Stanthorpe, Queensland


Stanthorpe is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the, Stanthorpe had a population of 5,406 people. The area surrounding the town is known as the Granite Belt.

Geography

Stanthorpe lies on the New England Highway near the New South Wales border from Brisbane via Warwick, north of Tenterfield and 811 m above sea level.
Stanthorpe was developed around Quart Pot Creek which meanders from south-east through the centre of town and then out through the south-west, where its confluence with Spring Creek forms the Severn River. Quart Pot Creek forms part of the south-western boundary of the locality, while the Severn River forms part of the south-western boundary.
The New England Highway passes through the town from Applethorpe to the north to Severnlea in the south. Originally it passed through the town centre along the main street, Maryland Street. However, it now bypasses to the west of the main developed area of the town. The Stanthorpe-Texas Road connects Stanthorpe to Broadwater to the west and then travels south-west to Texas.
The land within the boundaries of Stanthorpe is primarily used for urban purposes: housing, recreational, commercial and industrial with some undeveloped land on the hillier slopes. Although an agricultural centre of the Granite Belt, there is little agriculture within the town's boundaries. Crops grown in the surrounding area include vegetables, apples, grapes and stone fruit. Wine is also produced in the area, and sheep and cattle grazing is also prevalent.

History

Stanthorpe was founded by tin miners. People came from many countries to mine tin from 1872. Prior to 1872 this area boasted some large pastoral runs and a few prospectors in bark huts. At that time, the area was known as 'Quart Pot Creek'. The Private Township of Stannum existed in the area along one side of the present main street. With the discovery of tin and the influx of miners and new businesses, a 'more suitable' name was sought by the town fathers. Thus, Stanthorpe became the name which encompassed all, as this area became for a time, the largest alluvial tin mining and mineral field in Queensland. Stanthorpe literally means 'tintown', as Stannum is Latin for 'tin' and thorpe is Middle English for 'village'. The Queensland Surveyor General, Augustus Charles Gregory, is credited with coining the name in 1872.
When the tin prices fell, many miners turned to farming. The subtropical highland climate was very suitable for growing cool climate fruits and vegetables. Grapes were first planted here in the 1860s with encouragement from the local Catholic parish priest Father Jerome Davadi to produce altar wine. His Italian descent made grape growing and wine production a familiar pastime and the notion caught on in the area. There were plenty of Italian settlers and wine was made for home enjoyment.
St Joseph's Catholic School was established in October 1872 by four Sisters of Mercy: Sisters M Agnes, Emilian, Muredach and Malachy.
Stanthorpe State School opened on 9 March 1874.
The railway reached Stanthorpe in May 1881.
The Post Office with a clock tower and an elaborate coat of arms was constructed in Maryland Street in 1901 in the Arts and Crafts style. Following Federation, the Commonwealth Government took charge of post and telegraphic services. However, they contracted the construction of post offices in Queensland to the Public Works Department of the Queensland Government and the Stanthorpe Post Office is believed to be one of the first ordered by the Commonwealth Government. It was designed by the first Commonwealth Government Architect John Smith Murdoch.
The cool dry climate was valued as an aid to health from the early nineteenth century especially for those suffering from tuberculosis or chest conditions. Following the First World War, Stanthorpe was a major resettlement area for soldiers recovering from mustard gas exposure. Many of these Soldier Settlers took up the land leased to them in the areas around Stanthorpe which now bear the names of First World War battlefields.
Stanthorpe State High School opened on 23 January 1961.
Stanthorpe Adventist Primary School opened on 25 January 1982 and closed on 2002.
The College of Wine Tourism was opened in 2007.

Heritage listings

Stanthorpe has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Owing to its elevation, Stanthorpe features a subtropical highland climate. At an altitude of, Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at on 23 June 1961. Sleet and light snowfalls are occasionally recorded, with the most significant snowfall in over 30 years occurring on 17 July 2015.

