Queensland wine and food in the South East
Food & Wine
Pack light when you head to South East Queensland Country and allow plenty of room for those must have cases of wine, trays of apples and stone fruits, can't resist olives, flavoursome jams and lovely drifts of lavender.
Road side stalls are one of the easiest places to pick up farm fresh seasonal produce, but there are some pick-your-own options for an even fresher taste!
If it's going to snow in Queensland it is usually on the Granite Belt so expect crisp winter days and cooler temperatures than on the coastal strip. It's a region that celebrates the four seasons, especially with Brass Monkey Season from June to August. Check the 'what's on' calendar when visiting this area as local wineries often stage concerts and events.
There are plenty of bed and breakfast options sprinkled among the more than 50 cellar doors, award winning wineries and vineyards in the area and a choice of cafes and delis to make your meals memorable. Stanthorpe is also home to the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, Queensland's first dedicated wine training facility.
Toowoomba and the Darling Downs is an area still true to its rural origins that offers sophisticated food experiences drawn from local produce. Local farmers produce high quality products and there's a strong 'paddock to plate' trend. Dine out at some of Toowoomba's fine restaurants or visit the Spotted Cow pub and consult Australia's only beer sommelier.
The South Burnett, located over the range to the west of Noosa, produces a variety of fruits, nuts, vegetables, cheese and olives. Local Red Claw crayfish, freshly roasted peanuts, peanut liqueur, organic chickens and ducks and superb pork are the some of the flavours you will remember from this district. Be sure to match your freshly harvested goods with one of the growing number of award winning South Burnett wines, you won't be disappointed!
