Stanthorpe, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stanthorpe Queensland
Stanthorpe Post Office, 2015
Stanthorpe Location in Queensland
Population	5,286 (2021 census)
• Density	156.39/km2 (405.0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4380
Elevation	690–924 m (2,264–3,031 ft)
Area	33.8 km2 (13.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	56 km (35 mi) N of Tenterfield 60.2 km (37 mi) SSW of Warwick 143 km (89 mi) S of Toowoomba 217 km (135 mi) SW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Southern Downs Region
County	Bentinck
Parish	Stanthorpe, Broadwater, Folkestone
State electorate(s)	Southern Downs
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 21.8 °C 71 °F 8.9 °C 48 °F 763.8 mm 30.1 in
Localities around Stanthorpe: Applethorpe Applethorpe Dalcouth Broadwater Stanthorpe Diamondvale Severnlea Mount Tully Kyoomba Storm King

Stanthorpe is a cool country town in the Southern Downs Region of Queensland, Australia. It's also a "locality," which means it's a specific area with its own name. In 2021, about 5,286 people lived here.

The land around Stanthorpe is famous for its unique rocky landscape and is known as the Granite Belt.

Exploring Stanthorpe's Location

Stanthorpe is located on the New England Highway, close to the border with New South Wales. It's about 223 kilometres (139 miles) from Brisbane and 56 kilometres (35 miles) north of Tenterfield. The town sits high up, about 811 metres (2,661 feet) above sea level. Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Queensland, which was a chilly -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) on June 23, 1961!

Rivers and Creeks

Stanthorpe grew up around Quart Pot Creek. This creek winds through the middle of town. It then joins Spring Creek to form the Severn River. These waterways are important parts of the town's natural landscape.

Roads and Travel

The New England Highway runs through the Stanthorpe area. It used to go right through the town's main street, Maryland Street. Now, it goes around the west side of the town to make travel easier. Another road, the Stanthorpe–Texas–Inglewood Road, connects Stanthorpe to areas further west.

What the Land is Used For

Most of the land inside Stanthorpe is used for homes, shops, and parks. Even though it's a farming hub for the Granite Belt, there isn't much farming right within the town itself. The surrounding areas are very fertile! Farmers here grow lots of different things like vegetables, apples, grapes, and stone fruit. Wine is also a big product from this area. You'll also see sheep and cattle grazing in the fields.

South-West view of Stanthorpe from Mt Marlay

Stanthorpe's Mountains

The Stanthorpe area has a few mountains:

• Lees Hill, south of town, is 906 metres (2,972 feet) high.
• Mount Banca, north-west of town, is 924 metres (3,031 feet) high.
• Mount Marlay, north-east of town, is 918 metres (3,012 feet) high.

Stanthorpe's Past: A Journey Through Time

Before British settlers arrived, the Kambuwal people were the original inhabitants of this land. Their territory covered a large area, stretching across the Queensland and New South Wales border.

The Tin Mining Boom

Stanthorpe was first settled because of tin! In 1872, many people from different countries came here to mine tin. Before that, it was mostly large farms and a few prospectors living in simple huts. The area was known as 'Quart Pot Creek'. When tin was discovered, and many miners arrived, the town needed a new name. 'Stanthorpe' was chosen because 'Stannum' is Latin for 'tin' and 'thorpe' is an old English word for 'village'. So, Stanthorpe literally means 'tin town'! For a while, it was the biggest tin mining area in Queensland.

From Mining to Farming

When tin prices dropped, many miners started farming instead. The cool, high-altitude climate was perfect for growing fruits and vegetables that prefer cooler weather. Grapes were first planted here in the 1860s. A local Catholic priest, Father Jerome Davadi, encouraged grape growing to make wine for church. Since many Italian settlers lived in the area, making wine for fun at home also became popular.

Father Jerome Davadi, who encouraged wine growing in Stanthorpe

Important Buildings and Schools

• Mount Marlay was named after Edward Marlay, an early settler and tin miner.
• In July 1872, the Presbyterian Church was started, and its building opened in November 1872.
• St Joseph's Catholic School opened in October 1872, started by four Sisters of Mercy.
• Stanthorpe State School opened on March 9, 1874.
• On May 3, 1881, the Southern railway line officially opened to Stanthorpe.
• The Stanthorpe Post Office, with its clock tower and fancy coat of arms, was built in 1901. It was designed by John Smith Murdoch, one of Australia's first government architects.

Wedding at Stanthorpe's Presbyterian Church, December 1872

Coat of arms, Stanthorpe Post Office, 2015

Stanthorpe's Role in Health

The cool, dry climate of Stanthorpe was thought to be good for health, especially for people with chest problems. After the First World War, many soldiers who had been exposed to mustard gas came to Stanthorpe to recover. These Soldier Settlers were given land around Stanthorpe. That's why some areas near Stanthorpe are named after famous First World War battlefields.

Modern Developments

• Stanthorpe State High School opened on January 23, 1961.
• The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery was created in 1972.
• The Stanthorpe Library opened in 1987 and was updated in 2004.
• The College of Wine Tourism opened in 2007.

Who Lives in Stanthorpe?

In 2016, Stanthorpe had a population of 5,406 people. By 2021, the population was 5,286 people.

Historic Places to See

Stanthorpe has several places that are listed for their historical importance. These "heritage-listed" sites show the town's rich past.

