Stanthorpe station opened on 3 March 1881, when the Queensland Railway's Southern line was extended from Warwick.

[1][2] It served as the terminus of the line until it was extended to Wallangarra on 14 February 1887.

[3][4] In April 1927, the station was visited by the Duke and Duchess of York.

[5] Until 1972, Stanthorpe was served by passenger trains operating between Brisbane and Wallangarra.

[6] The station remains in place and is used as a calling point by Downs Explorer (formerly the Southern Downs Steam Railway) heritage services.