The Ultimate Guide to What’s New on the Granite Belt in 2025

The Granite Belt has always been a must-visit for wine lovers and nature seekers, but this year, it’s brimming with exciting new experiences. From hands-on adventures to unique stays and Granite Belt food and wine delights, here’s your essential list of the best things to do in the Granite Belt.

Discover the Granite Belt – Queensland’s Premier Wine Region

Located in southern Queensland, the Granite Belt is the state’s premier wine-growing district, renowned for its cool climate, fertile soils, and high-altitude vineyards. Stretching across the towns of Stanthorpe and Ballandean, this picturesque region sits at over 800 metres above sea level, creating the perfect conditions for producing award-winning wines. The Granite Belt is home to a diverse range of wineries, from boutique, family-run operations to large-scale producers, many of which focus on unique Strange Bird varietals rarely found elsewhere in Australia. With a thriving food and wine scene, stunning national parks, and charming country hospitality, the Granite Belt is a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable wine tasting in Queensland experience.

Best things to do on the Granite Belt – Gin tasting at The Gin Yard

Getting to the Granite Belt

The Granite Belt is easily accessible from Brisbane, just a 2.5 to 3-hour drive southwest via the Cunningham Highway. It’s also within driving distance from Toowoomba (2 hours) and the Gold Coast (3 hours), making it an ideal getaway for a weekend of wine, food, and adventure. For those who prefer not to drive, several tour operators offer guided wine tours and transport services from Brisbane and the surrounding areas, ensuring you can explore the region’s wineries and attractions with ease.

With so much to sip, taste, and experience, there’s never been a better time to visit the Granite Belt. Which of these new adventures will you be adding to your itinerary?

Best things to do on the Granite Belt – picking sunflowers at Nicoletti Orchards

Best Things to Do in the Granite Belt

Pick Your Own Apples & Sunflowers

At Nicoletti Orchards, visitors can wander through a picturesque orchard to hand-pick fresh apples straight from the trees. In 2025, the farm introduced Pick Your Own Sunflowers, offering a stunning golden backdrop for photos. With a picnic area, homemade apple pie, and a dog-friendly atmosphere, it’s a perfect countryside retreat that pairs beautifully with Granite Belt food and wine experiences.

I loved arriving home with a bag full of the freshest apples and an armful of the biggest sunflowers I’ve seen.  They were huge!

Luxury Bathing at Stanthorpe Holiday Park

Nestled along the Severn River, Stanthorpe Holiday Park now offers a truly unique experience: a wine barrel bath with river views. Guests can also relax in the retreat’s infrared sauna, stay in cozy cedar glamping chalets, or book a luxe ranch-style ensuite cabin. The onsite café serves farm-fresh breakfasts, snacks, and lunches, with meal delivery available to cabins. An ideal way to unwind after a long day of wine tasting in Queensland.

This place, formerly Blue Topaz caravan park, has had a huge makeover.  It’s a really cool spot and the coffee is just amazing. You’ll love their artfully decorated eatery too.  So sad I didn’t get a chance to try out the wine barrel bath, but it looks amazing.  The wine barrel cabins are cute too, and very affordable without an ensuite, but I would prefer the ensuite cabins for short stays.

Stanthorpe Holiday Park. Bath Haus

Ballandean Pub Credit Amy Walker

Ballandean’s New Gastro Pub

Under new ownership, the Ballandean Pub has been transformed into a modern-country gastro pub that celebrates the region’s finest seasonal produce. A sun-soaked beer garden and live music on weekends set the scene for a laid-back afternoon, while families will love the brand-new playground. For those looking to extend their stay, comfortable motel rooms with ensuites are available.

The Ballandean Pub is a great addition to local dining and pumps out some serious food and interesting cocktails.

Craft Gin & Alpacas at The Ginyard

This boutique distillery specialises in small-batch, ultra-premium gin and vodka, using locally grown botanicals harvested just minutes before distillation. Located along Highland Drive, the light-filled cellar door offers panoramic views of the vines—complete with alpacas wandering between the rows. Sustainability is key here, with distillation powered entirely by solar energy. Pair your tasting with a wood-fired pizza for a leisurely afternoon at The GinYard while enjoying one of the best things to do in the Granite Belt.

I had a tour through their tiny house, which is available on Airbnb.  It’s totally surrounded by alpacas (you can request them to be moved) and they just trot around having fun.  There are babies too!  My ideal spot would be a long soak in the outdoor bath watching the alpacas.  Where else can you do this?

