Diamondvale B&B Cottages in Stanthorpe has ranked 19th in Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Australia; a well-deserved achievement for down-to-earth and ever-friendly owners and hosts, Tony and Kerrin Cridland.

 Set on 30 acres of bushland, Diamondvale B&B Cottages is located on picturesque Quart Pot creek and a comfortable stroll into shops and eateries.  Diamondvale offers five individually designed and named cottages including the very popular ‘Diamondvale Lodge’.  The Lodge boasts four queen-size bedrooms, each with verandah access; full kitchen and laundry facilities; spacious central living area and generous deck with barbeque. 

The Cridlands consistently receive the highest of praise from guests for their friendliness, attention to detail and of course the accommodation.  Some of the comments on Trip Advisor include: “The hosts made this one of our best girls weekends in 10 years”; “We wanted a getaway.  We found a hideaway” and “All of the reviews are true! You will not believe how wonderful Diamondvale is until you stay for a long weekend”.

Visit www.diamondvalecottages.com.au

Southern Downs & Granite Belt Regional Tourism (SDGBRT) in conjunction with Toowoomba Golden West & South Burnett Tourism have produced the second annual ‘Explore’ Official Regional Guide. 

‘Explore’ features key events, national parks, and detailed information about each region; and will be distributed to RACQ outlets, select Visitor Information Centres in southern Queensland and New South Wales and at consumer travel shows throughout Australia and New Zealand in the coming months.

For a free copy of ‘Explore’ please call 1800 688 949.

Pictured: Councillor Neil Meiklejohn – SDGBRT board member, Trudy Grant - SDGBRT Vice Chair, Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi – Ballandean Estate Wines and Margaret Cairns – SDGBRT Chair.

On the back of a dream between two mates, Opera in the Vineyard became a reality and now, in its 20^th year, the event has stamped its mark on the cultural scene of the Granite Belt and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

To describe Opera in the Vineyard at Ballandean as magical, is probably an understatement.  Not only is the event magical, it is beautiful, charitable, enjoyable and every other pleasant adjective in the dictionary.

Angelo Puglisi of Ballandean Estate and a Stanthorpe Rotarian will often reminisce with guests about the ‘early days’ of Opera and the  plans to hold five events “who would have thought we would preparing for our 20^th event” he says.

The relatively new partnership with Opera Queensland has proved to be a very popular one with guests, as the 2011 event was haled as “one of the best ever”.  This year, the program looks amazing and Opera Queensland is proud to announce the artists as Ms Emma Matthews, Mr Virgilio Marino and Mr Andrew Collis, all of whom have performed extensively around the world.

Once again, the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane will be one of the main beneficiaries of the events proceeds, with almost $350 000 being donated to date. “It is always a fantastic feeling to hand over donations to worthy projects, and the Wesley provides wonderful services to Queenslanders in need” say Angelo.

To be a part of the 20 year celebrations, you can book Opera tickets online at www.ballandeanestate.com or call the winery direct for information.  There a number of options including lunch and dinner and details can be found on the website.

Why not make this your year to experience the wonderful and magical Opera in the Vineyard at Ballandean.

Editor’s Note:  Opera in the Vineyard has been held at Ballandean Estate Wines for 19 years and remains the major cultural event held on the Granite Belt. Co-host, the Rotary Club of Stanthorpe and its members are working towards their goal of $1 million raised & given away to many Queensland charities.  Hopefully, this amount will be reached in the next couple of years – an amazing contribution by a small country Rotary Club and their partner Ballandean Estate Wines.

The boards of Toowoomba Golden West and South Burnett Tourism (TGWSBT) and Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism (SDGBRT) have appointed tourism industry leader Mary-Clare Power as joint Chief Executive Officer for the regions. 

Ms. Power brings with her over 20 years experience in tourism, including senior roles with Tourism Queensland and Events Queensland.   Her passions include the arts and cultural tourism; food and wine and events.

“I’m very excited about the new direction and the wealth of knowledge Mary-Clare will bring to the region.  There are exciting times ahead and a brilliant time for tourism in the region” said Mrs. Robyn Fuhrmeister, TGWSBT Chair. 

“We are delighted to have a person of Mary-Clare’s calibre to take us through the transition period” said Mrs. Margaret Cairns, SDGBRT Chair.

Mary-Clare Power has lived in the region and was previously a tourism organisation board member in the region.  Ms. Power will commence in the position of CEO in early January 2012. 

Pictured: Interim General Manager Krista Hauritz, SDGBRT Chair Margaret Cairns, SDGBRT Board member Trudy Grant, SDGBRT Marketing Coordinator Catherine Dunn and Mary-Clare Power.

Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism yesterday welcomed John Neville, CEO of the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) as a new director at the organisation’s board meeting.  Mr Neville was invited to join the organisation and fills an invited casual vacancy on the board.

“We’re delighted to have Mr Neville accept our invite to be on the board.  We were keen to increase the wine tourism and Granite Belt knowledge for our regional tourism organisation”, said Margaret Cairns, Chairperson.

