlea on the New England Highway. With vineyards growing pinot chardonnay, semillon, chenin blanc, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes the winery produces a wide range of reds and whites. Inspection is by appointment. Contact (07) 4683 5275.
Granite Belt Vignerons
Granite Belt Vignerons are renowned for their fortified wines and ciders. They provide picnic facilities and are open seven days a week. Contact (07) 4683 4382.
Stone Ridge Vineyards and Winery
Stone Ridge Vineyards and Winery are located off the New England Highway at Glen Aplin. Specialising in quality varietal table wines, especially shiraz and chardonnay, the winery is open from 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. and can be contacted on (07) 4683 4211.
Bungawarra Wines
Bungawarra Wines at Ballendean offer award winning reds and whites as well as fortified wines including a vintage port and liqueur muscat. Open from 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. seven days a week with picnic and barbeque facilities they can be contacted on (07) 4684 1128.
Winewood Wineries
Winewood Wineries are one of the newest wineries in the area having only started production in 1985. They specialise in red and white table wines. Open 7 days a week from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. they can be contacted on (07) 4684 1187.
Sundown Valley Vineyards
Sundown Valley Vineyards boast the largest wine vats in the Stanthorpe area. From these vats have come award winning reds and whites and a champagne style sparkling wine. They are open seven days a week from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. and can be contacted on (07) 4684 1226.
Robinson's Family Vineyard
Robinson's Family Vineyards were established in 1969. The predominant grapes are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is open for tastings and purchases seven days a week from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Contact (07) 4684 1216.
Mountview Wines
Mountview Wines are located at Mt Stirling Road in Glen Aplin. They specialise in Shiraz, Cabernet Merlot, Champagne and Cerise. For opening times contact (07) 4683 4316.
Gem Fossicking
The area is also noted for its gemstones and gem fossicking (for smokey quartz, topaz, zircon, garnet and the occasional sapphire) is common in most of the streams in the area. Apparently the best places are Spring Creek, Severnlea River and Quart Pot Creek. A fossicking permit has to be obtained from the Court House in Stanthorpe.
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