Celebrating Stanthorpe's 150th anniversary

May 2022 officially marked Stanthorpe’s 150th birthday – its sesquicentennial – and a huge program of community and tourism events is being organised to celebrate the monumental occasion throughout the year and on 15 May at the 'From Tin to Town' reenactment, residents and visitors were invited to step back in time and celebrate Stanthorpe’s 150th birthday at an open air living museum that transported the audience 150 years back to 1872.

From Tin to Town interactive included pop-up performances, offering a look into the everyday lives of Stanthorpe residents, from the magistrate to shop owners, the local constable and many more. The living museum was brought to life by the Stanthorpe Little Theatre and included a roll up tree and stage, miner’s cottage, store and tannery, a hotel pub and traditional food from the late 1800s all enacted by Southern Downs Councillors and local volunteers.

Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt 

At the heart of the Granite Belt lies Stanthorpe, a vibrant country town and home to around 5,000 locals. The Granite Belt region has a mix of breathtaking natural landscapes, a thriving arts scene, world class wineries, fresh local produce and a calendar of exhilarating events, all celebrated across four distinct seasons. The Granite Belt is generally cooler than the rest of the region, with an occasional winter snowfall! Stanthorpe enjoys a rich multicultural and agricultural heritage, and a cosmopolitan mix of residents, backpackers and travellers.

There are many smaller towns and villages in the Granite Belt including Wallangarra, Ballandean, Glen Aplin, Dalveen, Thulimbah, The Summit, Applethorpe and more.

Things to Do

From granite boulders to spectacular national parks, gourmet food to world-class wineries, the Granite Belt offers exceptional experiences for both tourists and locals. Flowing through the town is the beautiful Quart Pot Creek, with more than 5km of walking and cycling tracks and great picnic and BBQ facilities. In Stanthorpe’s main CBD, you will discover an amazing range of cafés, shops, gift stores and an art gallery. Stanthorpe is also home to the biannual Apple and Grape Harvest Festival and Snowflakes in Stanthorpe, with many other cultural events held throughout the year.  

Employment

There are diverse local employment opportunities in the Granite Belt, with agriculture, education and training and health care the major employers. The manufacturing, transport, retail, accommodation and food services industries also provide plentiful career options.

Housing

The median house price in Stanthorpe is $275,000 with a median rental price of $275 per week.  

Education

The Granite Belt is home to a number of government and private primary and secondary colleges. There are 12 primary schools to choose from across the Granite Belt, with older students catered for at Stanthorpe State High School or St Joseph’s College in Stanthorpe. Stanthorpe is also home to the Queensland College of Wine Tourism with a University of Southern Queensland hub onsite also. Stanthorpe is also home to six child care centres, as well as C&K Stanthorpe Community Kindergarten.