34th International Geological Congress (IGC): AUSTRALIA 2012

Q-9A Granite Belt (including visits to Wineries) (continued)
90 34 th IGC AUSTRALIA 2012 | Fourth Circular
Return to Stanthorpe and check into your motel before an evening wine tasting,
tour, and dinner at the Queensland Wine Tourist Centre. This major project is
collaboration between Southern Queensland University/Stanthorpe High School
and Queensland Technical and Further Education and has been developed to
showcase the Queensland wine industry.
Overnight: Motel in Stanthorpe
Meals: B / L / D
Day 2 - Saturday 4th August 2012 - Stanthorpe to Brisbane
Following breakfast depart Stanthorpe and travel into New South Wales to Bald
Rock National Park. Bald Rock is Australia’s largest granite monolith, with the
summit at 1277 metres. The rock is not true granite and is classified as Stanthorpe
Adamellite, being of lower Triassic age showing marked phases in mineralogy and
texture. The park is dominated by the granite landscape as well as dry eucalypt
forests, and grassy woodlands. Spend time exploring the park with a guided
program before departing in the early afternoon to return to Brisbane with a stop at
a winery if time permits.
Return to Brisbane. Tour concludes Brisbane. Own accommodation arrangements
for night of 4 August
Meals: B / L
Equipment Required: Participants should be prepared for cool weather. Sun hat, rain jacket and strong
walking shoes are essential.
Q-9B Granite Belt (including visits to Wineries)
Post Trip: 2 days 1 night - Saturday 11 August to Sunday 12 August 2012
Starts: Brisbane
Finishes: Brisbane
Numbers limited to 30
Cost: $800 per person share twin/double
Single supplement: $68
Trip description: Only three hours drive south west from the subtropical city of Brisbane is a very
different landscape – the cool, mountainous Granite Belt. This region is home to
Bald Mountain (Australia’s “second largest rock monolith”), as well as the large
granitic intrusions of The Pyramids, Balancing Rock and Castle Rock, as well as
orchards and wineries. The trip also includes the World Heritage Rainforests of
Gondwana national parks.
Highlights: Granite Belt scenery, Bald Mountain, Balancing Rock
Trip Leader: Mr Bob Bultitude, Geological Survey of Queensland
Special notes: The trip includes an optional walk for about 5 km through Girraween National Park
(some steep gradients). A good level of fitness is required