Stanthorpe, Queensland
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Stanthorpe is a town situated in south east Queensland, Australia. The town lies on the New England Highway at -28°39'45", 151°55'30", and is the administrative centre of the Stanthorpe Shire Council. The shire's population is approximately 10,400. The area surrounding the town is known as the Granite Belt.
Stanthorpe was originally founded by tin miners (hence the name), however, the main industry today is agriculture, the main crops being apples and grapes. Wine and stonefruit are also produced in the area, and sheep and cattle grazing is also prevalent. At an altitude of 873 metres (with some areas as high as 950 metres), Stanthorpe holds the record for the coldest temperature recorded in Queensland at -11.0 °C in July 1895. It can be very hot in the summer, above 30 °C. Due to its elevation, in winter, Stanthorpe is frequently the coldest town in the state. Sleet and light snowfalls are rare, but have been recorded numerous times.
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 such as Patty's On McGregor, which specialises in the finest local produce and is run by Sydney chef Patty Moxham who moved to the area in 2005 and took over a locally renowned French cafe at 2 McGregor Street, next to the hospital. Patty's On McGregor makes delicious use of Stanthorpe's rich agricultural bounty.
The Granite Belt national parks are Girraween, Bald Rock, Sundown, Boonoo Boonoo. There are a number of local events including the Spring Wine Festival (September), the Australian Small Winemakers Show (November), the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival (February/March - biennial) and the Australian Country Shows and Rodeos.
Stanthorpe has a rich tin mining history. People came from many countries to mine tin from 1872. Thus the name "Stanthorpe". Stannum means 'tin' and thorpe means 'town' so Stanthorpe means, 'Tintown'. Backpacking conditions here are excellent, and there is large demand for fruit and vegetable pickers from November until May each year.
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.
It has a population of about 5000 people in the town, and in the Granite Belt district itself, over 10 000 people have permanent residence. Due to a large migration around WWII, over half (51%) of the residents have Italian heritage, and of the 15% of people in Stanthorpe who were not born in Australia, 60% are Italian born.
- 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
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