Southern Downs Region Guides Attractions Events in Queensland

Every Sunday morning locals gather at Abbey of the Roses for the weekly Abbey markets.

With over 20 stalls selling an array of products including art and crafts, homemade cakes, unique handcrafted jewellery, dolls, pet accessories, leather work, hand knitted items, bric a brac, second hand books, home decor, Australiana, fabric, gifts, plants, honey, wood work, clothing, farm fresh fruit and vegetables and much more, so there is sure to be something for everyone.

While at the Abbey take in the splendour of this majestic sandstone building, previously a convent and now a function centre with bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival celebrates and promotes the harvest and lifestyle of the Granite Belt. The region is unique in Queensland: the combination of altitude and granite produces some of the country's best produce and wine. Voted an Iconic Queensland Event in the Q150 Celebrations.

The highlights of the festival include the Gala Ball, a black tie affair on Friday evening; the Wine Fiesta in the Park, Grand Parade, Queensland Grape Crushing Championships, and the Festival Fireworks are must sees on the Saturday; and to top off the festival on Sunday, sit back and relax in the park with the Multicultural Music Festival.

For market lovers, the Market in the Mountains will be running on Saturday and Sunday in the Civic Centre.

For a full list of festival activities visit the website.

The Warwick Art Gallery presents, Art from the Canopy, botanical paintings of fruit and flowers of the trees of the Killarney District by Susan Savage.

The Warwick Art Gallery is at the forefront of cultural activities in the Warwick area. Especially committed to community activities, the Gallery aims to identify, promote and celebrate the community's artistic and cultural identity and support community-based festivals, exchanges and events.

In addition, the Gallery program brings to Warwick travelling exhibitions set to inspire and educate. The Gallery has two unique spaces, the traditional main gallery and the foyer space with outstanding visitor exposure and a garden view.

The Border Railway Market is held on the first Sunday of each month at the historic Wallangarra Railway Station, on the Queensland-New South Wales Border, just a short drive south of Stanthorpe. They offer the pick of local art, craft and produce, as well as a hot breakfast, light refreshments and takeaways being available in the station dining room.

While on the Granite Belt, why not visit one of the many wineries, spectacular Girraween National Park, a lavender farm or one of the many other attractions such as the Granite Belt Maze or Heavenly Chocolate.

Make a weekend of it and choose from a selection of accommodation, cosy bed and breakfasts, self contained cottages, motels or camp out under the stars.

The Warwick Art Gallery presents, Earth Song, paintings and mixed media work by Jon de Graaff, John Weeronga Bartoo and Louise Hill.

The Warwick Art Gallery is at the forefront of cultural activities in the Warwick area. Especially committed to community activities, the Gallery aims to identify, promote and celebrate the community's artistic and cultural identity and support community-based festivals, exchanges and events.

In addition, the Gallery program brings to Warwick travelling exhibitions set to inspire and educate. The Gallery has two unique spaces, the traditional main gallery and the foyer space with outstanding visitor exposure and a garden view.

The Warwick Art Gallery presents the following two exhibitions:

Girls, Brides then Young Wives, curated with assistance from the Warwick Art Gallery by the Warwick and District Historical Society.

Treasures from a Grandmother: Hilda's Doiley and other things, a textile exhibition by June Fiford.

The Warwick Art Gallery is at the forefront of cultural activities in the Warwick area. Especially committed to community activities, the Gallery aims to identify, promote and celebrate the community's artistic and cultural identity and support community-based festivals, exchanges and events.

In addition, the Gallery program brings to Warwick travelling exhibitions set to inspire and educate. The Gallery has two unique spaces, the traditional main gallery and the foyer space with outstanding visitor exposure and a garden view.

Glengallan Seasonal Farmers Markets are country markets held on the first Sunday of each season - Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer, in the gardens of historic Glengallan Homestead. Discover all sorts of farmhouse and gourmet goodies, arts and crafts.

While visiting the markets why not explore the homestead itself, a fine example of a delicately balanced restoration that enables the visitor to experience the best and the worst of its times.

The Heritage Centre and Coffee Shop at the Homestead offers homestyle cooking, with morning and afternoon teas, light lunches and coffee available. Also take the opportunity to browse their range of local preserves, giftwares and souvenirs for sale.

Glengallan Homestead is located on the New England Highway, midway between Warwick and Allora, on the glorious Southern Downs.

There is free entry to the markets but there is an entry fee for the Homestead.

A special celebration of the new vintage and our unique Sicilian culture.

Don't miss this, the 10th anniversary of the Golden Grove Sicilian Lunch. Be wined and dined with our award winning wines and a traditional lunch prepared especially by our Sicilian trained chef returning from two years in Palamero and Taormina.

Be entertained and join the celebrations as we crush the new vintage grapes and spoil you with our renowned Sicilian hospitality.

The Southern Downs Sculpture Symposium will feature up to 20 participating artists and a team of five guest artists who will carve local Warwick Tanamerah sandstone.

There will also be workshops, information sessions, a schools' program, a sculpture exhibition, auction, markets in the park and ample opportunity for the public to actively participate in this event. Sculptors will work in the highly visible venue of Leslie Park, Warwick, so progress can be viewed and enjoyed by the general public.

The finished sculptures by the five guest artists, monumental in size, will be donated to a number of smaller communities and located in Federation Park by the Condamine River.

The Warwick Art Gallery presents, Splendid Village, decorative acrylic paintings by current Warwick Art Gallery Director Karina Devine.

Guest Artist: Deann Cumner of Maleny.

