Canungra, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Canungra Queensland
The historic Canungra Hotel
Canungra Location in Queensland
Population	1,436 (2021 census)
• Density	48.19/km2 (124.8/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4275
Area	29.8 km2 (11.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	13.2 km (8 mi) S of Tamborine Mountain 26.2 km (16 mi) E of Beaudesert 77.2 km (48 mi) S of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s)	Scenic Rim
Federal Division(s)	Wright
Localities around Canungra: Biddaddabba Benobble Witheren Nindooinbah Canungra Witheren Nindooinbah Sarabah Witheren

Canungra /kəˈnʌŋɡrə/ is a small town in South East Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Scenic Rim Region. In 2021, about 1,436 people lived in Canungra.

Exploring Canungra's Location

Canungra is located in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland. This means it's in the area behind the coast. It's about 32 kilometres (20 miles) west of the Gold Coast. It is also about 75 kilometres (47 miles) south of Brisbane.

Mount Misery is a mountain on the edge of Canungra. It rises to 530 metres (1,740 feet) above sea level. Canungra gets its water from Canungra Creek. This creek flows into the Albert River. The land around Canungra has steep, forested slopes. There are also flat valley areas with farms and homes.

A Look Back at Canungra's History

Canungra is sometimes called the "Valley of the Owls." Its name might come from an Aboriginal word, "Caningera," meaning small owls. The Australian boobook owl is often seen in the area. Another idea is that the name comes from the Yugambeh word gungunga. This word means "a long flat or clearing."

Canungra grew because of the timber industry. It once had huge forests. David Lahey owned one of Queensland's biggest sawmills here.

Schools and Learning in Canungra

Canungera Upper Provisional School opened in 1889. It was for children of settlers and sawmill workers. The school first used the School of Arts Hall. In 1899, the hall moved to Pine Street. The school then moved to Finch Street. In 1912, its name changed to Canungra State School. In 1962, the school moved to its current spot.

Canungra's Early Buildings

A Baptist church opened in Canungra in 1900. The Canungra Post Office opened in 1907. Before that, a small receiving office had been open since 1888.

From 1915 to 1955, a railway line ran to Canungra. It connected the town to Logan Village.

The Lahey family built a guest house called Bellissima in 1916. It was sold in 1927 and became the Canungra Hotel. The hotel burned down in 1937 but was rebuilt. This is the Canungra Hotel you see today.

Important Places of Worship

St Mary Margaret's Catholic Church was officially opened in 1934. Archbishop James Duhig helped open the church. St Luke's Church of England opened in 1936. It was built in an old English Gothic style.

Remembering History and Heroes

Honour Board at the School of Arts, Anzac Day 1937

An Honour Board was put up at the School of Arts Hall in 1922. It remembered people who served in wars. The School of Arts building burned down in 1946.

Canungra War Memorial, 2008

The Canungra War Memorial was unveiled in 1938. It honors those who served in wars.

By the 1940s, most of the timber was cut. Sawmills started to close down. The historic Laheys Tramway Tunnel is a reminder of the old sawmilling days. After the timber industry, beef cattle and dairy farming became important.

In 1954, the Canungra Methodist Memorial Church opened. It used timber from an older church. In 1977, it became the Canungra Uniting Church.

In 2005, the local Post Office made a special stamp. It featured Canungra and the boobook owl.

Who Lives in Canungra?

In 2016, Canungra had 1,229 people living there. By 2021, the population had grown to 1,436 people.

Places of Historical Importance

St Luke's Anglican Church

Canungra has several places listed as heritage sites. These are important historical buildings or areas. Some of them include:

• The old Canungra Ambulance Station
• The Uniting Church
• The Canungra War Memorial
• The Lahey's Canungra Tramway Tunnel
• The old Lahey's Canungra Sawmill
• St Luke's Anglican Church
• The Canungra Police Station Reserve
• St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church
• The Canungra Sports and Recreation Ground entry gates

Canungra's Economy and Tourism

Canungra has a small but growing wine industry. The town's economy relies a lot on tourism. Many people visit Canungra for short trips from the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Canungra is a gateway to the Gold Coast hinterland. It's close to popular places like Mount Tamborine, Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's Guesthouse, and Binna Burra Lodge. The town is also a popular spot for motorbike clubs, hang gliders, and birdwatchers. Bushwalkers also love to explore the Canungra Valley. A rodeo is held here every July.

The Military Base Nearby

In the nearby area of Witheren, there is a large military base. It is called the Kokoda Barracks. This base was started during World War II. It was used to train soldiers for different missions. The base brings many people to Canungra. Some live there permanently, and others visit for training courses.

Education in Canungra

Canungra State School is a government primary school. It teaches students from Prep to Year 6. In 2018, the school had 346 students. It also has a special education program.

There isn't a high school in Canungra. Older students usually go to high schools in Tamborine Mountain or Beaudesert.

Important Services and Facilities

Canungra has a Police Station, Fire Station, and Ambulance Station. These services help keep the community safe. The Canungra Cemetery is located in the neighboring area of Witheren.

Community Amenities

Canungra Uniting Church (former Canungra Methodist Memorial Church), 2005

The Scenic Rim Regional Council Library is in Canungra. It offers books, resources, and public Wi-Fi.

The Canungra Hotel is a well-known place. It offers food, drinks, and places to stay.

The Canungra Bowls Club is a place for lawn bowls. The Canungra RSL supports Australian military veterans. It offers meals and drinks.

There are also several churches in Canungra. These include St Luke's Anglican Church, St Mary Margaret's Catholic Church, and Canungra Uniting Church.

Parks and Recreation

Canungra has several parks for everyone to enjoy.

• D J Smith Park
• Moriarty Park

Moriarty Park is a community sports center. It has facilities for many activities. You can play tennis, soccer, and cricket there. It also has a swimming pool and courts for netball. Other activities include taekwondo, hang gliding, yoga, and dog sports. The hall and grounds can also be rented for events.

Canungra in Popular Culture

Canungra is mentioned in the famous song "I Was Only Nineteen" by the band Redgum. The song talks about Canungra as a training base during the Vietnam War.

Famous People from Canungra

Some notable people were born in Canungra:

• Des Bartlett, a wildlife filmmaker.
• May Darlington Lahey, a lawyer and judge.
• Robert Raymond, a well-known person.