Fernvale, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids FernvaleQueensland |
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Brisbane Valley Highway, Fernvale
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 Fernvale
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 3,629 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 130.54/km2 (338.1/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4306 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 27.8 km2 (10.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Somerset Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Lockyer | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Blair | ||||||||||||||
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Fernvale is a country town in the Somerset Region of Queensland, Australia. In 2021, about 3,629 people lived here.
Fernvale is a growing town. It is part of a special area in South East Queensland.
Contents
Where is Fernvale Located?
Fernvale is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Brisbane. It sits along the Brisbane River in the southern part of the Somerset Region.
The town is a central spot for nearby areas. These include Fairney View, Vernor, and Wivenhoe Pocket.
What is Fernvale's History?
Who Lived Here First?
The land around Fernvale was originally home to the Indigenous Jagera people.
Near Fernvale, there is an important old site called Platypus Rockshelter. It was a cave by the river. People found many stone tools and animal bones there. This shows that people lived here a very long time ago.
How Did Europeans Settle Here?
In the early 1800s, the British set up a prison in Brisbane. For a while, people were not allowed to settle near it. But explorers traveled up the Brisbane River, passing through the Fernvale area.
After 1828, settlers from Sydney came to the Brisbane Valley. They brought sheep to the rich grasslands.
In 1842, people were finally allowed to settle here. The first Europeans to claim land in Fernvale were the Uhr brothers. They called their land "Fernie Lawn." The North family bought this land in 1843. They also bought the nearby Wivenhoe station in 1849. Part of this land is now called Wivenhoe Pocket.
Fernvale became a popular stop for bullock wagons and cattle drovers. They often camped by the river before crossing it. This was on their way to timber and grazing areas further north.
In 1861, more settlers came to the area. "Fernie Lawn" was divided into smaller plots of land. These first settlers were mostly from Scotland and England. Later, more German families arrived. Many families in the area today are descendants of these early settlers.
Farmers grew different crops and raised dairy cows. Cotton was very popular because of the American Civil War. Cotton factories were set up in the area.
At first, Fernvale had two parts: Harrisborough and Stinking Gully. By 1875, the whole area became known as Fernvale. The name Stinking Gully was changed to Ferny Gully in 1930.
Some old buildings are gone, like the first bakery and churches. But the butcher shop is still there. The old dance hall is now a tea room. The "Old Fernvale Bakery" has old photos and items from the past.
How Did Churches Develop?
In 1869, the first German Baptist church services began in Fernvale. The first Methodist church in the Brisbane Valley was built in Fernvale in 1872. It was moved in 1882 to avoid floods.
A larger Methodist church was built in 1894. It later became part of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977. This church building was used until 2012.
The 1894 church building was given to the Fernvale Lions Club. It was moved to a new spot to become a community center. A new Uniting Church was built on the old site in 2013. The old church building became the Fernvale Lions Centre in 2019.
Work started on an Anglican church in 1895. It was called St Mark's Anglican Church. This name was special because a church with the same name in Wivenhoe Pocket was washed away in the 1893 Brisbane flood. The church closed in 1934. It was moved to Somerset Dam in 1936 and used again there.
How Did Schools and Post Offices Start?
Fernvale School opened in 1874 as Harrisborough School. It was in an old cotton store. When the first headmaster arrived, he found that all the children were picking cotton. They didn't come to school until the cotton harvest was over! The school opened with 54 students, many from German-speaking families.
The school's name changed to Fernvale School in 1889. A new school building was built in 1915 because the old one was not safe. The school is still in the same spot today.
The Wivenhoe post office changed its name to Fernvale in 1877. In 1879, the Fernvale Post Office was in Cribb and Foote’s Store. Mail was brought by bullock team, then by horse-drawn coach. When the railway came, the post office moved closer to the railway station. The Phelps family ran the post office for 84 years.
What About Transport and Floods?
In 1884, the Brisbane Valley railway line opened. It connected Fernvale to Ipswich and later to Esk and Blackbutt. This made it easy to transport farm goods to markets. The railway closed in 1989.
The railway line has been removed. Now, much of its path is the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This trail is used for walking, cycling, and horse riding.
The Brisbane River valley often has floods. Fernvale and Wivenhoe Pocket have been flooded many times. In the big flood of 1893, the water rose very quickly. Many homes and buildings were washed away.
In 2011, the town was badly affected by floods again. Over 100 homes in Fernvale were flooded. People also saw many snakes during the floods.
How Has Fernvale Grown?
Social life and sports were always important in Fernvale. People held ploughing competitions and town sports days. Cricket, tennis, and football teams were very popular.
The Old Fernvale Hall was a social hub from 1934 to the 1980s. It hosted dances, parties, and wedding receptions.
After World War II, fewer people lived in the area. Dairy farming was replaced by beef cattle. Some mixed farming still happens today.
