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Find your place in the Southern Downs
The Southern Downs offers more than a rewarding health career — it is a place to build a life. Whether you are exploring professional opportunities, looking for the right community, planning for your family, or seeking a lifestyle with more time to enjoy what matters, you can discover what makes our region a great place to live and work through the categories below.
Fast track your career in the Southern Downs
Working in the Southern Downs provides enormous benefits for your career and professional development that you just can’t get in the cities. It’s an opportunity to speed up your professional development and career all while enjoying the great lifestyle on offer.
There are so many healthcare career opportunities in the Southern Downs and lots of reasons to further your career in the region. Click HERE to learn more about what health facilities are available in the Southern Downs.
- An ever-expanding industry
- Healthcare in the Southern Downs is ever-expanding with over 350 new jobs added in the past 5 years alone.
- The region enjoys outstanding medical facilities and practitioners, whether in Warwick and Stanthorpe.
- The region is serviced by large hospitals in both Warwick and Stanthorpe with additional medical facilities, including general practitioners, allied health, x-ray services and more, readily available with the availability and attention you would expect from a close knit community.
- In total the Southern Downs is home to 2 hospitals, 12 GP practices, 10 dental clinics and 30 allied health clinics or access points.
- Gain broader experiences for increased skills
- One of the biggest advantages to working in our region is the breadth of clinical experience you can gain.
- Clinicians and health workers get exposure to a much wider variety of cases and can develop their skills and confidence more quickly than working in the cities.
- Have a real impact in the community
- Our communities are more connected and open. Working here gives you the ability to form closer professional relationships with patients, co-workers and other services so you can see direct and tangible outcomes from the work that you do, everyday.
Don’t just take it from us, listen to what local health specialists say about living and working here.
Welcome to our towns
Each urban centre and rural area in the Southern Downs has a distinct identity and together these communities provide a wide variety of lifestyles and community character, which will be the essence to attracting and retaining people in the region. Warwick and Stanthorpe are the two main hubs of the Southern Downs region, with many picturesque Villages supporting it.
WARWICK
Located 155 kilometres southwest of central Brisbane and 477 metres above sea level, Warwick is a thriving and attractive city, which can claim to be the first free settlement in Queensland. As of 2026, Warwick’s current population is 16,203. Warwick is known for its impressive heritage buildings and rich history. The tasteful use of sandstone and the extensive construction which was undertaken as the town, grew in the 1880s and 1890s leaving a large number of splendid buildings. In recent times, Warwick has promoted itself as the 'Rose and Rodeo City' due to the fame of the Warwick Rodeo which is held each October. Jazz music and yarn bombing bring colour to the city with the quirky “Jumpers and Jazz in July” festival that celebrates local artists and musicians. On our doorstep is the very popular Morgan Park Precinct, featuring National and International level equestrian events, a variety of motorsport, the dirt bike club and aero modellers.
STANTHORPE AND SURROUNDS
Stanthorpe is 216 kilometres south west of central Brisbane in elevated 'Granite Belt' country, close to the New South Wales border. Over the last 40 years, wineries with cellar doors and purpose-built guest houses have been added to the landscape. Stanthorpe and surrounds offer winters with crisp days, frosty mornings, crackling fires and quality wines with a current population of approximately 11,490 residents. Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt’s role as Queensland's top non-tropical fruit producing area is complemented by large areas of vegetable production supplying much of the eastern seaboard of Australia. In the late 1960s and 1970s a small wine-growing industry blossomed, the area has since gained a reputation for gourmet food and is now a popular tourist destination for those seeking to experience the wood fires with your wine, local cheese, olives, chocolate, gin and craft beer, just to name a few, during these four distinct seasons.
ALLORA
Known as the “prettiest town on the Downs”, Allora is a thriving farming-based community with a relaxed country feel. The population consists of 2,710 residents, who are supported by two schools, three hotels and a number of small businesses, sizable supermarket, essential services and large medical clinic, with a choice of sporting and health activities. Allora has a strong sense of history, with an old-time charming streetscape, heritage buildings and memorials.
KILLARNEY
Having the backdrop of the World Heritage Listed Main Range National Park, Killarney’s rolling green hills, deep sheltered valleys and spectacular waterfalls offer postcard views and some of the best scenic country in Queensland. Killarney is home to 2,112 residents, supported by one school, supermarket, essential services and medical clinic. The area thrives as a mixed-farming district known for its premium beef and lamb, onions, potatoes, grain and timber.
LEYBURN
Leyburn is well-known for their annual Leyburn Motor Sprints event which occurs in August and is a major driver of tourism within the region. Leyburn has a current population of approximately 560 people, supported by a primary school.
MARYVALE AND YANGAN
Maryvale is west of Cunningham’s Gap with some land reaching over 900 metres above sea level. Maryvale has a primary school, pub, hotel and commanding views of the surrounding valley and majestic mountains of the Great Dividing Range. Yangan is a quiet and scenic spot located at the base of Swanfels Valley. The township is known for its history in sandstone quarrying and one of the region’s successful family-run abattoirs. Yangan has a primary school, the Yangan Hotel and family-owned convenience store. Maryvale, Yangan and surrounds have a population of 2,518 residents.
