If there’s one thing I truly believe in life, it’s letting your stomach guide you. Name a better mantra, I’ll wait. And I don’t know about you, but my stomach says yes to any locally sourced produce. From the paddock to the table? That’s the good stuff. Please and thank you.
With Avis fares on sale, you can’t afford NOT to take a weekend for this amazing driven journey through seven foodie havens that showcase the best that Southern Queensland Country has to offer. Where is that, you ask? It’s that gorgeous and totally underrated region sitting above the New South Wales border and just inland from Brisbane.
We’ve planned the trip for you and made it into an adorable map, which you can download riiiiight here. All you need to do is pick up a car in Brissy and enjoy.
Day 1: A Local Drop
Breakfast: Bluebird Kitchen, Warwick
Your first stop out of Brisbane is Bluebird Kitchen, about two and a half hours drive away, right in the middle of Warwick.
People absolutely froth over the American-style barbeque trend. So just imagine how good a smoked, southern style bbq with a quirky modern twist and all fresh, locally produced ingredients would be. Especially when you can have it for brekkie. Bloody delish, that’s how good. Executive chef, Jim Osborn, has over 10 years experience around Australia and the world, so he knows what he’s on about.
Morning Tea: Suttons Shed Cafe, Sutton Farm
Buckle up, because about a 30-minute drive away you’ll reach Suttons Shed Cafe in Warwick and a have yourself a morning tea worth calling home about.
I mean, it doesn’t get a whole lot fresher than when you’re on the actual farm. Sutton Farm, owned by David and Ros since 1994, started selling their fruit at farmer’s markets and have since started their own farm to plate cafe and shop. They sell just about anything that can be made from an apple – from cider and brandy to syrup and desserts – but they’re particularly famous for their apple pie.
Lunch: Paola’s The Winemaker Kitchen, Stanthorpe
Take your time to digest brekkie before driving to your next stop an easy 20-minute drive away to Paola’s The Winemaker Kitchen.
Have you ever sawed the neck off a bottle of wine before? Because you can here. The food is a glorious Spanish and Argentinian mesh, the wine list is unmatchable, and it’s pretty much impossible to find anything but a rave review for the place. Obviously, drink responsibly or organise a DD.
Dinner: Granite Belt Brewery, Stanthorpe
Settle into Stanthorpe for the night, mates, because it’s the gift for your tastebuds that keeps on giving. A teensy 9-minutes from your last stop is Granite Belt Brewery. It’s a hotel too, so definitely check in for the night.
I still maintain that modern breweries are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Enjoy tastings of their craft beer brewed on site, daily food specials and an ever-changing dessert board. Then wander back to your room when you’re done. Bliss.
Day 2: The Natural Choice
Breakfast: Brinx Deli, Stanthorpe
What did I tell you about Stanthorpe and its food? Once you check out, take the 10-minute drive to Brinx Deli for brekkie.
This is the perfect place to stock up on all those amazing food finds that get even a cooking-newb like myself excited to get in the kitchen, and all locally made in the Granite Belt. Local produce is also featured on the menu. Breakfast here is particularly amazing and comes with that friendly service you only get in small towns.
Morning Tea: The Pyramids, Girraween National Park
Time to take the scenic route along Pyramid Road and make a stop at Girraween National Park, famous for its striking rock formations known as The Pyramids.
Luckily, you were at that amazing deli for breakfast. Stock all the way up on the tasty delights while you’re there and take them with you on this two-hour round trip hike. Once you reach the top you definitely deserve to treat yo’self by gorging on the delish snacks.
Lunch: Spring Creek Mountain Cafe, Killarney
When you’re ready you’ll drive for an hour and 40-minutes to enjoy food as beautiful as the views at Spring Creek Mountain Cafe in Killarney.
Prepare yourself for modern Aussie dishes, with an international flair. They pride themselves on using the best and freshest produce from around the Killarney area and the surrounding Darling Downs. Killarney as a town is particularly well-known for its beef and lamb, so you can bet that’ll be featured on the menu, with other dishes updated seasonally. We just need to talk about how beautiful your dining views are here too, looking out over the mountains and valleys of the Scenic Rim.
Dinner: Ballandean Estate Wines, Ballandean
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Drive back to Ballandean for an hour and 40-minutes, where you’ll want to check in to a hotel and leave the car at home so you can truly enjoy all that The Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate Wines has to offer.
These guys have been doing their thing since 1932, in fact, they’re Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. So they have just a LITTLE expertise in creating the most delicious drop. Enjoy the tastings of course, but then also head into The Barrelroom restaurant. Chef Brian Maclellan brought his smoked ribs and BBQ platter specialties to the place earlier this year, adding to the already eclectic modern Australian menu showcasing local produce.
Ready to taste all the best food Southern Queensland Country has to offer? Grab your Avis car and get going.
