Are you looking for a good old fashioned rural show? The Stanthorpe Agricultural Show is on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th of February 2012. Our family first went to the show 2 years ago and were very impressed with the whole day. It has all the traditional agricultural displays of sheep, wool, cattle and horses together with side show alley and an excellent fireworks display at the end of the night. Being in the wine district a large array of local wines are also on display. Last year our receptionist and event co-ordinator Valerie was a commentator in the equestrian events on Saturday afternoon. So if you are looking for a fun filled day, the Stanthorpe Show is well worth a look.

Over the next couple of day’s stanthorpe will have a min of 12°c and a max of 28°c   with a lovely, cool breeze. Compare that to Brisbane with a min of 20°c and a very hot and sticky max of 36°c! So why not escape the heat and come and stay with us here at Happy Valley Retreat. Make a weekend of it and book a wine tour, visiting many of the local wineries and attractions.

Starting from Saturday 24th December 2011, Happy Valley will be closed for two weeks. Happy Valley Retreat will re-open on Monday 9th January 2012, followed by the Homestead Restaurant on Wednesday 11th January 2012. Owners Dee & Geoff and many of the staff employed at Happy Valley have young families.  Since this is our quietest time of the year Dee & Geoff decided to close for two weeks to allow their staff and themselves to enjoy this special holiday time with their families. We hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday and wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

12 December, 2011 Are you looking to getaway somewhere different for Summer? As much as the beach is enjoyable this time of the year, Stanthorpe still has a lot to offer in the Summer time. Not only do you have all the wineries and attractions, low humidity and cooler nights but you have lots of fresh fruit!  We always get asked when the best time to get fresh fruit - well now is the time. So why not take advantage of our 5 night summer special for $555 per couple. This will give you plenty of time to tour the granite belt with out rushing and get plenty of fresh fruit while you are here! This package includes 5 nights accommodation in a timber cabin including breakfast each morning. ...

08 December 2011 RULE #1 for Stanthorpe =  ALWAYS BRING A JUMPER. Regardless of the season, always bring a jumper or cardigan to Stanthorpe. The last couple of nights we have had our log fire going in our cabin. Officially it was 9 deg C in Stanthorpe, but at Happy Valley it felt cooler than that. It was excellent, rain on the roof, the log fire in the background, glass of red at night, blankets, doonas, perfect sleeping-in weather …

18 November 2011, I though I would let you know that I have just come back from Brisbane and unfortunately I had to fill up the car in Brisbane and paid $1.46 ltr. I drove out of Brisbane and Ipswich and the price dropped to $1.37 ltr. Aratula (just before Cunninghams Gap) was probably the cheapest, with Warwick only 1 or 2 cents different. I also managed to get from Aspley on the north side of Brisbane to Stanthorpe in 3 hours. I had a good run along the Ipswich motorway roadworks - at midday, and a 5 minute wait at Cunninghams Gap. Thanks Geoff

1 November 2011, Valerie has confirmed that the Stanthorpe  fruit season has started (her parents own an apple and plum orchard). The stone fruit is looking good, but the local apples may be a month or two away. I picked up some excellent local cherries yesterday from a roadside vendor and the kids have been getting stuck into them. The local strawberries are now in full flight and will be until April or May.

Happy Valley was fortunate enough to have the 2011 Australian Small Winemakers Show presentation ceremony in the Homestead Restaurant during the week.  We would like to congratulate Symphony Hill Wines for receiving the “Most Successful Queensland Exhibitor” award and Harrington Glen Estate with the “Best Queensland Red Wine” award for their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon  Not sure how good the Granite Belt wines are? Here is just the list of the local winemakers whose wines we stock, and the awards they received, in no particular order (√ - indicates have the wine on the menu).   Symphony Hill Wines Gold – 2009 Shiraz, Viognier Silver – 2010 Reserve Verdelho Bronze – 2009 Voigner Bronze – 2009 Danying Cabernet Sauvignon  Bronze – 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon   √ Bronze – 2009 Reserve Petit ...

Our new SPRING menu was released last week and already the options are proving popular with guests. Our head chef, has created the unusual dessert sauce of FIVE SPICE which compliments the COCONUT and GINGER PUDDING beautifully. The FIVE SPICE has caused some hesitation, but never any complaints. We have already seen a number of people return to have it a second night in a row. The FIG SAUCE compliments the PORK MEDALION and the BLUE CHEESE MASH takes it one step further.  The ever popular BAKED BARRAMUNDI has returned and this time is topped with a golden CAPER CRUMBLE.  Breads  Herb and Garlic Bread – with grilled parmesan cheese (V) (serves 2)    6Cob Loaf – served with a garlic & chilli butter, pesto and ...