PRATTEN
Pratten is a quiet township of approximately 229 people which offers rural residential living close to Warwick. The location was once popular for gold hunting and still has many visitors trying their luck at panning for gold.
WALLANGARRA
Wallangarra is known for being the changeover station for trains travelling between Queensland and New South Wales. The historical train station is now home to the Wallangarra Museum & Café. Wallangarra is a quiet township that is home to approximately 450 people, supported by a primary school.
The lifestyle you’ve always wanted
Choosing the Southern Downs is all about a better life for you and your family.
It means affordable living in a stunning natural setting, getting ahead in your career and financially, and having more time to enjoy life. Working in the country means exciting career opportunities that provide a broader variety of practise and a fast-tracked set of skills and with less expensive housing options, impressive education facilities and plenty of inspiration for weekend exploring, now’s the time to make the Southern Downs home.
There are many reason to join us living on the Southern Downs:
- Unsurpassed Work-Life Balance — this is what living in the Southern Downs is all about, no commuting, no traffic jams, means a calmer environment which you can spend more time with your friends and family.
- Significantly lower cost of living — living here is more affordable, overall expenditure here is 23% lower than in the rest of Queensland (as in 2025), with education (31% cheaper), clothing and footwear (30% cheaper) and food (29% cheaper). Housing is no different with the average weekly rent in the Southern Downs being 27% cheaper than in Brisbane (as at June 2026).
- Cheaper property prices – the median residential home price in the Southern Downs is $590,000, considerably lower than the median regional Queensland price of $840,000 (as June 2026).
- A renewed sense of community — everyone is more connected in the country. On the Southern Downs you will get to slow down and build familiarity with your neighbours and community which will give you a deeper sense of belonging.
- Country Lifestyle, City Convenience — close enough to stay connected, but far enough to make a difference to your lifestyle. The locals enjoy the benefits of a rural lifestyle with the reassurance of high quality infrastructure, medical facilities, professional services, national brands and shopping centres, public transport and nbn™. There are also major cities on our doorstep, with Toowoomba only 60 minutes away and both Brisbane and the Gold Coast around two hours away.
- Cooler climate and four seasons — based inland and at a higher altitude, the Southern Downs is cooler than anywhere else in Queensland and enjoys four distinct seasons. Nights are anywhere from 5 to 8 degrees cooler than sub-tropical Brisbane across the year.
- Shopping — boasting a vibrant and growing retail sector, the Southern Downs offers a range of shopping options including exclusive shopfronts you won’t find anywhere else. For those who prefer national brands, the region has a large modern shopping centre in Warwick, Rose City Shoppingworld, as well as national retailers in Stanthorpe and Allora. From fashion to farm equipment – the Southern Downs has it all.
Food, wine, events and local experiences
Make the most of the region’s celebrated food and wine, seasonal produce, events and vibrant local businesses.
Foodie heaven
The Southern Downs is home to Queensland’s premier wine region, the Granite Belt. Stanthorpe, Ballandean and the surrounding countryside is dotted with incredible wineries from small boutique growers, to award-winning estates, added to this are the breweries & distilleries for handcrafted beers, gin and local liquors.
The Granite Belt is also renowned for its fruits and vegetables, from apples and stone fruit, to summer crops of capsicums, tomatoes, green vegetables, strawberries and raspberries. The region offers a diverse range of soil types, climates and growing conditions, which make it ideal for the production of a vast array of food crops.
Big events and festivals
The Southern Downs is home to big events and festivals that draw crowds from across Australia and beyond.
A thriving arts and culture scene
The Southern Downs is a hub for arts and culture with many award-winning artists and artisans residing in the area. There are an array of high-class galleries and art trails dotted throughout the region for you to explore.
Some of the highlights include:
- The Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery which hosts the biannual $50,000 Stanthorpe Art Prize and attracts exhibitions from big name national artists.
- The Warwick Art Gallery which hosts major exhibitions and showcases the region’s rich artistic identity.
- Artworks Granite Belt is an inclusive creative community hub, a place to meet, learn, create and display creativity.
- Stanthorpe Street Art – follow the trail and marvel at giant murals, sculptures, and mosaics around town and beyond.
- Warwick Art Trail - step out on a walking tour of the city’s many and varied public art installations.
Visits the Southern Downs and Granite Belt website for more information.
A long history
Historic Warwick
Sitting on the banks of the Condamine River, historic Warwick was settled over 150 years ago and has an interesting story to tell. Botanist Allan Cunningham ventured on to the Darling Downs in 1827 and discovered a gap in the formidable Great Dividing Range. The rich grazing land was like gold to the settlers, who were eager to make their fortune in a new land.
