Rathdowney, Queensland

Rathdowney is a small town in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. It is on the Mount Lindesay Highway 32km south of Beaudesert at the base of the McPherson Range. It is located in the Scenic Rim local government area. At the 2011 census, Rathdowney had a population of 434.HistoryThe 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 listingsRathdowney 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 ChurchGeographyThe 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.