NederlandsToowoomba & South Western Queensland
Toowoomba and the South Western region of Queensland has a unique climate and is a region full of contrast with granite boulders, water falls, wineries and landscapes including a variety of both intensive farming including orchards, viticulture and broad acre crops. The area surrounding the towns of Stanthorp and Tenterfield is known as the Granite belt and some of the scenery is spectacular. This area has become Queenslands premier wine growing district and a weekend spent here can be filled with wonderful experiences moving around the vineyards and tasting the local produce.
The area is also popular for its Christmas in July festival as it allows Queenslanders used to higher temperatures, to experience a colder climate and the pleasures that brings which include great restaurants and b&bs, open fires and occasionally a snowfall to delight the children.
Another must see is Stanthorpe with its legendary wineries and spectacular national parks - the perfect getaway for whatever you require - a romantic lover's retreat in cottage accommodation to a back to nature experience at the foot of the awesome granite formations of Girraween National Park.
Bunya Mountains set in the hinterland of the rich farming and grazing areas of the South Burnett, was once a sacred area for Aboriginals. The National Park has been established since 1908, making it the second oldest in the state. The sub tropical rainforest features scenic walking tracks, cascading waterfalls, wild orchids, eucalypts, hoop pine and grass trees. Magnificent strangler figs and bunya pine trees are features of the park. Possums, wallabies, king parrots, rosellas are commonly sighted. The views are breathtaking, and a hikers delight. A wide range of accommodation from camping grounds, cabins, B&Bs and chalets.
South Western Queensland also offers a diversity of horticulture products including potatoes, olives, sunflowers, apples, pears, berries and grapes. Each year the Stanthorpe region harvests many tons of grapes that are then pressed for wine making.
The vineyard areas stretch from the Granite Belt at the N.S.W. border up as high as Bundaberg in Central Queensland. The acceptance of Queensland wine has accelerated over the past decade and the quality has definitely been raised to rival many other Australian growing areas.
