Welcome to Twinstar
Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory is unique motel-style accommodation with an astronomical observatory surrounded by many wineries and orchards on the Granite Belt. The Guesthouse provides an ideal base for visits to national parks (Girraween, Bald Rock and Sundown NPs), bird-watching and wildflower viewing.
＜日本人の皆様へ＞
ツインスター・ゲストハウス＆オブザーバトリーは、光害の少ない夜空で天体観望や撮影をお楽しみ頂けるよう施設を整えております。宿泊者は裏庭のドームで毎晩２０：３０から行う「ナイトスカイツアー」に無料で参加できます（滞在中一度のみ）。
また、遮光塀に囲まれた専用の土地に観望や撮影に必要な器材を置けるコンクリート台があり、アマチュア天文愛好家は電源、テーブル、延長コードなどを無料でご利用頂けます（要予約）。お問い合わせは日本語でも結構ですので、Eメールでお尋ね下さい。
所在地はオーストラリア、クィーンズランド州南西部、バランディーン。最寄りの国際空港は、ブリスベン、車で約３時間の道のりです（ゴールドコースト空港からは車で約３時間半）。ブリスベンから車でお越しの方は、ご参考にこちらをご覧ください。車の運転が不安な方は、ブリスベンから長距離バスを利用する方法もあります。詳細はこちらをご覧ください。これら行き方の詳細を記載したHPは、以前日本からお越しになったお客様が作成して下さったものです。
Night Sky Tour
A free guided tour of the night sky is offered to our staying guests using a 46cm reflecting telescope housed in a 4.5m observatory dome. It starts at 20:30 nightly (weather permitting). Booking for the tour is not necessary. Guests are automatically invited.
No more than 6 guests are allowed to maximise individual viewing time. The tour is offered only once per stay and exclusively for staying guests. The public cannot join the tour.
Convenient facilities are available for visual and photographic observers. These include a fenced-in observing deck, tables and chairs for your comfort, and access to mains power and extension cords for your equipment (booking required). Whether you are a casual observer or a professional photographer, this venue is designed to cater to your needs and provide the necessary amenities to enhance your experience. So, book your spot and enjoy the convenience and comfort of our well-equipped observing deck while capturing breathtaking images or simply admiring the wonders of the night sky.
Astro-lover's Haven
We offer 3 comfortable & clean guest rooms with all ensuite & amenities you need for a relaxing stay. The Guesthouse can accommodate up to 6 guests in total 3 rooms.
Room 1: 1 x Queen & 1 x Single bed
Room 2: 1 x Queen & 1 x Single bed
Room 3: 1 x Queen bed
A family or group of 4 needs to take 2 rooms (no family rooms).
Accommodation
Each room has an air-con, own bathroom (toilet & shower), fridge, microwave, toaster, basic cutlery, tea/coffee making facilities, wardrobe, iron, hair dryer, shampoo, soap, towels, linens and own entrance.
Free undercover parking
Free Wifi (7:00~22:30)
Check-in time after 15:00, Check-out time 10:00
Sorry, no pets!
Affordable and uniform room rates on any day of a year (the below rates are per room per night). The rates include the guided night sky tour at the observatory (the tour attendance is once per stay).
Single room: $95 (1 x Queen bed for 1 person)
Double room: $118 (1 x Queen bed for 2 people)
Twin room: $135 (1 X Queen bed & 1 x Single bed for 2 people)
Triple room: $155 (1 x Queen bed & 1 x Single bed for 3 people)
A family or group of 4: $236~270 for 2 rooms (no family/large room)
Affordable prices 365 days!
Single room: $100 (1 x Queen bed for 1 person)
Double room: $120 (1 x Queen bed for 2 people)
Twin room: $140 (1 X Queen bed & 1 x Single bed for 2 people)
Triple room: $160 (1 x Queen bed & 1 x Single bed for 3 people)
A family or group of 4: $240~280 for 2 rooms (no family/large room)
Please note that our room rates will increase from 1 January 2025. The followings are new rates.
Home-cooked dinner delivered to your room
Delicious and healthy dinner (set menu) is delivered to your room at 19:00, if you book in advance (24-hour advance notice required).
$18 per adult
*$20 per adult from 1 Jan 2025
$12 per child (11-yr-old or under)
*$15 per child from 1 Jan 2025
The menu changes daily. Examples: Teriyaki chicken with rice & stir-fried veg; Pork cutlets with cooked veg & bread; Lamb curry with rice & salad; Japanese Dinner Box (fish, rice, veg, soup & dessert), etc.
*Note: No breakfast is available. Please bring your own supplies.
For enquiries use the Contact form below or email us twin-star@bigpond.com with your preferred booking date(s), number of guests & rooms, required room types (single, double, twin or triple), requirement for our dinner and your mobile number. For bookings all names of staying guests are required.
Call us (phone: 07 4684 1135), if it's urgent or you don't receive an email reply from us within 24 hours.
Enquiries in Japanese language are no problem.
Deposit is not required for bookings.
Please do not make a room booking if you intend to cancel your booking because of unfavourable weather forecast.
Please consider a night sky tour as a bonus as it is dependent on weather. Plan your holiday including visits to National Parks, wineries, events and other attractions.
Cash, EFTPOS & credit cards (Visa, Master, Diners, Amex & JCB) are accepted (no surcharge).
Booking & Payment
Location
28146 New England Highway
Ballandean, Qld 4382 AUSTRALIA
Hours
7 days
8am - 8pm
Contacts
Phone: 07 4684 1135 Mobile: 0409 655 713
twin-star@bigpond.com
Granite Belt Wine & Tourism: local tourism info including dining, wineries and attractions
Southern Downs & Granite Belt: what to do, see and eat within broader areas
Girraween National Park
Girraween, meaning ‘place of flowers’, is a park of massive granite outcrops, large angular tors, and precariously balanced boulders. Spectacular wildflower displays splash colour among the granite in spring. Visit the following Girraween National Park website for most comprehensive info about the NP. It is located only 15-drive from the Guesthouse.
Local Information
Near Twinstar Guesthouse in Ballandean
There are a general store & petrol, tavern, cafe, post office and pharmacy in a walking distance. Many local wineries/orchards are found in the surrounding area. Stanthorpe (15-min drive from the Guesthouse) has a wide range of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and shops.
