How to score a Queensland getaway for less

Brisbane has launched a new tourism campaign to attract southern visitors.

Queensland’s wine country – the towns and villages around Stanthorpe about 200km southwest of Brisbane, exploded in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic when travellers were forced to stay a little closer to home for creative getaways.

While travel restrictions and border lockdowns are now a thing of the past, tourist demand in the Granite Belt continues at extraordinary levels with many places booked solid for the next four months.

Southern Queensland Country Tourism boss Peter Homan said demand was not quite as frenetic as during the era of border closures, but the region continued to be one of Queensland’s best tourism performers.

“We’re looking at 85 per cent occupancy, which is pretty incredible,” he said.

Over winter, there are some parts of the state where average occupancy falls below 50 per cent, but while some regions go into a virtual tourism hibernation, the Granite Belt is firing on all cylinders.

Mr Homan said the region’s price point was also attractive compared to some other destinations.

“You don’t have to get on a plane so you’re saving money straight upfront and while the last couple of years have seen huge price increases elsewhere, you can still get a great room for $200-250 a night,” he said.

Granite Belt Brewery & Retreat owner Dee Davenport said they were “getting slammed” over the winter months.

“Our cabins are getting close to fully booked for winter weekends and winter school holidays are going to be very busy,” she said.

“A lot of people are still not booking too far in advance, but to get a winter weekend booking on the Granite Belt they’ll need to book ahead.”

Graham King from Sippers at Ballandean said he had just two weekends available over winter with strong bookings through until the end of September.

While Queenslanders continue their love affair with cold winter getaways, those in southern states are heading north to chase the sun.

New trends data from booking.com for the winter month features five Queensland destinations in the top 10.

While Sydney and Melbourne predictably take out the top two spots, the Gold Coast (third), Brisbane (fourth), Cairns (fifth), Port Douglas (seventh) and Hamilton Island (ninth) dominated the other placings.

Airlie Beach, Noosa, Palm Cove and Townsville all made the top 20.

GRANITE BELT GETAWAYS

* 2-night weekend stay at Glen Lough Cabins from $560.

* 2-night weekend stay in a Deluxe King Room at Granite Belt Motel $368

* Whole house getaway with 4 King Ensuite Rooms at Sippers At Ballandean from $500 per night (midweek)