Country trip a winner
Love of wine, racing and country takes Peter Chapman to the South Burnett
WHY is South Burnett becoming one of the best country holiday locations in Queensland?
To be frank, it’s not because they have the best wines in Australia, although amongst the many boutique wineries you’ll find a few gems, particularly at Clovely Estate.
More than six months ago, I started planning a South Burnett odyssey to uncover why the region has become so popular.
In four days I discovered the South Burnett did indeed tick all the boxes from great accommodation to great food and, most importantly, great fun.
Friends from Hervey Bay made the trip across to meet up with my wife and me at Murgon on day one of our explore the South Burnett experience.
I drove up from Ipswich and it took me a relaxing three hours and their easy drive across took them around the same time.
I chose the Easter break for a visit I had been meaning to do since I popped into Clovely’s cellar door at Moffatdale on a trip back from Toowoomba almost a year ago.
Their wines had greatly impressed me and they still do today.
Clovely stands out as the premium winemaker in a district that boasts numerous boutique cellar doors.
You can open a bottle of Clovely wine in any company at any formal dinner and be confident that you’ll have your guests asking where they can buy a bottle.
If you are concerned that you may place your licence in jeopardy if you enjoy too many samples, you can simply book into their cottage which is just a stumble from the cellar door.
South Burnett revealed it has lots to offer from wineries to great accommodation
It is a walk back in time to your grandmother’s old home.
Spotlessly clean and full of those wonderful old antiques.
In all it sleeps 10 so the idea is to go along with other couples or make it a family break and two families can enjoy the experience together.
While you won’t be knocked off your perch by the wines from nearby wineries, you’ll love their cellar doors. Dusty Hills, Moffatdale Ridge and Bridgeman Downs were three we called in at and the experience of talking to the owners and winemakers made for an entertaining afternoon.
Both provided great food from cheese platters to main meals and obviously this is how they have moved to subsidise their wine-making operations.
Most of the other cellar doors also offer B&B accommodation.
The Easter weekend revealed just how popular they had become and you are well advised to book early.
The timing of our weekend also included taking in the country race meeting at Nanango.
In keeping with the rejuvenation of all country meetings, it was dress-up day for the locals as they cheered on their bets on the five-race program.
Nanango only stages a handful of meetings a year and it’s worth looking up their race calendar so you can include it on your itinerary.
Other local race meetings are held at Burrandowan and Wondai.
Another must call-in is Bjelke-Petersen Dam which offers a top-class caravan park, fishing and picnic areas for those who enjoy the fresh air.