6 Prii and their enthusiastic owners left Brisbane on the morning of Saturday 17th February for a weekend of fun, food and frivolity in the Stanthorpe area.

First stop (apart from a short coffee break in Warwick to meet up with Don and Alicia) was lunch at Giardino’s Cafe…a recommended foodie’s delight where the meals proved to be HUGE! Well fed, we moved on to Castle Glen winery where fruit liqueurs are a specialty. Much sampling and shopping ensued, followed by some cheese and bikkies to cleanse the palate and a photo session in the carpark.
We then moved on to Hi-Value orchards, where everyone proceeded to the orchards to pick apples straight from the trees (can’t get any fresher than that!). Sampling of other fruit products was offered, before we moved on to Heritage winery for more tasting and group buying to re-stock the wine racks at home. One more winery followed, where we toured the production area and learned how the grapes are transformed into the luscious drop that eventually is bottled and consumed.

From there, it was time to head for town and check in to our motel for a little R and R before dinner. 6 Prii arriving in stealth mode at the motel office caused quite a stir among the natives sitting outside! Our rooms were very nice, and host Steve was very attentive to everyone, making sure we were settled in. Some in the group decided they needed to burn off some calories before re-stocking at dinner, and went for a walk around the nearby creek. Most just crashed!

Dinner was a short walk next door to Anna’s restaurant where a great Italian buffet was on offer on weekends. Anna’s is situated in an old high-set Queenslander, and the various sized rooms are set with tables to accommodate different numbers of guests. Once seated, guests are free to fill their plates from the extensive selection of great home-cooked hot and cold Italian dishes and desserts, as well as fresh fruits, as many times as they like. Fresh-brewed coffee and tea finished off a great meal. After dinner, it was just a short bracing walk back to the motel and a welcome sleep to cap a great day.

Sunday dawned with a short early rain shower before fining up. Don was up early to catch up on the day’s newspaper before crashing back in bed for a few more ZZZZZ’s. He managed to wake up by the time everyone was ready to leave, though. Before leaving, we had a delivery of some fresh-picked broccoli courtesy of Ian and Gail, Stanthorpe-based grey nomads who joined us for dinner. Thanks guys!

After giving Steve a demonstration of the wonders of a Prius,and checking out of the motel, we moved up the road to the Farmer’s Market where bargains in fresh produce were snapped up. Stocked up, it was on to Heavenly Chocolates to indulge in fresh coffee and hand-made chocolate treats. From there, we moved back up to Felsberg winery for a tasting and some spectacular views of the area before farewelling Don and Alicia who had to leave early. On to lunch at Ballandean, where good wines and home-cooked meals were offered. Ian seemed a bit the worse for wear after lunch and tasting, but perked up later. The day progressed with a visit to an olive grove, and a family-run jam factory where the owners were most impressed with a demo and drive of a Prius. We then finished up at the Bramble Patch, where a wide variety of fresh berries, jams, sauces, and luscious berry ice-creams were on offer. Good stuff!

Everyone then headed for home, with cars full of fresh produce and good wine. The trip home was uneventful (except for Nixon, who realised he had left some clothes in the wardrobe at the motel….bugger!).

From the feedback received, everyone had a great time, and wants another trip soon.

Glad it was a success….yes, we will organise another one sooner rather than later.

Filed in: Trips