Southern Queensland Country Autumn Breathe Breaks

Southern Queensland Country Autumn Breathe Breaks

Autumn Breathe Breaks to take your breath away in Southern Queensland Country
There's something about Southern Queensland Country in Autumn – there's a crispness in the air that can't be felt anywhere else, making it the perfect place for a Breathe Break.

With life now on fast forward, there often seems little time for connecting – with loved ones, with the stars above, the food we eat, the ground we walk on. Autumn Breathe Breaks in Southern Queensland Country are all about slowing down and taking moments to just… breathe.

Just 90-minutes from Brisbane, and with direct twice-daily flights from Sydney, Southern Queensland Country offers a canvas of country escapes, from Toowoomba and the Darling Downs through the South Burnett to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. It's the perfect place to take time out this Autumn, to reconnect with life and to breathe deeply, to hear the crunch of Autumn leaves underfoot, and to watch the sun go down over country that is truly breathtaking.
Six Autumn Breathe Breaks have been unveiled, starring extra special touches like star gazing walks, hilltop picnics, hammocks secreted away in Eucalypt forests, Wattle Walks, Food and Wine Trails, art-aways, book breaks and of course platters of colour and flavour from Southern Queensland Country's extraordinary producers.

Breathe Break @ Happy Valley Retreat, Stanthorpe

Hiding deep in the heart of Queensland's premier food and wine country are 16 cedar timber cabins. With private verandahs, cosy log fires and an onsite micro-brewery which is home to seven craft beers as well as the signature Brewer's Platter, this retreat celebrates local produce and wine country flavours.

The two-night Breathe Break features a complimentary welcome drink and cheese platter in the rustic Brew Bar; the 4-course Brewers Platter matched with Granite Belt Brewery craft beers; continental breakfast hamper (*cooked breakfast on Sundays); full day Food & Wine tour including lunch at a local winery, and the option to explore any of four Breathe Break Walks which have been designed for guests to truly take time out, these include:

Walk the Vine – could there be a better encouragement to slow down and breathe than a walk amongst the Shiraz Vineyard, only to find a table and chairs and a bottle and glasses? Enjoy.
Picnic and Breathe – here guests take time out and walk out to the pond to meet the resident family of ducks before spreading a picnic blanket, lying down and looking up at the sky, with the only sounds being that of mother nature.
Sway and Breathe – this Eucalypt and Wattle walk takes visitors up a hill and delivers a wonderful reward, a hammock in which to gently sway, breathing deeply the crisp, clean air of Southern Queensland Country.
Walk It Off – a bushwalk and picnic in the State Forest brings guests face to face with local wildlife and wonderful colours and sounds.

The two-night Breathe Break starts from $279* per person twin share. *Terms and conditions apply, Surcharges apply for weekends. Not available during school holidays or Easter. Subject to availability. Valid 01 Mar to 31 May 2015. View website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4681 1370 or visit www.happyvalleyretreat.com.au

Home of the Breathe Break Indulgence, Diamondvale B&B Cottages & Lodge is a country escape in total comfort where the stars of southern Queensland country shine. The package features two nights in a one-bedroom cottage filled with little luxuries as well as a fully cooked breakfasts delivered cottage each morning; a local cheese platter and bottle of wine on arrival; a two course evening meal at Happy Valley Retreat's restaurant including transfers; a full day regional tour sampling local wines, craft beers and produce with homemade soups and fresh bread rolls on your return.

Special Breathe Break touches include aromatherapy candles and relaxation music on arrival, an artist's easel complete with paper, water colours and pencils in all cottages, and a library of books. The sights, sounds and flavours of the country are all complimentary. The two-night Breathe Break Indulgence starts from $410* per person. *Terms and conditions apply, Surcharges apply for weekends. Not available during school holidays or Easter. Subject to availability. Valid 01 Mar to 31 May 2015. View website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4681 3367 or visit www.diamondvalecottages.com.au

Breathe Breaks in the Bunya Mountains

Formed 30 million years ago, the stunning Bunya Mountains know a thing or two about the importance of time! The picture perfect place to breathe deeply and reconnect, there are 97 architecturally designed holiday houses to choose from. Guests are encouraged to linger in the Bunya Pine Forest and soak up the land that time forgot, perhaps picnicking on a hamper from the famed Poppies Café; and to tune in to the sounds of nature; it's a spectacular part of the world.

A two night Breathe Break in the Bunyas starts from $110* per night and includes Poppies Café coffee/tea for two and specialty Bunya nut bakes. *Terms and conditions apply, House prices start from $110 per night. Minimum two-night stay, subject to availability and not available during school holidays or Easter. Valid 01 Mar to 31 May 2015. View website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4668 3126 or visit www.bunyamountains.com.au

Breathe a While at Hillview Cottages, South Burnett

With spectacular views of the region's rich farming lands these multi-award winning, beautifully converted cottages (a former dairy, workers cottage and church circa 1912) set the tone for star gazing, spa time, wood fires and complete country relaxation.

The three-night Breathe a While package costs $150* per night per self-contained cottage and includes a welcoming bottle of wine and local 'Tastes of the South Burnett" platter, with each cottage boasting a double spa, a private verandah and shelves of books to choose from. *Terms and conditions apply. Minimum three-night stay. Not available during school holidays or Easter. Subject to availability. Valid 01 Mar to 31 May 2015. View website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4162 1727 or visit www.hillviewcottages.com.au

For couples needing a Breathe Break laced with romance, Ravensbourne Forest Chalets at Palmtree has the perfect loved-up getaway starring welcome wine and chocolates, a hearty breakfast hamper, cosy log fires and private balcony overlooking a tranquil rainforest. A personalised Country Drive has been designed for Breathe Breakers, so sunglasses and scarves are de rigour (think Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday). Purchase a tasty picnic hamper from reception and explore nearby walking trails or take a leisurely country drive visiting local food and wine producers.

The two-night package starts from $450* per couple. Terms and conditions apply. Surcharges apply for weekend stays. Not available over Easter. Subject to availability. Valid for bookings 01 Mar to 31 May 2015. View website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4697 8185 or visit www.ravensbourneforestchalets.com.au

Breathe Break Friends Getaway

Sometimes you need downtime with friends, and Filippos Tours has crafted the perfect Breathe Break experience for you and seven friends. The getaway starts in Brisbane with a private mini coach transfer to Stanthorpe for two nights at Diamondvale Lodge, a spacious chalet style home. The welcome includes a complimentary wine or sparkling and cheese platter on arrival, a private transfer to a local restaurant for a two-course local produce dinner, daily cooked breakfasts and a full day personalised Food & Wine Tour including lunch in a local winery and more. There's time for a lazy lunch and visits to a few more local producers before being transferred back to Brisbane.

Pricing is per person based on 8 adults travelling together and staying at Diamondvale Lodge (4 Queen beds, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms) and is subject to availability. Travel before 31 March and save with the Early Autumn price of $599pp. Package price from 01 Apr to 31 May $660 pp. Not available over Easter or Public Holidays. Breathe Break valid 1 March to 31 May 2015. See website for full terms and conditions. For bookings contact 07 4681 3130 or visit www.filippostours.com.au