El Arish house and gardens

Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, 2015

Some of these include:

• El Arish (a house)
• Masel Residence (another house)
• Central Hotel
• Stanthorpe Post Office
• Sundown Tin and Copper Mine
• Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial
• Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge
• Cherry Gully Tunnel (part of the railway line)

Learning in Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe has several schools and even a college focused on wine and tourism.

• Stanthorpe State School is a government primary school for students from Early Childhood to Year 6. It also has a special education program.
• St Joseph's Catholic School is a private school that teaches students from Prep (kindergarten) all the way to Year 12.
• Stanthorpe State High School is a government high school for students in Years 7 to 12. It also offers a special education program.

Stanthorpe State High School, 2023

• Queensland College of Wine Tourism offers university-level degrees. It works with Stanthorpe State High School and other schools to provide training in the wine and tourism industries.

Things to Do and See

Stanthorpe has a library, an art gallery, and beautiful parks.

• The Stanthorpe Library and Regional Art Gallery building is located on Lock Street, next to Weeroona Park.

Stanthorpe library and art gallery, 2015

• The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery often changes its exhibitions. It has artworks by famous Australian artists like William Robinson and Margaret Olley. The "Stanthorpe Art Prize" competition happens every two years and attracts artists from all over Australia.

Park around Quart Pot Creek, 2015

• The Southern Downs Regional Council has its offices and the Stanthorpe Civic Centre Complex in Marsh Street.
• There are lovely parks along both sides of Quart Pot Creek, with paths for walking and cycling.

Stanthorpe Heritage Museum

The Stanthorpe Heritage Museum is a great place to learn about the district's history. It has several old buildings that have been moved to the museum site. These include:

• A shepherd's hut from Ballandean Station (built 1876)
• An old jail from Willsons Downfall (built 1876)
• The old North Maryland school residence (built 1894)
• The old Stanthorpe Shire Council Chambers (built in 1914)
• Ardmore House, a summer holiday house (built 1920)
• Heath House, a residence (built 1940)

Old Stanthorpe Shire Council Chambers. Built in 1914, now part of the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum

North Maryvale School Residence

You can also find private art galleries and interesting street art around Stanthorpe.

The Brass monkey at Stanthorpe's central Post Office Square

Fun Events in Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe hosts many local events throughout the year:

• The annual Australian Small Winemakers Show
• The biennial Apple & Grape Harvest Festival (happens every two years)
• Ballandean Estates' Opera in the Vineyard
• The Stanthorpe Show

Getting Around Stanthorpe

Trains

Stanthorpe is on the Southern railway line. While there are no regular passenger trains, a tourist steam train called the Downs Explorer (formerly Southern Downs Steam Railway) runs most months from Warwick to Wallangarra, stopping in Stanthorpe.

Airport

The Stanthorpe Airport is located in Applethorpe. It's a public airport managed by the Southern Downs Regional Council, but it doesn't have regular scheduled flights.

Media and News

Stanthorpe has several radio stations and a local newspaper.

• Rebel FM (97.1 MHz) plays new and classic rock music.
• The Breeze (90.1 MHz) plays easy adult contemporary and classic hits.
• Ten FM (98.7 MHz) is a local community radio station with a focus on local news and programs, including "Italoz," a weekly program for the many listeners with Italian backgrounds.
• 3ABN Australia (88.0 MHz) is a Christian radio network with programs about health, lifestyle, and children.
• The Border Post is the local newspaper that covers news and events in the Stanthorpe area.

Sports in Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe has a strong love for European football (soccer) and supports many teams for its size. Several teams share home grounds due to the town's size.

Stanthorpe's Climate

Because it's high up, Stanthorpe has a subtropical highland climate. This means it has warm summers and cool winters. As mentioned before, Stanthorpe holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Queensland, at -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) on June 23, 1961.

Sometimes, Stanthorpe even gets sleet and light snow! On July 17, 2015, there was a significant snowfall, with up to 8 centimetres (3.1 inches) falling in Stanthorpe and nearby areas.

Famous People from Stanthorpe

Many notable people have connections to Stanthorpe:

• Ben Armbruster - Olympic Swimmer who has represented Australia in the Commonwealth games, and will again represent Australia in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics
• Jordan Atkins – a rugby league player
• John Bathersby – a former Roman Catholic Archbishop
• James Blundell – a country music singer
• Ben Dark – a television presenter
• Jerome Davidi – a Roman Catholic Priest who helped start the fruit industry in the Granite Belt
• Jack Drake – a bush poet
• Michael Hancock – a former rugby league footballer
• Edith Elizabeth Harslett – a successful soldier settler and active community member
• Ann Leahy – a politician
• Billy Moore – a former rugby league footballer
• John Reeves – a politician and judge
• Greg Ritchie – an Australian Test and one-day international cricketer
• Di Thorley – a politician

Images for kids

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  Stanthorpe Post Office, 2015

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  South-West aspect of Stanthorpe Township as seen from Mt Marlay

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  Father Jerome Davadi, promoter of wine growing in the Stanthorpe area

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  Wedding at Stanthorpe's Presbyterian Church, December 1872

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  Coat of arms, Stanthorpe Post Office, 2015

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  El Arish house and gardens

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  Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge, 2015

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  Stanthorpe State High School, 2023

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  Stanthorpe library and art gallery, 2015, operated by the Southern Downs Regional Council

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  Park around Quart Pot Creek, 2015

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  Old Stanthorpe Shire Council Chambers. Built in 1914, now part of the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum

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  North Maryvale School Residence

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  The Brass monkey at Stanthorpe's central Post Office Square

• Stanthorpe railway station, 2015 01.JPG

  Stanthorpe railway station, 2015