Leyburn, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leyburn Queensland
Macintyre Street (main street), Leyburn, 2015
Leyburn Location in Queensland
Population	566 (2021 census)
• Density	3.012/km2 (7.80/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4365
Area	187.9 km2 (72.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	61.4 km (38 mi) NW of Warwick 66.4 km (41 mi) SW of Toowoomba 195 km (121 mi) SW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Southern Downs Region Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)	Condamine Southern Downs
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Localities around Leyburn: Tummaville Ellangowan Ellangowan Stonehenge Leyburn Old Talgai Pratten Stonehenge Karara Thanes Creek

Leyburn (pronounced Lee-burn) is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the Southern Downs Region and also partly in the Toowoomba Region. In 2021, about 566 people lived in Leyburn.

Leyburn's Location

Leyburn is located in a rural area. A main road, the Toowoomba–Karara Road, runs through the eastern part of the town. There is also a special Tourist Drive (Route 12) that connects Leyburn to the nearby town of Warwick.

Part of the Leyburn State Forest, a protected natural area, is found in the east of the town.

Leyburn's Past

Royal Hotel, Leyburn, around 1933

Royal Hotel, Leyburn, 2015

Leyburn got its name in the 1840s. A man named William Gray, Snr., arrived here from New South Wales. The area was first called Canal Creek. Later, Henry and Jane Kirby, who were William Gray's son-in-law and daughter, changed the name to Leyburn. They named it after a market town called Leyburn in Yorkshire, England.

The town's layout was officially planned in November 1852. In 1854, Henry Kirby and another person applied for a licence to open an inn called the Travellers' Home Inn in Leyburn.

In 1858, James Murray opened his own business, the Coffee Room Inn and Boarding House. This building is now known as the Granall Residence.

The Leyburn post office started operating on January 1, 1861. A police force was also set up in 1861. At that time, 65 people lived in the town permanently, but many visitors passed through.

Leyburn State School opened its doors on January 13, 1862.

In 1863, James Murray built The Royal Hotel. It is located on MacIntyre Street, across from his Coffee Inn.

A court house was built in 1866 and was used until 1929.

In September 1871, an Anglican church was officially opened. It was named St Augustine of Canterbury. On November 14, 2021, St Augustine's Anglican Church celebrated its 150th birthday.

St Matthew's Catholic Church, 2015

On December 8, 1901, St Matthew's Catholic Church was officially opened. People had been raising money for this church since 1871. Some believe the church was finished in 1897, with a wedding held there in September 1898.

The Leyburn branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) started in 1924. They built their own hall in 1928.

Leyburn During World War II

During World War II, a large airfield was built near Leyburn. It had a very long runway, about 7,000 feet (2.1 km). It was finished by April 1943 and was used by the United States Army Air Force. Later, different Australian Air Force squadrons also used it. The airfield was no longer used by the Air Force in December 1945.

After the war, this abandoned airfield became famous. In 1949, it hosted the 1949 Australian Grand Prix. This was the first time this big car race was held in Queensland.

Leyburn's Population

The number of people living in Leyburn has grown over the years:

• In 2006, about 348 people lived in Leyburn and the surrounding area.
• In 2011, the population was 416 people.
• In 2016, it grew to 476 people.
• In 2021, the population reached 566 people.

Historic Places in Leyburn

Granall, a former coffee house and court house, built in 1858. It is the oldest building still standing in Leyburn, 2015.

Leyburn has several places that are listed as important heritage sites. These include:

• St Augustines Anglican Church on Dove Street.
• Leyburn State School on Peter Street.
• The Granall Residence (built in the 1850s) at 70 Macintyre Street. This building used to be a coffee house and a court house.

Education in Leyburn

Leyburn State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located at 34 Peter Street. In 2018, the school had 39 students and a few teachers and staff.

There are no high schools in Leyburn itself. Students who want to go to secondary school can attend schools in nearby towns. These include Pittsworth, Clifton, Allora, Warwick, and Millmerran.

Community Services

The Southern Downs Regional Council provides a mobile library service to Leyburn. The library bus visits Leyburn School and Leyburn Hall regularly.

The Leyburn branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) holds its meetings at its hall. This hall is located at 89 MacIntyre Street.

St Augustine's Anglican Church is located at 5795 Toowoomba Karara Road.

St Matthew's Catholic Church is located at 5818 Toowoomba Karara Road.

Exciting Events in Leyburn

A Centaur Waggott GT car at the Leyburn Sprints, 2007.

Since 1996, Leyburn has hosted the Leyburn Sprints. This event celebrates the 1949 Australian Grand Prix that took place at the old airfield. During the Sprints, historic racing cars and other special cars race on a short 1.0-kilometre (0.62 mi) course through the town. This event has become the biggest attraction for Leyburn.

Famous People from Leyburn

Australian rugby league player Shane Webcke grew up in Leyburn.