Granite Belt Climate
Did you know that the Granite Belt has its own unique microclimate? Sitting at an altitude of more than 800m, the Granite Belt is unlike any other grape-growing region in Australia. If you consider that “less than 1% of Australian vineyards are located 600m above sea level,” it’s easy to understand how special this region is.
In fact, according to Halliday, the region is crowned as the only spot in Queensland to experience four differing seasons in one year. In other words, the Granite Belt experiences everything from hot summer days to freezing winter nights, as well as spring frosts and heavy rainfall.
Wine Varieties Grown in Granite Belt
Halliday notes that Shiraz grapes were the first to be planted in the granite Belt in 1965. Since then, white and red varieties have been grown in almost equal amounts (roughly 45% white and 55% red). While Shiraz remains the region’s most distinctive variety, other prominent varieties include:
- Verdelho
- Semillon
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet sauvignon
Read more about the wine styles of the Granite Belt or come and visit Stanthorpe so you discover the incredible local wines for yourself!
Granite Belt: More Than Just Wine
In addition to wine, other goodies to sample during your visit to Stanthorpe and surrounding villages include locally made:
- Olive oil and vinegar
- Cheese
- Meat pies and cured meats
- Jams and preserves
- Cheese
- Chocolate
Read more about the Granite Belt Climate or if you are looking for accommodation in Stanthorpe, you can contact our reservations team or book online.
Boulevard Motel Stanthorpe Reviews
We always encourage our guests to leave feedback. Here’s what some of our recent guests have to say about their stay with us.
Spotlessly clean room. Comfortable beds. Service was friendly and so helpful. We will be back to stay again. Do yourself a favour if you are ever staying over in Stanthorpe. Even fresh milk in a real glass bottle. Kate is a wonderful host. – Karen
Convenient location and very comfortable – George
Great location near the centre of town. Staff were friendly and the room was very clean and comfortable. – Barry
The manager,Kate was so welcoming and knowledgeable. Lovely room with big comfy beds and hot showers. All you could need. Will stay again if in the area – Jan
I was only there for a night for work. But when I do come back to Stanthorpe, I’ll be back here again. The motel was very clean, staff very friendly. Comfortable overnight stay. Would recommend. – Jack
Lovely motel, friendly staff. The room is well-equipped and clean. Great location close to main street. – Andy
A lovely place large room very clean and a good size bathroom , with a lovely view down into the park and Creek. – Gayle
Read more of our reviews on tripadvisor Boulevard Motel or book your Stanthorpe accommodation online.
Grazing The Granite Belt 2019
Stanthorpe’s most popular festival, Grazing The Granite Belt 2019, is only a couple of months away and tickets are now on sale. In fact, there are only 50 tickets left so you better get a move on if you want to join in.
Grazing The Granite Belt 2019: Whats On
Grazing The Granite Belt is 2 days (18th and 19th May, 2019) of visiting local wineries and enjoying delicious gourmet food and award-winning wines. Participating venues include:
- Balancing Rock Wines
- Pyramids Road Wines
- Hidden Creek Winery Cafe Vineyard
- Robert Channon Wines
- Jester Hill Wines
- Varias Restaurant / Queensland College of Wine Tourism
- Ballandean Estate Wines
- Casley Mount Hutton Vineyard and Winery
- Twisted Gum Wines
- Whiskey Gully Wines & Beverley Vineyard Restaurant
How Do You Graze?
Grazing The Granite Belt is easy. Simply purchase your grazing voucher book (includes bus ticket) , hop on and off the bus and use your food and wine vouchers at participating wineries. Menus and timetables will be published on the Facebook Page.
Accommodation in Stanthorpe
Looking for affordable accommodation in Stanthorpe? We still have rooms available for the Grazing The Granite Belt dates. Book your room or contact us with any questions.
Upcoming Food & Wine Events
If you love your food and wine, then you will love these upcoming events near Stanthorpe.
50 years of Shiraz at Ballandean Estate
Join in the festivities at Ballandean Estate as 50 years of growing Shiraz is celebrated. The $40 entry fee includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival as well as lunch in the Barrelroom Restaurant (including dessert and a glass of Shiraz).
