Top Things to do in Southern Queensland
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Southern Queensland That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Southern Queensland, Australia including Girraween National Park, Tobin Winery, Casley Mount Hutton Winery, Filippo's Tours, Granite Belt Bicycle Tours & Hire, Crane Wines, Japanese Garden, Donnelly's Castle, Pottique Lavender Farm, Boireann Winery.
Restaurants in Southern Queensland
1. Girraween National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 363 reviews
Reviewed By YasumiE
Spent a few mornings exploring here. I was lucky to see so many wildflowers and even though it was very dry the vegetation is coming back after the fires. Lots of bird life and kangaroos.
2. Tobin Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
At Tobin Wines, we talk about growing our wine, rather than making the wine. Our winemaking philosophy is undeniably ‘old world’, all respect is paid to the vineyard, the vine, and the pursuit of perfection in grape quality, with little if any reverence paid to the winemaker or winemaking process. Each grape variety is given the spotlight to truly reveal its own unique flavour. “No wine maker is gifted enough to make those wonderful flavours & aromas all of the work happens out there, in the vineyard” Adrian Tobin The production of our wine is limited to between 100 to 160 cases of each varietal every year. Our Limited Edition wines express their origins in the rugged and majestic landscape of the Granite Belt making them truly unique.
Reviewed By 977marjorieg - Yealand Conyers, United Kingdom
Easter: a busy time in any wine-producing area! Easter Monday was however a little bit quieter in Ballandean, near Stanthorpe, on the Granite Belt. Having been advised of several notable wine-tasting opportunities in the region by a Brisbane-based connoisseur, we booked a tasting for eight of us at Tobin Wines. What an experience! Expecting a quick 30-40-minute visit, with time for at least one other winery before sunset drinks, we actually left after 2½ hours!!! Adrian, the owner, winemaker Ian and his wife Sarah, were outstanding in presenting their fabulous wines. We were offered fresh glasses for each taste … and they were more than just the little sipping taste poured by many wineries … the pours were generous, more than enough to get a really decent appreciation of each of their delicious wines. There were lots of stories about wine, wine production, the cultivation, the climate, the pitfalls, history, what to look for, an extended visit backstage, and down to the old shed, full of history, and with an original concrete wine press from 1949. And, unlike several other wineries, tasting at Tobin Wines is at no cost … although they are SO good, you are unlikely to leave without a purchase! We had been told that Tobin wines were good. They are not. The wines are GREAT, the wines are FANTASTIC, the wines are truly SPLENDID! Adrian is a perfectionist, and obviously a stickler for quality wines, which Ian produces, very obviously aiming for precision and perfection. Adrian, Ian and Sarah’s passion for what they do is so very plain to see and feel, dedicated to producing, as their website says, “premium, limited edition, hand-crafted wines.” We did not walk out empty-handed! … and we will go back!!!
3. Casley Mount Hutton Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Ranga_23490
I’ve only very recently started drinking wine and Sonya was more than accommodating, taking me and my partner through the whole process and explaining the wines, taste and the winemaking process. Very informative and friendly. Definitely worth visiting.
4. Filippo's Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 185 reviews
Stanthorpe Tours with Filippos, the tour specialists, are for people who enjoy great wine, great food and a great day out on the Granite Belt near Stanthorpe. Discover the famous wineries, craft brewery and special places of interest, whilst enjoying great company old and new friends. All our drivers are courteous and knowledgeable in the Stanthorpe South East Queensland area. We are based in an area central to several national parks, over a 100 specialist accommodation services, over 50 wineries, and many fresh fruit and vegetable producers. By travelling with a Filippos Tour, you can be sure to see the best of what's on offer.
5. Granite Belt Bicycle Tours & Hire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Granite Belt Bicycle Tours provide you with top quality bicycles for hire allowing you to take in the beauty of the region at the pace it’s meant to be seen -- Yours! Not sure where to go? Take one of our guided tours and we'll show you some great places to visit. We aim to offer you great, value-for-money leisure cycling through this scenic region of Queensland. Discover everything from boutique wineries, vineyards, gourmet produce, fruit orchards and much more while out on your ride.
6. Crane Wines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By waynerG6670TM
A wonderful surprise to find wineries (our favourite pass time) in the South Burnett. Crane wines, just outside Kingaroy, is a wonderful example of how far Qld wines have come. Judy was really pleasant and the atmosphere created is wonderful. They have a huge range of fortified wines and specialty liquors to compliment their wines. Do yourself a favour and visit this region.
7. Japanese Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 822 reviews
Reviewed By GreyRose_13 - Brisbane, Australia
The garden has a few surprises in the layout that are hidden along the small, beautiful paths. There are cascades, ducks, sunning turtles and quaint bridges to observe the bird life from and it is a reasonably short stroll around with seating available to contemplate nature.
8. Donnelly's Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Ginges_revenge - Brisbane, Australia
This was one of my favourite spots for the weekend. Even though I am in my mid 40's, it made me feel like a kid again, exploring through the amazing rock formation that is Donnelly's castle. Its a bit of trek out of the center of Stanthorpe (20 mins approx. but is well worth the drive. There is a lookout on top which is an easy walk up a gentle slope with a few stairs onto a large granite outcrop which is fenced for safety. Even though all the other boulders you can fall off of. Bit of a laugh that. Anyway, its history is of supporting a place of bushrangers to hide out in, most notably Captain Thunderbolt (AKA Frederick Wordsworth Ward) in the mid 1800's. There is a great picnic area there, small car park, some wood fire BBQ's, a council toilet as well. It would make a great area for a visit, lunch and some exploring.
9. Pottique Lavender Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Pitty604 - Queensland, Australia
Our first trip to Pottique Lavender Farm will certainly not be our last. From the simply yummy lunch, the attractive outdoor gardens, browsing the gift shop and looking at the wonderful antiques for sale this place has it all. We had a simple but delightful lunch. Great service in a very relaxing atmosphere - already planning our next trip out.
10. Boireann Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By rogerh986
On our last visit to Oz the only wine we took home was from Boireann. Peter has since retired and the vineyard is being run by Brad. We tasted some 2016 and, from the barrel, some 2017. The place is in good hands, Peter is still taking an interest and the wine seemed rounder. We will go home with a couple of bottles each of their Bordeaux blend, tannat, and a superb blend of nebbiolo and barbero they call simply rosso.
