Dundas, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DundasQueensland |
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Red Cedar Park, 2023
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 Dundas
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 58 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.470/km2 (1.22/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4306 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 123.4 km2 (47.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Somerset Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Blair | ||||||||||||||
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Dundas is a small rural area in the Somerset Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a quiet place with lots of nature. In 2021, only 58 people lived here.
Contents
Exploring Dundas's Nature
Much of Dundas is part of the amazing D'Aguilar National Park. This park protects many natural areas.
Mountains and Views
Dundas is home to several peaks of the D'Aguilar Range. These include Mount Sim Jue and Tenison Woods Mountain. Tenison Woods Mountain is the highest point in the entire range!
The Northbrook Parkway is a special road. It's the only way to cross the D'Aguilar Range in this area. It connects the southern part of the Somerset Region with the City of Moreton Bay.
Lakes and Wildlife
Dundas is right next to the Wivenhoe Dam. You can visit Billy's Bay here, which has public boating areas. The best way to get to this area is by using Wivenhoe-Somerset Road.
Because of all the natural parks, Dundas is a great place for wildlife. You might hear songbirds singing or see bush turkeys walking around. Eagles often fly high above the mountains. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might even spot a deer!
One cool thing about Dundas is that residents can watch the sunset over Lake Wivenhoe. This is special because it's not usually possible to see a sunset over water in South-East Queensland.
Fun Parks and Spots
Dundas has some great spots for outdoor fun:
- Lake Wivenhoe Branch Creek Day Use Area: This park is maintained by SEQ Water. It's on Wivenhoe-Somerset Road.
- Red Cedar Park and White Cedar Park: These two parks are on the western side of the Northbrook Parkway.
- Northbrook Gorge: East of the Cedar parks, you can find Northbrook Gorge. It's a spot for freshwater swimming. You'll need to walk down a steep slope to get there.
- Wivenhoe Lookout: Just a short drive further up the mountain from Northbrook Gorge is Wivenhoe Lookout. It has a marked car park, wood BBQ facilities, and toilets. It offers amazing views.
A Look at Dundas's Past
Dundas has an interesting history, especially with its name and how the area changed over time.
How Dundas Got Its Name
The name "Dundas" comes from an early landholder named Joseph North. His wife was named Robert Dundas Burnett. She was named after a friend of her father, Judge John Burnett. Judge Burnett had wanted to name a son after his friend, but he had a daughter instead! Joseph North used the "Dundas" name for some of his land, and that's how the area got its name.
Schools and Buildings
A school called Dundass Provisional School first opened around 1890. It closed for a bit, then reopened in 1898 as Dundas Provisional School. In 1909, it became Dundas State School. For a few years, it shared one teacher with Bryden State School. Dundas State School closed in 1942. The old school was on Kipper Creek Road.
The Dundas Public Hall was officially opened in 1928. It was a place for community events. An Anglican Church also opened in Dundas in 1955. However, it closed in 1977 because of the Wivenhoe Dam construction.
The Impact of Wivenhoe Dam
The building of the Wivenhoe Dam had a big effect on Dundas. Many farms and roads in the area were permanently flooded. The land next to the dam became state-owned land with rules about how it could be used.
Past Businesses
The Framptons Road area in Dundas used to have some businesses. In the 1950s and 1960s, a local farmer ran a small saw mill there. In the 1990s, there was even a horse riding school on Framptons Road!
Who Lives in Dundas?
In 2011, Dundas was counted as part of a larger area called Crossdale. That area had 190 people.
By 2016, Dundas had a population of 77 people.
In the most recent count in 2021, Dundas had 58 people living there.
Learning in Dundas
There are no schools directly in Dundas. Students usually travel to nearby towns for school.
Primary Schools
The closest primary schools are:
- Fernvale State School in Fernvale (to the south)
- Mount Nebo State School in Mount Nebo (to the south-east)
- Dayboro State School in Dayboro (to the north-east)
Secondary Schools
For high school, students might go to:
- Lowood State High School in Lowood (to the south-west)
- Ferny Grove State High School in Ferny Grove (to the south-east)
- Bray Park State High School in Bray Park (to the east)
Amazing Views
Wivenhoe Outlook is a fantastic lookout point on Mount Glorious Road (27°17′48″S 152°43′44″E / 27.2967°S 152.7290°E). From here, you can see incredible panoramic views of Lake Wivenhoe.
