Brisbane to Granite Belt Romantic Escape

Friday morning

Let a short, two-hour drive south-west from Brisbane initiate your romantic weekend away with a show-stopping long lunch at Spicers Peak Lodge. Perched atop the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, 1,100 metres above sea level, The Peak restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine with uninterrupted views of Main Range National Park. Dishes such as Red Gum Lamb Rack, Kangaroo Island Marron and Abrohlos Island Scallops are eager to impress on your special occasion, with a chef’s tasting menu the best way to explore The Peak’s seasonal flavours.

Before continuing your journey, set the tone of the weekend with a relaxing couples’ aromatherapy massage at the Lodge’s Spa Anise. Melt the rest of the world away and leave behind the city bustle with pure botanical essential oils to awaken the senses and ease tension.

Friday afternoon

Feeling blissful and relaxed, enjoy the onward two-hour drive through the rolling hills to the Folly Truffles farm gate in Ballandean for fresh truffles, a culinary delicacy and celebrated aphrodisiac. The crisp winter evenings, morning frost and dry summer days provide ideal growing conditions for these morsels.

Nearby, sweet tooths will want to make a pit stop by the Heavenly Chocolates shop at Wisteria Cottage for rich, velvety chocolates and more edible gourmet goodies to delight in over the weekend (or, all at once – we’re not judging).

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town of Stanthorpe and the Street Art Trail with large murals and sculptures scattered throughout the streets. Opposite the local post office is a mural of Angelo Valiante, one of the first Italians to settle in Stanthorpe. Fun fact - Valiante turned 100 in the month the artwork was completed.

Did you know - Stanthorpe is Queensland’s coldest town. In winter you may even see snow, with temperatures known to drop as low as -10°C. Aside from an excuse to snuggle up next to the fire, Stanthorpe’s microclimate and granitic soil gift the area perfect conditions for winemaking and farming.

Want to surprise your loved one with a gift, find the perfect thing at Washpool Supply Co. From hand-made bath bombs, shaving soaps, essential oils and candles, you’ll find something to suit.

Friday evening

Start the evening with a relaxed grazing platter and wine flight of your choice at The Barrelroom Wine Lounge at Ballandean Estate. Cosy and intimate, you and your beloved can sink into the leather lounges beside the crackling fire and taste the Estate’s Strange Bird premium varietals or their 50^th Anniversary Opera Block Shiraz.

Interestingly, the Granite Belt experiments with lesser-known varietals, unlike other regions which are known for one or two signature grapes. Strange Birds are what the region calls the rare varietals crafted in Granite Belt Wine Country. A wine is only called a Strange Bird if it represents less than 1% of Australia’s vines.

There is no shortage of luxury accommodation options in the region to impress for your romantic weekend away. Stay in a giant wine barrel at the Barrel View Luxury Cabins in Ballandean with 180 degree views spanning across Girraween and Sundown national parks. Equipped with king-sized bed, fluffy robes, private ensuite, bottle of Strange Bird wine and breakfast platter for two, you’ll find this the perfect place to unwind.

If an outdoor spa sits high on your list of amenities, you’ll want to book Alure Stanthorpe. With sophisticated villas or glamping tents available, both inclusive of fireplace and outdoor spa for stargazing, you’ll have all the elements required for romance. Alure also offers additional packages for romance including bouquets of fresh roses, lit candelabra, and a bottle of sparkling wine so you don’t need to worry about a thing.

For a rustic cabin in secluded bushland, you’ll want to try the Granite Belt Retreat. The timber cabins include a private veranda, log fire and two-person spa to soak in with a glass of bubbles. With a bar, restaurant and brewery onsite you won’t go hungry with all guests waking up to a breakfast basket filled with freshly baked bread, butter, house-made muesli and jam, milk, local fruit, coffee and apple juice.

Saturday morning

Today don your walking shoes for a day of exploring and creating memories. Collect a grazing platter box from Brinx Deli filled with fresh fruit, cured meats, cheese and dips, olives and more deliciousness to fuel you for a hike through Girraween National Park.

Formed approximately 225 million years from major earth movements which forced magma upwards and solidified to form granite, ‘Girraween’ is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of flowers', best demonstrated by the wildflower displays in spring.

Follow The Pyramid trail, two hours return, to the seven-metre-high, six-metre-wide boulder delicately standing on its tiny base. Known as Balancing Rock, it is just one of many precariously balancing granite boulders dotted throughout the 11,800 hectares of National Park.

Saturday afternoon

Raise your hand if you are visiting for the wine? The Granite Belt is one of the highest wine regions in Australia, standing at 1,000 metres elevation.

To discover the Granite Belt Wine Trail and bask in the romantic vineyard walks, book a tour with Filippo’s Wine Tours for private tasting experience across the region. Meet the winemakers and be guided through wineries of your choice in this completely personalised itinerary including a gift and two-course lunch.

Saturday evening

It’s time to dress up with a black tie degustation dinner at the Heritage Estate Winery. On Saturday evenings from 6pm you and your date will be treated to French champagne on arrival, followed by seven courses with locally matched wines and a live string ensemble.

If you’re after a more casual dinner try Essen Restaurant in Stanthorpe for home-style meals with seasonally and locally-sourced ingredients. Essen is BYO - perfect for bringing a drop picked up from a local winery.

Sunday morning

Enjoy the surrounds of the Granite Belt from a different point of view with Granite Belt Bicycle Tours. Visit local produce providores, fruit orchards, castles and cellar doors on this half day tour including collection from your accommodation. Breeze around the quiet country streets on an e-bike with basket for all the local goodies you pick up along the way.

If you’ve overindulged enough this weekend, a leisurely stroll to Queen Mary Falls might be more your pace. On route back to Brisbane (1 hr from Stanthorpe), the falls are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. View the 40m waterfalls plummeting to the valley below from the lookout or take the short circuit walk to the valley floor and feel the cool mist from the waterfall on your skin.

Sunday afternoon

Depart for your journey back to Brisbane (2 hours from Queen Mary Falls) feeling reconnected and closer to your love with new memories to share.

Note for dog parents: both Alure and Granite Belt Retreat have pet friendly accommodation options if you don’t want to leave your fur-baby behind.