One of our favourite places that we have been to in our travels is Stanthorpe. Situated in the heart of the Granite Belt wine region the area produces some very fine cool climate wines, as well as a huge variety of fruit.
We first visited Stanthorpe at Easter last year and found an awesome spot to camp at Sommerville Valley Tourist Park. We liked it so much we thought we would come back again. Sommerville Valley sits right on the edge of Storm King Dam about 10k’s out of Stanthorpe and it is an awesome place to camp. It is covers a huge area and has great sites. There are both powered and un-powered sites available as well as small basic cabins.
The un-powered sites are well spread out with each site having its own fire pit. The owners will deliver a load of cut firewood right to your ‘door’ for $20.00. Even though it was school holidays we found that the un-powered section of the park was not busy at all. Just us and another family. Maybe everyone thought it might have been a bit to chilly! It certainly was cold the first night but our other two nights were quite mild. We always take extra blankets and jackets with us if we are going anywhere we think might be cold.
Sommerville Valley has lovely spacious sites with a great fire pit
Once we had ourselves set up it was time to get the camp fire going so as we could cook something in the camp oven for dinner. We decided to experiment a bit with cooking in the camp oven and I made Chilli Con Carne which worked so well.
I made Chilli Con Carne in the camp oven and it was super tasty.
The next morning we headed out to check out some wineries and other local attractions. First off we went to Strawberry Fields and purchased some fresh strawberries. In strawberry season you are able to pick your own.
CASTLE GLEN
The next spot on our list of places to check out was Castle Glen Winery and Brewery. The outside of the building looks like a castle and inside is packed with a huge variety of liqueurs, wines, beers, ciders and other spirits. The thing I liked most about Castle Glen’s products are that they are all chemical and additive free. There are even gluten free products available. My favourite drop was their ‘Queensland Delight’ a chocolate, rum and coffee liquor. Will definitely be getting some more of that – went down a treat around the camp fire I can tell you.
Castle Glen has an amazing choice of Wines and Liqueurs
STANTHORPE CHEESE
Our next stop was just up the road from Castle Glen. Stanthorpe Cheese produces a variety of cheeses on the premises. All made on the farm from milk from their own jersey cows. I ended up with a lovely piece of blue cheese and the kids grabbed a milk shake each. The only thing I would have like more was if they had offered a tour of the cheesery.
A lovely array of goodies at the Granite Belt Dairy.
GRANITE BELT MAZE
Next stop was something for the kids The Granite Belt Maze. Even our older kids had lots of fun running through the big maze. In each of the dead ends there are alphabet clues that help you solve the riddle on your game card. As well as the large maze, there is a mini maze and a putt putt golf course. The gardens are really lovely and somewhere you could easily relax whilst the kids run around. It certainly helped to burn off some of their excess energy.
The Granite Belt Maze is a great spot for the kids.
I planned a camping trip out to Stanthorpe once, even booked the camp site. Then ended up calling up and cancelling the week before. I had a new baby and the temperatures out there plummeted and I couldn’t bear to take the girls camping when it was so cold. I so want to go and this post has reminded me why, but am going to either try for warmer weather (though not too hot) or until the girls are old enough to handle the cold.
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust
We have been to Stanthorpe twice now, once in April and once in September. Both times the days were beautiful but the nights were chilly, but great for a camp fire. It’s a lovely spot.