Granite Belt, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = region
name = Granite Belt
state = Queensland

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caption = The town of Stanthorpe
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stategov = Southern Downs
fedgov = Maranoa
lga = Southern Downs Regional Council
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The Granite Belt is an area of the Great Dividing Range in south-east Queensland, Australia centred around the town of Stanthorpe. The cool high country of the granite belt is found to the south of the Darling Downs and north of the New England Tablelands.

The area gains its name from the predominantly granite rocks that distinguish it from other areas that makes up much of south-east Queensland. The Granite Belt is known for its spectacular flowers and produces virtually all of Queensland's $40 million apple crop from one million trees grown by 55 orchardists. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23198784-3102,00.html |last=Morley |first=Peter |title=Weather gives apple growers rosy outlook |work=Courier Mail |format=News article | accessdate =2008-02-12 ]

Climate

It is further distinguished by its elevation, which makes it the coolest part of Queensland. This, and its relatively low rainfall, has made it attractive for viticulture. Winter months can be very cold on the Granite Belt, and nighttime frost is very common. Bleak overcast conditions on rare occasions bring hail, sleet and snow. Situated at between 800-1050 metres above sea level the altitude creates a climate of four distinct seasons on the Granite Belt.

The area is a popular tourist destination particularly for the short break drive market from Southeast Queensland/Northern New South Wales. The boom in wine tourism has been a key driver and while winter is popular, the region benefits from being a cool contrast to coastal humidity in the summer.

Towns

The town of Dalveen is in the north of the Granite Belt. Other towns include Applethorpe, Amiens, Ballandean, Pozieres, and Wallangarra, in the south at the border with New South Wales. Liston is a small village in New South Wales that is considered part of the Granite Belt.

Attractions

The area is Queensland's premier wine region and home to the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. Many of the fifty plus wineries in the region have enjoyed significant success with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay for some years. Recently Verdelho has performed very well and many wineries are experimenting with alternative grape varieties, including Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Petit verdot. Part of the Granite Belt is reserved as Girraween National Park, which features granite outcroppings such as the Pyramids, and an abundance of fauna and flora (its name can be translated "place of flowers" in the Aboriginal language from which it is taken), the latter particularly in evidence in spring, when wildflowers explode into evidence. The area is home to at least 800 species of flowering plant species. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24039380-3044,00.html |title=Queensland proves its petal in wildflower stakes |accessdate=2008-08-12 |date=2008-07-18 |last=Hammond |first=Phil |work=Courier Mail |publisher= ] The botanic group known as the Stanthorpe Rare Flower Consortium has been established as a result of the regions significant floral heritage. Some of these plants include ground orchids, rock roses, pea-flowers and native bluebells.cite book |title=Discover Australia's National Parks |last=Hema Maps |first= |coauthors= |year=1997 |publisher=Random House Australia |location=Milsons Point, New South Wales |isbn=1975992472 |pages=172]

Further east to the coast is the Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Towards the west of the district is the Sundown National Park.

History

The district was first explored by Allan Cunningham in 1827.Agriculture was established in the region during the 1860s. The following decade mining of gold, copper and tin brought permanent settlement to the district.

In 1881 the railway to Warwick was extended to Stanthorpe and then to the border in 1887, when Wallangarra was established. [cite book |last=Queensland Environmental Protection Agency |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Heritage Trails of the Great South East |year=2000 |publisher=Queensland Environmental Protection Agency |location= |isbn=9780734510082 | pages = 116-117]

The countryside around the Granite Belt, after World War I, was given to some returning soldiers as gifts or payment for their services in the war. As such, many of the rural districts are named after battles that took place in the war, such as Amiens and Pozieres. These places were, at one point, rather busy and populated, but as Stanthorpe grew and returning soldiers grew frustrated with farming, the districts eventually died as many families left. In some places, where there were once Blue Nurse outposts and many stores, all that remain are small primary schools, while in other districts the post-war past remains only in the name.

ee also

*Storm King Dam
*Regions of Queensland

References

External links

* [http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Granite Belt Wine Country]