Date: November 10
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $40
Dinner Under the Stars @ Twisted Gum Wines
Don’t miss this unique food and wine dining experience at Twisted Gum Wines. Local chef Jason Costanzo will treat guests to a selection of delicious, locally sourced dishes, accompanied by handcrafted single wines.
Set in the grounds of a beautiful 1920s Queenslander cellar door building, tickets will sell out fast. Spots are limited so make sure to secure yours in advance.
Date: November 10
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Cost: $150
Accommodation Near Ballandean
Ballandean is only a 20-minute drive from Stanthorpe, making it an ideal location to base yourself in while exploring Southern Queensland Country. The Granite Belt Wine Country is as beautiful as it is diverse and an absolute mecca for foodies. If you’re thinking of visiting one of the above events, check out our great value Stanthorpe accommodation, book online or contact us to ask any questions.
Hotel vs Motel: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference between a motel and hotel? They sound similar, and on the surface, a hotel and a motel seem to offer the same product. However, there are subtle differences, and once you understand them you will be able to make an informed decision as to which one is more suitable for you. Read on to discover the key differences between a hotel vs motel.
Hotels
Often located in urban areas, hotels are designed for travellers who may need to stay for more than just a few nights. Compared to motels, they have more facilities and amenities on offer like restaurants, room service, a swimming pool, a spa, and other services tailored to the needs of holiday goers and business travellers. In most cases, a hotel also provides venues for meetings and conferences.
Hotels can be a single or multi-storied building. Some, particularly luxury and five-star hotels, have multiple buildings in a single compound. A distinctive feature of all hotels is that their rooms open to the interior of the building.
Motels
What is a motel? The word “motel” is derived from the phrase “motorist’s hotel” and was used to describe “hotels” that were made especially for people travelling along highways. Motels are often located outside the centre of the city or town and are visible from main roads. Although many motels offer breakfast, they do not always have a restaurant on-site. Some don’t provide room service either. However, one advantage of motels is that their rates are usually significantly lower than hotel rates, making them a great choice for budget travellers.
Initially, the rooms of motels had doors facing the parking lot or had garages to make coming and going easy for guests. These days, this is not always the case as there are some motels that have room doors facing common areas. Some motels also have amenities similar to those offered by hotels such as swimming pool, room service, and laundry service.
Motel In Stanthorpe
Are you travelling to Stanthorpe? If you are, Boulevard Motel offers comfortable accommodation for all kinds of travellers. Just a 2.5-hour drive from Brisbane, we have 15 well-appointed rooms located beside the beautiful Quart Pot Creek. Perfect for families, couples and anyone looking for high quality yet affordable accommodation. Book your room today.
Truffle Discovery Centre Stanthorpe
If you think you have visited all of the popular tourist spots in Stanthorpe, think again. Just recently, a new tourist attraction opened in the Gateway to the Granite Belt – the Truffle Discovery Centre and it’s certainly a must-visit, particularly if you’re a foodie and you love truffles.
What To Expect at The Truffle Discovery Centre
Anyone who has extensive knowledge of gourmet dishes knows what a French Black Perigord Truffle is. This kind of truffle is frequently mentioned in culinary circles. However, it suddenly becomes elusive in commercial farming areas because of security and bio-security reasons. Thanks to the Truffle Discovery Centre, you can now see the French Black Perigord Truffle up close and discover everything related to truffles!
For only $5, you can enjoy a guided tour of the centre’s newly planted truffiere, where you can marvel at the various exhibits. There is also an interactive truffle gallery where you can see, smell, and more importantly, taste truffle products and gourmet foods with jams and sauces made from truffle.
Lawdogs Australia Show
If you’re a dog-lover, then a visit to the centre is definitely a must. One of the centre’s most popular attractions is the Lawdogs Australia Show, where members of the audience are treated with law enforcement dog demonstrations and training. It’s a great learning experience for visitors as they can see how protection, detection, and agility dogs are trained to do their jobs.
Of course, some of the dogs are also trained to find truffles. For $10 per person, guests can join these intelligent animals and their handlers in their search for truffles. They can also meet, pet, and have their photos taken with a truffle detection dog or recruit.
