This stunning new winery with helicopter arrivals is your excuse to visit Queensland’s only cool-climate region.
Tucked amid the mountainous terrain of southern Queensland’s Great Dividing Range, the Granite Belt is one of Australia’s highest-altitude wine regions – and one of its most underrecognised. But that status may soon change, thanks to a landmark new culinary destination that has opened in Ballandean today, 2 July 2026.
Meteora Vineyard is a luxury new restaurant, winery and cellar door featuring Queensland’s first wine cave – an underground barrel storage carved deep into the hillside – as well as scenic helicopter flights, bespoke private dining and innovative architecture. Slated to add its own accommodation to the property in October, the property provides a compelling reason to explore Queensland’s only cool-climate wine region, which produces some of the country’s best alternative varieties.
Opt to add on a memorable scenic helicopter charter.
The vineyard is the lovechild of founders Andrew and Karen Catsoulis, who co-founded National Storage (then Stowaway Self-Storage) together back in 1997. The couple fell in love with the Granite Belt after a chance visit and have since come to appreciate its dramatic granite landscapes, distinctive seasons and local community.
Influenced by the family’s Greek heritage, Meteora Vineyard respects the region’s soul while taking cues from Mediterranean culture, architecture and cuisine, along with practices of generosity and togetherness.
The estate features unique architecture that blends with the surrounding nature.
Gaze out onto undulating countryside.
Stroll the vineyards with loved ones.
The winery centres on alternative varietals.
As far as the vino experiences go, guests can expect estate-grown single-vineyard wines and alternative varietals framed by picturesque sun-dappled vistas over the countryside. Take a guided tasting in the cellar door to discover what gives the Granite Belt its distinctive character, learning from the passionate Meteora team.
Or perhaps head underground to the wine cave, where you’ll feel whisked straight to the vineyards of Europe. A true feat of engineering, the climate-controlled cave required extensive excavation and expert craftsmanship.
Queensland’s first wine cave is found onsite.
Guided by chief winemaker Andy Williams, the wine program focuses on the potential of varietals including montepulciano, fiano, aglianico and tempranillo, as well as regional classics shiraz and chardonnay.
The restaurant is as much a draw as the wine, however. Executive head chef Simon Treller has spun comforting Mediterranean traditions together with regional Queensland provenance, whipping up a menu bound to please all palates.
There’s saganaki with toasted sesame and local honey, slow-braised lamb pappardelle, lemon potatoes and tender chicken paired with pumpkin purée and crispy kale, among other savoury delights. And don’t skip out on dessert – chocolate and olive oil ganache with pistachios is hard to beat.
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AI Prompt
The restaurant's menu blends Mediterranean and local influence.
Meteora Vineyard can curate fireside dining experiences.
Enjoy private meals in the Glass Dining Room.
But perhaps what gives this winery an extra lashing of appeal is the unique experiences it offers guests. Most notably, the vineyard offers a 45-minute scenic helicopter charter from Brisbane, lending guests a magnificent bird’s-eye view over the vibrant escarpments and gold-green grazing plains of the UNESCO-listed Scenic Rim. But there are also private fireside dinners to enjoy and intimate long lunches in the Glass Dining Room, all extending a warm invitation to become acquainted with the Granite Belt’s beautifully unconventional spirit.
Meteora Vineyard ticks a lot of boxes, but there is one thing it doesn’t (yet) have: a place to stay overnight onsite. Fortunately, the venue is expecting to open luxury vineyard accommodation in October 2026, completing the recipe for a relaxing culinary weekend away with friends or family.
The details
Meteora Vineyard offers single-estate wines, along with a wine cave and bespoke experiences.
Location: 87 Rees Road, Ballandean, Qld
How to get there: Drive three hours inland from either Byron Bay or Brisbane, or take a 45-minute scenic helicopter flight from Brisbane.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.
Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.
Day 1
Morning
Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.
Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.
We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.
After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.
Afternoon
Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)
After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.
After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.
Evening
Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)
There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.
Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.
We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.
Day 2
Morning
Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)
A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.
If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.
Afternoon
Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)
For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.
We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.
Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.
Evening
Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.
Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.
Day 3
Morning
Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)
Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.
The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.
Afternoon
Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)
No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.
If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.
Evening
Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)
Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.
Getting there
Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.