Culture

Stanthorpe Library and Regional Art Gallery

Stanthorpe Library and Regional Art Gallery is Lock Street beside Weeroona Park. Both are provided by the Southern Downs Regional Council.
The Stanthorpe Library opened in 1987 with a major refurbishment in 2004.

Stanthorpe Heritage Museum

The Stanthorpe Heritage Museum at 12 High Street has a number of heritage buildings relocated to the museum site and a large number of displayed items from the district's history, many unique to the Granite Belt. The relocated buildings include:
There are many local events, including the Australian Small Winemakers Show, the biennial Apple & Grape Harvest Festival, Ballandean Estates' Opera in the Vineyard and the Stanthorpe Show.

Media

Rebel FM 97.1 MHz was Stanthorpe's first commercial FM radio station. Rebel FM has a new & classic rock music format. The Breeze broadcasts on 90.1 MHz with an easy adult contemporary & classics hits format. Both stations are part of the Rebel Media group. Toowoomba based station CFM also broadcasts in Stanthorpe on 97.9 MHz. CFM is a part of the Australia wide Southern Cross Media network.
The Stanthorpe area is served by a local Community Radio Station Ten FM. The Station is currently transmitting on 98.7 MHz with a low power transmitter situated on Mount Marlay. The station has in 2011 upgraded its Stanthorpe studios with a new mixing desk, new computers and professional grade monitor speakers. Ten FM has a local focus, derived in part from the stringent rules controlling Community Radio Stations. The station transmits a broad range of programs to attract the widest audience. In particular, the station broadcasts Italoz, a weekly program with an Italian theme to cater for the many listeners around the Stanthorpe area with an Italian background.
The Border Post is the only paid local newspaper servicing the district. The Stanthorpe Border Post is relied upon for its coverage of local news and events.
Stanthorpe is also serviced by a Christian radio network rebroadcasting on FM 88.0 MHz. It features programs about health, lifestyle, children's programs and interesting interviews.

Tourism

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 area. The Granite Belt national parks are Girraween, Bald Rock, Sundown, and Boonoo Boonoo. The region operates its own wine and tourism marketing body named Granite Belt Wine Country.
There is a wide range of restaurants, accommodation places and other tourist venues. Backpacking is popular and there is large demand for fruit and vegetable pickers from November until May each year.
Several private art galleries operate in Stanthorpe including the Glen Aplin Art Gallery which supports emerging artists and musicians who wish to display new works and perform at public functions.
Storm King Dam offers some good angling opportunities for Murray cod, yellowbelly and silver perch.

Amenities

Parkland has been developed along both sides of Quart Pot Creek as it flows through Stanthorpe with a network of paths for walking and cycling with bridges and other crossings.
The Southern Downs Regional Council operates the Stanthorpe Civic Centre Complex and council offices in Marsh Street.
The Stanthorpe branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 5 Victoria Street.

Education

Stanthorpe State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at Marsh Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 308 students with 33 teachers and 22 non-teaching staff. It includes a special education program.
Stanthorpe State High School is a government secondary school for boys and girls at 2 McGlew Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 653 students with 57 teachers and 45 non-teaching staff. It includes a special education program.
St Joseph's Catholic School is a private primary and secondary school at 100 High Street.
Queensland College of Wine Tourism offers Bachelor level degrees. The college operates in co-operation with the local Stanthorpe State High School, as well as other regional schools, prtovide secondary, undergraduate, and graduate certification related to wine and tourism industries.

Transport

Stanthorpe is on the Southern railway line. However, as at 2015, there are no scheduled passenger services operating to Stanthorpe railway station. The Southern Downs Steam Railway operates a tourist steam train most months from Warwick to Wallangarra & return, stopping in Stanthorpe.
Stanthorpe Airport is a public airport operated by the Southern Downs Regional Council. There are no regular scheduled services to Stanthorpe.

Notable people