Southern Downs

The southern Darling Downs is a rich agricultural region of southern Queensland encompassing Wildash (formerly Lord John Swamp), Swan Creek, Yangan (formerly Upper Swan Creek), Emu Vale and Upper Freestone Creek. Around 2,500 Danish immigrants settled in Queensland between 1871 and 1891, many of them did so in Upper Freestone Creek and Upper Swan Creek and the area became known as Little Denmark. Gold and coal were mined in the southern downs in the late 19th century. Timber-getting, dairying and grain crops were the other major industries in the region.View The Southern Downs in a larger map