Fernvale held its first campdraft event in 1947. This sport, where riders herd cattle, has grown stronger over the years.
In the 1980s, building the Wivenhoe Dam brought new jobs and families to Fernvale.
Since 1985, the Lowood-Fernvale Pony Club has been at the showgrounds.
In 2002, a section of the old railway line opened as part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This trail is 148 kilometers (92 miles) long. It lets people explore the history and nature of the Brisbane River Valley.
In 2005, the Wivenhoe Dam was upgraded. The money saved from the upgrade was used to help Fernvale. The Fernvale Futures Partnership was formed. The Fernvale Memorial Park was improved. The Fernvale Futures Complex was built where the old railway station used to be. It opened in 2006.
In 2011, the Fernvale Futures Complex became a temporary shelter. It helped families affected by the Brisbane River flood.
The Fernvale Indoor Sports Centre opened in 2010. It has a gym and courts for sports like indoor cricket and netball.
What About Education in Fernvale?
Fernvale State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located at 1605 Brisbane Valley Highway. In 2018, the school had 580 students.
The school offers extra activities like a drama group, choir, and chess club. A strong Parents and Citizens (P&C) group supports the school. They also run the Fernvale Markets on the school grounds.
There is no high school in Fernvale. The closest government high school is Lowood State High School in Lowood.
What Amenities Does Fernvale Offer?
Fernvale has many community groups. These include the Lions Club, Women’s Group, and Neighbourhood Watch. There are also groups for Girl Guides and youth.
The Old Fernvale Hall is used for guides, church services, and dances. It also has a Pilates studio.
The Fernvale Lowood Uniting Church is at 1503 Brisbane Valley Highway. The Fernvale Community Church holds services in the Fernvale Community Hall.
The Indoor Sports Centre has courts for basketball, netball, and futsal. It also has indoor cricket fields and rooms for gym classes.
The Fernvale War Memorial and flagpole are near the public car park. There is also a Goodstart preschool Learning Centre.
Medical facilities in Fernvale include a medical center, baby clinic, optometrist, and dentist.
What Can You Do in Fernvale?
The Fernvale Futures Complex is a great place to visit. It has a tourist information centre with helpful volunteers. You can also find meeting rooms and computers for public use here. The complex hosts training courses, workshops, and exhibitions.
The Old Fernvale Bakery is a local landmark. It is famous for its wide variety of pies. It has even won awards for its pies!
You can go fishing, swimming, and do non-motorized water sports at nearby Wivenhoe Dam. River access points near town include Savages Crossing and Twin Bridges.
Fernvale is becoming a "book town" with two second-hand shops. They have a great selection of used books. This makes Fernvale a good spot for day trips from Brisbane.
The Fernvale Memorial Park is in the center of Fernvale. It is next to the Fernvale Futures Centre. The park has a playground, picnic tables, and toilets. It also gives you access to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
You can still see parts of the old railway in the park. There are traces of steel tracks and a lever for switching trains. There was once a crane that loaded goods like corn, pumpkins, and timber onto trains. A cream shed and cattle yards were also in the park.
What Events Happen in Fernvale?
An annual campdraft event is held every March at the Fernvale Showgrounds.
Each July, about 800 people take part in the Fernvale-Lowood Rail Trail Fun Run. This event raises money for Diabetes Queensland.
Every Sunday morning, the Fernvale Markets are open at the Fernvale Primary School grounds. The markets have over a hundred stalls. You can find fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade goods, second-hand items, and plants. The school's Parents and Citizens Association runs the market. It has been operating since 1988.
How Do People Get Around in Fernvale?
Public transport in Fernvale is limited. There is a weekday bus for workers to Ipswich. A shoppers' bus runs on Thursdays. There is also a daily school bus. VIP Transport offers a medical transport service.
What is the Environment Like?
Plants
The Fernvale area used to be a dry eucalypt forest. You can still see beautiful Eucalyptus tereticornis trees. Other common trees include Acacia concurrens, Moreton Bay Ash, and spotted gum. Callistemon viminalis (bottlebrush) grows along the river banks.
Animals
The Brisbane River around Fernvale is home to many different animals. These include the Queensland lungfish, platypus, and freshwater mussel.
Other common native animals are the echidna, koala, and red-necked wallaby. The European fox is also common here.
Many birds live in the area. Some common ones are corella, galah, Australian king parrot, and sulphur-crested cockatoo. You might also see wedge-tailed eagles, ospreys, and different types of honeyeaters and finches.
Images for kids
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Brisbane Valley Highway, Fernvale
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Bullock team crossing the Brisbane River, Fernvale, 1914
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1894 Fernvale Methodist/Uniting Church, 2006
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An engraving depicting the Vernor family rescue
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Savages Crossing over the Brisbane River, 2014
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Fernvale State School, 2024
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The Old Fernvale Hall
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Fernvale Futures Complex, 2012
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Fernvale Memorial Park
