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Thulimbah area: includes the villages of Cottonvale and Thulimbah, on or near the New England Highway, 15 km and 11 km respectively north of Stanthorpe. Named after an early farmer, E. Cotton, Cottonvale was the start of the railway spur line to Amiens. In 1949 the post office directory recorded 60 orchardists, a store, a school of arts and a branch of the Queensland Fruit-Growers Society at Cottonvale. It has a general store, and had a primary school 1958-2004. Thulimbah, perhaps named after an Aboriginal expression describing a place of water, was a railway station (1883) on the line to Stanthorpe. Its school opened in 1914. The post office directory in 1949 recorded nearly 60 orchardists, a sawmill, a store, a blacksmith, a butcher and a baker. There is a camping ground at Thulimbah. [www.queenslandplaces.com.au]
Today the area hosts a cluster of boutique wine and food producers as well as being home to one of Australia’s Big Things, The Big Apple. Why The Big Apple? Well Stanthorpe is Queensland’s apple capital and Thulimbah is surrounded by fruit orchards, as well as vineyards and vegetable farms.
Thulimbah & Cottonvale Accommodation
Basing your stay in Thulimbah or Cottonvale gives you the opportunity to explore specialty outlets on the wine and food trails which traverse this granitic countryside. Your short break begins by booking your Stanthorpe accommodation and choosing those on the Northern Granite Belt, in particular those in Thulimbah & Cottonvale.
Things to do in Thulimbah & Cottonvale
Straddling the New England Highway a Mecca for those tempted by palate pleasers. On the eastern side is Suttons Juice & Cider Factory with its shed cafe, and directly across is Vincenzo’s at the Big Apple offering a deli, cafe and wines. From Vincenzo’s pop over the railway crossing and you’ve virtually walked through the door of Bella Rosa’s Tea Rooms, Garden Centre & Cottage for some genuine old world charm and hospitality. Also with some interesting history of its own is Heritage Estate Wines at Cottonvale.
Getting to Thulimbah & Cottonvale
Thulimbah and Cottonvale at the northern end of the Granite Belt and a comfortable 13 km drive north of Stanthorpe on the New England Highway. Travelling south from Warwick you’ll pass through Dalveen and when you see the Big Apple on the highway you’ll know you’ve arrived at Thulimbah. Continuing your journey south you’ll pass signposts for the villages of The Summit and Applethorpe and then the turnoff into the Stanthorpe town centre. Travelling north from the NSW, Stanthorpe is located 37 km north of the QLD state border. Click for a Google Map.
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