Granite Belt: Wattles and Wildflowers – 3 day Excursion, Glen Alpin via Stanthorpe, 1-3 August 2026

Leader: Our leader is well known botanist and QNC member, Andrew Pengelly.

Introduction: Late winter marks the beginning of the wildflower and wattle season in the Granite Belt. We will camp (or occupy a cabin) at a well-chosen holiday park on the banks of the Severn River, a birding hotspot. Participants must be members of Qld Naturalists Club. To become a member click here: Membership QNC. Day visitors are welcome as guest of members signed up for the day.

Accommodation: It is expected that accommodation will be in demand by the public as is usual at that time of the year, especially in the event of snow so it is recommended that you book early.

The recommended accommodation is the Country Style Holiday Park – Stanthorpe as activities will be centred around this location. The park spans twelve acres of picturesque landscape, ideal for birdwatching, botanising and relaxing. Members can book a bed in the 6 x bed family size cabin or one of the three reserved campsites by contacting the Excursion Secretary Cathie at excursion@qnc.org.au  Some tent campsites are powered, so a small heater might be useful.

Bring your fleecies, beany and gloves as well as your usual camping gear.

Itinerary: Those members participating in the full program should arrive the day before 31 July 2026.

Day 1: Saturday 1^st August. Meet at 8am at the entrance of the Country Style Holiday Park, 27156 New England Highway  Stanthorpe. We will then travel to the nearby Heritage Park at Quart Pot Creek just south of Stanthorpe, to enjoy the scenic waterway and wildflowers. In the afternoon we travel further afield to Foxbar Falls at Amiens, where over 20 species of wattle have been identified. In addition, the beautiful but endangered Boronia granitica (image shown in header) is abundant at this site and will be in bloom. The lakes are also a haven for waterbirds.

Day 2: We explore several sites within Passchendaele State Forest, known for spectacular granite pavements and boulders, and an array of wildflowers including the endangered species Boronia granitica, B. repanda and Zieria granitcola as well as the breath-taking Wallangarra wattle (Acacia adunca). For more info on granite wildflowers: https://www.granitebeltwildflowers.com

Day 3: On Monday there’s an early bird walk beside the Severn River at the Country Style Holiday Park Stanthorpe, before we pack up for home.