Special Event Alert !!!

www.jumpersandjazz.com

19th to the 29th July 2012
One of the best times of the year to experience the Southern Downs Region of Queensland is in winter during the “Jumpers and Jazz in July Winter Festival” and it’s just around the corner.  Believe it or not, people knit jumpers for all of the trees around the business district of Warwick.  Even the statue in the main street isn’t safe from this burst of artistic activity that engulfs the whole town. 

 

 

There will be art exhibitions, tours, workshops, unbelievable food, wine and coffee, and of course fabulous jazz music at venues and on the streets throughout the festival.  Some of the jazz performers billed for the festival are Sarah Collyer & Elegance Jazz, The Caxton Street Jazz Band, The Clem Four, Steve Henry Quartet, Andrew Kucks, Blue Poppy Aperitif Jazz Ensemble and The Freud Squad just to name a few who are all brilliant in their different interpretations of jazz.    If you’re here for the whole ten days, there is so much for you to do.  Take in the glorious Stanthorpe wine country on the granite belt and explore the historic estates around Warwick like Glengallan Homestead, and Abbey of the Roses which offers excellent accommodation.

 

The Beautiful village of Killarney is the home of the spectacular Queen Mary Falls, and Allora “the best little town on the Downs” will seduce you with its warmth, charm and hospitality.

The nights and mornings are crisp and cool, while the winter days on the Downs are clear and warm.  Perfect weather for log fires and fine dining at night, and the days are perfect for sightseeing and country adventures.  Like a visit to Morgan Park which is a mecca for all sorts of motor sports and many national Polo Cross competitions.  Take a walk back through time when you visit the Warwick railway station, site of the infamous egg throwing at the Great War Prime Minister Billy Hughes, which led to the formation of the Australian Federal Police.  Stay for a few nights at the Bestbrooke Mountain Retreat and enjoy the spectacular views on horseback through trails in the Maryvale hills.  Or, for the ultimate in sightseeing, soar above the Darling downs in a glider from the Warwick glide club, who offer air experience flights for only $130.

 

Once you’ve been here in winter and have fallen in love with the region (and I bet you will), you’ll probably want to come back in spring for the world famous Warwick rodeo which is so thrilling and exciting (I like to cheer for the bulls).   That’s when Warwick becomes the cowboy capitol of Australia.  It’s country and western party time.

With a little bit of planning you can make the journey and enjoy Jumpers and Jazz in July with us this year.  Only two hours by car or coach from Brisbane airport, Warwick has many fine motels and restaurants like the Alexander which has just renovated their restaurant and the chef is out to impress.  And McNevin’s Gunya Motel, founded by the late Brigadier General Brian McNevin whom I once had the pleasure of meeting.  His aim was to create a place with clean comfortable accommodation along with first class quality food.  He can rest easy because his three motels around Queensland are a credit to the hospitality industry.  The Coachman’s Inn with Rupert’s Restaurant for fine dining, and Silks Restaurant at the Horse and Jockey Hotel has fabulous modern cuisine and accommodation.  There’s the Imperial Steak house that offers up the best beef in town and has over thirty different boutique beers to choose from.  Bryson’s Place will blow you away with their wonderful breakfast and lunches, while the Warwick RSL club has great value buffets throughout the week.  Warwick is loaded with many more great places to eat just waiting for you to discover.

Send us an email if you are planning on making the trip to Warwick.  We would love to meet other Food Trekkers and share your Jumpers and Jazz adventures and experiences with our readers.
Karl