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There are a number of scenic drives which will help you explore the Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, but if time is short, then remain on the highway and head to the NSW border where you will find the historic Wallangarra Railway station. The station and heritage centre, 59kms south of Stanthorpe, where the Border ‘break of gauge’ and Station architectural contrasts are evident. (Photo here of the original construction to the border at Fletchers cutting.)
Click here for a map of the Granite Belt Tourist Drives.
Alternative Wine Trail - click here to learn more about this Strange Bird.
Armistice Way (34km)
Drive along Armistice Way and find the Returned Soldier Settlement railway sidings, which are now clearly signposted to preserve their historical significance. Access is from the the New England Highway on the North of Stanthorpe at Thulimbah, passing through Pozieres and Amiens.
What to see/do en route:
Start with an apple juice tasting and apple picking (Summer and Autumn) at Suttons Juice Factory; Vincenzos at the Big Apple; cheese tasting at Granite Belt Dairy; Castle Glen (winery & liquers); Donnelly’s Castle for a picnic and explore the granite boulders; Passchendaele State Forest Lookout; Giardino’s Café (Bapaume Rd); Rober Channon Wines; Albert Verschuuren Pottery.
Granite Belt Drive (12km)
Also known as “The Fruit Run”, this drive takes in some of the Granite Belt’s fruit orchards. Access is from the New England Highway on the North of Stanthorpe at Dalveen.
What to see en route:
Heritage Estate (winery); Vincenzo’s at the Big Apple; Bella Rosa’s Tea Rooms and Garden Centre; Granite Belt Berries (spring & summer); Summit Estate (winery); Sam’s Fruit Shop, the Summit, local produce.
Highland Drive (31km)
Take the scenic route from Stanthorpe to Ballandean, via Storm King Dam and Eukey. Turn left into Eukey Road, just past the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre on the Southern side of town.
What to see en route:
Storm King Dam, for water sports; Symphony Hill (winery); Hidden Creek (winery); Just Red Wines.
Oracles Way (64km)
Take the Mt Lindesay Highway to Tenterfield, and discover the some beautiful country in between. Via Amosfield Road, Stanthorpe, then on to Liston and Tenterfield.
What to see en route:
Crystal Ridge Lavendars; Aloomba Lavendar Farm, Liston; Bald Rock National Park; Boonoo Boonoo National Park; Thunderbolt’s Hideout – historic site made famous by the bushranger Thunderbolt; World War II Tank Traps.
Shearers Way (90km)
Take the Texas Road from Stanthorpe to see the rugged country out west, via Glenlyon Dam Road, Mingoola Road and the Bruxner Highway.
What to see en route:
Casley Mt Hutton (winery); Catspaw Farm (winery); Glenlyon Dam; Sundown National Park.
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