Stanthorpe: Vineyard Cottages and Cafe

While some of the furniture might seem a little dated, there’s a rustic – if not regal – charm about the place – right down to the bottle of home-made almond biscuits waiting in a jar on top of the mini bar. Make a cup of tea, relax in the deep chair and peer into the manicured gardens built around paths which all lead to a central pergola.

The bathroom is neat and clean, and there is a double spa bath which sits under a shower head.

The Food

The focal point of the property is an old church, in which sits reception, a large fire place and lounge, plenty of board games, and the restaurant.

Tables are spaced well apart and music pipes through. The Brisbane Times Good Food Guide rates it a 13/20, and speaks well of the menu: “The orchards of Stanthorpe influence a menu, which, in the halcyon setting of an old church, is divine in its simplicity.”

Most produce here is locally farmed, including quail, steak from nearby Warwick, and fruit and vegetables from the famed granite belt region.

It’s also where visitors come for breakfast where local dairy is again a feature. Order a hot breakfast to accompany the basic continental offerings at the table.

The Activities

It wasn’t so long ago that Queensland was noted for producing bad wine. Stanthorpe was one place which helped turn that poor reputation around. There are a number of wineries in the region now producing 5-star wines, few better than Symphony Hill just down the road.

There are now more than 50 wineries in the region, so flip a coin to see who gets to use the spit bucket, and swirl happily through a confined area of about 15km nearest the cottages.

It’s still hard to resist some of the locally-grown fruit and veg markets, and juice is still a popular option.

Some will get the guilt-charged urge to go for one of the walks in Girraween National Park. Others will take another sip of their newly-found favourite reserve pinot noir, and prefer to admire the Roberts Ranges from a safe distance.

The Weekend

As is so often the case with country manors, the hospitality outshines the larger city or coastal properties. John and Penny Hodges will welcome you, show you to your room, and in the morning they’ll cook. There is, however, a chef to do the cooking at night.

This is clearly a driving holiday. So put on a hat and be ready to explore. With about 20 quality wineries in the area – some with cafes and quality food for lunch including the highly recommended Jersey Girls Café near Stanthorpe which opened last year and sources cheeses, chutney, beef and veal direct from the farm on which it sits.

It’s a good three-hour drive from Brisbane, so most will find that two nights works much better than one. Wine connoisseurs will happily spend days. Most will find that two days of exploring is just about right.

• Simon Holt was a guest of Vineyard Cottages & Cafe.

• View other great Queensland escapes