Romantic Escapes from Brisbane – Long Weekend in Stanthorpe

Romantic things to do in Stanthorpe

The beautiful Granite Belt, with Stanthorpe at its heart, is a romantic paradise waiting to be discovered.  Did you know that there is a whole host of romantic things to do in Stanthorpe?  With its amazing food, views and secluded luxury, it's a hot spot spark the flame of romance in your relationship. Here are some resources to plan a fairytale romantic weekend away from Brisbane and its surrounds.

Romance for gourmets

 

It’s been said the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. The Stanthorpe region has many great places to test this theory.  There are plenty of things to excite your tastebuds in Stanthorpe! The Bramble Patch at Glen Aplin offers fare made from berries grown on the premises – fortified berry wine, preserves, with desserts and coffee too. Mt Stirling Olives at Glen Aplin is olive heaven, with plenty of olive products available for sale from oil to tapenade and even olive trees for you to take home and grow your own.

Heavenly Chocolates at the edge of Girraween National Park propose a cup of European hot chocolate in choice of 18 flavours as well as hand crafted chocolates. Heavenly Chocolates is open Friday to Monday as well as public holidays. For a more substantial meal Patty’s On McGregor serves a wonderful standard Australian cuisine menu featuring culinary art from various other cultures – with divine desserts.  The quaint BYO (no corkage charge) restaurant is very popular and can book out early, so let us call them to make a reservation for you.

Don’t feel like eating out? At Alure Boutique Villas we offer several dine-in options for our guests to enjoy. A personal chef can be yours for the evening and can design a six course menu to your tastes. Or if you prefer to cook for yourselves we offer a Gourmet BBQ pack with generous servings of appetisers, entrée, main and dessert. Contact us for more details when you book. 

Spend a day on the wine trails

The Granite Belt is known worldwide for its wines, with most wineries in the area opening a cellar door where tastings are available and purchasing wine is hard to resist. Follow the Strange Bird Trail to visit 21 cellar doors offering wines made with alternative grape varieties. There are over 40 cellar doors and 55 vineyards in the area, catering to all palates.  If beer is more to your taste the Granite Belt Brewery in Stanthorpe is not to be missed. Tours can be booked by your accommodation or at the visitors centre so you can taste the drinks on offer and not have to worry about driving over the legal limit. Or if you prefer non-alcoholic drinks Suttons Juice Factory and Cidery at Thulimbah offers many types of apple juice and cider.

Romantic spots a-plenty

 

There are plenty of beautiful places to see in Stanthorpe.  After a hard day of gourmet food and wine tastings, you'll have plenty of lovely things to pack in your picnic basket for day two of your romantic escape to Stanthorpe! Alternatively we offer a Gourmet Picnic Hamper for two, perfect for lunch. Head to one of the local National Parks where there are numerous walking tracks to be alone with nature and your loved one.

Girraween National Park at Ballandean has much to offer with a visitor information centre adjacent to the Bald Rock day-use picnic area with tables, toilets and barbecues available for use. The unusual landscape is accessible by several walking tracks to various natural formations of creeks and granite rock. Walking tracks are graded by difficulty and distance.  

Shopping, a girl's second love

Shopping is not one of the most romantic things to do in Brisbane or the Gold Coast but here in Stanthorpe, shopping is about pottering around taking in local crafts, antiques and, of course some fashion and shoes, a girl’s gotta live.  Why not spend a leisurely afternoon browsing in town and then take in a little culture. “Markets in the Mountain” is held every second Sunday in Stanthorpe Civic Centre.

Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery in Lock Street, Stanthorpe contains almost 900 permanent works on a wide range of contemporary subjects. Exhibitions and events vary.

Art Works on Davardi is a community Art and Craft Gallery, with a reading area and coffee shop. Works on display (and sale) are by local and regional artists. This gallery also holds many workshops and an “open mic” afternoon on the last Saturday of the month for local musicians or poets.

Romance that ends in the bedroom – oooh la la!

 

There's nothing more romantic than a beautiful view, beautiful accommodation and some fabulously secluded private time!  Alure Boutique Villas are designed for couples only, with a choice of two beautifully appointed villas or a luxury five star tent for some en vogue GlampingStanthorpe Style!  Each villa or tent has a deluxe king sized bed with an ensuite, fully equipped European kitchen and private heated outdoor spa for soaking in the view.  If it's a very special romantic occasion (we get our share of questions popped) call ahead for some VIP romantic touches to your room.

There are plenty of things to do in Stanthorpe – it's a town unlike any in all of Queensland (and we think all the world!) but for couples, it's a special destination for a weekend escape from Brisbane or South East Queensland.  So close, and yet a whole lifestyle away.