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Rathdowney, Queensland facts for kids

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Rathdowney
Queensland
Rathdowney.JPG
Rathdowney seen from the town's scenic lookout
Rathdowney is located in Queensland
Rathdowney
Rathdowney
Location in Queensland
Population 308 (2016 census)
 • Density 4.266/km2 (11.05/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4287
Area 72.2 km2 (27.9 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s) Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s) Scenic Rim
Federal Division(s) Wright
Localities around Rathdowney:
Maroon Knapp Creek Tamrookum Creek
Maroon Rathdowney Innisplain
Barney View Palen Creek Running Creek

Rathdowney (historically also written as Rathdownie) is a rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Rathdowney had a population of 308 people.

History

StateLibQld 1 111364 Train on the Beaudesert tramway halted at Rathdowney Station, 1912
Beaudesert Shire Tramway train at Rathdowney in 1912

The town was named after the former Rathdowney station, which derived its name from Rathdowney in Ireland. The Beaudesert Shire Tramway was extended to Rathdowney in 1911 but closed in 1944. Timber clearing was the first major industry in the area. Cattle grazing and dairy farming are now the main industries.

Heritage listings

Rathdowney has the following heritage-listed sites:

  • 8-12 Hardgrave Street and 14-18 Prior Street: St David’s Church of England
  • 157-159 Mount Lindesay Highway: St Joseph’s Catholic Church

Geography

The eastern boundary is marked by the Logan River. 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. In the west, where Burnetts Creek enters the Logan is Bigriggen Reserve Park. The park provides camp sites with a kiosk by the river with access available to caravans, motorhomes and buses.

Attractions

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.

Mount Maroon is 12 km west of Rathdowney. At 966 m the summit provides 360 degree views.

Amenities

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 opened in 1912 and 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.

Education

Rathdowney State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Mount Lindesay Highway (28°12′56″S 152°51′38″E / 28.2156°S 152.8605°E / -28.2156; 152.8605 (Rathdowney State School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 39 students with 7 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent). The school has a 25-metre (82 ft) 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.

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