The Truffle Discovery Centre is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10.30am to 3.30pm, as well as during school holidays and on days when the Lawdogs Australia Dog Show With Bite is open to the public. Guided tours are held every 30 minutes.
If you’re looking for things to do in Stanthorpe, a visit to the Truffle Discovery Centre is definitely a must-try. It is an experience you won’t easily forget. See you there!
Don’t Miss the Johnny Cash Music Festival
Are you looking for something different to do in Stanthorpe? If you are, you’re in luck, especially if you’re a fan of country and rockabilly music. On the 11th of November, 2017, the Johnny Cash Music Festival will be held at the Stanthorpe Showground, so get ready for an evening of great music and family-friendly fun.
What’s It All About?
While it is a music festival, the event mostly celebrates Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter’s regular visits to Stanthorpe in the 1980s and 1990s. During that time, the couple frequented the home of Johnny’s American friend, who had moved to Australia due to family reasons. Since then, Johnny and June came to love this small country town, including its people and surroundings.
The festival will feature one of the country’s leading Johnny Cash tribute bands. Three widely renowned country and rockabilly bands are also slated to perform at the event. Still have lots of time to kill before the performances? Don’t worry, event organisers have prepared a lot of pre-concert activities for concert-goers. These activities include a contest for the best-dressed man in black, theme-related music, parades, and other family-oriented events. You might want to leave your Stanthorpe accommodation early on the day of the concert and head over to the town centre to check them out.
Secure Your Stanthorpe Accommodation
Stanthorpe’s Johnny Cash Music Festival seeks to make the event an annual affair. Organisers hope to do for Stanthorpe what the Elvis Presley Festival did for the town of Parkes in New South Wales, with the festival making large contributions to the local economy. They firmly believe that they will be able to fulfil their goal with the music of Johnny Cash remaining popular amongst all age groups. Have we convinced you? Book your tickets here.
Meanwhile, if you have plans to go to the festival in November, we encourage you to book a motel in Stanthorpe as early as possible. Check out Boulevard Motel now to reserve a room.
Grazing the Granite Belt May 2017
Love food? Love wine? Then you’ll love Grazing the Granite Belt 2017. This annual event has been running for the past 6 years and is definitely on the ‘must do’ list if you are visiting Stanthorpe. So what exactly does it involve? Twisted Gum Wines describes it as:
“A fabulous day “grazing” from one winery to the next, enjoying small plates of delicious food matched with the wonderful food friendly wines of the Granite Belt.”
Sound good? We certainly can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend!
When & Where
Grazing the Granite Belt is taking place on the weekend of 13th May, 2017. With approximately 10 venues involved, you can be assured of a variety of delicious food and wine. A shuttle bus travels around the 10 venue circuit throughout the day so you can hop on and off at your leisure. The shuttle bus timetable as well as the details and menus for each venue are available here. Tickets are $110 and include the shuttle bus service as well as a grazing passport (4 wine/beer vouchers + 4 food vouchers). Tickets sell out quickly so secure yours now.
Book Your Stanthorpe Accommodation Early
If you are thinking of coming to Grazing the Granite Belt this May, it’s important to book your Stanthorpe accommodation in advance. This popular event books out fast, and motels in Stanthorpe book out even faster! We still have rooms available so book your motel room online or contact us for any booking queries. Boulevard Motel offers affordable, high quality accommodation in a great location – read what our recent guests have to say here.
Sutton’s: More than just a Juice Factory
A visit to Stanthorpe isn’t complete without spending some time at Sutton’s Juice Factory. However, Sutton’s is more than what its popular name suggests. Sutton’s is a family run, fully functional apple orchard incorporating a juice factory, a cidery, a distillery and a shed café. This boutique business offers visitors the chance to sample apple juices, ciders and conserves, as well as enjoy delicious local produce in the café. Many of our guests have commented on the apple pie. Some think it is the best they have ever tasted, and we would have to agree!
Fast Facts on Sutton’s
David and Roslyn Sutton purchased their apple orchard back in 1994 and have grown it into the multi-faceted boutique business it is today. There are over 30 varieties of apples on the farm including traditional eating varieties (Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Gala and many more) as well as French cider apple varieties. The orchard also grows nectarines, lemons and apricots which are used in the Shed Café.