In 1840 at the age of 25, Patrick Leslie, with the aid of a tracker but no map, rode more than 200 miles beyond the furthest limits of settlement in New South Wales, in search of the pastoral paradise described to him by Cunningham, to settle on what is now known as the Southern Downs. The slab hut built by Patrick, Walter and George Leslie is still in use today on the Canning Downs Thoroughbred Stud, a few kilometres from the centre of Warwick. The town was gazetted in 1847 and land sales began in 1850.
Historic Stanthorpe
By 1844 squatters had taken up four major holdings that covered a vast area of the Granite Belt. The Crown Land Act (1868) led to an influx of selectors, as well as enabling shepherds and other farm labourers to acquire land of their own.
Tin was first found here in 1854 but the ‘rush’ did not occur until 1872 when gold, silver, copper and other important minerals were also found. As the settlement grew in importance, Quart Pot Creek, as it was then known, was changed to Stannum (Latin for tin). Later the name was gazetted as Stanthorpe, literally meaning ‘tin town’.
When the tin prices fell many miners turned to farming as the cool climate was suitable for growing fruits and vegetables. Grapes were first planted here in the 1860s with encouragement from the local Catholic parish priest Father Jerome Davadi, in order to produce altar wine. His Italian descent made grape growing and wine production a familiar pastime and the rest, as they say, is history.
Discover heritage locations, historical sites and museums on Council's tourism website.
Nature and wildlife
The Southern Downs boasts the spectacular Girraween National Park and the world heritage listed Main Range National Park which is included in Gondwana Rainforests of Australia - such diversity in our patch of this planet. Take short walks or extended hikes and gaze at sweeping views over World Heritage listed forests and valleys. Walk among impressive granite boulders and towering outcrops and relish the wildflowers that splash colour across the landscape in spring. Watch birds, soak up the scenic beauty of the area and refresh your spirit. Find out more here: Nature and Wildlife - Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
A sporty community
Some famous sporting heroes come from the region, including Shane Webcke, Michael Hancock, Wayne Bennett (Rugby League greats), Matt Denny (Olympic medal winner for discus), Laura Geitz (Former Australian netball captain) and Ben Armbruster (Commonwealth games gold medallist in swimming).
Learn more about the local parks, sports and recreation activities via the Southern Downs Regional Council website.
If sports are your thing the region has you covered with great regional class sporting facilities and numerous clubs to get involved with:
- Equestrian, motorsports, dirt bike events at Morgan Park Precinct
- All junior sporting opportunities; and for all the ages, there is Soccer, Netball, Cricket, rugby league and Union, Australian Rules football, Union, Pickelball, Basketball, Dance, Tennis, Squash, just to name a few.
- Gyms, pools and recreation centres including Warwick Indoor and Recreation Centre and Stanthorpe YMCA Fitness, Recreation and Aquatic Centre.
- Lawn bowls clubs
- Mountain Bike Trails
- Shooting clubs including pistol and clay target
- Running clubs
- Rowing clubs
- Sailing clubs
- Golf clubs
Great education and schooling
The Southern Downs boasts excellent education options with quality childcare and both public and private schooling options. Unlike larger cities, you do not have to live in certain catchments for your children to attend the school of your choice. The region is also home to a TAFE college, the Country Universities Centre Southern Downs, Varias Academy, and a Griffith University dental clinic based at the Warwick Hospital.
Warwick
Warwick is home to a large number of government and private primary and secondary colleges. There are 12 primary schools to choose from across Warwick and surrounds, with older students well catered for at Warwick State High School, Assumption College, Warwick Christian College, School of Total Education or Scots PGC College, which also offers boarding. Warwick is also home to a TAFE Southern Queensland campus and a Griffith University health clinic. The University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba can be reached in just under one hour’s drive from Warwick or you can work out of the Country University Centre locate at the TAFE. Warwick is also home to five (soon to be six) childcare centres, after school care and school holiday options and C&K Warwick Community Kindergarten.
Stanthorpe and surrounds
The Granite Belt is home to a number of government and private primary and secondary colleges. There are 12 primary schools to choose from across the Granite Belt, with older students catered for at Stanthorpe State High School or St Joseph’s College in Stanthorpe. Stanthorpe is also home to the Varias Academy which hosts courses in hospitality and wines. Stanthorpe is also home to six child care centres, after school care and school holiday options, as well as C&K Stanthorpe Community Kindergarten.
Killarney
Killarney State School offers Prep to Grade 10 schooling, with many students completing Grades 11-12 in nearby Warwick. Little Rascals Child Care Centre also operates in Killarney.
Allora
Allora State School offers Prep to Grade 10 schooling, with many students completing Grade 11-12 in nearby Warwick. St Patrick’s College offers private primary schooling. C&K Allora Community Kindergarten and Allora Headstart Child Care Centre also operate in the town.
Leyburn
Leyburn State School, one of the oldest schools in Queensland, offers co-educational schooling for students from prep to Grade 6. Many students complete their high schooling in nearby Warwick or Toowoomba. There are a number of child care centres in nearby Allora, Clifton or Warwick, with the local primary school also offering outside school hours care.