Happy Valley would like to thank the Just4Kids charity for staying with us and we hope the “rest day” in Stanthorpe was enjoyable. We heard that running repairs were able to made thanks to the assistance of some local businesses who allocated time in their busy schedule.      [caption id="attachment_672" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="Bananas in Pyjamas overseeing the departure"][/caption]      Seeing all of them dress up for their “Italian Dinner” at Ballandean Estate Wines was very funny.  All dressed up for their "Italian Dinner"       We wish them a safe and successful travel during their zig-zag trip down to Byron Bay.   [caption id="attachment_673" align="alignnone" width="358" caption="Some of the vehicles leaving in the morning"] [/caption]

Have you wondered what your "Full Cooked Breakfast" entails when you stay Saturday night at Happy Valley?  Adult Breakfast You have 2 options for breakfast: Option A – Big Breakfast a.    Juice    (choice of)  Local Apple Juice Orange  Tomato     b.   Toast   (choice of)  Toasted fruit loaf with maple butter Toast with preserves: White, Multigrain, Vienna or Gluten free bread   c.    Cooked   (choice of) The Lot:  Bacon, eggs any style, sausage, mushroom, hash brown, thyme roasted tomato & toast Mediterranean Brushetta: Brushetta topped with avocado, fetta, basil, tomato, red onion and bacon (VO)   Option B – Happy Valley Breakfast a.    Juice    (choice of) Local Apple Juice Orange  Tomato b.    Light Start   (choice of) Toasted fruit loaf with maple butter Toast with preserves: White, Multigrain, Vienna or Gluten free bread Fresh Fruit Plate: With Honey & Yoghurt (GF, V) Porridge oats with honey, almonds & banana c.    Cooked   (choice of) Eggs ...

Rusty, our gardener has seen a large echidna wandering around the property. He reported that it was trotting around, not worried about him stocking the firewood under the cabins. It is not often that you can see an echidna in the wild and we happy to hear that they are in the area. The Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos have returned to feast on the large pine trees bordering our property. Their distinctive calls can be heard throughout the valley.

The date has been set and the winery has been decided. Our head chef is excited to announce that Ridgemill Estate is the chosen winery for Happy Valley's third Degustation dinner of the year. Ridgemill Estate winemaker Peter will be hosting the event and giving insights on his inspiration for each wine. With names like "Black Dog", "Pedigree" and "Sly Dog" it should be an interesting night.  We are looking forward to the PORK WITH STICKY APRICOT & PISTACHIO COMPOTE  and the DUCK AND SHITAKE MUSHROOM PIE. Tickets are once again limited, book now to avoid disappointment Click here to view the full Degustation Menu

        12/07/2011 We woke this morning to a very white scene at Happy Valley. No, not snow but frost. According to WeatherZone last night we officially got to -3, but locals tell us their thermometers  showed between -7 and -12. The clear night ensured we got a good blanket of cover. Our guests reported that the log fires in the rooms were well used and they were toasty warm. The frost means we will have an excellent clear blue day. Perfect winter weather. As you can see the water features were frozen over. This is our goldfish's second winter, so they knew what they were in for.  

  Our head chef has once again produced an excellent menu.We have retained the every popular steaks along with the Surf & Turf, while the Creme Brulee and Parfait Nougatine proved too good to let go from the Autumn menu.  V = Vegetarian GF = Gluten Free DF = Dairy Free VO = Vegetarian Optional GFO = Gluten Free Optional DFO = Dairy Free Optional     Breads  Herb and Garlic Bread – with grilled parmesan cheese (V) (serves 2)    6Cob Loaf – served with a garlic & chilli butter, pesto and extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar (V)    (serves 2 – 3)    11Turkish Bread – served with dukkah, extra virgin olive oil & semi-dried tomato (V, DF)   (serves 2 – 3)    10    Entrées  Soup of the Day – with a crusty ...

We would like to thank the Holden HSV car club for vistiting and spending Christmas in July with us. [caption id="attachment_554" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="Holden HSV - Rogues Gallery"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_553" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="Holden HSV Club members beside their beasts"][/caption]

The Stanthorpe weather is ensuring that the log fires in all our accommodation, both the cabins and suites, have been given a work out here in Happy Valley. The days are clear and by 4pm the mercury drops and you can feel the chill in the air. A recent guest commented that they came back to a cool cabin, yet within minutes of lighting the fire they were in short sleeved shirts. Midway through June and so far -2o C is our lowest nightly temperature. I am sure that July and August will definitely beat this.

Here we are in the last days of May and the trees have all but finished showing off their Autumn coat. The Liquid Amber along the drive is still a spectacular blend of yellows and reds, however there are bare patches in spots. The local photographers regularly take shots around the property. The Willow and Poplar trees near the dam and homestead have long since shed their skin. The family of wild ducks still call this place home and the bare trees only make it easier to see the antics of the Crimson Rosella’s and Magpies. This is our second autumn at Happy Valley and the colours still astound me.  

Following the success of the first degustation dinner we have arranged the Autumn Degustation Dinner to be held on Saturday 21st May, 2011.   The tickets will remain at $90pp, this includes 7 course meal 7 wines to match each course   We already have reserved some spots for guest who attended the first degustation dinner.      21 May 2011     W.A. LOBSTER TAIL MEDALLIONS with roasted eschallot rosti, rocket & lemon buerre blanc Casley Mount Hutton 2008 Sauvignon Blanc   SEARED QUEENSLAND YELLOWFIN TUNA with tomato & basil braised cannellini beans Casley Mount Hutton 2010 Verdelho    TWICE COOKED SPATCHOCK with Sicilian olive salsa Casley Mount Hutton 2007 Oaked Chardonnay    CHICKEN LIVER, PORT & TASMANIAN PEPPER BERRY PATE with toasted sourdough Casley Mount Hutton 2005 Merlot    ROASTED LAMB CUTLET with semi dried tomato, fetta & spinach stuffing Casley Mount Hutton ...

The chefs have finalised the menu for Christmas in July. $50 pp ($20 per child) includes: Complimentary Egg Nog or Mulled Wine on arrival 3 course Christmas buffet dinner  (click here to see the menu) Live Entertainment Games Santa Christmas decorations