Ascot, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ascot Brisbane, Queensland
Yabba Street, Ascot
Ascot Location in Queensland
Population	6,531 (2021 census)
• Density	2,420/km2 (6,300/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4007
Area	2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	6.5 km (4 mi) NE of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Hamilton Ward)
State electorate(s)	Clayfield
Federal Division(s)	Brisbane
Suburbs around Ascot: Clayfield Hendra Eagle Farm Albion Ascot Eagle Farm Albion Hamilton Hamilton

Ascot is a suburb in the north-east part of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for its beautiful old homes and famous horse racing tracks. In 2021, about 6,531 people lived in Ascot.

What is Ascot Like?

Ascot is famous for its large, traditional Queenslander-style homes. These are houses built to suit Queensland's warm climate. The suburb is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) north-east of Brisbane's city center.

A popular spot is Racecourse Road. It's a shopping area lined with pretty poinciana trees. Ascot is also home to two well-known horse racing tracks: Eagle Farm and Doomben. These tracks are very popular for racing events. More than a third of Ascot's land is taken up by these racecourses.

You can also find Bartleys Hill in the south-west of Ascot. It stands about 78 meters (256 feet) above sea level.

A Look Back in Time

Early Days

Long ago, the land where Ascot now stands belonged to the Aboriginal Turrbal people. They called the area Yowoggerra, which means 'corroboree place'. They had camps near Breakfast Creek. In 1824, explorers met members of the Turrbal clan there.

In the 1830s, convicts helped clear the land and build roads. Later, wealthy settlers bought land with views of the Brisbane River. In 1855, James Sutherland bought a large area, including Ascot. He built one of Ascot's oldest homes, Windermere. Bartleys Hill was named after Nehemiah Bartley, who owned land there.

Horse Racing and Growth

The Eagle Farm Racecourse opened in 1863. Horse racing was one of Brisbane's first sports. The suburb was named "Ascot" as a nod to the famous Ascot Racecourse in England. Until the late 1920s, many horse stables were found throughout the suburb.

Because horse racing was so popular, a railway line was built in 1882. It connected Eagle Junction to the Eagle Farm Racecourse.

In 1895, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School opened. In 1899, the first electric tram service reached Ascot. Trams ran along Racecourse Road and Lancaster Road until 1969.

Ascot State School opened its doors on May 24, 1920.

Nyrambla at 21 Henry Street, Ascot, in its early days.

World War II

During World War II, some buildings in Ascot were used by important military leaders. General Douglas MacArthur and the Central Bureau, which decoded Japanese messages, used "Nyrambla" at 21 Henry Street as their headquarters for a time.

The Eagle Farm Racecourse also became a military camp in 1941. It housed thousands of American troops during the war.

Who Lives in Ascot?

Ascot has grown over the years. In 2001, about 4,543 people lived there. By 2021, the population had grown to 6,531 people.

In 2016, most people (69.2%) living in Ascot were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England, New Zealand, and India. Most people (80.1%) spoke only English at home. The most common religions were Catholic, No Religion, and Anglican.

Many homes in Ascot are separate houses (48.4%), but there are also many flats or apartments (43.2%).

Important Places

Aerial view of the Riverview Terrace area of Ascot around 1930.

Ascot has several places that are protected because of their history. These include:

• Eagle Farm Racecourse and Ascot Railway Station (230 Lancaster Road)
• Musket Villa (251 Lancaster Road)
• Ascot State School (Pringle Street)
• Chateau Nous (1 Rupert Terrace)
• Windermere (14 Sutherland Avenue)

Windermere house has a long history in Ascot. It was built by James Sutherland, who helped found the suburb. It's a large home with big gardens, giving it a private feel. It has classic Queenslander-style verandahs.

Getting Around

You can get to Ascot by train. Ascot railway station and Doomben railway station are part of the Citytrain network.

Schools in Ascot

• Ascot State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located on Pringle Street. In 2018, it had 757 students.
• St Margaret's Anglican Girls School is a private school for girls from Prep to Year 12. It is located on Petrie Street. In 2018, it had 920 students.

There are no government high schools directly in Ascot. Nearby high schools include Aviation High in Hendra and Kedron State High School in Kedron.

Ascot also has a kindergarten and a preschool for younger children.

See Also

• List of Brisbane suburbs