Aussie wine lovers can now sleep inside a luxurious oversized barrel
The lodge
Barrel View Luxury Lodges, Ballandean, Queensland.
Check in
The pastoral lure of wine country is a beautiful thing. And as you pass through the Granite Belt high at the northern end of the New England Tablelands, there are endless vistas in every direction. It’s a little over three hours’ drive (about 250 kilometres) from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but the journey is a fascinating feast of subtropical hinterland – past several mountains, national parks and state forests – before you arrive on the lofty plateau.
The three cabins are made to look every inch like oversized wine barrels.
This is an area that offers four distinct seasons, some of Australia’s highest vineyards and every chance of seeing snow – yet you’re still in the Sunshine State. Stanthorpe is the biggest town here with Ballandean to the south, a hub around which most wineries are located and where Barrel View Luxury Cabins enjoys brilliant positioning. There’s not a single traffic light, it’s easy to find and, to top it off, utterly remote. However, you’ll likely attract some glares from the locals on the way in – kangaroos and wallabies can have the worst manners at times.
The look
The three cabins are made to look every inch like oversized wine barrels. With the cylindrical shape of the wooden plank exterior and metal straps shining in the sun, they come across as Lord of the Rings-esque Hobbit holes, with a touch of Scandinavian charm. Sitting at the crown of a granite boulder-littered escarpment, they ooze character. Completed only last year, these three innovative dwellings are the concept of a daring local couple, who challenged an engineer and builder to come up with the goods. They accepted and certainly delivered.
The room
Scandinavian charm: inside a cabin.
Upon arrival, you’re met with private shaded parking and a convenient keypad entry (check-in online the day before). Each cabin is named after a rare grape variety grown in the district, giving you Barbera, Saperavi and Tempranillo to choose from. Although similar, there are subtle distinctions between scents, bedding and overall room palettes. If they’re bucolic on the outside, they’re modern and sleek inside: calm neutral tones throughout, polished concrete floors, stylish lamp fittings and a plush king-sized bed make the most of the space. Due to the curved walls and ceiling, it was fun to notice the acoustics when my partner spoke to me from across the room – she sounded scarily like she was standing right behind me.
Watch the sun set on the patio.
A beautiful bathroom with a wet room-style shower and vessel sink continue the schmick look. But the highlight has to be the full-sized arched window doors that lead your eyes on a journey into the Queensland bush – without leaving the bed – and the patio just beyond them, where you can sit in the evening and ogle the night sky or sip your morning coffee as the dew dissipates.
Food + drink
On arrival, you’ll come across a bottle of wine (matched to your lodge namesake) and biscuits. Each stay gets its own breakfast hamper with a selection of local yoghurts, cereals, pastries and fruit, all pairing nicely with your barista-style caffeine hit courtesy of an automatic coffee machine. Cooking facilities are limited to a microwave and fridge, but there is an array of crockery and cutlery should you feel like preparing something. Otherwise, nearby Balancing Heart Vineyard does incredible stone-baked pizzas; the Ballandean Tavern has top-notch pub-style dishes, and St Jude’s Cellar Door and Bistro creates stellar breakfasts and lunch options.
Out + about
When in Rome – drink wine. You’re spoilt for choice with wineries dotted around the nearby lanes and back roads with open doors to tastings and sales. Bent Road Winery’s masterclass on their differing styles is captivating while highly informative, and Art of Krupinksi is a new family-run vineyard already knocking out noteworthy drops. For the gastronomic-minded, Folly Truffles is the only commercial truffiere in Queensland and, come winter, their hunting and cooking courses are a fantastic way to witness these highly esteemed fungi.
The verdict
Serene, individual and refined, Barrel View Luxury Lodges are everything you need to explore this often-forgotten wine region. A textbook answer to a restorative sojourn into nature with wine to boot – sans kids, obviously.
Essentials
From $400 a night (two-night minimum). 137 Days Road, Ballandean. Phone: 0488 020 808. See barrelview.com.au
Highlight
Draw back the curtains, and the view is stunning – even better enjoyed from bed at first light.
Lowlight
Dining out options are limited, so you may have to consider eating in on one of the nights.
Our rating out of five
★★★★½
The writer was a guest of Barrel View Luxury Lodges.
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