| Unique Stanthorpe accommodation TWINSTAR GUESTHOUSE & OBSERVATORY B&B with an astronomical observatory |
| Girraween, meaning 'place of flowers', is a park of massive granite outcrops. Spectacular wildflowers emerge from amongst the granite in spring. Its eucalypt forests and heathlands support a diverse range of birds. Wildflower season starts late August. (From a Girraween Visitor Information publication) |
| Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory is only 15 minutes drive to Girraween National Park and conveniently located to visit Bald Rock National Park and other parks on both sides of Qld & NSW state border. |
| Boonoo Boonoo National Park Spectacular river and gorge scenery and historic interest |
| Bald Rock National Park The largest granite bolder in Australia; spectacular panoramic views from the summit |
| Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory 28146 New England Highway, Ballandean, Queensland 4382, Australia Email: twin-star@bigpond.com Phone/Fax: 07 4684 1135 |
| Home | Features | Accommodation | Night Sky Tour | Tariffs & Bookings | Location | Observatory | Local Information | Gift Voucher | Our Gardens | Wildlife | Our Meals | How to Find Us | Site Overview |
GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK
Minor Planet (asteroid) Girraween
Asteroid Girraween is orbiting the Sun. It travels
around the sun taking 3.4 years to make one round.
Its diameter is estimated to be 4.7 kilometres.
Asteroid Girraween's orbit
About Asteroid Girraween
Asteroid Girraween is orbiting the Sun. It travels
around the sun taking 3.4 years to make one round.
Its diameter is estimated to be 4.7 kilometres.
Asteroid Girraween's orbit
About Asteroid Girraween
| LINKS |
| Girraween National Park: The best website dedicated to Girraween National Park |
| Images of Girraween NP: Beautiful nature and wildlife photography by Robert Ashdown including images of Girraween NP |
| Birdwatching Australia: A directory of Australian birdwatching tours, bird clubs, freelance-guides, bird-orientated accommodation & reference information. |
| “Common Wildflowers of Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks” Book written by Peter and Leith Woodall. Published by Taita Publishers, Moorooka, Qld. |
| Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region, Inc. |
Birding Services Brisbane
| Birding Services Brisbane: Australian & Queensland birdwatching tours |
| Photographer's Guide to Girraween NP: Photographic techniques by Garry Schlatter featuring Girraween Vision And Imagination.com Stunning photographic works by Garry Schlatter |
Climbers on the Pyramid
Boronia flowers
(Boronia amabilis)
(Boronia amabilis)
The Junction
The Sphinx
Flannel flowers (Actinotus helianthi)
OTHER NATIONAL PARKS
| Unique Stanthorpe Accommodation |
| Clean & affordable B&B with an observatory |
| 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.