5 Highlights of a Weekend in South Burnett Wine Country

Total Relaxation in Queensland’s Undiscovered Wine Destination

Welcome to the South Burnett region, just three hours’ drive north-west of Brisbane or two hours west of the Sunshine Coast.

Here time runs a little slower! Each season in the South Burnett transforms the ever-inspiring rural landscape and sweeping vineyards. Experiencing the beautiful wineries and delicious wines makes the whole wine country exploration even more glorious! In fact, a South Burnett wine experience is one of the most underrated pleasures in Queensland.

A long weekend in the South Burnett puts you amongst pasture lands, vineyards and olive groves set on quiet roads offering expansive scenic views. Major destinations are only 15km to 30km apart so you can easily explore some of the small villages, larger towns and other hidden gems around the region.

Whether you’re travelling with a significant other, family or close friends, discover the South Burnett region by way of its best attractions.

The best place to start a weekend getaway in wine country must be a winery, so we checked out Clovely Estate. The good folks there gave us some pointers to the region’s top attractions.

1. Stop at a cellar door or four 

Checking in at the Clovely Estate Vineyard Cellar Door at Moffatdale (which is open every weekend) you’ll meet one of the family that has done a lot to put the region (and Queensland wine) on the map with its award-winning wines. It’s great to be able to talk to the producers themselves and hear their story and the background to the different varietals and vintages.

The combination of terroir, winemaking expertise, ancient and modern winemaking techniques and passion allow the Heading family to produce wines of outstanding quality and standing.

The estate’s semillon is star of the show with a number of ‘Best Wine of Provenance’ awards. The terroir here is perfect for Mediterranean varietals but also check out some of their more experimental varietals, such as the rich and distinctive Polyphemus Pasito Shiraz.

It’s a lovely touch that the wine bottles feature labels inspired by the local region and illustrated by Queensland printmaker, Claudia Husband.

There’s free wine-tasting at the cellar door and picnic tables outside to linger and enjoy the magnificent scenery. This probably won’t be the last winery you’ll visit during your weekend!

2. Stock up with real olive oil

 Before you leave the Clovely Estate Cellar Door, treat yourself to some of their fruity olive oils from olives grown just down the road and cold-pressed in nearby Murgon. This is the sort of olive oil that makes bread a gourmet treat and is the perfect dressing on a delicious and healthy salad.

There’s also something special about passing the silvery olive groves and seeing where the sun ripened the fruit for your local oil. Keen cooks will also want to shop from the Clovely pantry for verjuice from the Clovely grapes and other gourmet ingredients to add to the pantry or picnic.

3. Stay in a country cottage  

Tom at Clovely Estate’s Vineyard Cellar Door explains that the best way to enjoy a bottle of your chosen wine is to stay right across the laneway at the Vineyard Cottage. Here’s where you can savour the moment and don’t have to worry about driving afterwards! This traditional accommodation enjoys vineyard views and, once the day is over, you have total peace and quiet to sit on the verandah and watch the sun go down with a few glasses of award-winning Clovely Estate wine.

The Vineyard Cottage has five bedrooms and sleeps up to 11 guests, so why not invite a few friends? Prices start from $150 per night, depending on the number of guests, and it can be booked online.

If you want things quieter still check out, Hilltop Cottage or Stockman’s Cottage on the family’s Barambah Station, about 10 kilometres from the vineyard. These beautifully styled and secluded accommodation options are along a 1-km dirt and gravel driveway amongst bushland with abundant birdlife. Pricing starts from $150 per night, depending on the cottage and number of guests.

Tip: before you get settled, head into Murgon or Kingaroy to stock up with food essentials.

4. Discover your inner artist 

There’s something about the landscape here that inspires artists and craftspeople. Misty mornings, golden sunsets, rusty old farm machinery, lush pastures and rustic buildings make anyone want to bring out the camera or paintbrush. Lake Boondooma and Bjelke-Petersen Dam create beautiful waterscapes, whether glimpsed through the vineyards or down on the shoreline.

If you need some pointers for good vantage points, Tom or Susan at the Clovely Estate cellar door can help with that too.

The artistic community here is often closely allied with the winemaking, and it seems natural that Clovely Estate is a keen sponsor of local art and Queensland theatre.

 5. Explore local villages 

Wondai, Murgon and Goomeri are all in the heart of wine country and within an easy drive of the Clovely Estate Vineyard Cottage.

At Wondai you’ll find the Regional Art Gallery, eateries, vintage shops and a heritage museum, plus a museum showcasing the region’s timber industry history.

At Murgon, there’s a Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum and plenty of shops to get your supplies. It’s here that Clovely Estate olive oils are pressed at what was once the old Dairy Co-operative (not open to the public). The Visitor Information Centre in Murgon is a great place to stop for even more ideas of things to do in the region.

Goomeri is best known for its Pumpkin Festival in the last week in May but is a pleasant small town to visit anytime and has a choice of places to eat or relax with a coffee.

The region’s major town, Kingaroy, is known for its peanuts, and the peanut-silos are a familiar landmark towering over the town. From pubs to petrol stations, this is your go-to for a broader range of facilities.

Any time of year is a good time!

South Burnett is home to warm, country hospitality; vibrant towns; and majestic views of the Bunya Mountains. Whether you want a country escape or romantic getaway, explore Queensland’s  wine region and learn about the history that these small towns are famous for.

This high country in Queensland’s coastal hinterland enjoys gorgeous seasons where you can relax by the fire with a glass of wine in winter, see blossoms in the vineyards and olive groves in spring, have picnics on perfect summer days, or enjoy the colours and mellow-fruitfulness in autumn with a Clovely Estate shiraz in hand.

Weekends and public holidays are the best time to find all the wineries (including Clovely Estate’s cellar door) open.

Clovely Estate Giveaway | Enter Now

Discover our 5 Highlights of a Weekend in South Burnett Wine Country and Win a Complimentary Wine Flight and Antipasto Tasting Board for Two. Prize is redeemable at Clovely Estate City Cellar Door Red Hill, Brisbane or Clovely Vineyard Cellar Door Moffatdale, South Burnett.

Click here to go to the Progressive Traveller Facebook post and add a comment with ‘How you’ll spend your time in South Burnett’, if you were to win!  And don’t forget to share the Facebook post with your friends who’d love this prize too!

*One entry per person. Competition will close 14 October at 10pm AEST, and the winner will be announced on this post on the 15 October. Competition is open to Australian residents only and is not affiliated with Facebook.