Stanthorpe: Whiskey Gulley

Feeling hot and humid? Take a day trip to Queensland's premier wine region, the Granite Belt, on the Great Dividing Range, where the climate is cool and dry and the wine simply superb.

The journey is a great experience with magic, diverse scenery.

Either travel via Nerang, Beaudesert, Boonah, Aratula and Warwick, then south on the New England Highway to Stanthorpe; or, at Boonah, head for Rathdowney and experience the magnificent and sweeping scenery of Mt Lindsay.

From there travel via Woodenbong, Legume and Liston to Stanthorpe.

Stanthorpe is the major town of the Granite Belt wine region. As well as wineries there's great walking in four national parks, shops, restaurants, orchards and market gardens.

There is also plenty of excellent short stay bed and breakfast, self-contained cottage or motel accommodation for overnight or weekend stays.

Whiskey Gully Wines is one of many wineries in the region and a leading producer of affordable award winning red and white styles.

Their Reserve Chardonnay won Winestate Magazine's trophy for "Best Queensland Wine" in 2005 and their reds, particularly the Black Rod Shiraz and the Upper House Cabernet Sauvignon are sought after by connoisseurs.

The cellar door, in a magnificent colonial homestead built around 1870, is also a restaurant serving light snacks or full gourmet meals.

Take a walk in the vineyard then sit on the veranda and enjoy the vista of the Severn River valley or snuggle in front of the fire inside.

The cellar door is open seven days a week for tastings and sales, and lunches and dinners are served. Whiskey Gully Wines also has two award winning holiday cottages with great holiday packages available.

Where: Whiskey Gully Wines, Turner Lane, Severnlea
When: Anytime
Website: Beverley Vineyard Restaurant and Bush Cottages

Single or group tours may be booked through Varsity Lakes Travel

Tip: Try Whiskey Gully Wines magnificent Nectar dessert wine.