Things to Do

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Explore Curlew

Curlew has 100 acres to explore. It has 1km of river frontage. To get you started, we have a 200-meter graded track marked with a granite sentinel down to Curlew Gorge. See the granite outcrops, natural caves, 16-meter natural rock swimming pool

Wilderness

Curlew is set in the Granite Belt’s spectacular natural wonderland, home to 5 national parks. Visit the ruggedly beautiful Girraween, Sundown, Boonoo Boonoo, Maryland and Bald Rock National Parks, all with extensive hiking trails.

Or explore the Demon Fault which lies just 10 km to the east. Along the fault, you will find the spectacular Undercliff and Boonoo Boonoo Falls. Both are readily accessible from Curlew Retreat along Mt Lindesay Road.

Foraging for local provisions

Visit some of the 10 nearby wineries and store your purchases in Curlew Retreat’s built-in wine rack. Buy some fresh sourdough bread from Foxy’s Bakery in Stanthorpe. Or some Apple and Ginger juice or Cider from Sutton’s Cidery on Maryland Road. At Amiens pick up some home-baked lemon-scented Italian shortbreads from Eagle Produce.

To get you started we supply some complimentary provisions.

And of course, the famous Fruit Run lies 10 minutes west of Curlew. In season choose fresh fruit such as Cherries, Pears, Apples, Peaches, Nectarines and Grapes from the many farms such as Mario and Angelo’s Wheel In Orchard. Ask Angelo for a braid of his Italian Garlic.

Or head further south. Visit Mt Stirling Olives for some delicious Olive Tapenade. Get some of the delectable Chilli Onion Jam only available from the cellar door at Ballandean Estate.

Slow Down

Or stay at the Curlew Villa and retreat from the world. Enjoy the music library. Or choose a DVD from the DVD library and watch it on the High Definition TV.

Heat some complimentary aromatherapy oils and fill the villa with a soothing scent. Take a spa bath with someone you love. Then light the log fire and curl up on the sofa.

Relax in total privacy, far from the world.

Crystal Clear Nights

After dark, enjoy a dark sky brilliantly lit. The 800 metres of altitude and a sky free from any lights open up the majesty of the thousands of visible stars in the Milky Way and the Clouds of Magellan together with the planets of the solar system.

Or explore the many dining choices available in and around Stanthorpe. Some good ones are Anna’s, Cooks Gluttons and Gourmets, The Rocks, Claudia’s and Whiskey Gully. Drive yourself, or to fully relax, get driven by one of the local charter companies.

Taxis, Private Charters and Tours

Several local companies pick up from Curlew Retreat for wine tours, return transfers to restaurants for lunch and dinner and customised itineraries.

Bird Watching

Curlew Retreat is home to 285 species of birds, including, of course, the Bush Stone Curlew. See our specialist bird-watching page for a list of local birds together with sightings

Horses and Steers

Horses reside on the property: an Australian Stock Horse, Carson, and American Quarter Horses, Sierra, Tahoe, and Elsa.

We also usually have 6 Black Angus steers on the property.

Do not feed the animals and they will keep to themselves.

Due to the stock and tranquillity of the area, anything that disturbs the peace e.g. motorbikes and drones is prohibited. These items will terrify the stock and they could drive through a fence or harm themselves.

Weather and Climate

See the Weather page for current weather and climate. Curlew Retreat can be very cool, even in summer.