Kangaroo Point, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kangaroo Point Brisbane, Queensland
Kangaroo Point, underneath the Story Bridge
Kangaroo Point Location in Queensland
Population	9,689 (2021 census)
• Density	5,380/km2 (13,900/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4169
Area	1.8 km2 (0.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	3.8 km (2 mi) SE of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (The Gabba Ward)
State electorate(s)	South Brisbane
Federal Division(s)	Griffith
Suburbs around Kangaroo Point: Brisbane CBD Fortitude Valley New Farm Brisbane CBD Kangaroo Point New Farm South Brisbane Woolloongabba East Brisbane

Kangaroo Point is a lively suburb in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's located just across the Brisbane River from the city center. In 2021, about 9,689 people called Kangaroo Point home.

This area is famous for two big landmarks: the amazing Story Bridge and the towering Kangaroo Point Cliffs. The Captain Cook Bridge is also nearby, marking the start of a major motorway.

What is Kangaroo Point Like?

Kangaroo Point sits on a peninsula, which is a piece of land almost surrounded by water. The Brisbane River flows around this land, which is made of strong rock.

The Story Bridge connects the northern tip of Kangaroo Point to Brisbane's city center. To the south, you'll find the suburb of Woolloongabba. A main road called Main Street runs all the way from the Story Bridge to Woolloongabba.

The buildings in Kangaroo Point change as you move around. Near the tip of the peninsula, you'll see many tall apartment buildings. Further south, there are smaller apartments and traditional Queenslander-style houses.

At the very northern end of the peninsula is Captain Burke Park. It's a great spot with a ferry stop, barbecues, picnic areas, and a playground. You can also find outdoor fitness equipment there.

A Glimpse into Kangaroo Point's Past

The Queensland Navy's main stores below the Kangaroo Point cliffs in the 1890s.

Kangaroo Point Ferry Terminal around 1928

Long before British settlers arrived, the Turrbal people lived in Kangaroo Point. It's one of Brisbane's oldest suburbs, full of interesting history.

In 1823, an explorer named John Oxley described Kangaroo Point as a "jungle" with open forests. Later, when Brisbane was a convict settlement, the land was cleared to grow crops. In 1843, the area was opened for free settlement, and people could buy land.

Early Buildings and Schools

The first house in Kangaroo Point was built in 1844 by a surveyor named James Warner. The first school opened in 1861, run by the Church of England. Over the years, it changed names and locations. Eventually, the Kangaroo Point State School closed in 1965. The land later became a park, extending the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School started in 1870. It was founded by Mary MacKillop, a very important figure in Australian history. The school moved to Kangaroo Point in 1871.

In 1887, the Yungaba Immigration Centre was built on Main Street. This center helped new people arriving in Australia.

Industry and the River

For many years, Kangaroo Point was home to large factories. These businesses often worked with ships and heavy machinery. For example, Evans Deakin built the biggest ship ever made on the Brisbane River!

Stone was also taken from the cliffs and used for building. Until the 1930s, a company called Evans Anderson & Phelan built steam trains here. Since there was no railway nearby, they had to deliver the finished trains along Main Street on temporary tracks!

The Queensland Navy used to have its main storage facility in Kangaroo Point. The first radio message sent from a ship in Australia happened here in 1903. These old naval buildings are now used by an adventure company for activities like rock climbing.

The Story Bridge and Modern Changes

The opening of the Story Bridge in 1940 was a huge event for Kangaroo Point. It made it much easier to travel to the north of Brisbane. Over time, the industrial areas along the river were replaced by homes and parks.

In 1998, the LDS Church decided to build a temple in Kangaroo Point. After some discussions about its height and parking, the temple was built and opened in 2003. It's a beautiful building with a gold statue on top.

Who Lives in Kangaroo Point?

In 2021, Kangaroo Point had a population of 9,689 people. The average age of residents was 35 years old. Many people living here were born in Australia (53.1%). Other common birthplaces include New Zealand, England, and India.

Most people (69.6%) speak only English at home. Other languages spoken include Mandarin, Spanish, and Cantonese. Kangaroo Point has a high number of people living in apartments (78.8%). Most residents (59.9%) rent their homes.

Fun Things to Do in Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point is a very popular place for recreation. It's close to the city and the South Bank Parklands.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Brisbane's city center from Kangaroo Point cliffs

The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are a major attraction. They are perfect for picnics, rock climbing, and abseiling. The cliffs were made steeper by quarrying, where stone was dug out for building materials. These cliffs were formed from ancient lava flows about 230 million years ago!

Story Bridge Adventures

The Story Bridge is a famous landmark. You can even climb it with special tourist groups! This gives you amazing views of Brisbane. Right under the bridge, you'll find the Story Bridge Hotel and Yungaba, a unique historic building.

Natural History Trail

The Kangaroo Point Natural History Project created a special trail. Along this trail, you'll find signs and sculptures that tell the story of important scientists and researchers who lived in the area. It's a great way to learn about Queensland's natural history.

Getting Around Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point Cliffs after sunset

Walkway along the cliffs

You can get around Kangaroo Point by bus, using the South East Busway or local bus routes. For cars, the Story Bridge and Captain Cook Bridge connect to the north. The Southeast Freeway provides access to the south.

There are also great bicycle paths along the Brisbane River. These paths are very popular with cyclists, roller skaters, and walkers.

Ferry services like Cross River and CityHopper connect Kangaroo Point to the city center. A new bridge, the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, is being built to connect Kangaroo Point directly to the Brisbane city center.

Schools and Learning

St Joseph's Primary School is a Catholic school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on Leopard Street.

There are no government schools directly in Kangaroo Point. The closest primary school is East Brisbane State School, and the closest secondary school is Coorparoo Secondary College.

For older students, Kangaroo Point has Shafston International College. The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) used to be here but has moved. The Queensland University of Technology is just across the river.

Places of Worship

Wesley Uniting Church, 2011

Kangaroo Point is home to several churches:

• St Mary's Anglican Church on Main Street.
• St Joseph's Catholic Church on Leopard Street.
• Wesley Uniting Church on Linton Street.
• St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral on Vulture Street.

The Brisbane temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on River Terrace. It has a gold statue of the Angel Moroni on its spire, which is lit up at night.

Heritage Sites

Yungaba Immigration Centre and riverside lawn, 2015

St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 2015

Wesley Methodist Church, circa 1947

Pineapple Hotel, 2017

Kangaroo Point has many places that are protected because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. Some examples include:

• The former Naval Stores, Kangaroo Point on Amesbury Street.
• Shafston House on Castlebar Street, a historic house.
• The Holman Street Ferry Terminal.
• Lamb House, Kangaroo Point on Leopard Street.
• The Kangaroo Point Cliffs themselves.
• The Yungaba Immigration Centre on Main Street.
• The Story Bridge Hotel on Main Street.
• St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point on Main Street.
• The Pineapple Hotel on Main Street.
• St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral on Vulture Street.

Famous People from Kangaroo Point

Many interesting people have connections to Kangaroo Point, including:

• Frederick Manson Bailey, a famous Australian botanist.
• Peter Burge, an Australian cricketer.
• Silvester Diggles, a musician and expert on birds.
• John Lavarack, who was a Governor of Queensland.
• Cyril Tenison White, another important Australian botanist.