Apple Picking, Apple Tasting & More
There is a world of apple delights on offer at Sutton’s. Get involved in the ‘pick your own apples’ experience, sample and purchase a huge range of apple juices or try our award winning apple ciders, conserves and apple brandy. The farm is open 7 days a week, 9.30am – 4.30pm (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the Stanthorpe Show Holiday) and is located a short 10 minute drive north of Stanthorpe.
The popular Shed Café features a changing menu of homestyle cooking that showcases fresh, local and seasonal produce. Popular with families, the café has a selection of books, toys and colouring pencils to keep the little ones entertained. The apple pie, served with either spiced apple cider ice cream or whipped cream, is famous throughout the region and simply must be tried!
Accommodation in Stanthorpe
Looking for accommodation in Stanthorpe? Boulevard motel is suited to both couples and families looking for a clean, affordable and centrally located Stanthorpe motel. We have double rooms, twin rooms, family room and deluxe rooms, many with delightful views over Quart Pot Creek. Find out more about our rooms or ask us a question. We look forward to welcoming you to Stanthorpe!
Gourmet Dining Near Your Stanthorpe Accommodation
Just a 5 minute drive from your lodging at Boulevard Motel, you’ll find a fantastic attraction: the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. This educational centre offers students the opportunity to study viniculture, oenology, business, tourism, and hospitality. With a multi-million dollar facility and exceptional training, it’s a great place for young people to get a head start on their career. However, it’s not only a place of learning, it’s a major site for visitors to the region. Offering dining, fine wine, and more, a fantastic culinary experience is mere minutes from your Stanthorpe accommodation. To enhance your holiday, why not take a visit to this wonderful spot?
An Award-Winning Restaurant
The Varias Restaurant & Function Centre is one of the highlights of the QCWT campus. Open to the public, this operates as a real-world training opportunity for the college’s students, while providing exceptional food and beverage to guests. Open 7 days a week with a spectacular luncheon menu, Varias Restaurant emphasises locally-sourced products and regional flavours. The college’s students prepare and serve everything on the menu, consistently maintaining the highest level of professionalism. Enjoying your meal in a well-appointed environment, you can cosy up to the fire or take in the views of Stanthorpe from the outdoor patio. It is truly a remarkable dining experience not to be missed.
After you’ve settled into your Stanthorpe accommodation (with Boulevard Motel, of course), a short drive will bring you to the Varias Restaurant. Open daily from 9:00am until 4:00pm, the restaurant opens early on Sundays (8:00am) for breakfast. Due to popularity and high demand, Varias has also begun offering Friday and Saturday evening dinner service! Book a reservation in advance to ensure you get a table at this local hotspot.
Sample the Local Varietals
Here in Stanthorpe, we are in the heart of Queensland’s Granite Belt wine region. Also functioning as part of the college is nearby Banca Ridge Wines. Offering hands-on training to students by allowing them to observe and manage wine production, this is a great asset to the institution and to the community as a whole. Pay a visit to the cellar door to sample many of the local varieties produced at Banca Ridge. The cellar door is open for tasting daily from 9:00am – 4:00pm. In 2000, a student vineyard was planted, boasting tempranillo, petit verdot, merlot, and marsanne grapes. This winery is a must-do for any visitor to Stanthorpe.
Host an Event or Business Function
Perhaps your stay in the area is for more than just a holiday. If you’re travelling in Stanthorpe to hold a business event or other occasion, the Varias Conference and Function Centre may be your ideal venue. Weddings, conferences, meetings, and more can find a place here at Varias. Large groups of up to 250 can be accommodated theatre style, with smaller parties appropriate for banquet style catering. Modern architecture, spacious grounds, and a beautiful environment make this a prime spot for hosting an event in Stanthorpe.
As you can see, there is a lot going on here in our region! After selecting your comfortable and affordable Stanthorpe accommodation, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. We hope you’ll make time to visit the wonderful Varias Restaurant and the campus of Queensland Wine Tourism College.