The Warwick Art Gallery is at the forefront of cultural activities in the Warwick Shire. Especially committed to community activities, the Gallery aims to identify, promote and celebrate the community's artistic and cultural identity and support community-based festivals, exchanges and events.

In addition, the Gallery program brings to Warwick travelling exhibitions set to inspire and educate. The Gallery has two unique spaces, the traditional main gallery and the foyer space with outstanding visitor exposure and a garden view.

Stanthorpe Art Gallery Exhibition - Albert Vershuuren Retrospective showcases Albert Vershuuren, a local master potter. Also on display will be Creative Generation's 2009 Best of Queensland High School Art Touring Exhibition.

The Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize and is proud of its extensive permanent collection. A comprehensive program features a range of international, Australian and local exhibitions. As a supplement to the ongoing exhibition program, the Gallery conducts floor talks, workshops, education days and other public events. For more information about upcoming events visit the website.

Stanthorpe Art Gallery Exhibition - Art on the Move Touring Exhibition has Modified - sculptures and paintings. Also on display: Highlights of Bridal jewellery from the Silk Road - sourced from a local private collection; and Wallpaper - an exhibition of contemporary artists.

The Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize and is proud of its extensive permanent collection. A comprehensive program features a range of international, Australian and local exhibitions. As a supplement to the ongoing exhibition program, the Gallery conducts floor talks, workshops, education days and other public events. For more information about upcoming events visit the website.

Stanthorpe Art Gallery Exhibition - Southern Downs Artists Exhibition is an invitational exhibition to all artists. Includes the Margaret Burton Memorial Award and Best Of Southern Downs awards.

The Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize and is proud of its extensive permanent collection. A comprehensive program features a range of international, Australian and local exhibitions. As a supplement to the ongoing exhibition program, the Gallery conducts floor talks, workshops, education days and other public events.

Music in the Gallery is an ongoing public program that breaks down the notion that of the Art Gallery as a silent place. National and international artists perform alongside local talent in these unique musical experiences.

The Stanthorpe Art Festival will be held 26 February to 18 April.

The Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize and is proud of its extensive permanent collection. A comprehensive program features a range of international, Australian and local exhibitions. As a supplement to the ongoing exhibition program, the Gallery conducts floor talks, workshops, education days and other public events.

Music in the Gallery is an ongoing public program that breaks down the notion that of the Art Gallery as a silent place. National and international artists perform alongside local talent in these unique musical experiences.

Stanthorpe Art Gallery Exhibition present Tom Spence Retrospective. Tom Spence is a Nationally renowned local artist.

The Gallery hosts the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize and is proud of its extensive permanent collection. A comprehensive program features a range of international, Australian and local exhibitions. As a supplement to the ongoing exhibition program, the Gallery conducts floor talks, workshops, education days and other public events.

Music in the Gallery is an ongoing public program that breaks down the notion that of the Art Gallery as a silent place. National and international artists perform alongside local talent in these unique musical experiences.

Stanthorpe's make it, bake it, sew it or grow it quality craft market is held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at Stanthorpe Market In The Mountains.

Held in the heart of town at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre, you will find wonderful wares, fabulous food, and goodies galore! Stall holders offer everything including plants and garden ware, skin care and beauty products, craft items, pottery, wood work, gourmet foods and wine.

The Crafter's Cafe provides quality light meals, snacks and drinks for the Market visitors. On offer are good wholesome food, fabulous coffee and tea, desserts, home-made pies, vegetarian choices and sandwiches.

The Granite Belt Farmers Markets run alongside the Market in the Mountains, where growers and producers will offer the wares for sale direct to the public.

Coaches are welcome and a translation service is available.

Come and experience the romance of wine at Summit Estate by learning to blend your own wine.

Start the day with a sparkling winemaker's breakfast, followed by an introduction to tasting wines and wine assessment, learning how to blend wines, blending trial, then blend, bottle and label your own bottle of wine. Then enjoy a session on wine and cheese matching and general food matching with Summit Estate Wines, with recipes prepared by leading Brisbane restaurants exclusively for Summit Estate wines.

Bookings are essential with a minimum of 6 people and maximum of 16.

At Sunday Music In The Vineyard, visiting musicians (check website for details) and resident musician Clive Powell perform at least every second Sunday. The music is out on the deck overlooking the vineyard which is fully protected from rain and wind!

The lunch menu changes regularly with gourmet platters always available. There is free entry from 12 noon until 3.00 p.m. (time may be extended if there are additional musicians).

Lucas Estate is a 4.5 star winery - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008, and home of Gold Medal and Trophy Shiraz, Gold Medal and Trophy Merlot, Gold Medal Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold Medal Verdelho and Gold Medal Chardonnay.

The Warwick Pentath-run is a five race marathon completed over two days, covering 42.2 kilometres. The run is the only one of its kind in Australia. Participants can complete one or all of the runs. It is suitable for experienced and novice runners, joggers and walkers. Team entries are available.

Well known for majestic sandstone buildings Warwick is a favourite destination for day travellers. The beautiful country scenery is a unique backdrop for each day of the five races which are held in the same locations each year. Experience unique country hospitality, beautiful scenery and participate in a unique sporting activity.

The spirit and personality of the country is jammed into the weekly Pig and Calf Sales and Fruit and Vegetable Market which is held every Wednesday morning. A visit to Warwick’s Pig and Calf Sales is one of those experiences you’ll never forget, a unique country experience! This market is the longest continually operated market in Queensland, offering much more than livestock.

A paradise for trash and treasure hunters, the jumble-style auction has everything from guinea pigs to goats, farm equipment to furniture and very intriguing bric-a-brac.

Also, take the opportunity to grab fresh fruit and vegetables direct from the farm.