Darra, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darra Brisbane, Queensland
Shops in Darra
Darra Location in Queensland
Population	4,098 (2021 census)
• Density	745/km2 (1,930/sq mi)
Established	1864
Postcode(s)	4076
Area	5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	18.5 km (11 mi) SW of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane
State electorate(s)	Inala Mount Ommaney
Federal Division(s)	Oxley
Suburbs around Darra: Jamboree Heights Sinnamon Park Seventeen Mile Rocks Sumner Darra Oxley Wacol Richlands Inala

Darra is a suburb located in the south-western part of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a busy area that has grown a lot over the years. In 2021, about 4,098 people called Darra home.

Where is Darra?

Darra is found about 18.5 kilometers (or 11.5 miles) south-west of central Brisbane. It's easy to get to because two major roads, the Ipswich Motorway and Centenary Motorway, cross over here. You'll also find the Brisbane Technology Park Westlink Green right next to the Darra railway station.

A Look Back in Time: Darra's History

Darra has a long and interesting history! People first started dividing up land here way back in 1864.

How Darra Got Its Name

The name Darra comes from the Darra railway station. The railway department named it in 1876. Interestingly, the word Darra comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'stones'.

Early Days and Growth

In 1879, the area became part of the Yeerongpilly Division. Later, in 1903, it became part of the Sherwood Shire. In 1925, the Sherwood Shire joined with the City of Brisbane.

A large area called the Wolston Estate, which had 54 farms, was offered for sale in 1901. This helped Darra grow.

Important Buildings and Businesses

The Darra Methodist Church opened its doors in 1915. Later, it became the Darra Uniting Church.

A big cement factory, the Queensland Cement and Lime Company, started in Darra in 1914. It was a major employer for many years. However, it closed in 1998.

Darra State School, a primary school, welcomed its first students on June 1, 1916. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, a Catholic primary school, was established in 1937.

In 1954, the Darra RSL Memorial Hall opened. This is a special place for veterans and their families.

Modern Darra

Many of the houses in Darra were built in the 1940s and 1950s. These are often in the traditional Queenslander style. In recent years, new homes and townhouses have been built, which has helped Darra's population grow.

Who Lives in Darra?

In 2021, Darra had a population of 4,098 people. The area has become home to many different cultures, including Vietnamese refugees who began settling here in 1975.

Schools in Darra

Darra has two primary schools:

• Darra State School: This is a government primary school for students from Preparatory to Year 6. It's located on Winslow Street.
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School: This is a Catholic primary school for students from Preparatory to Year 6. You can find it on Darra Station Road.

There are no high schools directly in Darra. Students usually go to nearby high schools like Centenary State High School in Jindalee, Corinda State High School in Corinda, or Glenala State High School in Durack.

Community Places

Darra is home to Linh Son Temple, which is a Vietnamese Buddhist temple. The Darra Vietnamese Uniting Church is also located on Lee Road.

Getting Around Darra

Darra railway station, 2012

The Darra railway station is a key transport hub. You can catch trains to Brisbane city, Ipswich, Rosewood, and Springfield. Darra was even the first stop for Brisbane's electric train lines back in 1979!

Besides trains, the Centenary Freeway and Ipswich Motorway help people drive to Brisbane. There are also bus routes that connect Darra to nearby suburbs like Inala, Mount Ommaney, and Sinnamon Park.

Darra in "Boy Swallows Universe"

Darra is a very important setting in the popular novel "Boy Swallows Universe" by Trent Dalton, published in 2018. This book tells the story of a young boy named Eli Bell growing up in Brisbane in the 1980s.

The story uses Darra's unique working-class feel and diverse community as a backdrop. For Eli, Darra is a place where he experiences both tough times and moments of hope and love. The book really brings to life what Darra and Brisbane were like in the 1980s.

The book was so popular that it was turned into a Netflix series called "Boy Swallows Universe." This 8-episode show also takes place in 1980s Brisbane and follows Eli Bell's journey. The series has been praised for showing both the difficult and hopeful parts of the characters' lives.

Images for kids

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  Queensland Cement and Lime Company, with Darra railway station (far right), April 1965