Level of Significance
- File
- Local
- Regional
- State
- National
Age (approx)
150yrsTrees
1Diameter
1mHeight - 38m
Details
- Outstanding size (Scientific)
- Outstanding species (Scientific)
- Landscape (Social)
- Landmark (Social)
- Contemporary association (Social)
- Park/Garden/Town (Historic)
- Event (Historic)
- Attractive (Aesthetic)
- Species/Location (Aesthetic)
Statement of Significance
This tree was planted in 1870, three years after the opening of the Main Range railway from Ipswich to Toowoomba.
On 25 February 1864, the construction of the Ipswich-Toowoomba line commenced. The project was tackled in five stages, culminating in the sixteen mile section from Murphy's Creek to Toowoomba known as the 'Main Range'. The Main Range was regarded as a notoriously difficult section of rail to construct, given the steepness of the area. Approximately 1,600 men were involved in the project. For 100 years, the Mail Range was the most significant ascent on the Queensland Railway and a principal factor influencing locomotive design.
On 12 April 1867, the first train from Ipswich reached Toowoomba, a mere four years after the Railway Act was passed by the Queensland Parliament. The journey from Ipswich to Helidon took three hours, with the remainder taking over two hours.
The importance of the station was recognised by the National Trust of Queensland, which entered the Main Range Railway in its Register in 1994. The Spring Bluff Railway Station, with this London Plane Tree as an important aspect of its landscape, is a very popular tourist destination and has been a great family destination for generations. Spring Bluff Railway Station is maintained by Spring Bluff Railway Station Trust, comprising Queensland Rail, the Toowoomba Regional Council and the Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
This tree is outstanding because of its size. It is an outstanding example of its species and makes a significant contribution to the landscape. It is an important landmark as a feature of their gardens at the historic railway station. The tree has associations with the contemporary community, providing shade in a popular tourist and picnic area. The tree is associated with the opening of the Main Range railway from Ipswich to Toowoomba. It is a wonderful looking tree and a better than average example of its species.
The tree is located in the picnic area to the north west of the historic railway station.