This wee,k Top of the Town welcomes the Bribie Island Gem Club.
Always wanted to go fossicking but don’t know where to start? Here’s a couple of tips for days out among the rocks in the Stanthorpe area.
Swiper’s Gully is a peaceful site in the Passchendaele State Forest, to the north-east of Stanthorpe. Gem quality topaz and other gemstones and mineral can be found in shallow alluvial gravels in Swiper’s Gully. The topaz is commonly colourless but pale blue; yellow and green (rare) have been found. Generally the stones are waterworn but crystals with well-developed faces are not uncommon. You can also find quartz varieties rock crystal (clear) and smoky quartz along with rare garnet and zircon, and fragments of cassiterite.
The boundary of the site is clearly marked with brightly coloured pegs. Digging is permitted with hand tools only. Make sure you bring your own water. It is open to the public but you will need a fossicker’s licence from the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre – $10.80 for a family for one month.
Another option is Allynblue Sapphires, a good day trip from Stanthorpe when combined with a picnic at Queen Mary Falls. Check them out on their Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allynblue-Sapphire-Sieving/1384006555182961?ref=stream
Looking for something to do with your kids these holidays? Look no further than Top of the Town in Stanthorpe. All these great activities within easy reach – why would you holiday anywhere else?
| Lawdogs | A dog show with bite. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11 am and 2 pm. Extra shows possible. Call 0467 255 337 for more details |
| Allyn Blue Sapphire Sieving | Legume – ring 0407 772 512 for more details |
| Girraween | Climb the Pyramid. Swim in the creek, explore the creek-bank walk to the Junction and slide down the rocks if there is enough water-flow. If you really want to wear them out, walk the 10 kms to Mt Norman. |
| Bald Rock | Climb the biggest monolith in Australia after Uluru. |
| Sundown National Park | 4WD tracks in from the Ballandean entrance, conventional vehicle entrance swimming hole and walking trail from the Texas Rd entrance |
| Queen Mary Falls | Visit the falls and have a BBQ in the picnic area at the top |
| Main Range National Park | Plenty of walks for all abilities at both Cunningham’s Gap and Goomburra section |
| Stanthorpe Library | Library opening hours. Craft Tables & Treasure Hunt. 4681 2141 for more info. Make a pompom bunny day |
| Fishing in Quart-pot Creek or Storm King | No permit required for Quart-pot. To get a permit for Storm King, visit the Post Office or go on-line @https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/permits/fishing/apply |
| Fly a kite or rent a canoe @ at Storm King | Bring your kite and wait for a windy day, or talk to Somerville Valley Tourist Park about renting a canoe on 4681 4200 ($20 for half a day, $35 for a full day) |
| Craft days @Bridget Bunchy | Metal texturing workshop for children Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd 117 Granite Belt Dr. 0418 957 227 |
| Craft days @Bridget Bunchy | Snow-globe making workshop for children Mon 21st & Tues 29th Sept117 Granite Belt Dr. 0418 957 227 |
| Craft days @Bridget Bunchy | Fabric button ear-ring workshop 10 – 3Sun 20 Sept |
| Donnelly’s Castle | Search for the yowie or check out the wildflowers at Donnelly’s Castle Rd, Pozieres |
| Stanthorpe Parkrun | Saturday mornings from 6.45. Meet outside the YMCA |
| Mt Marley | Take a walk up the road to the town look-out and then follow the goat-track back down to Alice St |
| Art Gallery Kids Art Space | Tues – Fri 10 – 4; Sat & Sun 10 – 1. 4681 1874 |
| Glen Aplin Gardens | Animal feeding – weekends only. Call 0488 002 512 to book |
| Granite Belt Maze | Get lost at the maze or play some mini-golf 4683 2181 |
| Disc Golf | 178 Aerodrome Rd. 0414 444 441 |
| Quart-pot Creek | Bring tube or body-board and float down Quart-pot Creek, or ride your bike or scooter along the bank. |
| Granite Belt Bicycle Tours | Kids Cycling Adventure: get a kids activity sheet with bike hire. Explore the 5.5km circuit around the creek in town. When you have finished, bring your completed activity sheet back to claim your prize.Discount entry to shows and FREE drink at LawDogs Australia with any bike hire.Discount entry voucher at Granite Belt Maze and mini golf with any bike hire. |
Most locals would argue that a trip to Stanthorpe isn’t complete without a visit to Sutton’s Farm, for a slice of proper apple pie with a real-butter crust and chunky filling, eaten by the fire. You can also venture into the orchard to pick your own fruit or take home single-variety apple juices and retail products.Track down some local wine to sip fire-side. There are plenty of excellent cellar doors, such as Golden Grove Estate, in Ballandean Valley, which grows a mix of classic and alternative grape varieties, including durif, barbera, malbec and nero d’avola. Bent Road is a favourite of Brisbane restaurateurs, best known for their cracking tempranillo aged in French and American oak and offbeat La Petite Mort labels.
Full article vin The Courier Mail 15.9.15 @ http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/queensland-gourmet-getaways/story-fneuz8zj-1227528228950
Escape to the high cool country and enjoy a simple holiday, with cool nights and plenty of national parks to explore. 54 wineries, lots of places to eat, stonefruit in season and a partridge in a pear tree. Get away these holidays to relax on the high cool mountains.
Champion Mainstream Variety White Wine – Robert Channon Wines 2015 Verdelho
Champion Alternative Variety White Wine – Ballandean Estate 2015 Messing About Fiano
Champion Alternative Variety Red Wine – Golden Grove 2013 Malbec
Champion Wine of Show – Golden Grove 2013 Malbec
Queensland Viticulturist of the Year – Angelo Puglisi – Ballandean Estate Wines
Queensland Winemaker of the Year – Dylan Rhymer, Ballandean Estate Wines
Queensland Cellar Door of the Year – Ballandean Estate Wines
Queensland Winery of the Year – Ballandean Estate Wines
This year the Samuel Bassett award for continual and consistent support for and within the Queensland Wine Industry was presented to Mary Puglisi of Ballandean Estate Wines. Mary is the first woman to win this award solo in the 32 years since the QWIA awards began – congratulations, Mary!
A unique tour with luxurious touches – our guests have been telling us how much they love Stanthorpe Tours services. Check out their website here : http://www.stanthorpetours.com.au/ and start planning your next exciting getaway to the Granite Country.
Top of the Town is the ideal venue for caravan clubs, family reunions and getaways with old friends. We have the Homestead Kitchen available for large groups, and a wide range of accommodation styles available.
