In this blog, we’ll be covering some of the local Stanthorpe highlights. But there is so much more to the area that we couldn’t include. The only way you can learn more about Stanthorpe is to visit for yourself!
A is for the (Big) Apple
We love our big things in Australia, and Stanthorpe is no exception. The Big Apple in the neighbouring town of Thulimbah can be spotted from the New England Highway.
You can read more about the significance of apples in the area in our O is for Orchards section below.
B is for Brass Monkey
The phrase, “it’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” is often heard around here due to Stanthorpe’s fame as Queensland’s coldest town.
On the corner of Maryland Street and Railway Street in Stanthorpe, you’ll find a little brass monkey statue with some small balls. Now, it’s not what you’re thinking! This is a reference to cannonballs resting in a pyramid on a brass plate called a monkey. On cold nights, the monkey would shrink and the balls would fall.
C is for Cheese
Wine, apples, and cheese; what a combo! Stanthorpe Cheese in Thulimbah are a cheese manufacturer who create cheeses inspired by the local area. Their range is overwhelming, but you can taste some samples with a cheese tasting platter in the Jersey Girls Café. Our favourites are Granite Gold, The Outlaw, and Ruby.
D is for Donnellys Castle
Donnellys Castle offers pleasant walks around granite rock formations and caves. The area was used as a hideout for Captain Thunderbolt, who roamed the New England Tableland. Make sure to visit the lookout, which offers beautiful views of the area. Just be mindful of the yowie!
E is for Eateries
There’s plenty of places to eat in the Stanthorpe area. We have lots of produce grown locally, including fruit, vegetables, and wine, so a lot of the eateries will champion this in their menu. You can find more of our café and restaurant recommendations in our food blogs.
F is for Farmers Markets
Thanks to our vast array of local products, farmers markets are a regular activity in Stanthorpe. Every Saturday morning at Stanthorpe’s Railway Station, you can find fresh produce and delicious doughnuts at the Granite Belt Farmers Market.
On the 2nd Sunday of the month, we have the Market in the Mountains, and on the 4th Sunday of the month, get yourself down to the Stanthorpe Showground Markets! There’s always something to shop for when you visit.
G is for the Granite Belt
Stanthorpe is the heart of the Granite Belt, a region stretching from Warwick to Wallangarra. Unsurprisingly, the Granite Belt gets its name from the predominante granite geology of the area.
As you drive around, you’ll likely see large granite boulders by the side of the road. They are a key aspect of our area and are even the highlights in National Parks such as Girraween and Bald Rock.
H is for Heritage Listings
As you drive around Stanthorpe, you may spot some buildings with interesting exteriors. Keep an eye out for the following heritage listed buildings:
- Stanthorpe Post Office (1901), the first post-Federation post office built in Queensland
- Masel Residence (1937-1938), an early example of modernist architecture
- The Central Hotel (1908), a striking masonry hotel
- Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge (1886), see our R is for the Red Bridge section
I is for Italians
The first grape vines in Stanthorpe were planted at the foot of Mount Marlay in 1878 by Father Jerome Davadi, an Italian Catholic priest.
And later in the 1930s, a large number of Italians moved to the Stanthorpe region. With them, they brought knowledge of viticulture and stone fruit. As the alluvial tin dwindled, Stanthorpe was no longer a mining powerhouse and instead became known for its agriculture (see Q is for Quart Pot Creek for more details on Stanthorpe’s mining history).
Ballandean Estate Wines, one of the oldest vineyards in Queensland, was purchased by Salvatore Cardillo from Sicily. Wine was first made in 1932. You can also find a mural of another prominent Italian, Angelo Valiante, opposite the Stanthorpe Post Office.
The Italian influence on the region is undeniable!
J is for Jams
The Stanthorpe area is jam-packed full of stores selling locally produced jams, relishes, chutneys and preserves.
Special shoutout goes to Jamworks Gourmet Foods which is just round the corner from us at Severn River Cottages – we love their breakfast menu and relishes! Other businesses to visit or their jarred goodies include Blue Pot Pantry, Granite Belt Gourmet and Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery & Café.
K is for the Kambuwal people
The Kambuwal people were the indigenous Australians who’s eastern boundary stretched into the area we now know as Stanthorpe.
Information is limited on this tribal group, but the Amiens History Association has compiled some great resources on their website and at the Amiens Legacy Centre. It’s well worth a visit!
L is for (Stanthorpe) Library
The Stanthorpe Library on Lock Street was an invaluable resource when putting together this blog. The Library has an extensive collection of local history books available, but for a brief overview of the area, we recommend the following:
- McEwan, S and Boatfield, P. (2022). Tin town! : a pictorial passage through 150 years of Stanthorpe’s history: 1872-2022
- Stanthorpe, Qld. : Festival Committee. (1972). Stanthorpe apple & grape harvest festival and centenary celebrations
- Walker, E. (1972). Queensland’s granite belt in colour
- Walker, E. (1982). Granite wilderness : Granite Belt national parks
M is for Mount Marlay
Overlooking Stanthorpe is Mount Marlay. At the summit (which is 919m above sea level and about 100m above the town) you’ll find stunning panoramic views, walking routes, and mountain biking trails. Bring a picnic and soak up the sights!
