13 March 2025
A new virtual map has just been launched by the Southern Downs Regional Council enabling Granite Belt’s wine country ‘strange birds’ to take flight within hands reach of visitors and wine lovers from across the nation.
Utilising the latest technology The Strange Bird Wine Trail is now live on the Southern Downs and Granite Belt Visitor App, highlighting rare wine experiences for visitors to sample and meet the makers of incredibly innovative wines that represent less than 1% of Australia’s vines.
“As a local I love exploring the Strange Bird Wine Trail because there’s always a new and exciting wine variety to discover. For anyone wanting to try something different from Australia’s traditional wine varieties then come and find out some of our best kept secrets,” said Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton.
“With the Strange Bird Wine Trail now on our Visitor App it’s so easy to plan your tasting journey, whether it be for a day, a weekend or a week.
“At the cellar door you’ll be able to connect with our passionate Granite Belt winemakers who’ll introduce you to the distinctive character of their Strange Bird wines.
“The Strange Bird Wine Trail is a unique experience in Australia, nowhere else has so many varieties in such a small area so it’s a fabulous reason to discover the Granite Belt.”
“We’re so excited to see the Strange Bird Wine Trail now available virtually for visitors to plan their trip thanks to the support of Southern Downs Regional Council,” said Mr Chris Nolan, President, Granite Belt Wine & Tourism Association.
“This announcement could not come at a better time during our harvest season, coinciding with a visit from Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) members. The 2025 Vintage looking to be a record year for Granite Belt winemakers who have received a multitude of medals for their Strange Bird white and red varieties, with a multitude of winemaking and in the vines experiences.”
“Download the free APP and find your new favourite wine from one of Australia’s most unique wine regions. March not only signifies cooler nights and autumn days with the display of stunning leaf changes across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.”
WHAT’S A STRANGE BIRD?
Granite Belt Wine Country is distinguished by its elevation, making it one of Australia’s highest wine region and Queensland’s ‘coolest’ location, producing elegant cool-climate wines. Their winemakers are admired for their expressions of Shiraz, Chardonnay, and other loved mainstream varieties, but it’s their Strange Bird Wines that have wine lovers and even Wine Australia describing the region as “one of Australia’s most exciting and underrated wine regions”
While other wine regions are known for one or two signature grapes, it is the ‘non-signature’ that defines Granite Belt and allows Granite Belt wine makes to bend the rules and surprise even the most adventurous of wine lovers.
Strange Birds is what they call their many alternative (or emerging) wine varieties. As a rule, they only call it a Strange Bird if the grapes are grown on the Granite Belt and represents less than 1% of Australia’s vines.
Last edited date 13 Mar 2025