Mr Neville is a long-time resident of the Granite Belt and former Principal of Stanthorpe State High School.  As principal, he initiated and project managed the QCWT project.  John left Education Queensland in 2005 to take up the position of CEO at QCWT. 

“I have already received positive feedback from Tourism Queensland and industry members of John’s appointment.  He will bring with him a logical and practical perspective for the benefit of the entire Southern Downs Granite Belt region” said Interim GM, Krista Hauritz.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin congratulated festival organisers while in Warwick today.

“The organisers of these three events; Australian Polocrosse Nationals, Pentath Run and Rathdowney Heritage Festival are worthy recipients of this funding,” Mr Mulherin said.

“Regional events are important to local communities all over Queensland including here in Warwick and the Southern Downs area.
    
“They generate community pride and attract visitors, supporting local jobs, local businesses and the tourism industry as a whole.

“There are many great experiences on offer in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region and that’s why the Queensland Government is proud to continue this year’s investment in events with $56,000 in additional funding to support the local region.”

Events to receive funding under Round 21 of the EQRDP program include:

• $25,000 for Australian Polocrosse Nationals 2012 – towards a seven-day program of polocrosse in Warwick, involving teams of male and female players, aged seven to 70 years (held from 23-29 April  2012)
• $20,000 for Pentath Run 2012 – towards the Warwick-based event which will see competitors participate in their choice of five races, totalling 42.2 kilometres (held from 26-27 May 2012)
• $11,000 for Rathdowney Heritage Festival 2012 – towards the celebration of the Rathdowney and Scenic Rim heritage, showcasing the pioneering lifestyle with working demonstrations and live entertainment (held on 8 April, 2012).**

Mr Mulherin said investing in events – whether they be major, regional or business events – is part of our plan to continue building Queensland’s bright future.

“The latest round of funding brought the total number of events supported under the program to 856 with a total investment of $18.3 million since the program began in 2001,” he said.

“We know that events – whether they are major, regional or business events – can make a real difference to the local communities that host them by providing vital support to the tourism industry.

“That’s why the Queensland Government recently increased funding to the EQRDP by $600,000 per annum bringing the total program fund to $3 million per annum.”

To find out more about events in Queensland visit www.eventsqld.com.au

**Please note Rathdowney is located within the Scenic Rim region.

SPECIAL SPRING OFFER: Regular mid week accommodation including breakfast, $165 per couple.  Tariff includes breakfast.  Stay 3 nights and pay for 2.  $330 per couple.

(07) 4683 7109

 HOT DEAL: Visit our website for Primavera accommodation, restaurant, tour and attraction deals and a chance to win a bottle of Lucas Estate Chardonnay 2006, Top of Class Cairns Wine Show.  Check website for terms and conditions.

1800 SO COOL

www.GraniteBeltWineCountry.com.au

Everybody loves Yum Cha! Delightful morsels and tasty tidbits arriving at the table ready for you to enjoy.  This year at Ballandean, a twist on the traditional Chinese style Yum Cha is “Primi Piatti” which is being brought to you by the innovative chefs at the Barrelroom Café. 

This unusual idea began when Chef Bobbi Wells (Co-owner of the Barrelroom Café with husband Chef Matt Wells) reminisced about her grandad and his career as a Yum Cha chef.  Initially, the idea was to bring ‘Poppy’ to the Granite Belt to share his skills with Bobbi and create an event featuring his amazing food.

     But, Poppy is a busy man and a date to suit him has not yet eventuated. So, Bobbi (trained in Italian cooking) decided to create her own event, one that embraces her heritage as well as her training and Primi Piatti  “Italian Yum Cha” has become a reality.

 The first of many “Primi Piatti” will be held at The Barrelroom Café at Ballandean Estate Wines on Sunday the 20^th of November.  Two sittings will be available:   11:30am – 1:00pm and 1:30pm – 3:00pm.  Primi Piatti will feature over With 25 savoury options varying from braised tripe and borloti beans to flash fried calamari or maybe even some fantastic homemade arancini, what about the cannelloni filled with spinach and ricotta and served in our rich Napoli sauce.

Then there’s dessert with our tiramisu that you will be coming back for more of, maybe a refreshing coffee granita served ice cold, but don’t forget the piece da resistance the home made canoli filled with chocolate and hazelnut zucotto.

Bring some friends and join the fun during ‘Primavera’ on the Granite Belt.

Plates start at $4.50.  For bookings call 07 46 841326

Goomburra Forest Retreat features three luxury self contained eco friendly cottages, set in a beautiful mountain forest, with creek frontage and swimming holes within walking distance. Rated 4 stars by AAA Tourism, each cottage provides all the comforts you need for a weekend away.

Goomburra Forest Retreat is beautifully positioned on a 130 acre property on the Southern Downs, nested in the upper Goomburra Valley, on the Great Dividing Range.

Implements environmentally friendly practices - utilising solar power and rain water and recycling all waste material

The property borders World Heritage Listed ‘Main Range National Park, Goomburra Section’ which offers numerous walking trails and views over the Scenic Rim, towards Brisbane and Lake Moogerah.

Special Spring offer: Stay 3 nights mid-week and pay for only 2.  Contact us direct.