N is for National Parks
There’s six national parks within a 90 minute drive of Severn River Cottages:
- Bald Rock National Park, NSW – 40 minutes drive away
- Basket Swamp National Park, NSW – 60 minutes
- Boohoo Boonoo National Park, NSW – 60 minutes
- Girraween National Park, QLD – 25 minutes
- Maryland National Park, NSW – 55 minutes
- Sundown National Park, QLD – 70 minutes.
The national parks listed have various activities and amenities available, but our recommendations would vary depending on what you want to do. For example, Girraween NP has lots of smaller trails suitable for families or relaxed strolls. Whereas Boonoo Boonoo NP is perfect for a dip in the rockpools on a hot summer’s day. All have campground facilities.
We’re lucky to be surrounded by the beautiful Australian environment, and we encourage everyone visiting the Granite Belt to soak in the views at a national park!
O is for Orchards
As Queensland’s major apple supplier, it’s no surprise that the Stanthorpe area has plenty of orchards to pick from.
Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cider and Shed Café is open year round, selling local apple juice, desserts, and ciders. And when apples are in season, you can pick your own at Nicoletti Orchards, Coco’s Orchard, and Eastern Colour. To represent the importance of apples in Stanthorpe, we’ve got our very own Big Apple (see the A is for the Big Apple for more details).
P is for Precious Stones
While Stanthorpe was mostly mined for tin (see the T is for Tintown section below), other precious and semi-precious stones have been found in the area. Fossicking is a popular hobby for locals and visitors alike.
Due to the geological nature of the granite area, different varieties of quartz and topaz can be found. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sapphire. We’ve spotted people fossicking in the Severn River when the water levels are low, as it’s a well-known spot for precious stones!
Q is for Quart Pot Creek
In 1872, people flocked from around the world to Quart Pot Creek to mine alluvial tin, which is often found in close proximity to granite. Tin was prevalent, and helped boost the prosperity of Queensland. But the “tin rush” didn’t last long, as by 1892 it was reported that nearly all the tin was gone.
Quart Pot Creek runs through the heart of Stanthorpe and offers a pleasant walking or cycling route through the town.
R is for the Red Bridge
The Red Bridge was built in 1886 as part of the Brisbane-Sydney rail link. It’s named after its original colour scheme, but officially the bridge is known as the Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge. The booming tin industry helped put the area on the map, and the railway network was extended into the Stanthorpe region in the 1880s.
Nowadays, the Red Bridge is no longer red. Visitors can walk along the creek underneath the bridge. Or you can catch the Southern Downs Explorer heritage train which passes over the bridge on its journey from Warwick to Stanthorpe.
S is for the Severn River
Our namesake! The Severn River is accessible at the bottom of Severn River Cottages. We’ve spotted many creatures who call the river their home, including azure and sacred kingfishers, pelicans, and turtles. Kangaroos and wallabies also stop to rest on the river bank. If the water level is up, it’s great for a peaceful kayak.
We encourage all guests of Severn River Cottages to take a moment to relax by the river. You never know what you might see!
T is for Tintown
As we mentioned before, Quart Pot Creek saw a massive influx of miners looking for alluvial tin. The area was developed around the creek, and eventually came to be named “Stanthorpe”, where “stannum” is Latin for tin, and “thorp” is Middle English for village.
U is for Unique things to do
The Granite Belt region is a popular area for tourists. Yes, we are the coldest place in Queensland, and yes we have wineries, but that’s not all!
We have well-renowned unique businesses such as the Granite Belt Christmas Farm, Jamworks Gourmet Food, the Granite Belt Maze, and the Ballandean Pyramid to name a few attractions. You won’t find these anywhere else!
We cover more activities in our things to do in Stanthorpe blog – check it out for our recommendations.
V is for Vineyards
Thanks to our elevation, we have over 50 wineries in the area. Cool-climate wines such as Shiraz, Merlot, Riesling, and Chardonnay thrive here.
We’re also known for our Strange Bird wines – alternative wines made exclusively using Granite Belt grapes. For wine-lovers, the Strange Bird Wine Trail is not one to be missed!
W is for Winter
Winter in Stanthorpe is a massive season for tourists, as we’re the coldest place in Queensland! You just can’t beat having a glass of wine or a hot chocolate next to a crackling fire.
Snow has been seen in the area, although the last significant snowfall was in 2015. Fingers crossed we get some this year!
X is for eXtraordinary views
After a busy day out, take a moment to look at the sky. You’ll probably notice a vast horizon, rolling hills, and extraordinary views.
Sunsets on the Granite Belt are dramatic, with the pastel sky changing colours in a blink of an eye. You’ll notice that the night sky is dotted with thousands of twinkling stars. And on a clear night, you’ll see the hazy band of the Milky Way.
Y is for Your Experience
We hope this overview of the Stanthorpe area has helped inform your itinerary for your next trip. We love visitors coming to visit our beautiful region, and many businesses work tirelessly to champion and showcase our unique experiences.
Z is for ZZZ 😴
Phew! You’ve now learnt about Stanthorpe, so now it’s time to book your Stanthorpe accommodation.
At Severn River Cottages, we have three private, sandstone cottages surrounded by peaceful bush and the Severn River. And we’re within range of all the local highlights listed in this blog!
It’s now time to relax after a day of exploring with your feet up by a warm fire.
