Stanthorpe, Queensland

Geography

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'.

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.

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.

Heritage listings

Stanthorpe has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Climate

Owing to its elevation, Stanthorpe features a subtropical highland climate. At an altitude of 811 metres (2,661 ft), Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at −10.6 °C (12.9 °F) 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.

Stanthorpe Library and Regional Art Gallery

Stanthorpe Library and Regional Art Gallery is Lock Street beside Weeroona Park (28.6537°S 151.9326°E / -28.6537; 151.9326 (Stanthorpe Library and Art Gallery)). Both are provided by the Southern Downs Regional Council.

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:

Annual events

There are local events, including the Primavera, the Australian Small Winemakers Show, the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival 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 (28.6539°S 151.9339°E / -28.6539; 151.9339 (Stanthorpe Civic Centre Complex)).

Education

Stanthorpe has a private co-ed catholic school, St. Joseph's School, servicing Preparatory to Year 12, as well as 3 main state funded institutions: Stanthorpe State Primary School, servicing Preparatory to Year 7; Stanthorpe State High School, servicing Year 8 to Year 12; and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. There are also handfuls of smaller state primary schools scattered throughout the region. The towns first Bachelor level tertiary institution, The College of Wine Tourism, was opened in 2007. The college operates in co-operation with the local Stanthorpe State High School, as well as other regional schools, providing 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.

Stanthorpe Airport is a public airport operated by the Southern Downs Regional Council. There are no regular scheduled services to Stanthorpe.

Notable people