Stanthorpe, Queensland

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Stanthorpe
Queensland

Stanthorpe township (north-west aspect) taken from Mt Marlay lookout
Population: 10,575 (est)
Postcode: 4380
Elevation: 873 m (2,864 ft)
Location:
LGA: Southern Downs Regional Council
State District: Southern Downs
Federal Division: Maranoa
South-West aspect of Stanthorpe Township as seen from Mt Marlay
South-West aspect of Stanthorpe Township as seen from Mt Marlay

Stanthorpe is a town situated in south east Queensland, Australia. The town lies on the New England Highway near the New South Wales border 223 km from Brisbane via Warwick, 56 km north of Tenterfield and 811 m above sea level.[1] The area surrounding the town is known as the Granite Belt.

Contents

[edit] History

Stanthorpe was founded by tin miners. People came from many countries to mine tin from 1872. Stanthorpe literally means 'tintown', as Stannum is Latin for 'tin' and thorpe is Middle English for 'town'.

[edit] Geography & Climate

At an altitude of 873 metres (with some areas as high as 950 metres), Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at -11.0 °C in July 1895. In winter Stanthorpe is frequently the coldest town in the state. Sleet and light snowfalls are rare, but have been recorded numerous times. It can be very hot in the summer, above 30 °C.

The Granite Belt national parks are Girraween, Bald Rock, Sundown, Boonoo Boonoo.

[edit] Farming

The main industry today is agriculture, the main crops being apples and grapes. Wine and stone fruit are also produced in the area, and sheep and cattle grazing is also prevalent.

Stanthorpe and the surrounding Granite Belt and Granite Highlands area of South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales are the centre of a booming winery and national parks tourist destination. There are more than 50 wineries in the Granite Belt winery area, with a wide range of restaurants.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Annual events

There are local events, including the Spring Wine Festival (September), the Australian Small Winemakers Show (October/November), the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival (February/March - biennial) and the Australian Country Shows and Rodeos.

[edit] Tourism

Wine and tourism are a very important part of the town's economy. A world-standard College of Wine Tourism has recently been opened in the town to enable students to study these vocations, and Stanthorpe State High School owns and operates its own winery.Backpacking conditions here are excellent, and there is large demand for fruit and vegetable pickers from November until May each year.

Storm King Dam offers some good angling opportunities for Murray Cod, Yellowbelly & Silver Perch.

Shire Statistics
  • Population - 10,575
    • Stanthorpe 5,500(est)
    • Wallangarra 550(est)
  • Area: 2,669 square kilometres
  • Total Valuation: $206 million
  • Length of roads: 584 km sealed (approx)
    • 736 km unsealed (approx)
  • Federal Electorate: Maranoa
  • Federal Member: Bruce Scott MP
  • State Electorate: Southern Downs
  • State Member: Lawrence Springborg MP

[edit] Famous people from Stanthorpe

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stanthorpe (Web article). The Age. Retrieved on 2008-02-17.

Coordinates: 28°40′S, 151°57′E

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