Rathdowney, Queensland

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Rathdowney
Queensland

Rathdowney seen from the town's scenic lookout
Rathdowney
Coordinates 28°12′0″S 152°51′0″E / 28.20000°S 152.85000°E / -28.20000; 152.85000Coordinates: 28°12′0″S 152°51′0″E / 28.20000°S 152.85000°E / -28.20000; 152.85000
Population 434 (2011)[1]
Postcode(s) 4287
LGA(s) Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s) Beaudesert
Federal Division(s) 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 2011census, Rathdowney had a population of 434.[1]

The town was named after Rathdowney, Ireland. The Beaudesert Shire Tramway was extended to Rathdowney in 1911 but closed in 1944.[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.

Gallery

Rathdowney cricket club team photographed with premiership shield, 1950 (John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland) 
Beaudesert Shire Tramway train at Rathdowney in 1912 (John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland) 

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Rathdowney (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 July 2013. 
  2. ↑ Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (2000). Heritage Trails of the Great South East. State of Queensland. p. 31. ISBN 0-7345-1008-X. 

External links

Media related to Rathdowney, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons

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