Granite Belt
Granite Belt Federal division(s) | Maranoa |
---|
The Granite Belt is an area of the
The area gains its name from the predominantly granite rocks that distinguish it from other areas that make up much of South East Queensland. The Granite Belt is known for its spectacular flowers, and produces virtually all of Queensland's $40 million apple crop from one million trees grown by 55 orchardists.[2]
The area also lies within the Southern Downs region. Including the town of Warwick, the region has a population of 32,600 people.[3] The major river in the region is the Condamine River, a tributary of the Murray River.[3]
Climate
The Granite Belt has a
The area is a popular tourist destination, particularly for the short-break drive market from
Soils
The regions soils are derived from the parent rocks of Ruby Creek
Towns
The town of
is a small village in New South Wales that is considered part of the Granite Belt.Attractions
Stanthorpe and the surrounding Granite Belt and Granite Highlands area of
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.[6]
The area is Queensland's premier
Part of the Granite Belt is reserved as
Further east towards the coast is the Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Towards the west of the district is the Sundown National Park. The granite boulders of the region attract rock-climbers, and bush-walkers like to explore the little-known Underground River.[citation needed]
The possibility of experiencing snow on the ground in Queensland is another tourist attraction for the region.[9]
History
The district was first inhabited by the Githabul peoples. These Indigenous people groups inhabited the land for ten's of thousands of years prior to European exploration and settlement. European settlement began when the land was first explored by Allan Cunningham in 1827. Cunninghams Gap and the Cunningham Highway were named after him.
A number of large pastoral stations were established in the region:[10]
- 1840: Robert Ramsay Mackenzie
- 1842: Maryland Run (360 square miles (930 km2)) with a capacity of 24,000 sheep by Matthew Henry Marsh
- 1843: Pikedale Run (288 square miles (750 km2)) with a capacity of 24,000 sheep by Captain Pike
- 1844: Glen Lyon Run (171 square miles (440 km2)) by Alexander McLeod
- 1860: Folkestone Run (201 square miles (520 km2)) by Matthew Henry Marsh
- Nundubbermere Run
- Pike's Creek Run
- Terrica Run
- Waroo Run
During the following decade, mining of gold, copper and tin brought permanent European settlement to the district.
In 1881, the railway to Warwick was extended to Stanthorpe and then to the border in 1887, when Wallangarra was established.[11]
The countryside around the Granite Belt, after World War I, was given to some returning soldiers as gifts or payment for their services in the war. As such, many of the rural districts are named after battles that took place in France, such as Amiens and Pozieres. These places were, at one point, rather busy and well-populated, but as Stanthorpe grew and returned soldiers grew frustrated with farming, the districts eventually died as many families left. In some places, where there were once Blue Nurse outposts and many stores, all that remain are small primary schools, while in other districts the post-war past remains only in the name.
The region's first wine grapes were planted in 1965.[1]
See also
- Stanthorpe, Queensland
- Darling Downs, Queensland
- New England, New South Wales
- Regions of Queensland
- Tourism in Australia
References
- ^ ISBN 0520250311. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ Morley, Peter (11 February 2008). "Weather gives apple growers rosy outlook" (News article). The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ a b c "Southern Downs Regional Council". Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
- ^ "Snow possible for parts of Queensland as brutally cold weather descends on state". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ Kim Stephens (17 July 2015). "Queensland snow: Stanthorpe gets highest falls in a decade". The Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "BEST Employment Harvest Labour". Best Employment Ltd. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ Hammond, Phil (18 July 2008). "Queensland proves its petal in wildflower stakes". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ISBN 1-875992-47-2.
- ^ Stone, Lucy (9 June 2021). "Here's why snow chasers leave Brisbane out in the cold". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "First Pastoral Leases". Stanthorpe Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-7345-1008-2.
External links
- Granite Net web page
- Southern Downs Regional Council
- Granite Belt Wine & Tourism: a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the regions wine and tourism industry.
- At Our Table: The Granite Belt digital story investigating Granite Belt's Wine Industry. Available on the State Library of Queensland online catalogue
- The Localist - Granite Belt Website and blog hub with practical tips from locals. Your go-to guide to visiting the Granite Belt.
- Soldier settlements of Queensland's Granite Belt digital story exploring impact of Soldier Settlements on the naming of locations in Granite Belt and their impact on its citizens. Available on the State Library of Queensland online catalogue.