Weather on the Southern Downs
The Southern Downs enjoys four distinct seasons, with Stanthorpe known as the coldest place in Queensland. Our locals and visitors love celebrating our seasons, with something different to experience each season.
- Spring: Sunny days give way to perfectly cool nights. Orchards are heaving with apple blossoms, pretty wildflowers dot the Granite Belt and many new wine releases are celebrated.
- Summer: We enjoy less humidity than other parts of south east Queensland. Vast fields of sunflowers line our highways, stone fruit season and apple harvest is in full swing and our dams and rivers are primed for swimming.
- Autumn: Our trees turn to rich hues of crimson and gold, with nights cold enough to light a fire. Celebrate grape harvest.
- Winter: Known as Brass Monkey Season in the Granite Belt, frosty mornings turn into crisp, clear days. In July 2015 parts of the Granite Belt experienced a snowfall.
For information on weather events and road closures, visit Council's Disaster Dashboard.
The Big Thermometer
Stanthorpe is Queensland’s coolest town and this is marked on the readings shown on Stanthorpe’s Big Thermometer. Located next to the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre on Leslie Parade, the Big Thermometer is home to automated scientific weather equipment by Environ Data from Warwick and is available live on the Weathermation website 24/7 by browsing to the ‘Live Data’ tab and searching for ‘Stanthorpe Big Thermometer’.