Coombabah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CoombabahGold Coast, Queensland |
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The sun setting in Coombabah Lake Conservation Park, 2018
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 Coombabah
Location in Gold Coast, Australia
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| Population | 10,298 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 780.2/km2 (2,021/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4216 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 13.2 km2 (5.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Gold Coast | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) |
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| Federal Division(s) | Fadden | ||||||||||||||
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Coombabah is a suburb located in the sunny Gold Coast area of Queensland, Australia. It's a great place to live, with a mix of homes and natural areas. In 2021, about 10,298 people called Coombabah home.
Contents
What is Coombabah Like?
Coombabah is surrounded by other interesting suburbs. To the north, you'll find Paradise Point and Hope Island. Arundel is to the south. If you head east, you'll reach Runaway Bay and Biggera Waters. To the west is Helensvale. The main road that helps people get around Coombabah is called Oxley Drive.
A Look at Coombabah's History
The name Coombabah comes from Coombabah Lake and Coombabah Creek. These names come from the local Indigenous language, Bundjalung. The words mean "place of the wood grubs." These "wood grubs" (also known as teredo worms) were an important food source for the Indigenous people long ago.
Early Schools in Coombabah
The very first Coombabah Provisional School opened around July 1887. It was a special school for children whose parents worked on big public projects nearby. A "provisional school" was a temporary school that could be set up quickly. This school later moved and became the Acrobat Creek Provisional School in 1889. It helped children whose parents were building railways.
Another Coombabah Provisional School opened in August 1920. For a while, it was a "half-time" school, meaning it shared a teacher with another school called Pine Ridge Provisional School. It closed and reopened a few times, finally becoming a full-time school with its own teacher before closing permanently in April 1924.
Later, two important schools opened that are still around today:
- Coombabah State School opened on January 27, 1981.
- Coombabah State High School opened on January 28, 1986.
Who Lives in Coombabah?
Coombabah has grown quite a bit over the years!
- In 2006, about 9,303 people lived here.
- By 2011, the population grew to 9,774.
- In 2016, there were 10,388 residents.
- The latest count in 2021 showed a population of 10,298 people.
The average age of people living in Coombabah in 2011 was 45 years old. This was a bit older than the national average for Australia at the time, which was 37. Most people in Coombabah were born in Australia.
Coombabah Conservation Area
The Coombabah Conservation Area, sometimes called Coombabah Lake, is a really special place. It's one of only five sites in Queensland that are part of the Ramsar Convention. This is an international agreement to protect important wetlands around the world. Even though it's surrounded by homes and businesses, this area is a safe haven for wildlife.
The local council bought the land in the 1980s to protect it. In 1994, they officially made it the Coombabah Lakeland Conservation Area. Different groups work together to keep this natural space and its animal homes safe.
Exploring the Conservation Area
There are about ten kilometers of tracks, including dirt paths, gravel, and boardwalks, that you can explore. It's a great place for walking and enjoying nature. You can find a carpark on Rain Tree Glen to access the tracks.
The area is also protected for its marine life under Queensland laws. This means it's a safe place for fish and other water creatures. The council even runs guided bush walks, both during the day and at night!
Birds and Wildlife
Over 150 different types of birds use the Coombabah Conservation Area. It's especially important for birds that migrate (travel long distances) between different countries. Coombabah is part of special agreements with China and Japan to protect these migratory birds.
For example, the threatened migratory eastern curlew rests here on its long journey to breeding grounds in Russia or China. There's a special "bird hide" off Shelter Road where you can quietly watch birds without disturbing them. Groups like Bird Observation and Conservation Australia also organize guided bird-watching trips here.
Griffith University's Healthy Rivers Institute also does ongoing research in the area. They help us learn more about this important wetland and how to keep it healthy.
Education in Coombabah
Coombabah has excellent schools for students of all ages.
Coombabah State School
Coombabah State School is a government primary school for students from Prep (the first year of school) to Year 6. It's located at 164-172 Oxley Drive. In 2017, the school had 734 students. It also has a special education program to support students with diverse learning needs.
Coombabah State High School
Coombabah State High School is a government secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. You can find it on Pine Ridge Road. In 2017, about 1100 students attended the high school. Like the primary school, it also offers a special education program.
Famous People from Coombabah
Some well-known people have lived in Coombabah, including:
- Ugly Dave Gray, a television personality.
- Taine Tuaupiki, a rugby league player.
