If you’re looking to add a foodie notch to one’s belt, then it’s time to traverse the Granite Belt and enjoy all the foodie sights this countryside region has to offer.
Saturday
Not to flex, but no one does country styling like Granite Belt accommodation, and the Diamondvale Cottages in Stanthorpe is our go-to for the perfect weekend away. Everything in this heritage-listed property dotted with colonial cottages screams nature in the best way – walk past abundant native crab-apple trees inhabited with the laughter of kookaburras, sit beneath the tranquil creekside oaks, or – depending on the season – head to the nearby farm to pick off the latest harvest of stone fruits, wine grapes, or apples!
Alas, the only thing missing is a perfectly-brewed morning cuppa. For that, we suggest hopping in the car and cruising down to Brinx Deli & Café in nearby Maryland Street. A minx in the gourmet foodie game, head into their eclectic café for a taste of lavish French toast or Belgian waffle with bacon and maple syrup on top. Pair with a coffee brewed with (it’s like they knew we were coming!) Long Weekender beans, and you’re all set for the next adventure.
When it comes to top picks for activities in the Southern Downs, how could strawberry picking not be on the list? If you been missing those strawberry kisses, look no further than Ashbern Farms just off the New England highway where visitors can both pick strawberries and eat them too in the form of delicious homemade ice cream at the estate’s in-house café.
If that café’s not your jam though, Jamworks in nearby Glen Aplin sure will be! Tuck into their venue’s popular beetroot relish jam in a beef burger, served on a lightly toasted brioche bun with onion rings, tomato, mesclun, and rustic chips on the side.
Before you call it a day, however, don’t forget to call on our girl Anna, nestled away on Stanthorpe’s Wallangarra Road. Serving up some serious Italian since 1917, Anna’s boasts not one, not two, but five different menus; one for every day between Tuesday–Saturday! Head in on a Saturday to dine on their exclusive Italian buffet filled with stuffed mushrooms, garlic mussels, spinach and ricotta cannelloni and more for just $39pp.
Woops, here comes the food coma.
Sunday
Sunday fun day, here it is! Keeping with the trend of visiting all our favourite ladies, your next pitstop for breakfast is none other than the gorgeous Lily’s Café. Say hello to their signature caramel latte before diving into their classic take on the egg Benny – perfectly poached eggs with spinach on sourdough with a healthy helping of hollandaise sauce.
Once you’ve come back from the hollandaise daze, it’s time to drive inland! If you haven’t already hear it through the grapevine, the Granite Belt region is famous for their crisp wines and there’s no better place to get tasting then Ballandean Estate Wines. Those looking to just dip the tastebuds into Ballandean’s finest bottles can start off $5 wine tasting, before exploring the estate on a vineyard tour and diving into the Gourtmet Vineyard Picnic (a fine food basket made complete with matching wines), or lunching banquet-style in their rustic Barrelroom dining space.
Before you head back north, however, you’ll need a decadent meal to soak up all the wine. Our suggestion? The drool-worthy three-hour sous vide grass fed sirloin at Varia’s Restaurant, served pepper rubbed and chargrilled with beetroot hummus, anchovy butter, heirloom tomato salad, and crunchy sweet potato chips.
Ugh, Monday again already? Until the next weekend, Brisbane.
