Rathdowney, Queensland
| Rathdowney Queensland |
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 Rathdowney seen from the town's scenic lookout |
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 Rathdowney
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| Population: | 198[1] |
| Postcode: | 4287 |
| Coordinates: | 28°12′S 152°51′E / 28.2°S 152.85°ECoordinates: 28°12′S 152°51′E / 28.2°S 152.85°E |
| LGA: | Scenic Rim Region |
| State electorate: | Beaudesert |
| Federal Division: | Forde |
Rathdowney is a small town in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. It is on the Mount Lindesay Highway 32 km south of Beaudesert at the base of the McPherson Range. It is located in the Scenic Rim Local Government Area. At the 2006 census, Rathdowney had a population of 198.[1]
The town was named after Rathdowney, Ireland. The Beaudesert railway line was extended to Rathdowney in 1911 (although, at that time it was a tramway - the cross-border railway line, passing approximately 3 kilometres outside town, was not completed for another twenty years).[2] Timber clearing was the first major industry in the area. Cattle grazing and dairy farming are now the main industries.
It is also close to some of the areas of greatest biodiversity in Australia, and a gateway to various National Parks such as Border Ranges National Park and Mount Barney National Park with a variety of lush rainforest, eucalypt forest, mountain heath and other habitats. There are many tours, farm stays, guest houses and other opportunities available for visitors to experience this region, which is about a 90 minute drive from Brisbane or the Gold Coast. In Autumn every year the population rises by several thousand for one day at the Rathdowney Heritage Festival, organised by the Rathdowney and District Historical Association (RADHA), who also run an information centre with information on natural heritage, indigenous heritage and history of white settlement from the time of the first pioneers to present day.
Currently the small town has a police station, a small shop, a pub, a service station, a post office, memorial grounds, information centre, a bowls club and a small school. The Rathdowney Primary School has a 25 m swimming pool in which every spring and summer the swimming club has races on a Friday night. The swimming club also has swimming training during the week after school.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Rathdowney (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL348200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (2000). Heritage Trails of the Great South East. State of Queensland. p. 31. ISBN 0-7345-1008-X.
[edit] Gallery
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Rathdowney cricket club team photographed with premiership shield, 1950 (John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland)
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