Between Girraween National Park’s 12 walking trails and the Granite Belt’s 50 plus cellar doors, you’ll soon see this region gives you plenty of ways to fill your itinerary.
You’ve set your sights on the giant boulders of Girraween National Park, there’s just one problem - it’s just that bit too far away for a day trip - you need a place to stay.
Girraween is a good three-hour drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, sitting in the south-west corner of the Queensland map, making it a destination that begs for a weekend’s worth of discovering.
Between Girraween National Park’s 12 walking trails and the Granite Belt’s 50 plus cellar doors, you’ll soon see this region gives you plenty of ways to fill your itinerary.
What are you waiting for? Pack your hiking boots and check into one of these best places to stay near Girraween National Park.
If you’re not opposed to DIY-ing your accommodation, there are two campsites within Girraween National Park, Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek camping areas.
Both have easy access to the walking tracks, so you won’t have a commute between breakfast and your morning hike.
If you’re travelling with a caravan or motor home, Castle Rock is where you should base your stay, but if you’re with a tent or camper trailer both sites can accommodate your set up.
Either way, Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek are both Queensland Parks run, and have showers and loos, perfect for first-time campers and those wanting the creature comforts nearby.
Of course, if your camping style is more Bear Grylls than family-camp, there’s remote bush campsites in the southern section of the park, which are also managed by Queensland Parks.
There’s just one catch when it comes to remote bush camping – you’ll have to hike for a full day before even setting up.
Image: facebook.com/girraweenlodge
If the 117km2 of Girraween National Park wasn’t enough big nature for you, check into the Girraween Environmental Lodge, where you can sleep among their 400 acres of native bushland, which backs onto Girraween’s rocky and rugged landscape.
Choose between one of 10 wooden chalets which blend into the environment with their sympathetic architectural design, constructed using recycled timber.
You won’t need to go far to start your day’s hiking, bushwalking trails start from your chalet, taking you right into the heart of Girraween National Park.
Like most of our country, the seasons transform this property and the Girraween National Park experience, so choose wisely – do you want to be cooling off in rockpools by summer day or rugging up by the fire for cosy winter nights?
Better yet, why not experience both?
Image: facebook.com/twistedgumwines
When you’re visiting a region famous for both its walking and wineries, it’s worth checking into accommodation that’s close to both – Twisted Gum Cottage.
The restored farmers cottage (est. 1920) at Twisted Gum Wines is the perfect base for your Girraween National Park adventure – especially if you’re travelling in a group, with its three bedrooms, two bathrooms and fully equipped kitchen.
When you’re not exploring the nearby national park, set out for a walk across Twisted Gum’s 40-hectare property which is responsible for growing premium quality grapes for its cellar door.
No need to draw short straws for a designated driver if you happen to sample a few too many crisp white wines or find out you have a taste for their pink Moscato – it’s only a short shuffle back to your weekend home base.
Image: facebook.com/vineyardcottagesandcafe
If your brief for accommodation near Girraween National Park is cute and cosy, check into Vineyard Cottages near Ballandean.
If you’re combining your hike with wine tasting your way around the Granite Belt, you’ll be happy to know your hosts at Vineyard Cottages can arrange a wine tour for you, with pick up and drop off.
Choose between three different cottage types – queen cottages, two-bedroom cottages and king terraces - each dotted around the property’s formal gardens.
For the cute country experience you travelled all this way to have, opt for the two bedroom cottage which comes with a loft bedroom complete with dormer windows.
You don’t need to step out from Vineyard Cottages grounds for your meals, with an onsite restaurant that celebrates local produce across its seasonal menu.
The onsite restaurant is an institution in its own right, set inside an old Presbyterian church (est. 1906), complete with original stained-glass windows.
Image: facebook.com/stanthorpegetaway
Traveling with friends and want options for where to stay near Girraween National Park? Set your Google search to James Farmhouse and Cottages in Ballandean.
Choose between the family farmhouse, rose cottages or two yurts on site for accommodation that ranges from cute and cosy to seriously spacious, perfect for large friend and family gatherings.
We don’t expect you’ll be spending much time in your accommodation though with more than a dozen wineries within easy drive and the 12 walking tracks of Girraween that will keep you busy.
To help plan your wine tasting adventure, uncork this article with how to do the Granite Belt three ways.
Image: facebook.com/justredwines
Calling all red wine drinkers! There is a vineyard in the Granite Belt you need to know about that only specialises in red wine and it’s got an onsite cabin with your name all over it – Just Red Wines.
After tackling one of the walks of Girraween, retire to the veranda of your cabin to sip a glass of your favourite blend watching the sun go down over the very vines that produced it.
Being fully self-contained, you won’t need to leave your two-bedroom cabin if you don’t want to, so you have more time to soak in the scenery of the native bushland Just Red Wines is set amongst.
If timing your trip for May to September, you’ll be happy to know the cabin’s log fire comes fully stocked with firewood – winter temperatures have earnt this part of Queensland its title as the coldest corner.
Looking for more places to stay in Southern Queensland Country?
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Southern Queensland Country Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways that run through these regions. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.
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