By Tania Phillips
Christmas is a big deal at Ballandean Tavern in the heart of the Granite Belt Wine Country.
Tavern licensees Naomi and Stephen Day like to go all out with their decorations and lights – taking full advantage of their beautiful big verandahs.
While October may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas, it’s actually the perfect time to plan for the festive season and Christmas parties according to Naomi.
And even though Covid restrictions are reducing all the time she urged people to books they didn’t miss out on enjoying the country hospitality of the Tavern for their party this year.
“We’ve just been let off with less restrictions,” she said.
“Our chef is creating all sorts of different price-range packages. So there will be lots of different packages to suit everybody.
“We have a big balcony and I’m big on Christmas so I’ve got lots of decorations.”
Chef Grant Murphy has been hard at work perfecting his menus and packages for the holiday season.
A local to the Granite Belt, Grant did his apprenticeship and worked in hotels on the Gold Coast before returning home to bring his vast knowledge and experience and his personal style to the Tavern.
“We’re very lucky to have him,” Naomi admitted.
Naomi and her husband Stephen have been running the pub for almost two years now and are loving it, even though they have had to deal with drought, fire and Covid in that time.
“It was really hard during Covid but we just stayed open for takeaways, for meals and that was enough to keep us ticking over,” she said.
“But I grew up in a pub. Mum and Dad had Wallangarra when it was open.”
And now with tourists flocking to the area from throughout Queensland, the party season and Covid restrictions reducing, people are flocking back to the beautiful Ballandean Tavern to enjoy the country hospitality, ambience and food.
Find the friendly Ballandean Tavern, 1 St Judes Lane on the corner of Eukey Rd in Ballandean or phone (07) 4684 1044 for more information and to book in a Christmas function.
*This is an old article that has been digitised so our readers have access to our full catalogue.
