CHRISTMAS IN JULY

STANTHORPE 2022  |   July 19th – 21st

DAY 1 – DEPART COFFS HARBOUR VIA GRAFTON TO STANTHORPE

GLEN INNES
Our first stop will be at the Standing Stones , one of our favourite Morning Tea Stops for one of Suzies amazing Morning Teas.

TENTERFIELD
Imortalised by Peter Allen our next stop will be at Tenterfield for lunch and a bit of exploring of this historic town. Home to the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts among other historic buildings. It was here that Sir Henry made his famous Federation Speech. We will also visit the F111 Memorial and the famous Tenterfield Saddler.

Lunch will be at the Tenterfield Tavern before we head off to Stanthorpe. We will check in and have a freshen up before heading to the Steak House for Dinner.

STANTHORPE
Our base for the next couple of days , we will be staying at the High Street Motel. We will check in and have a freshen up before heading to the Steak House for Dinner. Stanthorpe will be celebrating its 150 Anniversary in 2022. Stanthorpe is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Stanthorpe had a population of 5,406 people. The area surrounding the town is known as the Granite Belt – Wikipedia

DAY 2 – STANTHOPE—CHRISTMAS DINNER

MORNING
We will walk off breakfast with a quick visit to the various street art installations in the town centre. When we have completed this we will board the coach and head for Suttons Juice Factory.

From the Sutton Juice Factory Website:
“Once inside you will discover a myriad of products crafted from the humble apple. This business is based on a real working orchard purchased by David and Ros Sutton in 1994 after owning two previous businesses – firstly a grain and livestock property and then a prawn trawler based in North Queensland. Once the skill of orcharding was mastered they began production of varietal apple juice and apple cider. From these two products the range of handcrafted products has grown to include Apple Brandy, Fruit Liqueurs, Apple Cider Vinegar, Apple Syrup and a wide range of preserves. “ While at the Juice factory we will indulge in some scones and a Tea or Coffee for morning tea before heading of to Stanthorpe Jersey Girls Cheese Café .

From the Jersey Girls Cheese farm Website:
“For the past 12 years our artisan cheeses have been made from a single herd of pure bred Jersey cows from one farm. This makes our cheeses totally unique and seasonally different and interesting. If it’s raining and the grass is rich and luscious, the cheese reflects this with its bright yellow colour and earthy aroma. Currently with the drought affecting us we no longer own or milk our cows on site but still use local farmers milk sourced from local Norco farms. “ Off to lunch and some wine tasting at the Balancing Heart Vineyard. We will enjoy some of their fantastic woodfired pizzas along with a drop of their fine wines.

Time to walk off lunch with a visit to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm.

EVENING
Dinner at the famous Anna’s Italian Restaurant, we settle in for our specially prepared menu to celebrate Christmas in July. Don’t forget dress in Green or Red ( Or anything else you like ) . There will be a prize for “best dressed”.

From the Anna Italian Restaurant Website:
Anna Pompetti, the founder, established the restaurant with the backing of her family when she was in year 11 at a tender age of 16. Anna now lives in Italy married with 3 children. Anna’s restaurant was established in 1981. In 1985 the building was moved to its current location, transforming the family home into a restaurant. Anna’s restaurant became a member of Restaurant & Catering Queensland in 1995, winning many prestigious awards including the high regional House of Hospitality on 2 occasions in 1997 and 1999.

DAY 3 – TRAVEL HOME FROM STANTHORPE TO COFFS HARBOUR VIA GRAFTON

BALLANDEEN

First stop for the day at Ballandean will be the famous St. Jude’s Cellar door and Bistro for a scrumptious breakfast. After fuelling up for a busy day we will head to the Girraween National Park passing the Ballandean Pyramid on the way , to visit the Granite Arch , a healthy 800m walk to settle breakfast and have a quick Cuppa before heading to the Heavenly Chocolate Shop for a browse and perhaps a little purchase. After satisfying our sweet tooth we will head of to Pyramid Wines to enjoy some wine tasting .

WALLANGARRA

The next stop on our journey home will be border town of Wallangarra to visit the Historic Wallangarra Railway Museum. Here we will lunch in the original station refreshment rooms which are now a café.

GLEN INNES

Our last stop on the way home will be a quick comfort stop at Glen Innes before we head back down the mountain and home.

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