The Bushfires and Drought have not beaten us

Our little town of Tenterfield is indeed resilient and has survived the recent bushfires and ongoing drought crisis. We would like to thank all the amazing firefighters, emergency response teams and volunteers for all their tireless efforts to keep our little town safe. Our town, despite it’s suffering, is determined more than ever to show everyone just how magical this area is to visit, and the region really needs you now.  The fires and on going drought have not beaten us. On arriving into town you will see that only relatively small areas of the Granite Belt and outskirts of Tenterfield were affected by the bushfires. The majority of the beautiful landscape around The Ballandean hasn’t been touched by bushfires.  The Drake fire nearby is well under control and contained. 

No tourist attractions, accommodation, cellar doors or restaurants experienced damage to their property in either Tenterfield or Stanthorpe. In fact there are 40+ cellar doors on the Granite Belt ready to serve you beautiful wine! Despite the ongoing drought, no cellar doors have closed due to water shortages. The lack of rain does make it tougher on the vines and the volume of grapes grown is less- but excitingly for you the quality and taste of the wine is only higher and more intense in the dry times!

Spring is indeed a magical time to visit the Stanthorpe region as the orchard blossoms are out and the grape vines are beginning to bud. In summer the grape vines have a lush green canopy and visitors can enjoy the lower humidity and cooler nights of The Granite Belt high country. The countryside and the National Parks remain a beautiful place to visit even during the drought! 

It is a well publicised fact that the Southern Downs, Granite Belt and Tenterfield are currently drought-declared, but that doesn’t mean that you have to bring your own water. We have water for drinking, showers and all your usual daily needs-we just ask all our visitors to be waterwise and save like a local.  Please help us to conserve our precious resources by following these tips on your next visit-
1. take shorter showers
2. reuse your towel to reduce laundry
3. turn off the tap when soaping up or shaving
4. report leaking taps and toilets as soon as you notice them 

The best way you can help our drought affected country towns is to visit Tenterfield , Southern Downs and the Granite Belt- and bring your friends!  Lots of Tenterfield and Stanthorpe locals and businesses rely on tourism for their job and livelihood. If visitors stay away, the communities will suffer- so we welcome visitors now more than ever!