The Gin Yard Tiny House Accommodation

Heritage railway experience travelling through the Darling Downs and Granite Belt Photo TEQ

Downs Explorer Heritage Train

Step aboard a beautifully restored steam or diesel train for a journey through the stunning Southern Downs and Stanthorpe attractions. Departing from Warwick’s historic railway precinct, guests can take a scenic trip to Stanthorpe or Ballandean on the Downs Explorer and explore the region’s Granite Belt wineries before the return journey.

This is slow travel at its best and a great way to look into local backyards. Watch out and wave to the children along the way and make sure you check out Quart Pot Creek as the train passes over.

Balancing Heart’s Vineyard Walk & Cigar Bar

Take a scenic stroll through the vines at Balancing Heart Vineyard, meet the vineyard’s miniature Highland Cow, and indulge in a whiskey tasting at the Rabbit Hole Bar. Afterward, unwind with a gourmet pizza at the cellar door, all while soaking in breathtaking views of the Robertson Ranges. A must-visit for those exploring Stanthorpe attractions.

The wine walk is a great way to learn about the grape varieties grown at Balancing Heart.  It also takes you up to the balancing heart rock which is very picturesque at sunset.  The farm animals are a big hit with children but I couldn’t get the coo in place for a selfie.  Next time!

Mike Hayes at Balancing Heart Wine Walk Granite Belt wineries

The Best New Granite Belt Wineries to Visit

1. Pick, Crush & Plunge at Ridgemill Estate

For those who dream of diving headfirst into the winemaking process, Ridgemill Estate’s Pick, Crush & Plunge Experience is the ultimate way to get hands-on. Depending on when you visit, you might be harvesting grapes straight from the vine, plunging red grape skins in open ferment vats, or watching the passionate team at work crushing the season’s bounty. This immersive, two-hour experience runs until March 20 and offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart of Granite Belt wineries.

You’ll learn so much about how wineries work with this hands-on experience. 

2. Rokkwell’s Cellar Door – A New Star in the Wine Scene

One of the region’s most exciting additions, Rokkwell is the brainchild of former TV commercial producer-turned-winemaker, Dawn Walker. Nestled in Ballandean, this boutique winery focuses on small-batch wines, with a mix of well-loved varietals and intriguing Italian newcomers like Arneis and Nero d’Avola. With its fresh new cellar door, visitors can now sample award-winning wines straight from the source, making it a top stop for wine tasting in Queensland.

Crush and Plunge at Ridgemill Estate – Best things to do in the Granite Belt

Adam Penberthy, Dear Vincent

3. Dear Vincent – Where Wine Meets Laid-Back Luxury

Taking over the historic St Judes Vineyard, Dear Vincent Wines is breathing new life into the land with a focus on sustainability and minimal-intervention winemaking. The cellar door exudes relaxed elegance, where guests can pair their tastings with seasonal delights from an upscale rotating food truck. But for a truly unforgettable moment? Hop onto the back of a vintage Landcruiser for a hilltop tasting with the vineyard’s owner. If you’re not ready to leave, the Artist Residence, a beautifully restored cottage, offers a serene escape among the vines.

4. Small-Batch Excellence at Serrena Que Estate

Wine lovers, take note – Serrena Que Estate is home to Queensland’s highest vineyard, sitting at a breathtaking 1,200 metres above sea level. Specializing in small-batch wines, this boutique winery cultivates eight rare Strange Bird varieties, including Garganega and Maturana Tinta. With its intimate cellar door and handcrafted wines, this is the place to discover something truly unique while enjoying the best of Granite Belt food and wine.

 Symphony Hill

5. Symphony Hill’s Terracotta Wine Revolution

Innovation meets tradition at Symphony Hill Wines, where their Terracotta Wines are making waves. A first for Australia, these amphora-aged wines, crafted in Tuscan-imported clay vessels, have already earned a coveted 5-star rating from wine critic James Halliday. Add to that their high-flying reputation with wines served in Qantas Business Class, and you know you’re in for a premium wine tasting in Queensland experience.

With so much to sip, taste, and experience, there’s never been a better time to visit the Granite Belt. Which of these new adventures will you be adding to your itinerary?

Disclaimer: Eat drink and be Kerry travelled courtesy of Granite Belt Wine Tourism

Wine tasting Queensland at the Barrel Room at Symphony Hill Wines