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Family Fun When Visiting The Granite Belt

September 1, 2023/in News

There is so much to see and do around the Granite Belt, here is our suggested itinerary for a fun family day out on the Granite Belt when staying at our happy place.

  • Experience Christmas all year round – The Granite Belt Christmas Tree Farm – Feed the farm animals and try their fantastic Hot chocolates. Yum Yum!!
  • Get lost at the Maze – The Granite Belt Maze – Or try your hand at Putt Putt Golf
  • Explore Thunderbolts hideouts – Donnelly’s Castle – Take a picnic lunch and explore the hideouts of the famous Bushranger Captain Thunderbolt.
  • The BEST Apple Pie – Suttons Farm – Grab some apple pie for dessert. The kids will love it and so will the grownups.
  • Did someone say Cheese? – Stanthorpe Cheese – Pop in and try some local cheese and why not also have one of their famous milk shakes while you are there.
  • Beer from a Brass Monkey – Let mum & dad relax after a long day exploring and grab a pizza to bring back to your accommodation at Ridgemill estate and put the kids to bed and the grownups can sneak the apple pie!!

This itinerary groups together a range of attractions and experiences located around Stanthorpe that are family friendly. Starting from your base at ridgemill estate, this adventure should take approximately 4 – 5 hours depending on how long you stay at some of the attractions.

First Stop

Depart Ridgemill Estate – Make sure you say goodbye the goats before you head out for the day! –

First Stop: Granite Belt Christmas Farm

Address: 321 Aerodrome Rd, Applethorpe QLD

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 4pm

Activities: Enjoy a delicious Hot Chocolate while the kids feed the farm animals.

Time to spend here: 30 – 45 mins

Travel time to next stop: 10 mins

Second Stop

The Granite Belt Maze

Address: 364 Old Warwick Rd, Glen Niven QLD

Opening Hours: 7 days 9am to 5pm

Activities: Get lost at the maze. Or try your hand at a game of mini golf. Grab a bite to eat while you are there.

Time to spend here: 45 – 60 mins

Travel time to next stop: 5 mins

Third Stop

Donnelly’s Castle

Address: Donnelly’s Castle Road, Pozieres QLD

Opening Hours: 6 days 9am to 5pm Thursday to Tuesday

Activities: Donnelly’s Castle is famously the site used by bushranger ‘Captain Thunderbolt’ as his hideout!

Time to spend here: 30-45 mins

Travel time to next stop: 5 mins

Fourth Stop

Suttons Farm

Address: 10 Halloran Dr, Thulimbah QLD

Opening Hours: 7 days 9.30am to 4.30pm

Activities: This is the Apple Pie place that everyone talks about! Don’t forget to add the cream and ice cream!

Time to spend here: 30-45 mins

Travel time to next stop: 10 mins

Fifth Stop

Brass Monkey Brew House

Address: 106 Donges Rd, Severnlea

Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday 10am to 6pm.

Activities: Something for the grownups! Ridgemill Estate’s beer-y nice neighbours! Pop in on your way home to try an ale or two and pick up a beer for your afternoon BBQ.

Time to spend here: 30 mins

Travel time to next stop: 20 mins

Arrive Ridgemill Estate.

Relax and enjoy the spoils of your adventures!

Want more? Girraween National Park – With great walking trails. Head on down to the park to work off your lunch. Huge granite boulders tower above open forests in the spectacular and popular Girraween National Park, outside Stanthorpe in southern Queensland. Springtime is a great time to see the wildflowers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCLAqy_ewL4
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Foodies Guide to the Granite Belt

August 8, 2023/in News

Love exploring regions to discover the hidden foodie gems?

Southern Downs Food Map

The Granite Belt is also home to loads of artisan producers. Producing products like cheese, craft beers, ciders, olives, oils and vinegar’s, jams and preserves. The Granite Belt is well known for having some of the largest vegetable farms in south east Qld. Stock up on these seasonal fruit and vegetables from roadside stalls on your next visit, or visit one of the many restaurants in the area that use local seasonal produce.

Local Restaurants and Cafes.

  • Barrelroom @ Ballandean Estate
  • St Judes Bistro
  • Hidden Creek Cafe
  • Anna’s Restaurant
  • Varias @ QCWT
  • Hanasaku Japanese Restaurant
  • Suttons Farm
  • Stanthorpe Cheese
  • Jamworks
  • Brass Monkey Brewhouse
  • Essen

When visiting Stanthorpe, you start to wonder where can we eat?

With its diverse range of food outlets, you will discover some hidden gems. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot to have a coffee or place to have lunch with the family, or dinner with friends, there are a number of places you can try.

Want to experience some good old fashion hospitality then head to Jamworks. They are open Friday to Tuesday. While you are there you need to try one of their Grazing Platters with a glass or two of local wine or cider. Then afterwards you should go for the Chocolate Brownie. OMG!! It is so yummy. They have a dog friendly area if you are travelling with your four-legged friend.

If you are wanting to dine out in the evenings, there are a few places that you certainly need to experience. One being the Barrelroom @ Ballandean Estate. Matt & Bobbie have recently returned to the restaurant and boy are they serving up some fantastic food. One thing you should try while you are there is definitely their Pan-fried Barra with prawn and pea risotto.

Another place well worth a visit is Varias @ QCWT. This is a training facility for local school kids. They do an awesome job under the guidance of the head chef. My suggestion to try would be their signature dish “The Medley of Mains” YUM YUM!!! And wash it down with a glass or two of their wine.

There is a newcomer on the block. Essen Restaurant located in the old McGregor Tce food Project building; they sure have some big shoes to fill. But by all reports they are not going to disappoint. They have only been for a short time and some of the comments have been fantastic. My suggestion for you to try is their 300g Scotch Fillet.

Local Products

Grab the Granite Belt Visitor Guide and explore the many foodie trail suppliers in our region.

  • Jams and preserves @ Jamworks
  • Cheese @ Stanthorpe Cheese
  • Vinegar @ Lirah
  • Apple Pie @ Suttons Farm
  • Lamb @ Mallow Organic Farm
  • Organic Beef, free range pork @ Boss Meats
  • Chilli Products @ Chilli in Stanthorpe

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VISIT

Our cellar door is open daily for tastings and wine sales, see below for opening times, which may vary on public holidays, so please call ahead 07 4683 5211.

Monday 10 – 5pm
Tuesday 10 – 5pm
Wednesday 10 – 5pm
Thursday 10 – 5pm
Friday 10 – 5pm
Saturday 10 – 5pm
Sunday 10 – 3pm

FIND US

ridgemill estate is located approximately 5 minutes’ drive south of Stanthorpe in Queensland’s Granite Belt Region. Our address is ridgemill estate, 218 Donges Road, Severnlea Qld, 4380 for directions visit our Find Us page.

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