Twenty members of The Australian Society of Travel Writers recently spent a glorious weekend on the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, hosted by Granite Belt Wine & Tourism in partnership with the Southern Downs Regional Council.
Arriving from as far afield as Sydney, Lismore and Brisbane, day one saw the group welcomed to Stanthorpe where a walking tour of the town introduced them to amazing coffee, innovative street art and a visit to the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery before they had the chance to sample the many culinary flavours of the Southern Downs from the local cafes and bakeries on the main street.
The two-day visit to the region included a number of opportunities to ‘Meet the Maker’. Writers were able to interact with growers, chefs and wine makers over lunch and dinner where the writers could learn first-hand about the people that make our region’s vibrant tourism industry tick.
‘Meet the Maker’ opportunities included meeting Granite Belt local and chef Bobbi Wells from the Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate, award-winning winemakers Robyn Puglisi-Henderson from Ballandean Estate winery, Mike Hayes from Balancing Heart Vineyard, fourth generation orchardist David McMahon and a stop at the new-look Granite Belt Christmas Tree Farm.
With overnight accommodation at a variety of sought after hideaways like Kurrajong Barn & Cottages, Sancerre Estate and Girraween Environmental Lodge, there was plenty of opportunity for the group to dream up their next travel story.
Readers also enjoyed our story about Christmas Wonderland
