How Low Will We Go?

January often sees Queensland sizzle day and night where even the pool or ocean provide little respite from the heat. But that's not the full story....

Just three hours from Brisbane, at 1000 metres above sea level there's a town with the reputation as Queensland's capital of cool. That's Stanthorpe! Even in the middle of summer, overnight temperatures seldom rise above 20 degrees celsius in the Granite Belt region.

Typical overnight temperatures are 5-7 degrees cooler than Brisbane - tomorrow for example folks in the Queensland wine capital will be 'chilling out' with daytime temperatures set to hit a pleasant 21 degrees...while Brisbane will be simmering at 29 degrees. While Quenslanders may be watching to see how high the mercury rises these holidays, in one place at least, it's a question of how low will we go.

Granite Belt Gets Blue

Looking for something cruisey to do this New Year's day?

Slope into the popular Lucas Estate Granite Belt Blues. Three bands will provide all day entertainment including local duo Bevi Aqua, plus rocky Brisbane talent Slidewinder and a new third band, Stolen Mojo. 11am to 5pm Lucas Estate promise to entertain revellers with a broad range of material spanning from early (pre-war) blues through Chicago Blues to modern electric boogie.
For $25 you get all day music and a commemorative wine glass filled with wine. There's great food and wine to choose from for the first 300 tickets holders. Tickets on sale now 07 4683 6365 or email wine@lucasestate.com.au.

Agapanthus Galore on the Range

Picture yourself on top of the Great Dividing Range – you are looking east over a five acre garden featuring an acre of agapanthus, a large waterfall and pond. Sound great? You can share the view with John and Michelle Burton who will open their Liston garden for charity on Saturday 2nd January 2010.

The garden was initially established in 1983, then extended in 1998 and 2002. Just to prove gardening doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, the new sections were established using 99% of plants from cuttings, division and plants received from friends’ gardens.

The gardens will be open from 9am to dusk at 103 Red Ridge Lane, Liston and you’ll know you are there when you approach the 150 metre driveway which is lined with hydrangeas!

A cake stall, morning and afternoon tea and BBQ lunch will be provided by Bella Rosa’s Tea Rooms. Entry is $5/ adult (children free) with profits set to boost the fundraising efforts of Apple & Grape Harvest Festival Young Ambassador Jessica Williams. Jessica is sponsored by the Burton owned and operated Bella Rosa’s Tea Rooms.
Phone for directions 07 4686 1249.