Find all about getting out and about in the Granite Belt with the kids. Summer is here and there is no better place to experience some good old-fashioned family fun than in the Granite Belt. The Granite Belt home to spectacular scenery, skies that stretch on forever and invigorating country air. It also a place that embraces an unhurried way of life that brings out the child in all of us. A holiday destination where you can get back to the basics with your kids, explore a world that is full of natural charm and build life-long memories that your kids will cherish forever.
Following are just some of the activities that we recommend as being well suited to kids of all ages!
Cycle along Quart Pot Creek:
Quart Pot Creek meanders through the township of Stanthorpe and offers kilometres of cycling tracks with many places to stop along the way. The kids will love the playgrounds and feeding the ducks. If you did not bring your bikes, you can hire them from Granite Belt Bicycle Tours & Hire.
Pick strawberries and see the apple trees
One of the most wonderful things for kids to do is to find out where their food comes from and then enjoy something delicious afterwards. In the Granite Belt you can pick your own strawberries at Ashbern Farms and then sit down to ice-cream afterwards while mum and dad enjoy a coffee. Visit the Sutton’s Farm café where you will be surrounded by apple orchards as you enjoy their world-famous apple pie. You can also taste their apple juices and the big kids can try their ciders!
Go looking for Captain Thunderbolt:
Walk in the footsteps of Captain Thunderbolt and explore one of his hideouts, Donnelly’s Castle. Donnelly’s Castle is not really a castle, in the traditional sense of the word, but a wonderful formation of granite rocks with a lookout and lots of exciting cave-like areas for the kids to explore. Walk around and over these boulders to take advantage of amazing views overlooking the Granite Belt.
Meet some local legends:
Go on a treasure hunt with the kids and see if you can find some of the Granite Belt local legends. At the Summit you will find the Big Apple, Ballandean is home to the Fruitosauras and just nearby you will find a Pyramid. Somewhere in Stanthorpe, get the kids to look for the Big Thermometer and the Brass Monkey!
Step back in time:
The Stanthorpe Museum has an incredible array of buildings and machinery that will keep the kids entertained for hours. Show them what it was like going to school in the “olden days’ or visit the Wilson’s Downfall Gaol that dates to 1876. The kids will also love the machinery, vehicles and historical items all from a different era. Alternatively see real steam trains, (just like Thomas the Tank) by riding the Southern Downs Steam Railway that goes all the way from Warwick to Wallangarra and return. Wallangarra is a border station straddling the QLD and NSW border and is home to an interesting station museum. You can also enjoy morning tea or lunch here as well!
Feed the birds and your sweet tooth:
Visit Heavenly Chocolate and feed the birds while you enjoy the most delicious hot chocolate or sample some home-made chocolate treats.
Visit the Lawdogs and go on a truffle hunt:
At Lawdogs Australia you can see how dogs get trained in a wonderful display of discipline and agility. Or visit the Truffle Discovery Centre and go on a truffle hunt.
Get festive:
You can get into the festive spirit any time of the year at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. Stock up on Christmas ornaments or let the kids wander and spend time with the farm animals. At Christmas time you can even pick your own Christmas Tree. (Closed from January to 1 April)
Be amazed at the Granite Belt Maze:
Get lost, confused and challenged at the Granite Belt Maze. Take part in a range of activities that are sure to puzzle and delight. The kids will be amused for hours.
Take a dip and beat the heat:
There are many options for cooling down in the Granite Belt. In the heart of town is the public swimming pool, Stanthorpe Swimming Pool which is great for locals and visitors alike. You will also find many swimming holes and creeks throughout the region. These include Girraween National Park, Boonoo Boonoo National Park, Undercliffe Falls and Storm King Dam in Stanthorpe, just to name a few.
Bike the mountain:
Mount Marlay is located only minutes away from the centre of Stanthorpe and provides a fabulous option for those of you who are craving a little adventure. Bike your way to the Mount Marlay Lookout and enjoy the panoramic views of the entire region. Then getting down the mountain is always so much fun, and a lot less effort!
Enjoy the native wildlife at Girraween:
Girraween National Park offers an incredible opportunity for kids to encounter native wildlife. Whether it be kangaroos who are plentiful in the picnic grounds or the more reclusive koalas that can often be seen when enjoying the endless walking trails of this area. Just remember though, as tempting as it is, not to feed the wildlife.
Go and see the red bridge that is not red:
For another piece of Stanthorpe history go and visit the heritage-listed railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek, also known as the Red Bridge. Here too you can enjoy some amazing rock pools.
Staying in the Granite Belt with kids
There are so many different accommodation options in the Granite Belt that are family-friendly, and the kids will love. Following are just a few options!
Camping is always a blast and you will find ample camping options in the Granite Belt. The national parks of the Granite Belt have fabulous camping grounds along with Foxbar Falls Campground and Sommerville Valley.
Diamondvale Cottages and Apple Blossom Cottage offer country cottage experiences in Stanthorpe.
Near Stanthorpe is the Granite Belt Brewery Retreat which also offers fabulous dining options. At Amiens, you will find Possums Hollow and Hooters Hut, and Ballandean has Accommodation Creek Cottages.
There really is a plethora of choices when it comes to accommodation and activities in the Granite Belt when travelling as a family. The only real difficulty is fitting it all in!
Photo credit: Ashbern Farm
Lara Flanagan is a writer and vegan food creator who lives in Tenterfield and is delighted to call incredible region encompassing the Northern New England and the Granite Belt her home. She is the creator of My notes from… where she writes about her travels, her love of the local area, plant-based food and anything in between!”