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West of Stanthorpe lay the villages and hamlets of Amiens, Greenlands and Boardwater. This area is famous for large growers of fruit and vegetables, boutique wineries, lamb, cheese and art, as well as the Passcendaele State Forest and Donnelly's Castle.
HISTORY + HERITAGE
Amiens was one of the region’s post World War I soldier settlements. The need to accommodate these servicemen forced the building of a railway and along the 20 km route were six wayside sidings at Fleurbairx, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Passchendaele, Baupaume and Messines. The terminus was located at Amiens which was named after the French City on the Somme River.
Heading west of Stanthorpe on the Texas Road you’ll pass through the villages of Broadwater and Greenlands. Not surprisingly Broadwater was named because of a long water hole in the vicinity and Greenlands after Mr B. Greenlands, a well-known builder in the 1880s.
ART, CRAFT + CULTURE
Amiens is establishing itself as a area renown for art and is home to the Art on Amiens Art Trail which is held during our Primavera Festival (spring). Nest Gallery showcases the works of both local and other Australian artists, including Eyzer Designs, in a not-so-traditional setting... a well-loved packing shed! They also offer regular art and craft workshops – get the girls together and have a weekend discovering your creative prowess.
GRAZE THE GRANITE BELT
For sublime cheese visit the Granite Belt Dairy. The tasting room offers a daily selection of cheeses at their peak of perfection for you to sample. If you get up early enough you can also join them for milking. As you continue along the road you will pass many of our large stone fruit and vegetable properties who supply Brisbane and Queensland with delectable produce.
Heading towards Texas you will come across Mallow Organic Lamb – a Delicious Magazine nominee.
NATURE + ADVENTURE
Just off Amiens Road, near Pozieres, is Donnelly’s Castle. Discover our famous granite boulders and be elevated without hours of climbing - it’s only a 200m walk to the top providing breathtaking views over the valley. Surrounded by caves, legend tells us this was a hide-out of the famous bushranger Thunderbolt!
The Passchendaele State Forest is ideal for orienteering and trail bike riding. Feeling lucky – in the forest is the Swipers Gully Fossicking Reserve.
WINERIES, BREWERIES + DISTILLERIES
As you leave our northern villages, heading towards Amiens, you first point of call should be Castle Glen – a winery, brewery and distillery you will be spoilt for choice. The Amiens region is also home to Robert Channon Wines, famous for Verdelho and also its musical concerts. Lunch or Sunday breakfast over looking their lake is not to be missed. Not far away is Ravens Croft Wines – make sure you try their award winning Chardonnay. Heading west along the Texas Road you’ll come to Casley Mt Hutton Winery which is the most westerly winery and boasts ten wine varieties.
GETTING HERE
Whether travelling to Stanthorpe from the north or south, access is via the New England Highway. Remain on the town bypass and take the Texas Road exit. Turn right again into Texas Road and pass under the bypass bridge. For Amiens you’ll take the first right into Amiens Road, alternatively continue along Texas Road will take you to Broadwater then Greenlands. We suggest you drive the scenic Armistice Way or Shearers Way. Click for a Google Map.
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