| Unique Stanthorpe accommodation TWINSTAR GUESTHOUSE & OBSERVATORY B&B with an astronomical observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation for astronomy enthusiasts and nature lovers Ideal Ballandean B&B for bird-watching, bush-walking, and visits to Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks |
| No minimum stay, no deposit, Uniform rates throughout year Air-con, Wireless Internet Complimentary breakfast |
| Seniors/Carer Card holders & Pensioners: 5% discount |
| We are a member of Tenterfield Visitor Centre Stanthorpe Escapes |
| Features | Accommodation | Night Sky Tour | Tariffs & Bookings | Location | Observatory | Local Information | Gift Voucher | Our Gardens | Wildlife | Our Meals | Girraween | How to Find Us | Site Map |
| Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory 28146 New England Highway (PO Box 51), Ballandean, Queensland 4382, Australia Email: twin-star@bigpond.com Phone: 07 4684 1135 |
CURRENT MOON
| The highlights of this month's night sky tour |
| Click the above banner for the most comprehensive information on Girraween National Park |
| Enjoy spectacular wild flowers at Girraween National Park Boronia amabilis |
| Last updated on 23 May 2012 |
| Friendly & Comfortable Stanthorpe Accommodation B&B with a unique astronomical observatory! |
| Unique Stanthorpe Accommodation |
| Clean & affordable B&B with an observatory |
| Transit of Venus: 6 June 2012 You can see Venus travelling across the face of the Sun, starting around 8:15 am and ending around 2:45 pm on 6 June (Brisbane time). Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory will be open for this rare astronomical event from 10 am to 12 noon on the day to provide the opportunity for the public to see the transit. Anyone can just drop in and have a look at this rare phenomenon. It's a free community event! Eclipse glasses will be available for purchase ($4). These glasses will be handy for the next solar eclipse on 14 November this year. The above photo shows the 2004 transit of Venus taken by John Salini of Astronomical Association of Queensland. |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
General Information about Stanthorpe and Ballandean
History of Stanthorpe & Ballandean
Allan Cunningham, who is a botanist and explorer, discovered the country where Stanthorpe is located. Stanthorpe was founded by tin minors,
who came from many countries to mine tin since the "tin rush" in early 1872. Stanthorpe literary means "tin town", as Stannum is Latin for "tin" and
thorpe is Middle English for "town."
While the first (table) grapes were planted at Ballandean around 1840, it was not until 1931 that they were used to make wine. Since then,
wineries gradually have grown to emerge and Ballandean is now recognised as a premier wine producing region on the Granite Belt.
Climate
At an altitude 800~950m, the Stanthorpe and Ballandean area, also known as the Granite Belt, is frequently "the coldest area" in Queensland.
From frosty winter to fresh summer, this area displays four distinctive seasons with unique characters.
Industry
The main industry today includes agriculture such as apple / stone fruits / vegetable productions, and cattle / sheep grazing. Recently, the
Stanthorpe and Ballandean area is the centre of a booming wineries with more than 50 wineries. Wine and tourism are very important part of the
area's economy. There are great national parks nearby including Girraween National Park, where visitors can marvel at massive granite outcrops
and balancing boulders. A wide range of accommodation places from caravan parks, B&Bs, motels, guesthouses to luxury cottages can be found
in Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
History of Stanthorpe & Ballandean
Allan Cunningham, who is a botanist and explorer, discovered the country where Stanthorpe is located. Stanthorpe was founded by tin minors,
who came from many countries to mine tin since the "tin rush" in early 1872. Stanthorpe literary means "tin town", as Stannum is Latin for "tin" and
thorpe is Middle English for "town."
While the first (table) grapes were planted at Ballandean around 1840, it was not until 1931 that they were used to make wine. Since then,
wineries gradually have grown to emerge and Ballandean is now recognised as a premier wine producing region on the Granite Belt.
Climate
At an altitude 800~950m, the Stanthorpe and Ballandean area, also known as the Granite Belt, is frequently "the coldest area" in Queensland.
From frosty winter to fresh summer, this area displays four distinctive seasons with unique characters.
Industry
The main industry today includes agriculture such as apple / stone fruits / vegetable productions, and cattle / sheep grazing. Recently, the
Stanthorpe and Ballandean area is the centre of a booming wineries with more than 50 wineries. Wine and tourism are very important part of the
area's economy. There are great national parks nearby including Girraween National Park, where visitors can marvel at massive granite outcrops
and balancing boulders. A wide range of accommodation places from caravan parks, B&Bs, motels, guesthouses to luxury cottages can be found
in Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
| Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory 28146 New England Highway, Ballandean, Queensland 4382, Australia Email: twin-star@bigpond.com Phone: 07 4684 1135 |
| Stanthorpe accommodation, Ballandean accommodation, Stanthorpe B&B, Ballandean B&B, Tenterfield accommodation, Girraween Accommodation |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Stanthorpe accommodation; Ballandean accommodation; Unique B&B accommodation in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland, Australia Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
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| Globular cluster Omega Centauri A cluster of more than one million stars about 16,000 light-years away from us |
| Saturn is also visible during the night sky tour. Saturn's rings are easily visible through our telescope |
