Full throttle country: explore the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
The 2026 Penrite ASBK Championship presented by Pirelli rolls into Morgan Park Raceway from May 29–31 — and the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region is ready to rev up a whole lot more than just the racing.
There’s a reason the ASBK keeps coming back to Warwick. The racing is world-class, sure — but the region has a pull that goes well beyond pit lane. The Southern Downs in late autumn is genuinely one of the most beautiful places in Queensland, and if you’re making the trip, it would be a shame to spend all of it in the grandstands.
Here’s what the locals already know.
All Aboard: A Different Way to See the Region
The Downs Explorer, a fully volunteer-run heritage steam railway, departs from the Warwick Railway Precinct and hauls passengers through country that most visitors only ever see from a car window at 110km/h. The Warwick to Stanthorpe run drops you into the heart of the Granite Belt; the Ballandean route climbs the Silverwood Range past Dalveen and through The Summit — the highest-altitude railway station in Queensland. The carriages are restored originals, the crew are passionate volunteers, and the pace is deliberately, wonderfully slow. Check the schedule at downsexplorer.org.au — some runs include winery stops and pub dinners along the way.
The Granite Belt is worth the drive
Forty-five minutes south of Warwick, the landscape shifts. The air gets cooler, the granite boulders get bigger, and suddenly you’re in Queensland’s only cool-climate wine region. Over 40 cellar doors are strung between Stanthorpe and Ballandean — a mix of long-established names and smaller operations you’ll want to tell people about. This isn’t just a wine trail to tick off; it’s a proper afternoon, especially in May when the vines have turned and the light goes golden earlier.
While you’re down that way, Girraween National Park is unmissable. The boulders here are enormous — ancient granite formations that you can scramble over on tracks ranging from an easy hour to a half-day climb. The Pyramid is the signature walk. In autumn the bush is clear and crisp, and the park feels like it’s been waiting quietly all summer for this.
Falls, Views and Open Water
Queen Mary Falls sits about 35 minutes from town and makes a compelling argument for an early morning start. The falls drop 40 metres through rainforest; the walk to the base is short but satisfying. Pair it with a stop at Mount Castle Lookout on the way back and you have a proper half-day out in the Main Range.
If you prefer your scenery at water level, Leslie Dam — 20 minutes west of Warwick — offers easy shore fishing for Murray cod and golden perch, with campgrounds right on the water. It’s a completely different vibe from race weekend and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Warwick itself
The Warwick town centre rewards a slow wander. The sandstone architecture here is the real thing — not a heritage overlay, but buildings that have simply been standing since the 1800s. The Five Walks of Warwick cover everything from the CBD to the Condamine River, and the Warwick Art Gallery and Historical Society Museum are both worth an hour if culture is your thing.
For food and a sit-down, the pub options are strong. Leyburn’s Royal Hotel has been continuously licensed since 1863 — Queensland’s oldest — and Killarney’s hotel does the kind of meal that justifies a scenic detour ride to get there.
The Visitor Information Centres in both Warwick (07 4661 3122) and Stanthorpe (07 4681 2057) are staffed by people who actually know the region. Use them. And download the Southern Downs & Granite Belt Visitor App before you arrive — it’ll earn its place on your phone for the weekend.
Tickets for ASBK Round 4 at Morgan Park — 29–31 May 2026 – are on sale now. Click HERE to purchase yours.
