Looking for a unique family day trip from Brisbane that feels a world away? Just a 2.5-hour drive from Brisbane, a magical Christmas adventure awaits at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm in Stanthorpe. Escape the city and step into a Christmas wonderland, complete with friendly animals, a legendary Christmas shop, and hot chocolates, no matter the season.

Planning Your Brisbane Day Trip

Drive Time: Approximately 2.5 hours from Brisbane CBD.
Best Route: Take the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick, then follow the signs to Stanthorpe/Applethorpe.
Make a Day of It: Combine your visit with other nearby attractions like the Granite Belt Maze or a stop at a local winery or cidery.
Packing Tip: Stanthorpe is significantly cooler than Brisbane, especially in winter. Bring jackets!

Things to do at Granite Belt Christmas Farm

There is plenty of fun, family-friendly activities to keep visitors entertained at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. An annual family visit to the farm would make a lovely Christmas tradition, and help boost the economy of rural Queensland.

Choose a Christmas tree to take home

Families are welcome to walk through the avenues of trees and choose one to take home. The cost of the tree depends on its height and whether you require netting to transport it. Their harvest weekends start in late November so check their website for details to ensure you don’t miss out.

During the harvest weekend, there are often BBQs, face painting and visits from Santa. If you miss the harvest weekend, you can still visit the farm between 1st and 23rd December to choose your real Christmas tree. but be sure to check their website for details.

The farm grows more than 10,000 Christmas trees shaped four times yearly, so you’re bound to find one just right for your home. If you are worried you will miss out, you can preorder one via their website.

Feed the Animals

Admission to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm is free, but for a small fee you can buy a bucket of animal food to offer to the friendly animals, including donkeys, goats, sheep, ducks and chickens.

There are plenty of wide-open spaces for the kids to run around on this family-friendly farm and plenty of Christmas-themed paraphernalia to keep kids interested.

Although Christmas trees can only be purchased in December, the farm is open to visitors year-round.

Visit the Mistletoe Christmas Store

Stepping into the Mistletoe Christmas store, you’ll find a wonderland of over 20,000 Christmas decorations, cards, ornaments and gifts. There are also vintage collectables, jewellery, scarves, homewares and cookbooks.

Fear not, if you can’t make it to the store, you can shop online at https://granitebeltchristmasfarm.com.au/

Pick Up Some Decorations at Fraser’s Harvest Barn

If you are looking to jazz up your house for the festive period or put on a mammoth outdoor display for the whole neighbourhood to enjoy, then you should definitely visit the barn.

Stocking a range of outdoor Christmas decorations visitors can find Infinity lights, Christmas trees, inflatables, lighting and more.

Have a Treat from Mrs Claus’ Kitchen

Thanks to the Granite Belt’s frosty and low-humidity climate, all year round is a good time to indulge in a Belgian hot chocolate. Made according to a secret recipe, these hot chocolates are only small but so good.

A range of sweet and savoury food is also available for purchase at the cafe.

Enjoy a Picnic Among the Trees

For something a little different why not have a picnic among the Christmas Trees. Hampers can be ordered in advance and are available for pick up between 9am and 3pm. A rug and basket are included in the price (but must be returned).

Attend a Special Event

While the Farm hosts various events throughout the year, one of their most popular is the annual Christmas in July. Guests are treated to a traditional lunch, can meet Santa and enjoy the festive atmosphere, but be warned, it sells out quickly, so keep an eye on their website for tickets and details.

Things to Know Before You Visit

Dogs are not allowed on the farm
Entry to the farm/cafe/shop is FREE
The farm is usually closed in January and February for a well deserved break.
A full cafe is provided, therefore outside food and beverages are not permitted
Be mindful of breakables in the shop with a strict, ‘you break, you buy’ policy.
The cafe, farm and shop are wheelchair accessible with allocated parking and an accessible toilet.

What We Love About the Granite Belt Christmas Farm

Every time we visit Stanthorpe (usually in Winter) we simply must visit the Granite Belt Christmas Farm.

The kids love patting the animals and wandering around checking out all the Christmas decorations, while the adults enjoy having a hot drink and sitting in the sun, soaking up the Christmassy atmosphere.

The free admission means you can pop in for a quick drink, a little bit of retail therapy or stay for while, either way, the Granite Belt Christmas Farm, should definitely feature high on your Granite Belt itinerary.

While You Are in the Area

To make the most of your drive from Brisbane, we highly recommend combining your visit to the Christmas Farm with other top Stanthorpe attractions. Less than 10 minutes down the road is The Granite Belt Maze, where visitors can get lost, play mini golf and enjoy many fun photo ops.

Of course, when your tummies are rumbling, head to one of the many eateries serving delicious, local produce. We particularly love the toasted sandwiches at Stanthorpe Cheese and the desserts and juice at Sutton’s Juice Factory.

If you are searching for more ideas on things to do in the Granite Belt area, read our family guide to the Granite Belt Region.

How to Get to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm

The Granite Belt Christmas Farm is located at 321 Aerodrome Road, Applethorpe (just north of Stanthorpe).

For more information, visit the Granite Belt Christmas Farm website.

More Photos of Granite Belt Christmas Farm

Granite Belt Christmas Farm: A Festive Stanthorpe Day Trip from Brisbane