Southern Downs Area

Ninety minutes from Brisbane, Stanthorpe regularly records the coldest temperatures in the state, and some winters even bring snow, a genuine rarity this far north. Girraween National Park backs it up with granite boulders piled into strange, massive formations, the walk to the Pyramids among the best hiking in southern Queensland. Warwick keeps its own heritage charm, rose gardens and grand old streets earning it the nickname Rose City. Chase waterfalls through the ranges at Queen Mary Falls, or simply let the seasons do their thing, properly cold winters rare enough in this state to be worth the trip alone. Queensland finally gets its four real seasons here.